​Everyone talks about the physical side of fibromyalgia, but what a lot of non-sufferers and non-believers do not understand is how much we suffer emotionally as well. Going forward, I will refer to these people as the “nons.”

Try having to live with a chronic illness that no one really understands and that some don’t even believe exist. Try living with the fact that even your own spouse, family, and friends are nons and don’t believe in you, or they feel you are a liar or hypochondriac. Try dealing with the stress that comes with not being able to get medications that help you or doctors who listen to you. Try living a life without your family and friends. These are just a few examples of what the nons do not seem to understand about us.

I’ve spent most of my life feeling frustrated, angry, let down, and alone — all due to my illness. I’ve been frustrated because I can’t do the everyday things I need to do to keep up my house and to take care of myself, let alone what I truly enjoy. I feel alone because I can’t get anyone to listen to me. My friends got sick of me forgetting important events or canceling plans at the last minute due to a flare. I feel let down because the medical profession can’t seem to help me. I am angry that my body continually betrays me. Activities that are easy for the nons are almost impossible for us.

Is it any wonder that depression is a frequent symptom of fibromyalgia? Try living a life that at times doesn’t seem worth living. No matter how hard we try, we can’t win. When we are happy, nons steal our joy by putting us down or by reminding us that we are worthless.

I’ve been accused of being lazy and unmotivated. You have no idea how motivated I am and what lengths I’ve gone to to feel better. I’ve seen more doctors and specialists than I can count. I’ve tried almost every form of holistic medicine out there. Some work and some not so much, but I keep trying because I want to be better.

There are quite a few of us who have low or no self-esteem. How can you feel good about yourself when no one else does?

The worst thing I’ve ever been told is that I am a burden. Wow! Talk about a punch to the gut. No one wants to be a burden. But what our spouses, friends, and family don’t understand is that someday, they may be the one who needs help.

What happens if one of them ends up with a chronic illness or disability and they need our help and support? I, of course, would do anything I could to help. But think about it: If you treat me like garbage, how can you honestly expect me to be there for you, especially when you haven’t been for me?

I wish the nons would try to see our side and actually listen to what we are saying. You can still have empathy and compassion for someone even if you do not understand what they are going through. Just look into our eyes and see our pain. It is there. You really don’t have to look hard at all. You just need to look.

While waiting for the nons to come around, seeing a counselor or attending group therapy can be helpful. Joining support groups and patient websites is a way for us to find friendship and comfort with others like us. There are medications for depression that a physician can prescribe. All of these can be helpful to relieve our depression and emotional distress. But honestly, what would really help all of us immensely is a little empathy and compassion from the nons.  By: Carrie Anton

Well, the benefits are in! Recently, I shared a routine oral hygiene experiment with Pursonic Oral Health Care.  If you can donate four minutes a night to daily oral  health care you can improve the overall health of your gums and teeth.  I decided to try this course for five months.  By then a routine yearly check up would be in order.  

My previous yearly exam left me stupefied.  I walked out with a bill over $4,000 which included a crown and a bridge.  To make matters worse, when my bridge was complete, my dentist informed me I would also need buccal fillings on four teeth.  These teeth had recessed gum lines that were exacerbating cavities.  That meant an additional bill over $400.  I simply didn't have it, my  credit cards were tapped out.

Why had my mouth deteriorated so badly due to my fibromyalgia?  I never had terrible issues such as this before I embraced a chronic illness. Now yearly exams showed progressive deterioration on ALL teeth in my mouth.  What could I do to prevent this?   

I decided to become more proactive to benefit my oral health.  I went on a limb and purchased the Pursonic oral irrigator and electric toothbrush.  With prices advertised below, what could I lose?  It was definitely cheaper than investing another $400 for newly needed cavity fills.  I had read that healthy teeth can remineralize by better care.  The body can health itself. I was on a mission!

My products were soon delivered, and I took quick note on the recommendations.  The oral irrigator allowed 30 seconds for each area of the mouth.  That was easy, there are four parts of the mouth - total care time only two minutes.  The electric toothbrush boasted the same. "Total nightly care should be only four minutes," I thought.  Well, four minutes can seem like eons when you have a busy household that nightly routines don't fit perfectly into the picture.  Nonetheless, I committed.  I was going to complete this routine for five months, every night, until my next yearly exam.  

Time flew literally as it always does. Before I knew it my oral evaluation was upon me. To tell you I was nervous at my exam was an understatement.  After all, I could be walking into a larger bill if my cavities decided to eat through my enamel and cause more damage.  Keep in mind, I didn't have the money to fill them five months ago.  

In the chair, feeling uneasy, my dentist began to probe my mouth.  "Hmmmm," he noted here and there.  

"Great," I thought.  "This is it, they've drilled themselves further into my gum line and now I need more extensive care."  I've heard, "Hmmmmmm" numerous time these past five years.

"Well," he continued. "I don't know what to say.  You're teeth are in the best health I've ever seen them. I'm going to re evaluate those buccal's I wrote months ago.  I'm surprised you didn't have them filled."

"What?!!" I thought.  Re evaluate? He has NEVER re evaluated a costly treatment.  I sat for another ten minutes, wondering what was happening, and was then handed a bill with NOTHING on it but the cost of the exam.  The dental assistant asked me to grab my things and meet her up front.  

"Wait!" I exclaimed.  "Can you give me a few moments?  Do I still need to complete the buccal fillings like my last exam stated after my bridge was fixed?" 

"No, not at this time.  The doctor feels that they are not present at this moment," she stated.

"Wow, wow, wow," my mind was reeling.  "It worked!" was all I could think.  In five years, every bill had FURTHER treatment needed.  There was always a long list of suggestions and needs.  I quickly breathed a sigh of relief and handed over my credit card for the exam and oral cleaning.  

Four minutes each night now seems like seconds donated to a healthier lifestyle.  To make matters more interesting, I am always in awe of how fresh my mouth feels.  It's like stepping out of the dental hygienist chair each night before I hit the sheets.  

A delightful movie of one woman who receives large amount of cash that is unexpected from her insurance company in Wild Oats.  

After mistakenly receiving a large amount of money, a woman (Shirley MacLaine) and her best friend (Jessica Lange) travel to the Canary Islands for a fun-filled adventure. - IMBd

If you need a good laugh, this is a classic.  Billy Bob Thornton is at his best as always in a School for Scoundrels.  

A young guy short on luck, enrolls in a class to build confidence to help win over the girl of his dreams, which becomes complicated when his teacher has the same agenda. - IMBd

One of the most wildly popular trees on the planet is the cacao, the plant species from which cocoa – and chocolate – is derived. While some might think cacao and cocoa are one in the same, they're not, exactly. Cacao is the tree, while cocoa is the product made from it (not to be confused with coca, an evergreen shrub from which cocaine is concocted). Edible parts of cacao pods and the beans inside them can be processed to make cocoa powder, cocoa butter, or chocolate after being dried and fermented.

Because cocoa beans were prized for their medicinal and aphrodisiacal properties, they were traded just like currency among ancient South American civilizations. Rumor has it Casanova was fond of them.

The earliest known evidence that cacao was processed for ingestion goes back as far as 1,400 B.C.E., gathered from discoveries of its residue on pottery excavated in Honduras, possibly to ferment the pulp for making an adult beverage. Sweetened forms came about when the Europeans landed in the New World and tasted cacao in liquid form. Although they hated it at first, someone discovered that adding honey made it downright palatable. By the 17th century, this form of chocolate was all the rage in Europe, and subsequently, the world. It still is.

There's been a lot of discussion about free radicals and antioxidants, but some are unsure of what these terms mean in regard to our health. Exposure to the sun, cigarette smoke, pollution, and toxic chemicals, such as chemical weed killers, and unhealthy foods can all release free radical activity in the body, however they also can be produced by factors like stress, damaging healthy tissue. Antioxidants in the foods you eat reverse that process, helping to combat disease by zapping harmful free radicals.

That's where cacao comes in. Raw cacao powder contains more than 300 different chemical compounds and nearly four times the antioxidant power of your average dark chocolate - more than 20 times than that of blueberries. Protein, calcium, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, sulfur, flavonoids, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids are also present. The precise blend of all these elements combined serve to kick in naturally occurring phytochemicals that have incredible benefits throughout the body, such as lowered LDL cholesterol, improved heart function, and reduced cancer risk.

Phenethylamine, or PEA, is one of them. Large doses of this compound are said to be released into the brain when we're attracted to someone, but natural pain- and stress-relieving chemicals known as neurotransmitters stimulate the secretion of endorphins to help us stay alert and focused.

Studies have shown that chocolate affects your emotions and mood by raising serotonin levels, which explains why chocolate is often craved when gloominess looms. Also to the rescue is a neurotransmitter called theobromine, a mild stimulant sometimes used as a treatment for depression. It releases the compound anandamide, which produces uniquely euphoric feelings of relaxation and contentment.

For those who think chocolate must be bad for you (it has to be if it tastes so good, right?), rest assured: there's only one gram of sugar in a half-cup serving of raw cacao. It's what's done with it that makes the difference. Unfortunately, high heat from processing and refining to produce different types of cocoa or chocolate damages the cocoa bean's micronutrients, along with the health benefits.

Not only that, but additions like high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), sugar, and partially hydrogenated oils limit the amount of actual cocoa, and dairy products actually block the absorption of antioxidants, so if it's nutritive benefits you're looking for, your average chocolate bar isn't likely to supply much.

According to one study, black tea, green tea, red wine, and cocoa are all high in phenolic phytochemicals, such as theaflavin, epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol, and procyanidin, respectively, which have been extensively investigated due to their possible role as chemopreventive agents based on their antioxidant capacities. Cocoa contained much higher levels of total phenolics and exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. These results suggest that cocoa is more beneficial to health than teas and red wine.

Another study showed that while eating lots of fruits and vegetables was associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, there was also a similar relationship found with cocoa, a “naturally polyphenol-rich food." Intervention studies strongly suggested that cocoa has several beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, such as lowering of blood pressure, improving vascular function and glucose metabolism, and reducing platelet aggregation and adhesion. Proposed mechanisms through which cocoa was thought to exert its positive effects included activation of nitric oxide synthase, increased bioavailability of nitric oxide, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

All you need to do is scout around your local health food store for some organic, raw chocolate.  Most will contain raw honey like the above pictured, Good Stuff Cocao.  

It's amazing when you spend a little more time on yourself how much better you feel.  We are so used to whipping up things quickly due to extreme fatigue.

But adding a few recipes that are fibro friendly is a great way to subdue those inflammatory markers. Best of all you can make them in batches in 30 min. or less and freeze or keep in the refrigerator for future use.

FOR THE BLACK BEANS
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
FOR THE MUSHROOM FILLING
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
vegetable stock
30 button mushrooms, stemmed and chopped
2 ½ teaspoons (non-spicy) chili powder
1 ½ teaspoon paprika (plus more for tomato salad)
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
sea salt
1/4¼ cup fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes), divided
2 ½ tablespoons natural tomato sauce

FOR THE TOMATO SALAD AND GUACAMOLE
2 tomatoes, diced
1/2½ red onion, diced
1 handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
1 avocado
garlic powder

FOR SERVING
4 lettuce leaves
6 hard-shelled corn tacos
hot sauce (optional)


Saute the garlic in a bit of vegetable stock in a saucepan over medium heat; add the chopped mushrooms and sauté, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms shrink and become chewy. Add the chili, paprika, dried minced onion, sea salt, and a couple tablespoons of fresh lime juice; stir well to combine. Add the tomato sauce and cook, stirring occasionally. Taste and add more tomato and/or spices, if desired.

Make the tomato salad: Combine the diced tomatoes, red onions, and cilantro in a bowl and squeeze some fresh lime juice over; season with paprika and sea salt to taste.

Make a quick guacamole: Mash the avocado in a separate bowl and season with sea salt, garlic powder, and lime juice to taste.

Prepare a bed of lettuce for the black beans.
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Heat the taco shells. Build each taco, starting with the mushroom base, followed by the guacamole, then finish with the tomato salad on top. Drizzle with hot sauce (if using). Serve with black beans (simply heat and season as desired).

This simple vegan soup can be prepared pretty quickly. Its mild flavor and creamy texture make it a nice addition to any meal. Serve it with a tasty wrap or a hearty sandwich, or simply enjoy it on its own.

1/4¼ cup cashews
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 medium russet potato, scrubbed clean and cut into large dice
2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts
3 cloves garlic, chopped
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
3 or 4 bay leaves
1 bunch spinach, washed and stems trimmed
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
1/4¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sea salt

Place the cashews in a small bowl and cover with 1 cup water. Set aside to soak for 30 minutes. Transfer the cashews and their soaking water to a blender and puree until smooth and creamy; this may take several minutes. Set aside.

In a soup pot, combine the broth, potato, leeks, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer until the potato is very tender, about 15 minutes. Add the spinach and 1 cup water. Cover and cook over medium heat until the spinach leaves have wilted, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly. Remove and discard the bay leaves.

Carefully transfer the soup to a blender or food processor, working in batches if necessary (do not overfill the blender), and puree until smooth. (Alternatively, use an immersion blender to puree the soup in the pot until smooth.) Pour the soup back into the pot. Whisk in the cashew cream, lemon juice, pepper, and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve hot.

Those that suffer from chronic illness are familiar with Hippocrates' oath "Let food be thy medicine." Even if you are not nutritionally enlightened, it doesn't take much research to realize you feel better eating certain foods. 

Low in fat and even lower in cholesterol, spinach is high in niacin and zinc, as well as protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and manganese. In other word, it’s loaded with good things for every part of your body!

Abundant flavonoids in spinach act as antioxidants to keep cholesterol from oxidizing and protect your body from free radicals, particularly in the colon. The folate in spinach is good for your healthy cardiovascular system, and magnesium helps lower high blood pressure. Studies also have shown that spinach helps maintain your vigorous brain function, memory and mental clarity.

2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 package (5 to 6 ounces) fresh baby spinach
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add spinach in batches; cook and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

"[Rawlings is] among the first ten American story writers today."--The New Republic, 1940
"She will help to make the American short story a living part of our literature."--Boston Transcript, 1940
"One of the two or three sui generis storytellers we have."--Atlantic Monthly, 1940
​
In The Yearling, her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of 1939, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote the bleak but noble life of the Florida Cracker into American hearts.  She secured her popularity as a storyteller and her status as a major voice in American literature in 1942 with the instant success of Cross Creek, the autobiographical vignettes that highlight her ability to create short fiction.

 Still, no assessment of the full range and power of her talent has been possible without this volume of all twenty-three of her published short stories, collected together here for the first time.  Most appeared in Scribner's Magazine, The New Yorker, Harper's Magazine and the Saturday Evening Post.

 Scribner's printed Rawlings's first short story, "Cracker Chidlings," in 1931, just three years after she moved to an orange grove in the backwoods of north-central Florida.  With a mix of frontier morality, ingenuity, and humor, the story introduced readers to Fatty Blake's squirrel pilau and 'Shiner Tim's corn liquor.  Just as important, it brought her work to the attention of Maxwell Perkins, the famous Scribner's editor, who recognized her talent for storytelling and her eye for detail and who encouraged her to capture human drama in more "Cracker" stories.

 Though Rawlings was at home in a man's world, much of her short fiction is told in a woman's voice.  She is merciless in "Gal Young 'Un" as she bores in on two women, both competing for the same man and struggling for their dignity.  The story, published in Harper's, was awarded the O. Henry Memorial Prize for best short story of 1932 and was made into a prize-winning movie in 1979.  Her most autobiographical story, "A Mother in Mannville," describes the sense of personal loss endured by a childless woman writer.

 Often at her best combining satire and sarcasm, Rawlings wrote a series of comic stories that featured Quincey Dover, her alter ego.  "She is, of course, me," Rawlings wrote, "if I had been born in the Florida backwoods and weighed nearly three hundred pounds."  One story Quincey narrates, "Benny and the Bird Dogs," reportedly amused Robert Frost so much that he fell off a rocking chair in a fit of uncontrollable laughter while listening to Rawlings read from it.

 Like others who wrote about the South, Rawlings grappled with the problem of how to portray honestly, yet without racism, the situation and the language of her neighbors.  Her empathetic description of blacks and her portrayal of the Florida Cracker contribute a valuable perspective on twentieth-century American culture in transition.

You are going to pleasantly surprised at this recipe. Packed with so much flavor it is a wonderful dish by itself or on the side of another meal.  All of the delightful herbs come through while baking the second time.  It is utterly amazing!

Lots of add protein in this one due to its added peas, chickpeas, and cashews. 

4 large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs), scrubbed
1½ yellow onion, diced small
1½ red bell pepper, diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 cup frozen or fresh peas
1 cup cooked or canned (and drained and rinsed) chickpeas
1/2 cup toasted cashews
1/2½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
sea salt
 
Sour "cream" 

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Pierce each sweet potato a few times with a fork, then place them on a baking sheet and bake until tender, 45 to 60 minutes.

While the sweet potatoes bake, sauté the onions and bell peppers in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onions turn translucent and start to brown, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and curry powder and cook for 1 more minute. Add the peas, chickpeas, cashews, and cilantro, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to marry the flavors.

When the sweet potatoes are tender, let them cool until they are easily handled. Cut each sweet potato in half lengthwise and scoop out all but a ½-inch wall of the flesh. Add the scooped sweet potato flesh to the skillet with the chickpea mixture. Mix well, then season with sea salt to taste.

Spoon the filling into each of the sweet potato halves and place them back on the baking sheet. Bake until the tops of the sweet potatoes start to brown, about 25 minutes. Serve with the Sour “Cream.”

Sour "Cream"

1 (12-ounce) package firm or extra-firm silken tofu
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
Sea salt

Combine the tofu and vinegar in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Add salt to taste. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.