Dealing with chronic low energy and pain can be difficult, but if you add a smoothie to your afternoon, you can boost liver and immune function, which will improve your energy reserve. The carbohydrates will give you energy while  the protein will help slow their absorption into the bloodstream, giving a more  sustained release of energy throughout the morning.  It will also get that "sludge" out of your muscles and joints promoting better flexibility.


Smoothie Recipe

1/2 cup unsweetened cranberry juice
3 - 4 frozen strawberries
2 - 3 small pineapple slices
1-2 tab. ground flaxseed
1 tsp. - 1 tab. coconut oil (begin small, coconut can be a laxative)
1 tsp. raw honey
1/2 - 1 scoop protein powder (rice or pea)
filtered water to  barely  cover fruit

Place all in a blender. Whirl until smooth.  Unsweetened cranberry juice will prevent further UTI infections if you are prone to these.  Rice and Pea protein powders are hypoallergenic and will prevent further flare ups. 

Fibromyalgia Juicing Recipe attempts to address  the dysfunction of  muscle cells and the buildup of lactic acids that can attribute to muscle pain and soreness.  I make this juice blend upon rising.  You want to ensure that these essential nutrients get immediately to the cells in need before having any food intake. 

Morning Routine:

1.  Drink a full glass of water
2.  Drink a Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar Tea
                                                            3.  Drink Fibromyalgia Juicing Recipe
                                                            4.  Drink Tension Tamer Tea

Juicing Recipe

1/2 beet with tops
1 celery stick
1 carrot
3-4 parsley, stems included

Put all through a juicer and enjoy!  Within minutes you'll notice a revitalized energy.

When I first become overwhelmed with the symptoms of fibromyalgia, I ran to my health food store and secured some Valerian root extract.  My doctor offered many psychosomatic drug recourses, but with additional new found chemical sensitivities, I opted out and decided on my own route.  I knew if I could get my body out of this heightened anxiety stage, I'd give it time to rest and heal.  Valerian root allowed that without producing medicine head and more exacerbated side effects.  I took a few drops every few hours, and my flare ups were cut in half.  Keeping it in my purse allowed me to get back to being mobile without feelings of panic arising when the pain began.

In the morning I needed some immediate refuge and found Celestial Seasonings Tension Tamer.  I wanted an herbal tea that would help me relax upon rising, but still allow a good amount of coherency so I could continue my day.  I didn't want myself confined to the bed in sleep mode all day as many bedtime teas do.  Tension Tamer helped my morning stiffness and anxiety melt away after just a few sips, yet allow me clarity to organize what was ahead.  I'd bring this tea with me and sip it throughout the day as pain and anxiety ruled its ugly head. 

An hour before bed, I begin to sip Bigelow Cozy Chamomile tea.  Notice I say sipping.  You never want your body to become overwhelmed with any substance while it is trying to heal itself.  This tea gives you that slow, steady restful state you need desperately before falling off to sleep.  By doing this nightly, you'll find your amount of restful sleep increases each night.

Don't balk at this post thinking, "How can I exercise when I'm in so much pain?"  Yet, exercise does ease many of the symptoms and flare ups of fibromyalgia.  Of course, when I mention exercise, I'm not talking about the excessive kind.  After all, this type of exercise is not offered to stress your body, but rather to get your circulatory system moving and remove excess toxin build up that cause flare ups.

Actually, aerobic forms of exercise are important to fibromyalgia treatment because it improves blood circulation in all parts of the body.  This strengthens the heart and other muscles.  By completing aerobic exercise your body prompts the natural painkillers called endorphins which will reduce the stress and strain in your muscles.  Trust me, your mood will improve as well.

The goal is not to workout with vigor, but to enjoy low impact aerobics: walking, cycling, dancing, and water aerobics.  Begin with 10 minutes a day about three to four times a week.  Gradually increase your time to 20 - 30 minutes.  Don't forget to do some stretches when you are through!  Get those toxins out of the muscles and joints!

Don't forget a few light sessions of strength exercises that can ease symptoms as well. for your condition.  Strength conditioning can increase your tolerance to pain, improve your range of motion, and help your muscles work more effeciently.  You can purchase weights, or join a gym.  Planet Fitness offers gym memberships starting at $10 a month.

Chemical imbalances have prompted a good amount of research especially in the area of fibromyalgia.   The body's chemical balance depends on the balance of minerals to operate effectively.  Each mineral depends on other minerals to work effectively.   Minerals are also known as co-enzymes, working with enzymes to
help  create energy in the growth and healing of tissue. Minerals specifically help  form bones and the blood, keep the nervous system functioning, and regulate the  tone of the muscles. Minerals are needed to get oxygen into the muscles to  reduce pain and fatigue.

 Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in the body, especially in  the bones and teeth, and the soft tissues. Calcium is used for muscle contraction and growth, to regulate the nervous system and heart action, to properly clot the blood, to break down fats, and to stabilize protein. Calcium is needed in large quantities to aid our system in prompting healing.  Calcium can be found in kelp, almonds, egg yolks, dark leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, cabbage, and  in most dairy products. Calcium supplementation should include a very absorbable  form of calcium such as Cal-Mag. 

For fibromyalgia, Magnesium is the most common mineral used to reduce stress in the muscles. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, and the second most abundant in the muscle tissue. It helps to relax muscles, expand airways, regulate heart rhythm, and is beneficial in nerve 
formation.  Our bodies' energy production system is dependent on magnesium, and even a slight magnesium deficiency can slow down the  production of energy. Deficiencies of magnesium can cause swelling of the cell  membranes, hardening of the soft tissues, sleep disturbances, and irritability.  Magnesium is found in whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, kelp, and many  kinds of nuts and legumes. Magnesium in supplementation should be combined with  2 parts Calcium to 1 part Magnesium.

Zinc is an essential nutrient for life. It plays an important role in growth and development, neurology and reproduction, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Enzymes depend on zinc for vital chemical reactions while proteins and cell membranes rely on it for their structure. Adequate intakes of zinc are crucial to maintaining the integrity of the immune system and preventing susceptibility to a variety of infections.  With fibromyalgia, the immune system is suspended in a state of havoc and leaves the patient  susceptible  to various infections.  Keep these illnesses at bay with zinc.
 

When you have the chronic and painful condition known as fibromyalgia, morning pain and stiffness can bring on morning blues.  People with fibromyalgia suffer from non-restorative sleep. This means they can sleep a full eight to nine hours but still wake up feeling as if they haven’t slept.  Fibromyalgia patients also suffer from stiffness and pain, which makes movement uncomfortable in the morning. Try the following tips to help soothe fibromyalgia pain and ease into your day:

By rising 20 minutes earlier, you can get a more productive start to your day.

1. Upon rising complete the set of morning stretches.

2.  Meditate for 10 - 15 minutes.  Despite video instructions, I like to keep my palms open with thumb and middle finger gently clasped, hands resting on my knees to invite healting. Research now shows that meditation can help ease the  depression associated with and the pain of fibromyalgia, a condition marked by  chronic joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and, in some cases, poor memory and  thinking. While meditation doesn’t make the pain disappear, it appears to help  patients refocus their attention and feel better.

3.  Pray for five minutes.  Focus on what you'd like God's blessings to be today, ask and you shall receive.   Be thankful for all that God has bestowed you recently.   Gratitude produces self healing.  Need a spiritual boost?  Log onto God's Message Today for FREE Monday's Blessing Blog.

Give your self more morning time to ensure a calm, relaxed start to your day!

If you've been following some of the recommendations here on this blog, especially cleaning out your kitchen, hopefully, you are finding some relief.  If you are feeling negative and wondering if any of these applications are working, define what your internal answers are.  If you are expecting to return back to normal, your expectations may be a bit too high.  If you are feeling gradual release, then keep implementing more suggestions.  Remember, time is essential.  It takes time to heal your body and restore it to its original health.  Be patient with yourself.  Keep focused and relaxed looking for small miracles each day. 

The following is a list of foods and that wreck havoc on the fibromyalgia patient:

Aspartame: Better known as NutraSweet.  One study published in Annals of Pharmacotherapy in 2001 showed that eliminating aspartame from the diet of fibromyalgia patients resulted in improved symptoms.  Aspartame is an excitotoxin, which his known to stimulate pain receptors.

BHA and BHT: These preservatives are often added to a wide variety of foods.  Both are known to form potentially cancer-causing reactive compounds in the body.  Other side effects include immune disorders, liver and kidney damage, infertility, and elevated cholesterol. 

Monosodium Glutamate:  This additive and flavor enhancer is found in a number of processed and frozen foods.  Like aspartame, it is an excitotoxin had has the same ability to stimulate NMDA receptors.  MSG often hides in foods under names such as: glutamate, sodium caseinate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, texturized protein, natural flavoring, yeast extract, among others.  Glutamate in muscles may contribute to pain sensitivity.

Nitrates: Used primarily in processed meats like bologna, bacon, and deli meats, nitrates have been shown to cause fibromyalgia patients issues such as: difficulty breathing, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.  Patients also experienced intensified symptoms of pain when ingesting this preservative. 

Phosphates/Phosphoric Acid: This preservative prevents chemical changes of food that influence texture, flavor, color, and appearance.  They also attract trace minerals from your body which can result in dietary deficiencies.  Anything that promotes nutritional deficiency in people who have fibromyalgia should be avoided. 

-Referenced from: The Complete Guide to Healing Fibromyalgia by Deborah Mitchell

Stretching is an important and necessary part of any fibromyalgia treatment program.  Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that causes widespread pain, persistent fatigue, and a number of other debilitating symptoms.  Stretching can be difficult and uncomfortable for those suffering with fibromyalgia, yet it is an excellent way to increase muscle strength while decreasing muscle pain and stiffness once the exercises are completed.

Stiffness is at its worst in the mornings for most fibromyalgia patients.  Often, if the muscles are stretched and allowed to relax, your morning will become welcomed as you incorporate these daily stretches.  Get up 10 minutes earlier, and you will have the tools needed to ensure a productive day.

Yoga is one of the easiest forms of stretching.  It prompts the body to relax, and eases muscle ache and joint pain.  Yoga is usually done on the floor with a mat.  But, if you are plagued with deep muscle and joint pain upon arising, you can do these exercises from your bed.  These exercises are hand picked to target those areas that hurt the most in the morning getting you off in a shorter period of time to get on with your day.

Begin by Learning Deep Breathing to Use during the exercises

In as little as 10 minutes you can start your day with an added sense of peace.  Incorporate these stretches into your daily regime and claim back your health!

Don't fret over those aches and pains feeling that your body is slipping out from under your control. I know, especially on those painful days, getting a grip on reality can be a fleeting desire. But, with diligence on your
good days, you will see a remarkable improvement by utilizing many of these ideas on this blog.

As you know, your varying degrees of tolerance differ from day to day.  It can be frustrating applying a new idea yesterday that just isn't working today.  This is due to your constant fluctuating pain tolerance.  On the days you feel down, just sit back and relax allowing your body time to heal.  If you're unsure that a certain supplement may tax your system, then by all means halve the pill.  Take half one hour, and by the next hour, if you experienced no symptoms, take the other half.   I know the apprehension of trying something new.  You just are so unsure how well your body will tolerate a new form.  Some products just don't work and cause further pain.  Be kind to your body offering it small amounts to build up a good tolerance.

Having a good multivitamin is important.  It doesn't matter what type you choose, just be sure there are NO added ingredients such as wheat and soy. Those added B vitamins, in a good multi,  allow your nerve endings to relax enabling your body to begin the healing process.  Two great vitamins I recommend are:

High Potency Ultra Woman 50 Plus

High Potency Ultra Vita Man™ 50 Plus

Don't be so preoccupied with the age.  If you are feeling the "jitters" of fibromyalgia and need to relax and calm down due to nerves over firing, then you certainly don't need a vitamin that is going to offer you extra surges of energy.  You want one that will relax you allowing your body time to heal. 

These vitamins contain the essential nutrients needed forfibromyalgia patients:

* Thiamine (B1):  Important in proper functioning of the nervous system and muscles.
* Riboflavin (B2): Has properties that reduce chronic fatigue and improve mood.
* Niacin (B3):  Helps energy production
* Pantothenic acid (B5): Helps in the manufacture of cholesterol, steroid hormones, hemoglobin, and
   melatonin.
* Pyridoxin (B6):  Involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain which improve mood.
* Biotin:  Breaks down amino acids, the building blocks essential for well-being.
* Folate: Controls the levels of homocysteine.
* Cobalamin (B12): Keeps nerves healthy.
* Inositol: Keeps cell membranes working optimally. 

What are you waiting for?  Get your arsenal prepared today!  Take back control of YOUR health!  Get out or search the Internet for a multi that will work well with your system.

If you've already eliminated most of the toxic foods from your pantry, then you're ready for step two.   For the next two weeks, eliminate wheat from your diet.  I know, you're thinking, "This is virtually impossible!  Wheat is in everything!"  But, there are many nutritious foods available that don't contain wheat.  I noticed a direct connection to my aches and pains that pointed to consuming wheat.  In fact, most of my flare ups were diet related continually.  This product was the first outcast in my diet.  I can attest, elminating wheat has made a significant impact toward a pain free life.

Many fibromyalgia patients suffer from wheat intolerance.  Gluten is usually the key factor and is a complex protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and some oats. For many, our bodies are unable to digest these proteins properly. That headache you experience after a meal of pasta may be an indicator that you are gluten
intolerant. If you feel sleepy and lethargic after a French toast breakfast, your body may be having a hard  time trying to break down the food you are consuming.

According to The Weston A. Price Foundation, wheat has been associated with the human diet for 8,000 years.  But traditional wheat is not the same grain we consume today.  New strains are manufactured to resist fungal diseases and pest attacks, improve ease of mechanical harvesting, and meet the demands of the population at hand today.   These GMO changes may be affecting how our bodies metabolize gluten.  Dark and rich in nutrient breads consumed by our forefathers is a small cry to the airless varieties available today.
 
New evidence suggests that as many as 1 in 7 are gluten sensitive, or gluten intolerant. Many chronic illnesses are associated with gluten intolerance: Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorder, and diabetes. It is also thought to be the cause of infertility in some women. Gluten intolerance should not be confused with the less common and more severe auto-immune disorder, Celiac Disease.

Wondering what to eat? Try:

Basmati Rice
 All types of beans
Organic Brown Rice
Organic Brown Rice Flour (In place of flour)
Quinoa
Millet
Gluten Free Oats
Buckwheat

If you are gluten intolerant, you will notice a dramatic improvement in only a couple of days.  Your aches and pains will subside, making flare-ups less frequent.  At the end of two weeks, go ahead.  Introduce some form of wheat back into your diet.  If you begin to have those familiar aches and pains, you know that gluten sensitivity is the culprit.