Since cleaning up my diet of preservatives and chemicals, I've noticed a remarkable improvement in my overall health.  I am able to get out for longer periods of time without pain reoccurrence.  In fact, some days are virtually pain free!  This has prompted me to take a peek at other areas of my life that are accustomed to unnatural products. 

One of the largest organs our body hosts is our skin.  The skin has three basic roles:

 PROTECTION
It protects the body from mechanical, physical, chemical or microbial attack from the outside environment, among others through immunological and cell mechanisms and its impermeability, strength and
flexibility.

TRANSMISSION
It is used to transmit information between the body and the outside world through its many nerve endings which receive tactile, thermal and pain stimuli.

ECHANGES
It is the site of multiple exchanges between the body and the outside environment. It is involved in complex mechanisms such as body temperature regulation (by eliminating heat and evaporating the sweat secreted
by sweat glands as well as eliminating harmful substances) and synthesis of vitamin D which is essential to bone growth.

It seems utterly ridiculous that an organ that takes 16% of our body weight allows such potential health risks with many of the products on our counters today.  You'd think there would be more thought put into what we place on our epidermus. Lurking in many of your shampoos are the following five toxins:

Methylisothiazoline
The damage causes by methylisothiazoline can put unborn children at risk for brain defects,
as well as lead to the onset of Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders leading to auto immune issues.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Is found in nearly every popular brand of shampoo and body wash. These chemicals are a known carcinogen having an abrasive effect on skin and hair.

Parabens
Have been linked to an increased estrogen levels in the human body and contribute to the development of hormonal disorders and cancer.

Phthalates
Are noted to add fragrance to products.  Some ma be related to reproductive and hormonal problems especially in young children.

Formaldehyde  
 Has been noted to cause allergic reactions and damage to the nervous system. It can be commonly named as: doazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, and quarternium-15.  

So it seems only natural that we begin to rid our bodies of any toxic substances we normally use.  Pick shampoos that derive products from natural sources such as Nature's Garden. Nature's Garden and other shampoos and conditioners found at your local health food store will ensure your skin soaks up ingredients that are nontoxic enabling you better health and longevity in the future.



 

I can't stress the importance of getting enough sleep each night.  Sleep defines the property of well-being for all fibromyalgia sufferers.   Without this blessed need fulfilled, your waking hours could be filled with unexplained misery.  Gone are the days of multi-tasking into the late night hours.  If things need to be completed, do only what is necessary and ensure you are task free at least an hour before bed.  You need this time to relax and read to ensure a proper night's sleep.  Try to attain at least eight to nine hours of sleep each night.  If you have been sleeping far less before your illness, now is the time to make necessary changes to promote feelings of restfulness. 

WebMD offers the following on helping you attain a good night's rest if you suffer from the aches and pains of fibromyalgia:

What Sleep Problems Are Common With Fibromyalgia?
 
Sleep problems with fibromyalgia include insomnia or difficulty falling asleep as well as
frequent awakening in which you become awake enough to remember them the next
day. An even more common problem is awakenings that you don't remember but that
definitely interrupt your "deep" sleep. Also, other sleep disorders -- such as
restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea -- may be associated with
fibromyalgia.


People with fibromyalgia talk about waking up day after day feeling exhausted
with no energy. Usually, they feel more tired in the morning, and many go back
to sleep during the day to ease their fatigue. Also, it's common for people with
fibromyalgia to have great difficulty concentrating during the day, a condition
called "fibro fog."


Pain or other symptoms of fibromyalgia such as depression and anxiety also
contribute to sleep problems.

Are There Sleep Strategies to Help People With Fibromyalgia?
Establishing better sleep hygiene can help manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Improving your sleep
may help decrease your pain, fatigue, and "fibro fog." Try the following
strategies and see if they help your sleep. In addition, ask your doctor about a
sleeping pill that's safe and effective to get your body back on a restful sleep
regimen.
 

• Sleep only as much as needed to feel refreshed and healthy the following
  day, not more. Curtailing the time in bed seems to solidify sleep. Excessively
  long times in bed seem related to fragmented and shallow sleep.


• Keep a sleep diary. Write down how you slept each night and triggers that
  may have interfered with your sleep. Reviewing your notes over several weeks may
  give you insight into your sleep problems.


• Have a regular time to wake up each morning. A regular arousal time helps
  strengthen circadian cycling and leads to regular times of sleep onset.


• Use relaxation therapies. A gentle massage, deep breathing, and other relaxation
  techniques are all potentially beneficial to managing fibromyalgia and boosting restful
  sleep.


• Exercise regularly (but avoid exercising three hours before bedtime).
  Exercise may exert its beneficial effect by promoting better-quality sleep.


• Sound-attenuated bedrooms may help those who must sleep close to noise.
  Occasional loud noises -- for example, aircraft flyovers -- disturb sleep even
  in people who are not awakened and cannot remember them in the morning.


• Avoid long daytime naps. Extensive napping can interfere with nighttime
  sleep.


• Keep the temperature in your room cool. An excessively warm room disturbs
  sleep.


• Hunger may disturb sleep; a light snack of carbohydrates may help
  sleep.


• Avoid caffeine or alcohol in the evening. They both disturb sleep.

One of the most frequent comments I receive is a request for ideas on breakfast fare.  Most fibro sufferer's write that once they rise and complete the morning routine they begin to feel pains subside.  Then upon eating, despite accurate food choices from Eat Right For Your Type, and keeping with organic food choices, they begin to feel laden down again, achy and unable to continue their day.

I offer you my breakfast soup.  This soup is stock full of protein, beans, whole grains, vegetable choices, and light on the stomach.  Keeping our food portions light, enables the body to heal appropriately.  Heavy, laden food fare causes our digestive system to work overtime and makes it difficult to reduce toxic waste that has accumluated in our joints and connective tissue.  Try this delightful soup and consume it each day in the morning.  Over the next few months your mornings will take on a whole new meaning of feeling fit again.

You may change grains and beans depending on your desired food type.  I make this each Sunday and have enough for the week.  Skip the bread in the morning.

In a 6 quart Crockpot for slow cooking place:

3 legs and/or thighs (organic)
1/2 bag 16 oz. pinto or black-eyed pea beans
1  handful of Kasha
2  handfuls of Millet
2 handfuls of wild rice mix
1 - 2 tsp. turmeric
1 - 2 tab. salt
1/2 - 1 tsp. pepper
1 -2 tsp. herbs de Provence
2 - 3 bay leaves
1 small frozen container of chopped spinach
3 - 4 pared organic carrots sliced into 3 inch sections
3 - 4 stalks of organic celery sliced into 2 inch sections
1 large organic onion
2 - 3 cloves organic garlic, sliced
water

Place all ingredients in slow cooker.  Add water to cover.  Cook on low heat for 6 - 8 hours.  Keep in the refrigerator and freeze about 3 small containers for later in the week.

Overloaded toxicity could be a major contributor to fibromyalgia.  We store everything in plastic.  Plastic containers from fast food restaurants are harvested and reused to keep our leftovers organized.  Yet, are you aware of the chemicals made to produce these items?  And, sadly, we reheat our leftovers in the microwave allowing the basic components of plastic to leach into our food.  It's no wonder there are so many individuals being stricken with auto immune disorders. We intentionally sell our systems short!

Toxins, Endocrine Disruptors And Carcinogens That Migrate From The Molecules Of  Different Plastic Containers To Their Contents

PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate 
Used for: Soda Bottles, Water Bottles, Peanut Butter Jars, Cooking Oil
  BottlesWhat migrates from plastic container to contents: Acetaldehyde

HDPE: High-Density Polyethylene
Used for: Milk Jugs, Detergent bottles, Plastic Bags, Yogurt Cups
What migrates from plastic container to contents: Antioxidants, BHT, 
Chimassorb 81, Irganox PS 800, Irganix 1076, Irganox 1010 

PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride
Used for: Water Bottles, Salad Dressing Bottles, Detergent Bottles, Cooking 
Oil Bottles, Shampoo Bottles, Mouth Wash Bottles, Meat Wrap, Also: Babies’
Teething Rings, Pacifiers, Nipples and Toys (Barbie for example).
What migrates from plastic container to contents: Plasticizers (Lead, 
Cadmium, Mercury, Phthalates and the carcinogen, Diethyl Hexyphosphate)

LDPE: Low-Density Polyethylene
Used for: Produce Bags, Food Storage Containers
What migrates from plastic container to contents: Antioxidants, BHT, 
Chimassorb 81, Irganox PS 800, Irganix 1076, Irganox 1010 

PP: Polypropylene
Used for: Bottle Caps, Drinking Straws 
What migrates from plastic container to contents: BHT, Chimassorb 81, Irganox 
PS 800, Irganix 1076, Irganox 1010

PS: Polystyrene
Used for: Meat Trays, Foam Take-Out Food Containers & Cups (not in 
Berkeley!), Foam Packing Materials
What migrates from plastic container to contents: Styrene (traces found in 
nearly everyone’s body fat)

Other
Used for: Laminated Containers requiring properties of more than one type of resin.
What migrates from plastic container to contents: Depends on plastics used. 

If you must store in plastic containers, by all means ensure the food you tote to and fro is contained in glass when you are out.  Pyrex glass containers are an excellent source to transport your food and ensure no compounds are leached into your fare.  Simply remove cap, microwave, and enjoy!  No health hazards in these containers.