I'm in love with my new machine my dentist recommended.  In fact, I can't imagine life without it at this point.  To think I spent so many years flossing, several times a day wondering if I'm ever going to be able to keep my mouth healthy and clean.  Don't get me wrong, it is still essential to floss due to penetrable bio films, but this handy contraption makes water flossing a breeze. In fact, I USE IT several times a day because it is quick and easy, and most importantly leaves my mouth amazingly CLEAN.  

When I chose flossing alone, I could often feel smaller particles left behind from the usual string.  Not many, but sometimes the crevices near my crowns and bridge felt tainted, not squeaky clean as when I have my periodontal treatments. I can tell you, this device makes me feel as though I stepped out of the dentist office each time I use it.  And, most importantly, it is much easier then spending those minutes going around those teeth several times attaining that perfect cleanliness that becomes more difficult after you've had major dental work done.  
Oral irrigators or water jets work by using pressured water or mouthwash to dislodge biofilm (plaque) from gaps between the teeth, around the gum margin and into periodontal pockets. An oral irrigator can also be used on orthodontic appliances and people who have crowns and bridges. Oral irrigators were first invented as an alternative to dental flossing as many people found it difficult to use floss as they could not reach areas in the back of the mouth. This led to people flossing infrequently and subsequently plaque biofilm would build up on their teeth. It is the build up of biofilm from remaining food particles in the mouth that contributes to dental cavities, bad breath and gum disease.

There are two main benefits of using an oral irrigator. Firstly, the device is an easy and effective way of cleaning your teeth as the water streams can reach far back into the mouth and in-between the teeth themselves. This is because the handles on irrigators are ergonomically designed and they have angled nozzles which allow you to access all areas of the mouth. And, you do not need to use irrigators for a long period of time before they are effective. Just a 60 second blast is enough to clean teeth in all areas of the mouth. Secondly, studies have shown that by using an irrigator along with your daily brushing twice a day, you can remove 99% more plaque than if you only used a manual toothbrush. And further research suggests that using an irrigator improves gum health by up to 93%, compared to brushing alone. It also helps to significantly reduce gingivitis and calculus after only 2 – 4 weeks of use.

It is thought that it is the pulsating action of an irrigator that is key to what helps clear dental debris and food particles. Although the streams of water are gentle and un-invasive, the powerful and targeted action of the water jets does work well to disrupt the most difficult to reach areas of the mouth. By using a powerful miniature pump to send pulsating streams of water through a plastic tip to clean the teeth, debris is efficiently swept away from over, between and under the teeth and at the same time works to stimulate gum tissue. By incorporating a regime where you use an irrigator to first remove biofilm and food debris, you are ensuring that your teeth are effectively plaque free before you progress to brushing with fluoride toothpaste.

Click on the image below to find the PURSONIC at Walmart for less than $42. I chose this one and find it is wonderful with adequate PSI for teeth cleaning after careful research.  Best of all, it won't break your bank!

There was no one simple answer to making a home a clean, organized and welcoming place. Rather, it takes a combination of techniques to achieve comfort. If I found a secret, it was to identify small practical steps I could take and then to do them one at a time.

Fibromyalgics suffer increase sensitivities to chemical nuances.  They can also suffer exhaustion from the simple act of cleaning.  One definite stock you need to invest in is the invincible microfiber cloth.  It needs little addition in the form of cleaning agents.  What you may not know is it can wipe away germs in one swipe without the addition of a disinfectant.  Life just got a whole lot easier!

Microfiber cloths are typically made of nylon or polyester fibers that are frayed into myriad microscopic strands. The tiny strands and the spaces between them are intended to lift and trap dirt and germs and absorb liquids. By contrast, chemical cleaners typically dissolve household messes and kill germs on contact.

The strands of its microfibers are 1/200th the diameter of a human hair, and cloths carry 1.6 million fibers per square inch. As those strands are wiped over a hard surface, they remove over 99% of bacteria. "These small fibers have a drawing power like a magnetic pull," says Allan Coviello, chief executive and owner of TADgreen Inc., the U.S. distributor for e-cloth, which sells for $7.99.

Cleaning with microfiber cloths took off in Scandinavia in the 1990s and soon after came to the U.S. mainly through specialty stores, direct sales and commercial-cleaning suppliers. Today, microfiber and other chemical-free cleaning tools, while still a small percentage of overall cleaning-product sales, are available widely on the cleaning-supply shelves of major retailers.

Scientists for years have studied microfibers' ability to remove germs. The findings have prompted hospitals, restaurants and other public places to incorporate them into their cleaning regimens.

"A damp microfiber cloth is a really good tool for removing microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria," says Kristen Gibson, a microbiologist at the University of Arkansas who published a study in 2012 comparing the performances of different cleaning cloths without the use of chemical cleaners on food-preparation surfaces.

The study, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, found that microfiber cloth effectively removed viruses. It also outperformed terry-cloth and nonwoven cloth towels in preventing viruses from being transferred from one surface to another.

"There's no reason to use a chemical every time you clean, but there are obviously situations like handling raw meat or someone being sick that would warrant a disinfectant," says Dr. Gibson.
​
Major cleaning-product makers also are offering specialized tools that can be used with plain water. Scotch-Brite, owned by 3M Co., recently introduced a line of task-specific sponges with varied scrubbing surfaces designed to remove smudges and shine stove tops, granite or stainless steel. 

There is nothing that entices pain more than being subjected to clutter. Just looking around your work or home can send your mind spinning just trying to get into the "zone" to reorganize things.

There is something about minimizing your space that sends threads of joy to your subconscious when everything of value to you has a place.  Today I share an article with you from Collen Madsen from the site Becoming a Minimalist.

​I have never considered myself a natural organizer. But in 2007, my family moved to Australia from the USA. Because we were moving into a smaller home, I found myself needing to declutter a large number of items. Fortunately, we were able to accomplish the task…but mostly, because I had no other choice.

Shortly after the move, a new stage of life surfaced. My husband was about to begin semi-retirement. And to prepare for our new life together, I set a personal goal to again reduce our possessions. Coincidentally, on January 3rd, a segment aired on morning television about people abandoning their New Year resolutions. Turns out, on average, most people only stick to their resolution for three days. Even though I had never been one to take on resolutions, I found great motivation in beating those narrow odds… in fact, the challenge was nearly irresistible to me

I decided at that moment to set a new resolution to minimize our possessions. I determined to remove one item each day for the next 365 days. I started with three items to make up for the missed days, and promptly began decluttering one thing a day for the rest of the year. I am happy to say I not only completed my resolution successfully but it was so simple and satisfying that I continued decluttering in my slow and steady pace (an average of five items per week) for an additional two years!

Over these last three years of decluttering, I have removed over a thousand things from our home. Also, through the process and through my writing, I have had opportunity to help many people realize their own decluttering goals as well. These conversations have sharpened my desire for simplicity and taught me important insight about clearing clutter. I have learned that understanding just a few key principles can help anyone clear their clutter.

The 10 Most Important Decluttering Principles I Have Learned to Help Anyone Clear The Clutter:

1. Stop the Flow of Stuff Coming In. Decluttering is a waste of time if you simply replace the old stuff with new. You’ll need to begin by slowing the flow of things entering your home. Determine today to buy less. Trust me, you won’t regret it. The freedom from desire to acquire is a beautiful thing.
2. Declutter at Least One Item a Day. Decluttering does not have to be a mad frenzy that disrupts your entire household. Over the years, my home has become quite minimalist by simply choosing one item a day to declutter. This gradual process began to change the way I think about stuff. Eventually, it became a way of life rather than just a crash diet of stuff.
3. Declutter the Easy Stuff First. There is no need to make things difficult by trying to declutter the hardest things first. Most likely, it will simply deter you from the task altogether. Instead, start with the easy stuff and then as you strengthen your will to reduce, the harder decisions will become easier.
4. Put a Disposal Plan in Place. Before you begin, investigate selling, recycling, donating and give away options for the items you choose to declutter. The more prepared you are for the task, the simpler it will be… and the more likely you will be to follow through. Ebay, Freecycle, and our local thrift store became my favorite disposal options. However there are endless others to explore.
5. Decide to Not Keep Things out of Guilt or Obligation. Your home should only contain the things you love or use. Don’t let incorrect thinking or other people dictate what you should keep or give away. Remember, if the items are yours, it is your choice to decide what to do with them.
6. Do Not Be Afraid to Let Go. The urge to hold on to items you think you might need someday can be eliminated simply by being realistic about what need really is. Many items in our homes may be useful, but they are not particularly necessary to our happiness, well-being, or the functionality of our homes. Seek to understand the difference.
7. Gifts Do Not Have to be Material. There are so many ways to honor loved ones without giving gifts that end up as clutter. Encourage people to follow this concept when buying gifts for you. Some alternative gifts are gifts of experience or adventure, a gift of time spent together, even cash gifts are appropriate in some instances. I have two clutter-free gift guides at my blog if you are looking for ideas.
8. Do Not Over-Equip Your Home. A home does not need enough linen, crockery, cutlery, or pantry supplies to serve as a hotel. Be realistic about your true needs. In the rare event an unusually large number of guests arrive on your doorstep, you can always borrow from friends, family or neighbors.
9. Do Not Declutter Things that are not Yours Without the Owner’s Permission. Everyone should have a choice about their own belongings, even small children. Honor them by allowing them to choose. You can encourage hoarding tendencies in others by ripping things away from them before they are ready to let go.
10. Do Not Waste Your Life on Clutter. Every item you own takes time out of your life: time to manage it, clean it, repair it, and maintain it; time to choose between objects of a similar category; time spent shopping for it… and that doesn’t even mention the time spent earning the money to pay for it in the first space. Decide to sacrifice less of your precious life on the pursuit and ownership of stuff.

These ten principles have kept me resolute for the past three years. I had no idea when I began this mission how much stuff I would relinquish over the next three years. What I originally thought was going to be an arduous task quickly became a way of life… so much so, we have just put a deposit on a beautiful, even smaller, apartment with fabulous views of our coastal city, a swimming pool, and gym all within walking distance of everything we want. Semi-retirement is becoming a beautiful thing. Decluttering made it possible.

And one last thing! Set a reminder on your phone to DECLUTTER ONE THING EACH DAY.  It will be the first thing you see each morning!

Do you have tooth, mouth, or gum problems that you think are part of your fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome? A lot of people wonder about this, and if you check the discussion boards online, you'll see a plethora of concern and conversations. 
​
Women need to be aware that they are at higher risk for periodontal disease and gum disease especially if they suffer from fibromyalgia. There may not be enough conclusive evidence into understanding why, but there is a correlation between various hormone levels in the body and inflammation in the gums surrounding the teeth. 

We have solid evidence of inflammation in chronic fatigue syndrome, and the recent research on connective-tissue inflammation in fibromyalgia is pretty compelling. If widespread inflammation is already noted, it stands to reason we'd have it in the mouth. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome both involve hyperalgesia (amplified pain,) so any gum pain caused by inflammation can be extra painful.

Mouth sores are common in a lot of autoimmune diseases. We know fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome both involve immune dysfunction, and some evidence suggests autoimmunity. Either way, a malfunctioning immune system can allow for the proliferation of viruses that cause mouth sores and gum inflammation, such as herpes viruses.

Sadly, most of us have been told that our routine oral hygiene must be meticulous.  Thus inferring that we've somehow morphed in these last few years to an uneducated, bumbling idiot not taking great pains in care of our teeth. Yet, nothing can be further from the truth.  Most suffers of fibromyalgia exert great effort with their daily preventative maintenance.  Unfortunately, we can be still plagued with sensitive gum inflammation intermittently.  
   
You may be surprised to find less occurrences if you switch to a good electric toothbrush, especially if it houses a sanitation UV light.  An electric toothbrush’s rotating head features bristles which can reach further thanks to the combination of motion and equal pressure from the brush itself. Most electronic toothbrushes are set for equal time for each quadrant which ensures a better, longer brushing and a great, clean feeling. Most importantly, an electric toothbrush is an excellent tool in the fight against gingivitis and gum disease in your mouth.

I personally use the Dental RX after being referred from my dentist due to a recent need for extensive periodontal treatment.  I've found less overall gum sensitivity since inception.  I am not a spokes person for the company, but have found the product overall superior to other's I've tried.  

It turns out that a vast number of the pathogens we harbor are grouped into communities called biofilms.  Biofilms form when bacteria stick to surfaces in certain environments and begin to excrete a slimy, glue-like substance that can anchor them to all kinds of material such as human tissue. These bacterial builders make use of their site for the arrival of other pathogens by providing more diverse adhesion sites. They also begin to build a solid foundation that holds the biofilm together.

“Disease-causing bacteria talk to each other with a chemical vocabulary,” says Doug Hibbins of Princeton University. Multiple studies have shown that during the time a biofilm is being created, the pathogens inside it can communicate with each other thanks to a phenomenon called quorum sensing. This process always them to create a stronger fort and multiply quickly. Whether it is in our gut or on our teeth, bacteria survive and thrive in a structure that they create around themselves.
If you run your tongue along your teeth after a long day and feel a slimy coating, this stuff is the beginning of biofilm. Little bugs, which are found everywhere inside and outside the body, create biological homes using a mixture of sugars and proteins. These structures are pretty tough. For example, biofilm in the mouth is dental plaque, that hard stuff the dentist scrapes off your teeth with a special dental tool.

In a healthy gut that is filled with beneficial microflora, the biofilm that they create is thin mucus. This healthy biofilm allows the passage of nutrients through the intestinal wall. Healthy gut biofilm is moistening, lubricating, and anti-inflammatory.  An unhealthy gut biofilm, as you might suspect, does all the wrong things. For example, an unhealthy gut biofilm:

• Prevents the full absorption of nutrients across the intestinal wall.
• Protects disease-causing microorganisms from the immune system.
• Protects disease-causing microorganisms from antibiotics and antifungals (this means both herbal and pharmaceutical-grade).
• Promotes inflammation.
• Houses toxins like heavy metals.​

This applies to conditions like:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, which are often thought to have an infectious root.
• Parasites.
• Systemic Candida overgrowth.
• Heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux).
• Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which includes symptoms like heartburn, bloating, gas, abdominal cramping, brain fog, arthritis, acne, and other skin conditions.
• Irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. 

​Unhealthy biofilm allows some infections to persist for years. This means that the body may become more susceptible to other infections, or co-infections, as well as other chronic degenerative diseases.

Apple cider vinegar, a popular all-purpose home remedy and household cleaning agent, is an acetic acid solution. Apple cider vinegar strips away important minerals from the biofilm matrix. It can be taken internally for this purpose. 
There are two ways to rebuild your gut flora
1.    Eat a diet of whole and nutrient-dense foods. Eating this way sounds like a lot work, and it is. But your health matters. Think of it this way: if you only cut out all processed flours, sugars, and refined oils, you are off to a good start!
2.    Eat a diet rich in beneficial microbes. Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchee, and natto, cultured sauces and dips with sour cream and yogurt and spend money on a good probiotic taken withkefir each morning.

Completing tasks easier is the name of the game when your aching from pain.  Less stress on common household duties means less flare-ups for those who suffer from fibromyalgia.  There are so many little things you can do to make your day go a bit easier. Check out some of these tips below.

1. When cooking vegetables in a pot, place them in a metal colander.  This way, when they are cooked, you can just lift out the colander saving you energy from lifting that heavy pan to the strainer.
2. Try filling your kettle with a lightweight plastic jug with just enough water for your needs.
3. Sit on a kitchen stool when preparing meals.
4. Long handled sponges help washing dishes and mugs.
5. Kitchen gadgets such as a rubber cap gripper, kitchen knives and vegetable peelers with padded handles, electric tin can opener, and food processor makes kitchen duties easier.
6. Lightweight mugs, pans, kettles, and crockery should be on your scope when purchasing new kitchen items.
7. Long-handled tools with gripping mechanism, known as "reachers" help retrieve out-of-the-way items with ease.  Also, a long handled stick with a rubber end is great for pushing buttons on an out of reach microwave.
8. A feather duster for hard-to-reach cleaning spaces.
9. A lightweight, hand-held vaccum cleaner to clean your rugs.
10. Fitted sheets that don't need to be tucked in.
11. A trolley to move from room to room with supplies.
12. Place shampoo and conditioner in empty soap dispensers for easy retrieval.
    

Every little bit of energy saved, means more useful energy later.  Be on the  look out to make your day easier.

Nothings worse than when you're not feeling well and you're expecting a visitor.  You don't have the time or energy to clean the whole house, but can you can focus on tidying up the main areas your guest will see.  

1. Whisk a duster or absorbent micro cloth over furniture, mantel piece, and window sills.
2. Quickly sweep or vacuum the areas of the floor that need it.
3. Fluff up any rugs with a light brush of your feet.
4. Plump up couch cushions
5. Light a scented candle or aromatherapy oil burner.
6. Quickly swish the toilet.

When we use these chemicals to clean our home, they linger in the air and we breathe them in. Researchers in the U.S. identified 133 unique volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from a small sample of consumer products, including six cleaning products. Each product tested emitted between one and eight chemicals classified as toxic or hazardous under U.S. federal laws

Chemicals in cleaning products can also enter our bodies by absorption through the skin or through ingestion of household dust and chemical residues left on dishes and cutlery. And when cleaning products are flushed down the drain, they can have a serious impact on aquatic ecosystems.

You're probably familiar with the hazard symbols that appear on some cleaning products, along with words like "poison", "corrosive" or "irritant."  Nonetheless, we ignore them taking pride in a scrubbed fresh home. Who knows what such pollutants are doing to our overall well-being?  Here are some more tested cleaning alternatives.

Vinegar
Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid that cuts through grease, deodorizes, and disinfects.  White vinegar is the best type to use around your home since it doesn't have a strong smell.  Plus, you can purchase it by the gallon for cheaper than most household cleaners.  Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle as a general cleaner.  It is great on tiles and kitchen counter tops for removing mildew.  For a fresh fragrance add a few drops of essential oils like lemon or orange.  For difficult stains, use warm water; cover the stain and leave on for ten minutes before wiping off.  White vinegar also makes an excellent window cleaner that will put most products to shame.  Use a half a cup in a quart of warm water.  Spray onto the window and remove with crumpled newspaper.  

Vinegar also removes lime deposits.  To clean a shower head, simply remove it and soak in undiluted vinegar.  To remove limescale from your kettle, fill it up with vinegar, and leave it overnight.  Pour liquid out the next day and be sure to rinse it out before using.  To descale taps, soak a few paper towels in white vinegar.  Wrap them around the taps and cover them with plastic bags held in place with elastic bands. Leave on for a few hours before rinsing.  Buff with a dry cloth.

Ketchup
Try using ketchup to clean copper and brass.  Simple lather, leave on for a few minutes,rinse, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Air Freshener
Don't use toxic air fresheners!  Make your own.  Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil of choice.  Try lemongrass, geranium, or peppermint.  Shake well before spraying.  Be sure to keep vinegar away from you eyes. 

Natural Disinfectant
Tea Tree oil is an excellent disinfectant and fungicide.  For general cleaning mix two tsp. of tea tree oil with two cups of water.  Spray on surfaces as needed and wipe. This will also remove mold and mildew. Simply spray on, leave for a few minutes then rinse with warm soapy water.  To keep shower curtains mildew-free and to remove strong mildew smells from fabrics, add a few drops of tea tree oil to your usual washing powder or liquid.

Bleach Substitute
Borax, a natural mineral salt containing boron, can be used as a gentler alternative to bleach.  To remove stains on white cotton or linen, apply directly, then rinse.  Soak colored fabrics in a weak solution of borax.  Simply add one tab. to one pint of water.  Soak for 15 min.  If you need an all purpose household cleaner and disinfectant, mix one tsp. of borax with two tab. of white vinegar and two pints of hot water. Spray on surfaces and wipe. 

Chemical sensitivity is a common trigger in fibromyalgia flare-ups.  In a study from World Wildlife Fund with 47 volunteers 54 man-made chemicals were detected in the individual volunteers' bodies.  Many of these same chemicals are still found in household cleaning products and are identified as harmful. Some researchers have a strong inkling that these same chemicals may play a huge roll in the symptoms of fibromyalgia.  So don't take chances, opt for eco-friendly cleaners based on natural ingredients.  You can also try some of the recipes below.

Soda Solution
Bicarbonate of soda is cheap and very versatile.  Mixed with water, it forms an alkaline solution that helps dissolve dirt and grease.  It also neutralizes smells.

• Use baking soda on carpets to remove stains.
• To remove odors from carpets, sprinkle with baking soda, leave on 15 minutes then vacuum off.
• To clean smelly drains, sprinkle one cupful of baking soda into it.  Pour one cup of white vinegar down.  The result will degrease and deodorize.  
• Sprinkle on a damp cloth and use as a mild abrasive to remove marks from plastic, porcelain, glass, tiles, and stainless steel surfaces without scratching.
• Fill a small container with baking soda and leave in the fridge to absorb odors.  Stir it now again and replace every three months.
• For your dishwasher add one cup of baking soda and run it through one cycle, empty, to clean.
• For tough stains mix with water to make a paste.  Apply and leave on for a few minutes.  Then rinse off.  Even silverware and jewelry will emerge bright and new-like.

Lemon Fresh
Lemons contain citric acid which helps make them great natural cleaners. They contain bleaching, antiseptic, antibacterial, and degreasing properties.

• Use half a lemon to clean the bath and washbasin.  Rubbing it around tap handles will remove limescale and leave them sparkling.  Don't forget to buff afterwards!
• To clean copper and brass, dip half a lemon into salt and rub.  Rinse well quickly to prevent discoloration.  
• Lemon is also a natural bleach. If you need to brighten clothing or bed linen, soak them in a bucket of water in which you added to juice of one lemon.  Leave overnight and wash as normal.
• Lemon also deodorizes.  To clean you microwave and remove food smells, place a couple of lemon slices into a microwaveable bowl containing water.  Microwave a couple of minutes then wipe using a cloth.

Natural Polish
Olive oil is a great natural substitute for commercial furniture polish.  Simply mix one cup of ordinary olive oil with the juice of one lemon.  Pour into a spray bottle and shake.  Spray on wooden surfaces and rub gently.  The lemon juice cuts through the dirt, while the olive oil shines and protects the wood.  Use a dry cloth to remove excess.  Use sparingly as excess amounts of it could leave surfaces feeling sticky.  Olive oil is also good for removing fingerprints on stainless steel surfaces.  Simply sprinkle a bit on a cloth and rub.