1. World Autoimmune Arthritis Day

    May 17, 2012 by Suz

    If you have (or know someone who has) a type of Autoimmune Arthritis (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosis, Still’s Disease, Juvenile Arthritis, or Mixed and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Diseases) there is a virtual opportunity that you will not want to miss. 

    World Autoimmune Arthritis Day virtual conference starts Saturday the 19th! Beginning at 3am Pacific time, there will be 47 hours when you can access presentations, chat rooms, a resource center, call to action awareness posts and surveys.

    There will be information on autoimmune arthritis, ways to live the best life you can, how to be your own advocate, information for those who live with a person who has a type (or types) of autoimmune arthritis, and much more.

    If you haven’t registered, do so now, it is free.  You can register for and learn more about the event at World Autoimmune Arthritis Day.  You will be able to access the schedule of events so you won’t miss a thing. 

    If you have a type of autoimmune arthritis, love someone who does, or just want to learn more about living with the diseases, this is a great opportunity.

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  2. Diet Soda Detox – Part 2

    May 16, 2012 by Suz

    Yesterday I started telling you about how I stopped drinking diet soda.  I forgot to mention that I hate water so the transition has been less than easy.  I am still not a water drinker.  That may be by next goal, but back to how I stopped drinking diet soda.

    The first day, my only goal was to not drink diet soda.  I didn't focus on what I ate.  If I craved something, I let myself have it.  The rest of the first week, I was on vacation so I had limited options.  Breakfast included orange juice and green tea.  These took care of my cravings for the sweets and caffeine.  I still had caffeine head aches but I survived.  Through out the day, I also drank hot water with lemon, water, and for dinner I had a Coke.

    The second week, I was still on vacation.  I continued the drinking the same drinks.  The only exception was that I swapped the Coke for a Sprite.  I was getting less caffeine. 

    The third week, I was home.  My drinks of choice became club soda or water both with a splash of cranberry juice.  I still crave the fizz first thing in the morning.

    The forth week, I started experimenting with juices to add to my club soda and water.  In addition to cranberry juice, I have enjoyed apple juice, pomegranate juice, and a mixture of lemon and lime juice. 

    Even after a month, I still have occasional headaches, but they seem to go away quickly.  I will have an occasional Sprite, but not often.

    So, that is how I did it, but what are the results?  I had high expectations and I have to admit that I have been incredibly disappointed.  I think that I have been in so much pain lately, I got too excited when I thought there is something that might help.  I haven't noticed any pain relieve or decreased inflammation at all.  If fact, I am actually feeling worse.  I assume there are other factors making me feel worse though.  I have had moments where I felt really let down and wondered if it is even worth it to give up something I love if there was going to be no noticeable benefits. In fact, since I have stopped drinking caffeine, I have been even more tired - just want a person who is chronically fatigued needs right?

    I am so glad that I spend some time early on focusing on why I really wanted to give up the diet soda.  Even though the main reason I wanted to stop hasn't really pay off so far, at least I have 4 other reasons to convince myself it is a good idea and to keep it up.  Have you given up diet soda or caffeine?  Did you experience any positive or negative side effects?  

     

     

     

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  3. Diet Soda Detox – Part 1

    May 15, 2012 by Suz

    For years I had heard about the dangers associated with diet soda.  I had read countless articles about how it could effect your health, including some possible correlations to RA.  Given all this information, i still chose to continue to drink (a lot of) diet soda.  My drink of choice was Diet Dr. Pepper.  It was actually the only diet soda I enjoyed the taste of.   I needed a cold one to start every morning.  I would drink them all day, even before bed.  This had been going on since college. This wasn't something I was proud of; I was addicted.  

    Not long ago, I realized that I would be unable to get Diet Dr. Pepper on our upcoming vacation.  In the past when I would be without Diet Dr. Pepper for a period of time, I would substitute regular Coke and go back to my diet soda drinking when I returned home.  Something inside of me suggested that this might be the time to finally break this addiction. 

    I knew in order for this to work, I had to be mentally committed.  I did some soul searching.  I asked myself WHY and this is what I came up with. 

    Why am I giving up diet soda?

    1. To significantly reduce the amount of aspartame I consume in an effort to reduce the pain in my joints.  
    2. To reduce chemicals in my diet – to eat more naturally/organically.
    3. To reduce the amount of caffeine in my diet.  I don't like the fact that I can dependent on a substance.
    4. To save money – I estimate that I spend roughly $50 a month on diet soda; that is $600 a year.  Do you know what I could do with $600? I could by clothes or shoes.  I could travel.  I could buy gifts or donate the money.  Any of those things would make me more happy than a can of chemicals could.  
    5. To reduce my carbon footprint.  Although we always recycle our cans, we probably recycle more than 200 a month.  According to the Three R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) reducing is a much better option than recycling.  

    So, with these reasons to motivate me, I was ready to give up diet soda.  Stop by tomorrow and I will continue with how I did and the affects.  I will say, the first day included absolutely no diet restrictions.  I ate whatever I wanted – including peanut butter cups :)

    Category Health | Tags: | 1 Comment

  4. Cute and Comfortable Shoes

    May 9, 2012 by Suz

    I have always had a love affair with shoes. To me, they make the outfit. We lived in Hawaii for 5 years and all that changed. Flip-flops (or in Hawaii, slippahs) became the shoe to wear year round. Don’t get me wrong, I still made sure they were cute and they had to have some sort of wedge because the super flat flip flops didn’t provide the support my feet needed.

    When we moved back to colder weather my feet totally freaked out. They hated being in shoes. Nothing was comfortable and I didn’t feel it would be appropriate to wear flip-flops with toesocks everywhere. I honestly don’t remember how or why, but I ended up looking at FitFlops. (I had ordered a pair several years before when they first came out – because of the claim they would tone your legs as you walk. I ended up not wearing them because they were not cute at all). Anyway, I was looking at FitFlops and realized they had some cute boots. Not perfect, but cute. That winter I ordered several pairs of boots and some slippers. My feet were happy! I haven’t looked back. FitFlops is the first place I look to for comfortable shoes now.

    I should address a couple of issues:

    Do they actually tone your legs? I don’t have a clue. I can’t really tell a difference, but I am probably not out walking in them as much as I should for them to work. I am not really at a point where I am worried about that. Right now it is more about comfort and actually being able to walk.

    Yes, they are expensive and I do struggle with this. The sandals  are between $75 and $100.  The boots start at $115.  Hubby thinks I’m crazy for worrying about it. I probably wouldn’t worry about it if I only had a pair or two – but I love shoes – so I have a lot. I try to order them off-season so they are on sale. I was able to get three pairs of boots this past February for more that 50% off – that still gave me at least a month of boot wearing weather. If a pair is really cute they I will suck it up and get them for full price, but only it I really need them (because the dog ate my other ones) or if I am truly in love.

    These are my latest must haves:

    I love them.  I wear them with everything.  What about you?  What are your go-to comfy shoes?  How much is too much when it comes to supporting your feet?

    If you want to check out Fitflops you can go to their website – www.fitflops.com   Unfortunately, they don't ship to the US and the prices are in pounds. I usually find the ones I want on their site and then find a retailer who will ship to the US.  I have found the prices are pretty much the same where ever I get them if I am paying full price.  I usually order from Nordstrom or Macy's.  However, if you are looking for Fipflops on sale, I have always found the best deals at Piperlime.

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  5. Traveling with RA: My 5 Must-haves

    May 4, 2012 by Suz

    We LOVE to travel and we travel A LOT.  There is something that is very liberating for us to be about to step outside of our daily lives and experience how other people live and in some cases have lived.  It is amazing to see what a small part we play in such a large world.  It is inspiring to see the beauty, both man-made and natural, that is out there.  Because of hubby’s job, we currently live in Germany, which just happens to be the perfect hub for traveling Europe.  It is so close to so many countries.  Seriously, we can travel to other countries quicker than we could travel to other states back home.  We are taking advantage of this opportunity, because it will end soon. 

    Sounds perfect right?  It is except for one huge detail.  Traveling with Rheumatoid Arthritis is not easy.   In fact, it is quite hard and it takes a huge toll on my body.   Europe is known for lots of steps and cobblestone – two of my arch nemeses.    Seriously, on more than one occasion, I have climbed a set of steps that had the incline of a ladder, just to go to the bathroom.  The main mode of transportation is walking – again not good.  It’s just not an opportunity that we can pass up though.  With each trip we take, we learn something that makes traveling just a little easier on me.  By the time we leave Europe, we will be experts in traveling with RA. 

    The good news is that it is possible to travel.  We have learned a lot and honestly each trip gets more enjoyable.  I try to always be prepared, but I don’t want to pack too much, because what you pack, you have to carry. 

    I’ve come up with 5 things I will never travel without:

    1. Portable handle for tub – it makes getting out of the bathtub so much easier for me.  At first, I was a little skeptical that something that was being held onto the tub by suction cups would support my weight, but it has. 

    2. Inflatable foot bath and Epsom salt – truth is, most hotels in Europe don’t have tubs, only showers.  Although, I do love my baths, this is not huge deal as far a getting clean, but after a long day exploring, my feet need some extra love. 

    3. An array of braces:  ankle, knee, and wrist.  I never know what I am going to need sometimes I don’t need anything, but I regret it when I don’t pack them.

    4.  Topical pain relief – because I haven’t found a really good one that doesn’t have a strong odor, I take Biofreeze to use when its just the fam and a less affective, yet still good, odorless one that I picked up in Austria (I like to look for local/natural pain relieve treatments when I travel, but more on that another day) for when I am going to be around other people.

    5. Naturemade Natural Sleep Aid* – This stuff is amazing, because nothing ruins a good travel day like not getting any sleep the night before.  The main ingredients are L-theanine and Melatonin.  Always check with your Dr. though, because Melatonin doesn’t mix well with certain drugs. 

    Do you love to travel?  Do you have any trips planned for this summer? What is on your “must pack” list? 

    *Please check with your doctor.  I am not a doctor.  I am a patient.  

    I'll close with a picture from our last trip.  This is from Athens, Greece.  How can I pass up traveling to see things like this?  It is very much worth the extra pain to see such amazing places.  

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