Eat less meat, more veggies and fruit Eat less than 2 ounces of meat every other day. Make nuts, beans, seeds, and lentils your main protein sources. Apply a cream containing Oregon Grape Extract 3 times daily to affected areas, or simmer the herb itself in water to make a tea Oregon grape root helps clear up liver-related skin conditions like psoriasis and acne Psoriasis and other skin conditions common symptoms of a congested lymphatic system. Things that help to clear up the lymphatic system: • Daily Rebounding • Deep Breathing • Dry Body Brushing • Massage and/or Reflexology • Swinging - as in sitting on a swing You will benefit from a gluten-free diet if you have: • An autoimmune condition like lupus, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis • If you regularly experience 2 or more of the following symptoms: Abdominal Pain Gas and Bloating (especially after eating bread) Diarrhea Frequent heartburn Allover Weakness • Eliminate bread, pasta, barley, and rye • Read food labels to avoid sources of gluten: soy sauce, lunch meats, blue cheese. Google “avoid gluten†for a complete list. • Add more fresh fruits, vegetables, and rice to your diet. Psoriasis may increase your odds of a heart attack. Serious cases of the skin ailment can more than double your risk of heart attack. Keep your heart healthy with diet and exercise. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0615161701.htm VITAMIN D3 If you're under 50, take at least 2,000 IU per day. If you're 50 or over, take at least 5,000 IU per day of vitamin D3. Always take your vitamin D with a fat-containing meal to ensure absorption. Your need for vitamin D3 is affected by age, skin color, and the severity of any deficiency Don't be concerned that 2,000-5,000 IU will give you too much. With exposure to sunlight in the summer, the body can generate between 10,000 IU and 20,000 IU of vitamin D per hour with no ill effects. In addition, no adverse effects have been seen with supplemental vitamin D intakes up to 10,000 IU daily. To this day, medical textbooks mention the risk of vitamin D toxicity. Yet, the scientific literature suggests that toxicity occurs only with very large intakes of vitamin D over prolonged periods (more than 10,000 IUs daily for longer than 6 months). Except in people with disorders known as granulomatosis (such as sarcoidosis or tuberculosis), little risk (if any) is associated with vitamin D supplementation. Most people are deficient! • Body-mass index (BMI) and obesity • Older people • Dark-skinned people • Strict vegetarians • People with celiac, Crohn’s disease, and cystic fibrosis • Heredity • Certain medications • Regular use of sunscreen • Northern Latitudes (above that of Atlanta, Georgia)

Excuse the copying, pasting, and lack of overall editing. I'm tired and am about to head for a looooong nap. :) ---- PSORIASIS Itchy skin Scaly, inflamed skin patches he most common type of psoriasis -- plaque psoriasis -- usually appears as red, raised patches of skin covered in white, flaking scales that crop up on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet, or lower back.

 Those with psoriasis may also experience itching, nail disfigurement (about half of people with the disease experience discoloration, separation from the nail bed, or thickened or pocked nails), and dry or cracked skin that can bleed. In guttate psoriasis, the second most common form of the disease, the patches are small and shaped like drops of water. Painful swelling of the joints is a common symptom of psoriatic arthritis, which can develop before or after someone is diagnosed with psoriasis. Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis will also have psoriatic arthritis. Because skin conditions often resemble one another, it is best to see your primary care provider for a diagnosis. Your psoriasis may flare without warning or be triggered by stress, medications, a skin injury, dry skin, or other stimuli. It can remit as quickly as it came, but it usually requires treatment to keep the condition from worsening.

 Seeking Medical Help You should see a doctor if you think you may have psoriasis or if you have already been diagnosed and your psoriasis worsens and causes pain, discomfort, or emotional stress; interferes with your normal activities; or does not respond to a treatment you have been prescribed. It often takes trial and error to find the treatment that works best for you.

 Doctors usually gauge the severity of psoriasis based on the percentage of your body that is affected. If you have plaques only on your elbows and knees, for instance, you probably have a mild case. Moderate psoriasis is traditionally defined as covering less than 20 percent of your skin and can be accompanied by nondebilitating joint pain. Severe psoriasis is characterized by more than 20 percent body coverage or psoriasis that develops in certain critical areas, such as the face. People with severe psoriasis may also develop fluid-filled plaques (pustular psoriasis) and psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis typically goes through cycles of flaring and subsiding, but rarely achieves permanent remission. There are, however, many new treatments available that can help people with psoriasis effectively control the disease and live a more comfortable, less painful life.

OTHER TIPS Taking a hot bath with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) is a good way to absorb and get much needed magnesium. Insomnia is one of the many symptoms of a magnesium deficiency. Do not exercise within 2 hours before bedtime. Exercising 5-6 hours before bedtime may help you sleep more soundly. The only exception is gentle swimming. Swimming, like a hot bath, helps with sleep. In the hours before bedtime, slow down - no more trips to the kitchen, no late night emails or anxiety-provoking conversations or projects, physical or mental, nothing that speeds the heart and raises body temperature. Find some way of making a barrier between the day and sleep. Leave the day at the bedroom door. Falling asleep and staying asleep are two different aspects of sleep. Traditional Chinese Medicine has this to say about the nocturnal awakenings: Wake up between: • 1 - 3, look to the liver • 3-5, the lungs need some attention • 5-7, consider supporting the large intestines. You KNOW when you have too much of a good thing when your elimination is too "loose." YOGA Many yoga poses and the regular practice of yoga help relieve insomnia.

Melatonin is a natural hormone that promotes sound sleep. Acts as an antioxidant - early in life, the body produces an abundant supply, but as we age, production steadily declines Helpful for more difficult insomnia Decreases anxiety by stimulating GABA (a brain chemical that calms you down) WHY WE NEED MELATONIN When we stay up late at night or work night shifts, we keep our body from producing melatonin. This increases the risk of hypertension, heart disease, migraines, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Studies show women night-shift workers have a 500% higher risk of breast cancer and male night shift workers have a 50% increased risk of colorectal and bone cancer. While not realizing it, many people increase this risk with inconsistent sleep/wake schedules - late night studying or partying or shift work schedules. After the age of 45, melatonin levels decrease. Melatonin is the only hormone supplement that’s safe to self-medicate. GUIDELINES • Start with 1 mg just before bedtime. Take 2 hours or less before bedtime. If this is not effective, gradually increase dosage. Melatonin dosages vary from individual to individual ~ and most do not need the highest dose. Ease into melatonin in increments. Some take up to 20 and even 40 mg. • Do not take melatonin every single night – a few nights a week • Do not take melatonin during the day. • When you awaken after melatonin-assisted sleep, you should feel refreshed – not tired or groggy. If you do experience grogginess, reduce the dosage. • Do not give to children • If you wake up in the middle of the night, you can take another 1-5 mg. • The time release version is best for people who don't just have trouble falling asleep but have trouble with waking up in the middle of the night. Hyland's Calms Forte L-Tryptophan helps mitigate insomnia and depression by boosting serotonin and melatonin levels in the brain. May help cure night-time waking 500-1000 mg before bed GABA CALM – take sublingually before bedtime Try to avoid eating or drinking anything for 20 minutes before and after taking this 5-HTP – can take up to 6 weeks for it to start working 200-400 mg at bedtime – take sublingually Be cautious about taking this if you’re on anti-depressants Very helpful for insomnia and depression This amino acid is used by the body to produce melatonin. 5-HTP is a great supplement that works really well for many people. But like most supplements, nothing works for everyone all the time because our bodies are all different. But I would definitely say that 5-HTP is a great supplement to look into. When taken in the evening before bed on an empty stomach, it can really help with the quality and duration of sleep. It works to increase the duration of REM sleep, which increases the overall quality of sleep. It also works really well to help relieve anxiety and depression, as it increases serotonin levels. B Complex – 25-50 mg daily – helps to promote a restful state. Good for relieving stress. L-theanine improves deep sleep and helps maintain a calm alertness during the day. Take 50-200 mg at bedtime. Can also be used for daytime anxiety Passionflower tea (two to three cups) or Passionflower powder in capsules (2,000-5,000 mg): Passionflower is usually used for calming an excited nervous system. Chamomile tea (two to three cups): Chamomile is a time-proven, effective, calming herb that can be safely used by children and adults alike. Chamomile tea is used regularly worldwide for insomnia, irritability, and restlessness. Reishi Mushroom tea (two to three cups) or Reishi mycelium powder in capsules (2500-5000 mg): Reishi is well-known in Chinese medicine to great feelings of "well being" and spiritual calm. This is a personal favorite. Reishi mushroom is also high-regarded for assisting our immune system health. St. John's Wort tea (two to three cups) or St. John's Wort extract powder in capsules (300-1000 mg): This common, yellow-flowered herb has become an important part of the new surge of interest in natural medicine. It has a long history of use dating back to the ancient Greeks. Scientific research has demonstrated that it can help relieve chronic insomnia and mild depression. Because this herb can sensitize the skin to sunlight, take it in the evening after the Sun has set.

SUPPLEMENTS It’s best to not be overly dependent on any on supplement, that is, to try to avoid taking any supplement every single day, to rotate them; or, better yet, to take a break every month from each particular supplement, to rotate them monthly. Otherwise, your body will become desensitized and the supplement may very well be less effective. Magnesium – Think of magnesium as the relaxation mineral. Helps maintain healthy melatonin levels Marvelous for just about everything including periodic nocturnal awakenings when it can coax you gently back to sleep If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency – if you’re feeling edgy, have muscle cramps, suffer insomnia, crave chocolate, or notice increased urination, adjust your calcium-magnesium ratio, so that you’re taking at least as much magnesium or—ideally—twice as much magnesium as calcium. 400-1200 mg daily of Magnesium is helpful but use according to bowel tolerance. Your body knows how much magnesium you can tolerate from bowel tolerance – take as much magnesium as your bowels can tolerate Add 100 mg of magnesium to your nutritional supplements, and increase it by 100 mg every few days until your stools are soft, but not uncomfortably loose. Take in divided doses and with meals to ensure optimal absorption – preferably more at night Calcium, magnesium, and many other minerals are best absorbed when they are bound to an acidic carrier such as citrate, aspartate, picolinate, or amino acid chelate. Minerals need an acidic base to break down and get used. The most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, glycinate taurate, or aspartate, although magnesium bound to Kreb cycle chelates (malate, succinate, fumarate) are also good. Avoid magnesium carbonate, oxide, sulfate, and gluconate. They are poorly absorbed (and the cheapest and most common forms found in supplements). Side effects from too much magnesium include diarrhea, which can be avoided if you switch to magnesium glycinate. Most minerals are best taken as a team with other minerals in a multi-mineral formula. People with kidney disease or severe heart disease should take magnesium only under a doctor's supervision. Hops reduces hot flashes, anxiety, and helps muscles relax 30-120 mg at bedtime Has to be dried to have any medicinal effect Often used in combination w/valerian and lemon balm. Passionflower – calming agent 90-360 mg at bedtime Valerian – reduces time it takes you to fall asleep and improves the quality of sleep you get, without next-day sedation Take 400 to 800 mg in divided doses throughout the day, or try a time-release version, because if you wake up in the middle of the night, you can fall back to sleep easily and you don’t feel groggy in the morning In some people, valerian causes wakefulness. If that’s the case, take it during the day to reduce overall anxiety. Better yet, try a combination of Hops, Passionflower, and Valerian

I read pretty much every single post on the Ambien thread and don't think I really understood it. Mind you, I'm usually quite slow on the uptake when it comes to that sort of thing. Some tips that may help. EAT MORE Walnuts contain melatonin which promotes restful sleep. Plain Yogurt mixed with honey. Yogurt is high in tryptophan. Whole grains – Fiber-rich foods such as brown rice, oats, and quinoa contain large amounts of tryptophan and melatonin. Eat a complex carbohydrate snack a half-hour before bed. Sunflower Seeds contain high levels of the amino acid tryptophan, which may help mitigate insomnia and depression by boosting serotonin and melatonin levels in the brain. Fruit – Bananas, mangoes, figs, and dates are high in tryptophan Other high-tryptophan foods: tuna, turkey, whole grain crackers, yogurt Legumes – Black-eyed peas, lentils all help calm your nervous system. But legumes can be hard to digest for some. Pay close attention to how you feel after eating them. If you feel overly full, or gassy, have an upset stomach, or if you feel sluggish, skip legumes altogether or eat them in moderation. EAT LESS Think of night-time as clean-up time for the body. Desserts, cakes, and cookies can keep you up at night because of their high sugar content. Fatty, High-Protein Foods – Red Meat Caffeine High-Sugar, Empty-Calorie Sweets – Cakes, cookies Cold Foods – Salads, smoothies, ice cream Avoid spicy foods, especially in the evenings Avoid large meals within 2-3 hours before bedtime Avoid caffeine 6 hours before bedtime. The half life of caffeine, the time it takes for half of it to be broken down, is between 3 and 7 hours -- so if your last cup was at 1 PM, you still have a quarter of it left in your system at 3 AM. If you drink it daily and are on the slow side of metabolizing it, it never leaves your system -- and we get slower as we age, so if you could drink coffee when you were 35, that doesn't mean you can at 50. A woman between ovulation and menstruation takes about 25 percent longer to eliminate it. A woman on birth control pills takes twice as long, according to a 1993 study. But if life without caffeine is just too bleak, consider tea, which has about half the caffeine of coffee and has, besides, a substance that damps down the stress system. And if black tea is still too strong, green tea has about a third the caffeine content of that. Avoid big meals close to bedtime.

You're most welcome everyone and thank you all for your kind words. Those tips are great reminders for me also. I seriously need to make some improvements after the holidays ;). Have fallen a bit off the band-wagon. :glare: Yes, yoga, stretching, deep breathing - just regular and, if possible, daily exercise, are really helpful in this area. :)

Thanks again. Yes, every single tip helps immensely. This thread is wonderful. :)

I used to be a massage therapist (many years ago ;)). I don't know what your choices are, but I always like any of the following: Swedish Deep Tissue Lymphatic They're all a bit similar, just different terminology. Massage is fabulous and I really wish I could find the time to get them more often. They're superb for lymphasizing (lymphatic drainage), for circulation, for aches and pains. You name it. My parents get them regularly and it really helps them with their stuff - arthritis, etc. I've never had a hot stone massage. It hasn't really appealed to me. I'm not against it, just not top-most on my list of things to try. Enjoy :D! You're motivating me to have regular massages once again. I used to get them every 2 weeks or month. When I was in beauty school, we used to have them almost daily. :D

Lots of yoga moves - this is what my body seems to crave at the moment.

Lots of yoga and stretches - my shoulders are sore, so that helped a lot I want both of these, even though I have so many DVDs :D

POSSIBLE IODINE DEFICIENCY Today's environment makes it almost impossible to get the amount of iodine you need. First of all, there's very little iodine in the soil. So unless you're eating a ton of iodine-rich foods like kelp, seaweed and shellfish, you're not going to get much iodine from your diet. Second, many salt companies have stopped adding iodine to table salt. Third, food manufacturers have stopped using iodine in baked goods and are using bromine instead. Bromine competes with iodine to get into your cells. So the more bromine you consume, the less iodine you get. Unfortunately, many foods today (primarily baked goods) are loaded with bromine. Fourth, our water supply contains chlorine and fluoride, both which compete with iodine to get into your cells. And you can't avoid chlorine and fluoride simply by drinking filtered water. That's because you get a hefty dose any time you bathe, shower, soak in a hot tub, or swim in a swimming pool. Fifth, most conventional doctors never test for iodine deficiency. They figure there's no need to test iodine levels when they can just test your thyroid function instead. The problem with this is that the most widely used thyroid test, the TSH, is wildly inaccurate. Reason: While the TSH measures thyroid hormone, it can't tell the difference between active thyroid hormone with iodine and de-activated thyroid hormone with bromine or chlorine or fluorine! So the test shows you have plenty of thyroid hormone. But most of the thyroid hormone isn't doing its job! Dr. Nan Fuchs wrote: I've had women come into my office who look like the poster child for underactive thyroid. They're overweight, they're losing their hair and eyebrows, their skin is dry, and they tell me they feel cold all the time. Yet when their doctor gave them a thyroid test, it came back normal! When I put these women on iodine supplementation, their conditions improve dramatically. Their skin improves, they stop losing their hair, and they finally lose that excess weight — and keep it off. Correcting an iodine deficiency also provides a whole host of other health benefits, including fighting fatigue and giving you greater energy You may need 1 to 4 tablets of Ioderal, a combination of 5 mg of iodine and 7.5 mg of potassium iodide. Additional research finds that vitamin C improves the transport of iodine in the body. Take 1000-3000 mg of vitamin C daily. Start off slowly over about 4-6wk period. 1 pill for 30 days Then 2 for 30 days Then maybe 3 for 30 days Then 1 in morning and 1 in evening for 30 days Can then go back to taking 1 or 2 a day to maintain Your body will know....listen to it... One Iodoral tablet provides 12.5 milligrams of iodine/iodide which is about the amount the average Japanese consumed in 1964 in their everyday diet.

GOOD BOOKS TO LOOK INTO Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living Again by Dr. Frank Lipman Food Rules by Michael Pollan The Anti-Cancer Book is THE best overall health book for everyone – not just for those who are concerned about cancer 456 Rules by Dr. Nan Fuchs The Diet Cure by Julia Ross TO GIVE INSTANT ENERGY Brush your teeth when you feel tired. The minty-fresh feeling may help wake you up. Drink a glass of water. Dehydration is often related to fatigue. I try to drink 1 glass of water upon waking up and after each bathroom trip. I stop drinking an hour or so before leaving the house. I also stop drinking around 6 or 7 PM at night. Jumping Jacks Walk around the block Lie on bed with your head hanging off if you KWIM. Get all the blood circulating to your head. Rinse for as long as you can tolerate in the coldest water that you can tolerate. Feels really good when the cold is on your back and spine. I would often jump in for a quick shower when I was tired during my student years. You can also alternate between hot/warm and ice cold. Dunk your wrists in a bowl of water with ice cubes OR run them under a very cold faucet. Peppermint oil-infused air reduces fatigue. Inhaling peppermint causes capillaries to constrict and then dilate, sending a rush of blood through the body, and, as a result, a rush of energizing oxygen. Listening to whatever music you love 1 spoon of honey – honey will give you energy quickly and keep it there

OTHER TIPS Healthy lifestyle changes: • exercise regularly – an outdoor walk helps immensely. Being outdoors is energizing. Do what you like, what you enjoy. For overall energy, the best are anything outdoors, rebounding, and yoga. • sleep well • manage your stress • Having a thankful heart and positive attitude • Avoiding negative thinking and complaining Loss of energy is one of the many symptoms of a congested lymphatic system. Things that help to clear up the lymphatic system: • Daily Rebounding • Deep Breathing every day • Dry Body Brushing every day - either before showering OR before exercise, whichever comes first • Massage and/or Reflexology Many yoga poses and the regular practice of yoga help relieve symptoms of fatigue. There are specific yoga poses that help deal with fatigue. Don’t exercise within 2 hours of when you plan to sleep. Acupuncture is a great way to relieve stress and improve function. Most people say they feel calm yet energized after acupuncture. A bad mood can sap your energy because it keeps your mind busy ruminating. Substituting thoughts about what you have in your life, as opposed to what's missing, can help reverse the negative spiral. Slap on a smile. Apply some bright lipstick. Wear a crisp, clean outfit instead of baggy sweats. If you fake energy until you feel it, soon enough your body will catch on. The same ol' same ol' is more than boring -- it's an energy drain. Even small changes -- like taking an alternate route to work or making that morning jog an afternoon swim -- can make a difference. Deep breathing is essential. Your lungs may hold an important clue to lagging energy, because fatigue is caused by a deficiency of oxygen in the cells. This is why if you have difficulty concentrating or suffer from fatigue, the first step for you to take could be taking a few deep breaths. Frequent yawning or sighing can mean you need more oxygen. Of all our organs, our lungs are the only ones we can control with our will. Your heart beats on its own. Our liver performs hundreds of different functions whenever they’re needed. But we can consciously fill our lungs with full breaths of air for increased energy or breathe slowly to calm ourselves down. Still, few of us breathe consciously. Take more control of your breath. It can directly affect your health and energy. Clutter is a great big drag on your energy -- and not just because of all the stuff taking up space. So much of what ends up as clutter are tasks that we haven't finished or obligations we haven't been able to meet. If it's time for a real workout, but you're dragging, -- researchers have found that matching the tempo of a workout to music with a strong, fast beat can increase one's capacity for exercise by 15 percent. Choose songs with 120 to 140 beats per minute (the norm for most pop and rock songs). "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas, for instance, clocks in at 128 beats per minute. The exercise-and-energy equation goes like this: The more active you are, the better your circulation. And the better your circulation, the easier it is for blood to transport oxygen and nutrients (fuel for the cells) to your muscles and brain. So take a walk. A brisk, 10-minute walk is enough to boost your energy level for up to two hours.

All of the above and here are some more tips if you or anyone else is interested. EAT MORE Eat real food, as close to nature as possible. A great book is “Food Rules†by Michael Pollan. Think close to nature, think Mediterranean diet. Make sure to eat a healthy and balanced breakfast. Aim for an energy-balancing mix of high-quality carbs, lean protein and healthy fats -- oatmeal with a serving of almonds, an egg white omelet with a slice of avocado and a side of berries, or even last night's leftovers. Stay hydrated – drink lots of water Besides drinking enough water and eating water-based fruits and vegetables throughout the day, aim for at least 1 serving of a potassium-rich food or drink -- such as avocado, coconut water, or a banana -- each day. Dark chocolate contains the stimulant theobromine, which boosts energy without the jitters that can come from caffeine. Choose chocolate with at least 70 percent cacao. Cumin boosts energy. It’s rich in iron, a mineral that combats fatigue by stimulating the production of red blood cells. It’s also anti-inflammatory and inhibits the buildup of harmful protein deposits in the brain to boost mental energy. EAT LESS Limit processed sugars and processed foods Try going gluten-free for at least 3 weeks. See if you notice improvement. Many do. SUPPLEMENTS I try to take Carlson's Fish Oil daily. I don't know if this has any direct effect on energy, but I have read that it helps. I know that it's amongst the very best supplements that one can take for overall health. A good fish oil, such as Carslon’s is one of the best supplements you can take. Green foods boost the body’s energy production. Many feel better by starting the day with a green drink. Green Magma is a great one. If you're under 50, take at least 2,000 IU Vitamin D3 per day. If you're 50 or over, take at least 5,000 IU per day of vitamin D3. Always take your vitamin D with a fat-containing meal to ensure absorption. Your need for vitamin D3 is affected by age, skin color, and the severity of any deficiency B Complex Eleuthero is a relative of ginseng, that’s proven to keep you going. This herb gives people mental stamina in situations that would normally burn them right out. 800 mg- 2 or 3 grams daily of dried eleuthero to aid concentration Rhodiola rosea is an excellent addition to any stress-reduction program – along with exercise, daily meditation, prayer, more rest, a healthy diet, and specific supplements • Increases energy • Alleviates depression • Helps with weight loss • Relieves mental and physical fatigue • Improves function of the thyroid, thymus, and adrenal glands • Helps chemotherapy patients deal with depletion and exhaustion • Stimulates brain chemical production – norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin – which all help you think and feel better • Improves sleep • Improves mental alertness • Improves short-term memory • Enhances weight loss Reduces heart palpitations A group of male doctors were given 170 mg of R. Rosea extract just one a day for 2 weeks. They had a great reduction in fatigue compared with doctors who took a placebo Chemotherapy often leads to depletion and exhaustion. 150 mg of R. rosea extract twice a day can help relieve fatigue and normalize red and white blood cells The amount of Rhodiola you need to take is not critical. High or low amounts of this her both work. Not all Rhodiola supplements are equally effective. Any Rhodiola you buy should be standardized extract and say Rhodiola roesa on the label. Nature’s Way Planetary Formulas HerbPharm American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)/Panax Ginseng: Fewer tension-related aches and pains Feeling more happiness Better blood sugar control Deeper sleep Boost in brainpower Heightens energy Nourishes the entire Central Nervous System, helping it cope with changes in cortisol, estrogen, progesterone and other troublemaking hormones. 100-600 mg daily Cancer patients who took 1000 mg daily for 8 weeks reported energy levels that were twice as high as those on a placebo. Or ask your herbalist for a formula that combines all three of the above.

Several yoga sequences - nothing more this morning. Have to take the dc to the ortho super-early. Too much to do. Good that it's over :). Thinking of you still. The waiting is not fun. :grouphug:

Cynthia, you're most welcome. :) I just copied and pasted the info I have. I myself have not tried gotu kola. I assume it's ayurvedic (which I like a lot, but still know rather little about). I don't know much about it. This might be of help. I get most of our supplements from vitacost. Vitacost has this one. I love Solaray, but there are also other brands. Let me know if you need more info. :) Yes, rebounding is jumping on a trampoline. That, and anything to help the lymphatic system and circulation is great for cellulite - dry body brushing, massage, etc.

Tany, love this post. This is so me and the sort of thing I do. Thanks for the reminder and great suggestions. :D Copied and pasted your suggestions. :)

As you probably already know, collagevideo is a fabulous site. You can do all sorts of searches and watch video clips. It's hard to recommend DVDs when I don't know your exact taste or level. I love how you can refine your search on this site - by instructor, level, type of workout, etc. Have fun searching. Videofitness.com is another great site, but no video clips – very helpful reviews, however. My all-time favorite yoga DVDs (and, trust me, I have LOTS of them) are the ones by Mark Laham. Both his yoga DVDs are my absolute favorites. I feel so energized and my muscles feel so stretched. He's a great instructor and you really get your $'s worth with each DVD - about 3 separate workouts in each DVD. He knows his stuff. Plus, he's not annoying, like some exercise videos can be. You can only order his DVDs from his site, it seems. His DVDs are done in a studio. I have lots of yoga DVDs, and, to me, he, is without a doubt, the absolute best. My former yoga instructor likes him a lot also. And her opinion is one that I obviously respect. Iron Yoga Tough and challenging Uses weights Good and clear instruction Rodney Yee: Yoga Burn Rodney Yee: Core Cross Train Crunch Yoga Body Sculpt I liked it. Simple and nice Good and basic yoga workout for those who are cautious of the "weird" stuff ;). This one's about as mainstream as you can get. FAVORITE PILATES DVDs This is what I read on another forum: If you’re just starting out in Pilates, your form and breath is very critical. Learning the proper technique as a beginner is so important. If you can't take a live Pilates class, which would be ideal, I would go with Stott Pilates practices as a beginner. The instructor, Moira, is soft-spoken and might come off as dry as dust, but is the best when it comes to learning the proper technique. I've read of so many beginners to Pilates get injured because they didn't start out with proper instruction. Instruction is so important for someone new to Pilates. The Level 1 in Stott Pilates is thoroughly boring and not needed. Go with the Level 2. It’s faster and she still teaches the correct technique. Level 2 is a keeper. Moira is a good teacher and stresses correct form. It may feel a bit tedious at first, but proper form is REALLY important. After you find you're familiar with the correct form, then proceed on to more "fun" Pilates stuff. I would not start with the 10-Minute Solution series. They are hurriedly put together trying to cram so much into 10 minutes that form is sometimes compromised; especially when the beginner isn't familiar with the correct alignment. Learning the correct form of Pilates is similar to learning the correct form of barre workouts. It's all in the positioning. Side note: I think the 10-Minute Solution series and others are fine for advanced and intermediate exercisers after the learning process is completed, however, and are a great choice for getting in short workouts. Barre work is a great addition to Pilates. If you can do both, you'll get great results and feel great. 10-Minute Solution Pilates allows you to mix and choose whatever you want 5 different workouts Just did this and not sure if I did it properly. Once it stayed and once it fell ... dh had some funny comments about the whole test. :lol: I want the BBL system. :D

First, I just heard about this and I think it's worth a try. I heard about it on the VF forums, but couldn't find the thread. You could also do a google search. Now my own tips and notes. WHAT TO EAT The detoxifying properties of raw foods offer the most effective approach in preventing and reversing cellulite. There is a relationship between cellulite and body toxicity. Constipation is more common in women with cellulite, as is poor lymphatic drainage – the inefficient elimination of wastes that accumulate in spaces between cells. There is also a correlation between cellulite and poor circulation, poor liver function, and an underactive thyroid. Eat raw as much as possible Eat plenty of high-fiber foods – oat bran, whole grains, legumes (beans, split peas, lentils), vegetables, fruits Eat more raw nuts and beans. Get ample amounts of fluid to help prevent constipation Drink water throughout the day to flush out unwanted toxins. Increase consumption of foods that cleanse and support the liver – beets, artichoke leaves, turmeric, dandelion root and milk thistle teas WHAT TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE Keep animal protein and animal fats in your diet low. The one exception is good quality fish. Caffeine impairs circulation and lymph flow. Drink green tea, dandelion tea, or hot water with lemon and ginger instead. Processed food contains artificial substances that the body finds hard to eliminate, and is a factor in the development of cellulite. Steer clear of high GI foods like white bread, rice, and potatoes that raise levels of fat-storing insulin. Stick to a diet that contains natural and organic meats and vegetables, which are simply cooked. SUPPLEMENTS Gotu Kola has reduced cellulite in 80% of the people who tested it. The participants took a gotu kola extract containing 30 mg of triterpenes three times a day. Horse Chestnut Extract – you can take horse chestnut extract containing 10-20 mg of escin three times a day, or apply a salve with 0.5-1.5% escin topically. Both of the above have been used successfully for varicose veins as well as for cellulite. When you use caffeine topically, it can reduce cellulite effectively. Look for a salve or ointment with 0.5-1.5% Cola vera extract (14% caffeine). Apply it morning and night to the areas where you have the most cellulite. OTHER TIPS Obviously, women who are slim and athletic have the least amount of cellulite. Weight loss, should be gradual, particularly after the age of 40. Rapid weight loss could make the cellulite far more pronounced. Exercise is very important in reducing cellulite. Be sure to get aerobic exercise (walking is a good choice) at least 5 times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes each time. Few female athletes have cellulite because exercises replaces body fat with muscle, and prevents fat cells from becoming blocked with toxins. Running, swimming, cycling, and walking are all excellent ways to improve circulation and encourage the elimination of toxins. Get into the habit of dry body brushing first thing every morning for 3 minutes to slough off dead skin cells and boost circulation. Regular dry skin brushing can greatly improve lymphatic drainage. Using moderate pressure and short strokes with a natural bristle body brush, brush the skin in an upward circular movement from the lower body up towards the heart. As well as stimulating blood circulation in the tiny capillaries near the skin, it will tone and tighten the skin and help reduce cellulite deposits. Massage will stimulate the circulation of the lymphatic drainage system and speed up toxin elimination. Rebounding is also great for lymphatic drainage and toxin elimination. In the morning jump-start your body by gradually turning your warm shower water to cold. Let it run for a minute all over your face and body to give the lymphatic system a boost, and tone up the skin to leave it tingling.

:iagree: on all 3 counts. :D As you probably know, due to mainly cost (no library here :glare:) and time limitations, mine will be 26 books per year. Hope that's okay. :tongue_smilie:

Hope all went well. Thinking of you. :grouphug: Magazine routine - weights and stretches - nice and simple :)

Thanks so much. :)

I have to make this for my dh and dc. I know they'll love it. :D

Me too. Wish they had it here. Love, love, love it. :D