Thermography is a particularly good choice for younger breasts, which tend to be denser. It doesn't identify fibrocystic tissue, breast implants or scars as needing further investigation. It's also good at detecting changes in the cells in the armpit area, an area that mammography isn't always good at screening. Perhaps even more exciting is that a thermogram can help a woman diagnosed with ductal carconoma in situ (DCIS) decide, along with her health practitioners, whether she requires aggressive or conservative treatment. If you've ever had an unnecessary biopsy or been scared by a false positive result on a mammogram, please consider getting a thermogram and using it in conjunction with the mammogram to figure our your treatment options. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christiane-northrup/the-best-breast-test-the-_b_752503.html If anyone needs any info on thermography, I can share.

I'm 43 and have not yet had a mammogram and am not sure when I will. I've spent years and years reading up on the pros and cons. Decided against it for now. I've had one thermogram and as far as I know, they're very good for dense br@ast tissue. I hope to have one every year. Here's some info if anyone's interested. Mammograms can be a very heated topic, unfortunately. I don't wish to go there. I'm just sharing the info that I have. Mammograms employ low-dose X-rays to examine the breast tissue. The more you expose yourself, the more damage your body endures. The earlier you begin screening mammography, the more radiation exposure you will experience and a high incidence of false-negative (and false-positive) readings because younger women typically have denser breast tissue, which makes accurate mammogram readings more difficult. In sum, routine mammography screening, particularly for younger or pre-menopausal women, may cause more harm than good. The pre-menopausal breast is highly sensitive to radiation, each rad exposure increasing the risk of breast cancer by one percent. This results in a cumulative 10 percent increased risk of breast cancer over ten years of pre-menopausal mammography. These risks are even greater for younger women subject to “baseline screening†The Nordic Cochrane Centre in Denmark found that mammograms may harm 10 times as many women as they help The researchers examined the benefits and negative effects of seven breast cancer screening programs on 500,000 women in the United States, Canada, Scotland and Sweden. The study’s authors found that for every 2,000 women who received mammograms over a 10-year period, only one would have her life prolonged, but 10 would endure unnecessary and potentially harmful treatments. However, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) breast screening program – which provides free mammograms for women over the age of 50 every three years – cited different statistics in defending its program. An NHS statement said the Department of Health’s advisory committee on breast cancer screening had conducted its own evaluation of the program, and found that screening prolonged the lives of five women out of every 2,000 over a 10-year period. A woman’s radiation dose from a typical mammogram is considerably more than from a typical chest X-ray. According to the US Department of Energy, a woman’s radiation dose from a typical mammogram is 2.5 mSv (millisievert or effective dose). By comparison, the effective dose from a chest X-ray is considerably less at 0.1 mSv. Whatever you may be told, refuse routine mammograms, especially if you are pre-menopausal. The x-ray may increase your chances of getting cancer.

Yes, I love my Nike Free Runs (not that I go running :tongue_smilie:) but they are most certainly snug. I read and I agree that it's best to order a half size bigger. Reading all your posts, I'm so impressed at how much everyone works out. Far more than me :tongue_smilie:. I'm lucky if I get in 30 minutes and it's usually not high intensity. I used to run most days and anywhere from 2-4 miles each time. Not anymore. I used to Shred and do Billy Blanks. My knees give me trouble. Happy to report that I have exercised every day this week. Today I did lots of different moves - weights, stretches, and some yoga moves. Wow. :D Even at my very fittest and lightest, I was never able to go beyond 5 Miles. Good for you!

CREAMS AND OTHER METHODS TO TRY Since I've never had this - I really can't say what will or won't work. This is all from what I've read. Get grease onto the skin while it’s still wet/moist from bathing. Bathing should be brief and not hot water, only warm. Put the grease on the skin in the tub if you have to. Keep old towels that can get greasy. No big deal! Any grease will do: A&D Ointment, Crisco, Baby Oil, Vaseline, Aquafor (or however you spell it), put socks and long underwear-style jimmies on right after greasing up. If needed, apply once more to hands when in bed. Wet Wrap Therapy Google it. You soak in a bath a few minutes, apply all the grease (Rx or whatever you normally use), then put a flannel sheet in the warm tub water, wring it out, and wrap it around, then another blanket around, then put her to bed. Before he's chilled, - a few hours or so, change into jammies. If children are older, they can do this themselves. This therapy has given some the longest relief and they say that it’s really worth the trouble. Borage Oil Sea Buckthorn Oil – Weleda’s Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion (external use) Sibu’s Sea Buckthorn Omega-7 Skin and Membrane Support Put whole oats into a sock. Seal it w/a rubber band. Drop it into a warm bath. Have a good soak. The oats contain compounds that calm inflammation Bleach Baths - many swear by this 1 cup of bleach into a bathtub full of warm water As a dermatologist said, the bath is really a tiny percentage of chlorine compared to a swimming pool. You can soak in a bath like this without immersing head or face in water When you get out of the tub, instead of drying off, put on the cream immediately, greased up from head to toe and then patted dry Oatmeal based lotions Jojoba Oil Double-Rinsing all clothing Cotton only clothing Managing Allergies Well (for some, that may mean avoiding the humidifier since they may have strong mold allergies) Trying out different detergents, shampoos, etc. The best way to find out what will work for you is trial and error. Do your very, very best to find out why the skin is reacting. Tea Tree Shampoo – Dr. Bonner’s Castile Liquid Soap with Tea Tree Jojoba oil Vanicream Emu Oil is great for certain skin conditions. Dry patches, eczema may disappear. It doesn't clog the pores so it's fine for people with combo skin.

SUPPLEMENTS Probiotics GLA 360 to 400 mg in the form of evening primrose, borage, or black currant seed oil helps trigger fat burning. It helps with skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema. For eczema in children 2 - 18 years of age: Evening primrose oil (EPO), 3 grams daily, divided into several smaller doses throughout the day. It is reported that the maximum dose should not be greater than 0.5 gram per kilogram of body weight daily. Talk to your health care provider before using supplements in children. Adult For eczema or atopic dermatitis: Evening primrose oil (EPO), 4,000 - 8,000 mg daily, or gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), 2,800 mg daily, both divided into several smaller doses throughout the day. A good fish oil, such as Carlsons’s Vitamin D3 Kids under 10 can safely take up to 3000 IU a day Kids over 10 and anyone older can safely take 10,000 IU a day Take D3 with a fat-containing meal to increase absorption.

If anyone's interested, here are some tips and info on eczema. Red, itchy, inflamed patch or patches of skin Eczema is a common form of dermatitis CAUSES Peela wrote this a while back and I fully agree: My understanding is that most skin conditions (except an outright rash related to poison ivy sort of thing) originate from an internal condition, especially relating to the liver and/or gut. They express themselves through the skin, but for the most part, they originate in the liver or digestive system. While creams can be part of a holistic approach and can provide relief and some help, the original cause is related to the liver/digestive system and to actually cure it, that’s where one needs to go. Everything else is dealing with symptoms and not causes. The liver is our detoxifier, and if it struggles, toxins are expressed through the skin (that is a simplification but generally true). In naturopathy, you go to the liver and help it along if you want to deal with skin issues. Considering all the trans fats and chemicals in our modern diet, (and how they affect the liver) and the quality of many people's diets, I would say most skin conditions are definitely related to our modern day environmental and dietary conditions. There are supplements and foods to eat to help the liver. Liver overload or clogging can cause skin issues as the skin is where toxins come out when the body can't handle them elsewhere. You can also google “eczema gut†or something similar and follow that trail to find the information you need to heal the gut- but it does involve dietary restriction and change which can be challenging for a child. I would prefer to see a homeopathic doctor or something like that over a dermatologist. I would hate for steroid creams to be a permanent solution. EAT LESS Try a dairy and/or wheat free diet for a while. Cow’s milk is often a culprit. Many recommend getting food allergy tested.

You're most welcome. Good and much-needed reminder for me also. :D

I read this book when my dc were much younger. I loved it and would often go back and re-read parts of it. I don't think it's applicable to us anymore. Our dc are now older. One part of the book that I really loved was about picky eaters and mealtimes. I found it very helpful. I have to admit that I preferred this book. I've been meaning to get the Teenager book for some time. I may order it. My problem is that lately I really and truly struggle with non-fiction books. :glare: Mind you, this author's style is so sweet, user-friendly, and simple. I may just get it. :) Thanks for this thread and reminding me about it. :D

Same here. That whole eating more thing has never worked for me, and, quite frankly, it just doesn't really make sense to me. Not my body anyway. Okay, I'm just realizing that my posts are silly and pointless, so I'm :leaving:.

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: For me, hcg was the only diet that really and truly worked. I can't wait to start my 2nd round in a few months. :D

I've read of many who have succesfully gone on a short round of hcg in an effort to lose about 15 pounds.

I really, really need to get this book. Thank you for the reminder. :D

We were there over the summer and loved it. :D The only thing we don't like is that it's extremely expensive, particularly for a family. Although it was summer and crowded, we still had a fabulous time. Because we don't particularly care for cold weather and don't have cold-weather clothes anyway (notice that we live in the tropics), we chose the summer. I would have loved anytime from April-October. Where to stay - tough. Whatever you do, do not, I repeat not, stay in a Paris B&B :glare:. Most are highly impersonal and a complete rip-off. Accommodation in Paris can be a real pain, particularly for a family. That's my biggest gripe. Hotel rooms are small and expensive. Hopefully, you will be able to find something good and nice - maybe 2 rooms on Priceline or Hotwire. http://www.biddingfortravel.com is a good site for researching Priceline rates and they even list all the hotels that you get on PL. I personally would not go to Disney in Paris. To me, that's not what Paris is about. Not unless if I had lots and lots of time and had done everything I wanted to do, plus lots and lots of $$. Paris is gorgeous and there are so many better things to see and do than Disney, IMHO. :) :iagree: Love the Orsay. We got a 2-Day Museum Pass and it was well worth it. Go to the Eiffel Tower when it's just getting dark. It's beautiful at night. You don't have to pay more and go to the very top level. The 2nd level has the best views. A Seine River Cruise is very nice to do on your first evening/day. Perfect way to get oriented to the city and to sit back and relax. I love Paris so much that I created a board on pinterest. :D Rick Steves' book is very helpful. There have been many threads on Paris here. I would do a search. Also, at the bottom of this page, there are some Similar Threads. You can go from there. Have a fabulous trip. I'm so envious. :D

Hopefully some of this will help. I'm 43 and am grateful that I haven't experienced them yet. I'm sure they'll come soon. It'll be worse here in the tropics :glare:. Hot Flashes are periods of sudden intense heat, while flushes include the obvious flushing or redness. While they usually come and go for a year or two, some still have hot flashes for 10-15 years after menopause. Hot flashes and flushes can last for a few seconds or up to five minutes. WHAT HELPS HEALTHY EATING Heat-producing foods can trigger hot flashes – limit fatty foods, sugars, caffeine, and very hot spicy foods Cooling foods and plant estrogens help reduce hot flashes – fruits, vegetables, yogurt, goat cheese – these all cool the body More salads Fewer cooked foods Drink plenty of water throughout the day When dietary changes are not enough, it’s time to look into supplements. SUPPLEMENTS Hesperidin is found in the skin of lemons and oranges. It works like a miracle for many women, eliminating hot flashes and night sweats. Take 500 mg morning and night. You most likely will need that much to reduce hot flashes. Although hesperidin is a bioflavonoid, you can’t get enough of it in bioflavonoid supplements. Look for a hot flash formula with high amounts of hesperidin. PHYTOESTROGENS are plant-based estrogens that curb hot flashes, weight gain, and other complaints. Look for a multiple-herb formula with • Chaste-tree berry (normalizes hormone secretion and helps balance estrogen and progesterone) – 40 mg daily – quite frankly, this is the only one I think I will try from this list of phytoestrogens. The rest are of concern to me, since there is a likelihood that they may raise breast estrogen levels. • Black cohosh • Red clover • American ginseng • Milk thistle Nothing has been found to be nearly as effective for menopause symptoms as Black Cohosh. Many Black Cohosh supplements are less potent than they appear. You need to get 540 mg daily. Studies have shown that in sufficient doses, this herb can help alleviate menopausal symptoms in as little as 4 weeks. Puritan’s Pride Black Cohosh 540 mg One study found that women who took Black Cohosh were 47 percent less likely to have breast cancer. Black cohosh can reduce hot flashes by 85%. 40 mg daily of Remifemin Black cohosh treats hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, vaginal dryness, and anxiety OVERALL RELIEF Daily Balance Harmony Enzymatic Therapy AM/PM Menopause Formula Gaia Herbs Phyto-Estrogen NOW Foods Menopause Support Solgar Herbal Female Complex SAGE has been used since ancient times to stop hot flashes and helps reduce all kinds of excessive perspiration. Sage tea and sage tincture helps hot flashes and night sweats. 1-3 cups of sage tea can reduce your hot flashes OR take the herb as a supplement Sage tea is the safest and least expensive solution. Allow the tea to cool down for best results. Drink 1-3 cups a day in between meals. You can increase this amount, if you like, to 4-5 cups a day. You may need much less. In fact, just 1 serving of sage tea can cool down some women within two hours and last for a day or more. Tinctures or capsules containing sage are good options if you don’t want to drink the tea. WILD HOPS reduces hot flashes and night sweats, anxiety, and helps muscles relax. Wild hops can help you sleep 30-120 mg at bedtime Has to be dried to have any medicinal effect Often used in combination w/valerian and lemon balm. SAFFRON promotes calmness and reduces irritability and hot flashes 1 pinch stirred into hot, cooked food daily Some have said that the combination of Chinese Bitters (taken before breakfast) and Fem-Mate (taken at bedtime) is very helpful for alleviating hot flashes. In one case, a 60 year old woman was on HRT for 10 years and was told to stop her HRT immediately because of her vaginal bleeding. When she stopped, her hot flashes became unbearable, and she tried all manner of remedies to no avail. When she took Chinese Bitters and Fem-Mate, her hot flashes became manageable in only 4 days, although it took 3-4 months before her hot flashes disappeared. This remedy works because Chinese Bitters decongests and cleanses the liver while Fem-Mate stimulates natural progesterone and estrogen production by stimulating the adrenals. For some women, whose hot flashes are relatively mild, Chinese Bitters alone is enough to eliminate their hot flashes. In some cases, the complete program of liver and gallbladder cleansing may be necessary because HRT is known to cause gallstones. Daily morning exercises such as stretching and deep breathing can also help by "activating" the liver in the morning. OTHER TIPS Sleep on right side. Sleeping on right side prompts relaxation and decreases blood pressure – which can help calm you during hormone-related symptoms such as hot flashes. Soak your feet in cold water to prevent hot flashes during night

This is a great link. Thanks for sharing, Stacia. Off to read it in more depth later. :) Dd and I love watching shows like Tim Gunn and What Not to Wear together. It's our bonding time. ;) I love going shopping with her, but alas, where we live, the choices are extremely limited. Your plan is a great one and you're definitely on the right track. So happy for you. :D You shouldn't feel any guilt about spending $$ on good quality and, most importantly, the right-fitting br@s. Every woman should have regular br@ fittings. :) I'm enjoying this thread. Do please keep us updated.

Hope it's a fabulous one! :D

That's fabulous and I'll be continuing to pray for you. Thinking of you. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

The latter. :) I think it's outrageous that the family has no health insurance. I think it's awful for any human being to lose their or have no health insurance. But other than that, the family stuff was just annoying for me. Mind you, I have to say that I didn't give this book much of a chance. I don't know if I will or not. I haven't read The Red Tent and am not sure if I will. I keep hearing mixed reviews. People seem to either love or hate it. I had to smile at your memories of Haifa. :D I didn't even realize that you'd been there. :)

Making peace sounds like a fabulous option. :D I have yet to see or hear of a thigh cream that actually works. :glare: Here are my tips for cellulite: 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. 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. Regular dry skin brushing can greatly improve lymphatic drainage, as can massage, deep breathing, and rebounding. Keep at it for a few months and don’t give up. I try to do this daily. Eat raw as much as possible Eat plenty of high-fiber foods – oat bran, whole grains, legumes (beans, split peas, lentils), vegetables, fruits Get ample amounts of fluid to help prevent constipation Increase consumption of foods that cleanse and support the liver – beets, artichoke leaves, turmeric, dandelion root, and milk thistle. Some juices that help - if you have a good juicer: CLEANSING COCKTAIL ¼-inch slice ginger root 1 beet ½ seeded apple 4 carrots GARDEN SALAD SPECIAL 3 broccoli flowerets 1 garlic clove 4-5 carrots 2 stalks celery ½ green pepper Diet Exercise Massage Rebounding Dry Body Brushing Keep animal protein and animal fats in your diet low. The one exception is good quality fish. Eat more raw nuts and beans. Drink water throughout the day to flush out unwanted toxins. 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.

Dawn, I'm so sorry :grouphug:. This really and truly blows. You're in my thoughts and prayers a lot. I can relate to this somewhat. Dh has had digestive issues for almost 3 years. Such a pain. :confused: I hope and pray that you find some relief.

Thanks. I liked her when I used to watch The Today Show religiously every single morning. :D Love it. A girl after my own heart. :grouphug: I don't have time to workout as much as I would like or used to, but I'm happy to get what I can. Thank you for starting the daily thread. I won't always be able to post, since, as you can see, I'm an early morning person and may be a day late with posting. Better late than never. :D

This is a wonderful thread and I love reading all the replies. We often do the name 3 things we're grateful for at the end of the day with our evening prayers, but sometimes we forget or we're too tired. Kathleen, I really enjoyed your post. :grouphug: Enjoyed all of them actually. :)

Thanks. Never read Neil Gaiman, so it's good to know. :) Thanks, Stacia. It's unlikely that we'll find time to listen to it, but I haven't ruled that out yet. May do so. Thanks for the link. Oh dear. We tried to read this a year or so ago. Didn't care for it too much and I think we gave it away. I hope not. I'd like to try it again.

Thank you. :D Nikki, I didn't get very far with Henrietta Lacks. For some reason, it really began to irritate me or maybe I wasn't in the best of moods when reading it. I may give it a try again. Seems like I'm the only one who hasn't liked it. :tongue_smilie: I bought Day After Night while we were in Haifa, Israel this summer. Read it right after.

I'm still very slowly reading Mindset. Really liking it. Very, very interesting. :) I love his stuff. :)