These look really good. I love EPS, step-by-step, and all the other features you mention. Just saw these on Rainbow Resource. May order them soon. Even though we do have plenty of writing material, this looks very good. Thanks for the tip re: not needing the TM.

Great points. Thank you. This is not good. You're causing me to start changing my mind. :lol:

I love my CHI. I don't use it too often, more for special occasions. I got mine much cheaper from ebay - brand new. You could do a search on amazon, ebay, etc. I did lots of research beforehand and the general consensus at that time - 2006 - was that the CHI was the best.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Looks very interesting. Added to my wish list. :) I'm not sure if I should read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. I feel as if I already know the story ...

:iagree: I alternate - some days I use a dry loofah and other days I use one similar to this Mind you, some with sensitive skin wouldn't be able to tolerate something so harsh and may need a much gentler brush.

It's such a great book. I'm thinking of adding one rule to read each day. I love "daily readings" for many books. Just give it to me short and quick. :) It's like a quick booster shot and reminder on a daily basis.

Love this. But I do feel that it was more applicable when my dc were younger. I'll always love this book and its approach. :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: on all counts. I also often read the RR catalog when waiting for my dc somewhere. Need to return to this thread to get more ideas. :)

This looks really good. Added it to my wish list. Just William is on its way to us. I grew up loving the TV show. :) Would you say that The Mitchells would appeal to older children? I like the look of How to Run Your Home Without Help. :) I'm about 3/4 of the way through Forgotten Garden. Very good so far. Not the absolute best book ever, but good. :)

Sorry to sound negative, depressing, or whine-y in any way, but I find it quite sad and frustrating to find books that my very picky dc will like. They're not into fantasy much or sci fi. They both loved Harry Potter. Dd loved Twilight, but she's vampire-d out now. She used to love books a year or so ago. Now, most of the books she reads reluctantly, may I add, are quite dark and depressing. She did read and loved one of my favorites, "Funny in Farsi". I guess soon she'll start to read my own books. But it's still hard to find good books for ages 12 and up.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR Keep your blood sugar stable by eating every 4-5 hours and get some protein at each meal. Chromium Picolinate (see above) COPPER IMBALANCE Copper can trigger a migraine, especially if you have an abnormal copper metabolism or consume high quantities of this mineral. Some alcoholic beverages, such as red wine, beer, and whiskey are distilled in cooper stills. Some water supplies travel through copper pipes. Foods naturally high in copper include: shellfish, wheat germ, chocolate, soy, and nuts. Citrus increases your body’s absorption of this mineral. Talk with your health care practitioner about getting a hair analysis or other assay of your copper levels. Avoid eating too many of the above foods and beverages and make sure your multivitamin is free of copper. When copper levels are too high, zinc levels tend to be too low. The result of this imbalance can be anything from fatigue to migraines. When you increase your zinc, copper levels come down.

Magnesium Deficiency Anything that feels tight or crampy like headaches Constipation Anxiety Insomnia Irritability Sensitivity to loud noises Muscle cramps or twitching Palpitations The testing: Check red blood cell magnesium levels. Even this can be normal in the face of total body deficiency, so treatment with magnesium based on the symptoms is the first choice. The treatment: Magnesium glycinate, citrate, or aspartate in doses that relieve symptoms or until you get loose bowels. If you have kidney disease of any kind, do this only with a doctor's supervision. Mitochondrial Imbalances Fatigue Muscle aching Brain fog Although sometimes the only symptom can be migraines The testing: Checking urinary organic acids can be helpful to assess the function of the mitochondria and energy production. The treatment: Taking 400 mg of riboflavin (B2) twice a day and 100 to 400 mg a day of coenzyme Q10 can be helpful, as can as other treatments to support the mitochondria. Keep in mind that sometimes a combination of treatments is necessary. Other treatments can be helpful in selected cases, such as herbal therapies (like feverfew and butterbur), acupuncture, homeopathy, massage, and osteopathic treatment to fix structural problems. KEEP A MIGRAINE DIARY for several months to help identify triggers. Track your diet, exercise, stress levels, and symptoms. Some common culprits include chocolate, food additives, hormonal fluctuations, weather, and stress. 93% of people with migraines improve when they stop eating their trigger foods. Any food can cause a migraine, but some foods are more closely associated with them. Foods high in chemicals called amines – found in chocolate, aged cheeses, red wine, beer, dairy, nuts, citrus, and beans – commonly trigger migraines. It’s worth trying an elimination diet. A migraine-provoking food could be something you eat in a large quantity, such as a glass of milk or some yogurt, or in small amounts like the dairy in ranch-style salad dressing. Food reactions are difficult to identify because an allergic reaction like a migraine doesn’t always occur right after you eat. It can take as long as 72 hours. If you suspect a food, eliminate that food in all forms for at least 3 months. Then test it by eating it alone. If you have no reaction, you can try eating it again in small amounts. Don’t eat it more than once or twice a week, however. You don’t want that sensitivity to come back. In addition to the foods listed above, the foods found to be most likely to cause headaches are beef, yeast, and sugar (corn and cane).

Finding and Curing the Causes of Your Migraines Food Allergy/Bowel and Gut Imbalances Fatigue Brain fog Bloating Irritable bowel syndrome Joint or muscle pain Postnasal drip and sinus congestion and more The testing: Check an IgG food allergy panel and also check a celiac panel because wheat and gluten are among the biggest causes of headaches and migraines. Stool testing and urine testing for yeast or bacterial imbalances that come from the gut can also be helpful. The treatment: An elimination diet -- getting rid of gluten, dairy, eggs, and yeast -- is a good way to start. Corn can also be a common problem. Getting the gut healthy with enzymes, probiotics, and omega-3 fats is also important. Chemical Triggers The causes: A processed-food diet including aspartame, MSG (monosodium glutamate), nitrates (in deli meats), sulfites (found in wine, dried fruit, and food from salad bars) is to blame. Tyramine-containing foods like chocolate and cheese are also triggers. The treatment: Get rid of additives, sweeteners, sulfites, and processed food. Eat a diet rich in whole foods and phytonutrients. Hormonal Imbalances The causes: Premenstrual syndrome with bloating, fluid retention, cravings, irritability, breast tenderness, menstrual cramps; use of an oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy; or even just being pre-menopausal, which leads to too much estrogen and not enough progesterone because of changes in ovulation. The testing: Blood or saliva hormone testing looks for menopausal changes or too much estrogen. The treatment: Eat a whole-foods, low-glycemic-load, high-phytonutrient diet with cruciferous vegetables. Use herbs such as Vitex, along with magnesium and B6. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. Exercise and stress reduction also help.

MORE IMMEDIATE CURES SHOWER AND WASH HAIR PEPPERMINT OIL Dilute a few drops of peppermint oil with olive oil and rub the mixture onto your temples. OR A mix of peppermint and lavender oil. 2-3 drops of each rubbed into the temples, back of the neck and on your feet feels wonderful and really helps. TYLENOL, ETC. - when really needed, of course 1 aspirin, 1 Tylenol and 1 ibuprofen taken with some caffeine will work on the majority of my migraines if they haven't progressed too far..... OR Excedrin Migraine OR Benadryl 0R 2 Excedrin Migraine and a hot bath in a dark bathroom. Then quiet sleep. TOPICAL CAPSAICIN CREAM 0.025% or 0.075% cream 1-4 times daily COLD COMPRESS on head, face, or throat will lessen the pain FINAL WORD OF CAUTION If you regularly suffer from migraine pain (especially if you develop auras), be careful of heart attack or stroke. If you have fewer than one migraine a month, you’re 50% more likely to have a heart attack than non-sufferers. If migraines strike at least weekly, you have 3 times the risk of stroke, compared with those who don’t. • Aim to keep your cardiovascular system as healthy as possible. Control high cholesterol and obesity, via diet and exercise • Quit smoking • Limit alcohol intake • Control blood pressure • Try to avoid oral contraceptives – which has been found to add to stroke risk for women with migraines

Eat cherries as often as possible. Consuming 20 a day (about 2000 mg of cherry fruit extract) has been proven to provide more pain relief than aspirin and other painkillers. Acupuncture helps with all sorts of pain. I love it. :) BOOK What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Migraines by Dr. Alexander Mauskop

B6 helps prevent migraines You don’t need to necessarily take B6 every single night. One way that I know if I have enough B6 or not – if I remember my dreams quite clearly, I don’t take B6 for the next few nights. If I don’t remember my dreams – I take B6. Some people may need up to 250 mg or even special "active" B6 (pyridoxyl-5-phosphate) to achieve the greatest effect. Doses higher than 500 mg may cause nerve injury and are not recommended. Possible symptoms of an oversupply of B6 are night restlessness, numb feet, and twitching. Vitamin B6 is called pyridoxine and it is metabolized through the liver. Pyridoxyl-5-phosphate, or P-5-P, is a co-enzyme form of B6. That is, it turns B6 in your body, and does so without going through your liver. So it’s easy to absorb and is well tolerated. Co-enzyme B vitamins are best absorbed. Look for Pyridoxyl-5-phosphate, or P-5-P on the label as an indicator of the form of the B vitamins it contains.

Vitamin D3- 2000-5000 IU daily Calcium and Vitamin D – A calcium deficiency can exacerbate migraine symptoms. Women often suffer from migraines more often than men because women are more prone to calcium deficiencies. Most experience low calcium levels during the premenstrual or ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. Calcium carbonate is the worst absorbed form of calcium there is. More calcium is absorbed from 500 mg of calcium citrate (an acidic form) than from 2,000 mg of calcium carbonate. Calcium needs to be balanced with magnesium. Take twice as much magnesium as calcium. Butterbur – Butterbur root is one of the best herbs to prevent migraines. Take 150 mg two to three times per day. A good brand is Petadolex. Make sure the label specifies that pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been removed. Get ones with capsules free of Pas, compounds found in crude butterbur that are toxic to the liver. Xiao yao wan – Migraines are often due to liver qi stagnation – when the liver doesn’t properly clean toxins from the body. This is a blend of plant roots, rhizomes, and mushrooms, believed to help cleanse the liver. Chasteberry – Many women suffer from menstrual-induced migraines. If your progesterone level is too low in relation to estrogen, it can cause blood vessels in the brain to dilate, which is a known cause for migraines. Use the herb chasteberry as a tea or in concentrated herbal capsules to boost progesterone levels. This way you can try to affect hormone change without actually giving the hormone. Drink several cups of chasteberry tea per day and take 500 mg supplements every morning. Co-Q10 – Two-thirds of volunteers who consumed 200 mg daily cut their migraine attacks in half.

Melatonin - taken at night helps some. Low melatonin in our bodies has been linked to migraines. Melatonin is a natural hormone that promotes sound sleep. It acts as an antioxidant. Early in life, the body produces an abundant supply, but as we age, production steadily declines. Melatonin is helpful for more difficult insomnia. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant; while it shuts the body down, it cleans the toxins and free radicals from cells. But we often do things that keep melatonin from being produced, and that can be deadly. 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, diabetes 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. Melatonin, the antioxidant hormone that helps protect cells from DNA damage, is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, actually breaching the membrane designed to prevent toxins from entering your brain. Because it has been shown especially effective at preventing free radical damage to cell membranes (one of the prime targets of EMFs from cell phones etc.), I recommend taking 3 to 15 mg of melatonin (preferably in a time-release form) daily. If melatonin is taken in the evenings, tumor growth may be slowed. If you’re in the habit of having a late-night snack, a banana would be a good one as it can boost melatonin production. • 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. • Use melatonin only occasionally. Do not take melatonin every single night • 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.

Feverfew – this herb treats migraine pain by interrupting its main cause: inflammatory reactions in your head that aggravate nerve endings and cause the blood vessels to expand. When taken daily, feverfew can prevent migraines as well as reduce their severity, duration, and frequency. Be patient. The results can take up to 6 weeks. If you stop taking it, your migraines might return. 500-600 mg of standardized feverfew daily – use a standardized extract or capsules with 0.2% parthenolide –some commercial products have been found to have little or no parthenolide Take 2 equal portions on an empty stomach in the morning and evening. Higher amounts – 1-2 grams – may be needed if you are having an attack Omega-3s During a migraine, the tissue surrounding the brain becomes inflamed. Omega-3s reduce inflammation. A good fish oil – such as Carlson’s - Take 4000-6000 mg of fish oil daily with meals for best absorption. After 8-12 weeks, if the migraines have stabilized, you can adjust the dose to 1000 mg per day. Walnuts Chia Seeds

SLEEP - Get enough sleep. Your body needs a full night of quality sleep to fight pain. Sniffing lavender oil before sleep can help you. I seldom get enough sleep, so I'm not one to talk ... CHIROPRACTIC/MASSAGE – both help immensely with pain Be aware that you should wait for any inflammation to subside before starting either. EXERCISE – Begin with a daily 10-minute walk, take up a gentle yoga class, or try the slow movement of Tai Chi. Water aerobics and swimming help also. The more you exercise, the less likely you are to suffer from tension headaches. YOGA - Many yoga poses and the regular practice of yoga help relieve headaches. If you don’t have vision problems or difficulty speaking, and you get frequent headaches, you may be experiencing rebound headaches triggered by OTC pain-relieving drugs. When taken just 3 times weekly, aspirin, ibuprofen, and similar meds can actually blunt the brain’s natural pain-control mechanisms. This makes a person highly susceptible to repeat headaches. You should take no more than 1,000,000 mg of ibuprofen over the course of your life or you risk liver problems. When headache sufferers overuse pain meds, there’s often a rebound effect. Researchers suspect that the drugs may turn off the production of natural painkillers or lower your pain threshold. Those containing caffeine, including Excedrin Migraine, are most likely to cause overuse headaches. Track just about how many days a month you take headache medicine. If it adds up to 15 or more days, chances are the drugs are at fault.

Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin – 400 mg of this nerve-soothing vitamin daily could cut off your headaches in half within 3 months. Teas made with relaxing herbs like chamomile or valerian help Try supplementing with ginger. 520 mg daily to prevent headaches and 1040 mg to treat them Solgar Ginger Root capsules OTHER TIPS Headaches are a common symptom of a congested lymphatic system. Things that help to clear up the lymphatic system: • Daily Rebounding • Deep Breathing • Daily Dry Body Brushing • Massage and/or Reflexology • Swinging EPSOM SALTS BATH Taking a hot bath with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) is a good way to absorb and get much needed magnesium. Tiger Balm - love this stuff :D Dab a few drops of lavender essential oil on each temple and rub some around the hairline. Breathe deeply and relax. Repeat as needed. Take a nap :) Take middle finger and thumb of one hand, and grasp the webbing between thumb and forefinger on other hand, where you’ll probably feel a tender or sore point. Squeeze that point firmly for 40 seconds to one minute and then let go. Stretch regularly to prevent tension headaches

SUPPLEMENTS Magnesium Helps occasional headaches that can come with caffeine withdrawal Magnesium helps eliminate peripheral nerve disturbances that can lead to migraines There’s a strong correlation between migraines and hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen hormones (right before, during, or immediately after your period) can block the body’s absorption of magnesium, leading to low blood levels of this mineral. A number of scientific studies found low levels of magnesium in people with migraines. Many women with monthly migraines have low blood levels of magnesium. Remember that the more calcium you take, the more magnesium you need. Try cutting back on calcium while you increase your magnesium and see how this change affects your migraines. Take equal amounts of calcium and magnesium. For most people on a healthy diet, 500 mg of each supplement should be enough. If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency (see above) – 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 – and preferably not with calcium 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.

I used to get headaches far more frequently, but get them much less now. Magnesium has helped me INCREDIBLY. I used to get 1-4 migraines per year also. Haven't had one in a very long while. Long posts to follow. Sorry if the overwhelming advice by itself leads to yet another headache. That is NOT the intention. :lol: Read it or do with it as you will when you don't have a headache. Hoping you find relief very soon. :grouphug: ---- EAT MORE Magnesium Helps occasional headaches that can come with caffeine withdrawal Magnesium helps eliminate peripheral nerve disturbances that can lead to migraines There’s a strong correlation between migraines and hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen hormones (right before, during, or immediately after your period) can block the body’s absorption of magnesium, leading to low blood levels of this mineral. A number of scientific studies found low levels of magnesium in people with migraines. Many women with monthly migraines have low blood levels of magnesium. Found in: Dark Chocolate Sea vegetables (seaweed) Pumpkinseeds Bananas Greens Beans Kelp Wheat bran Wheat germ Almonds Buckwheat Brazil nuts Millet Pecans Walnuts Rye Brown rice Figs Dates Collard greens Shrimp Avocado Parsley Barley Dandelion greens Garlic Kelp Whole Grains Molasses

Yes, I believe it is, if done regularly and consistently. Maybe - only if it's super-gentle. I'm not too familiar with eczema. Here's the info I have: Peela wrote this: All skin conditions (except an outright rash related to poison ivy sort of thing) originate from an internal condition, especially relating to the liver. 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. Sea Buckthorn Oil – Weleda’s Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion (external use) Sibu’s Sea Buckthorn Omega-7 Skin and Membrane Support GLA – the essential fatty acids from GLA are crucial to weight loss. 360 to 400 mg in the form of evening primrose, borage, or black currant seed oil GLA wards off skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid that is found mostly in plant-based oils. Omega-6 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids: They are necessary for human health but the body can' t make them -- you have to get them through food. safe for you to try. 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. 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 Probiotics are essential Try a dairy or wheat-free diet; vitamins A (up to 10,000 IUs if pregnant; up to 25,000 IUs otherwise), B-Complex Forte, C (3,000 mg/day); EFAs (flaxseed and chia); Probiotics 12 Plus Regular exercise – regular trampolining/rebounding helps clear your lymphatic system. Eczema 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 - just a regular swing :) I have read this time and time again: Bleach Baths 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 cream on immediately, grease up from head to toe, and then pat dry

I always love that. Heard it before. :D :lol: Just hanging out here since I struggle with this also. :confused: Hcg is the only thing that has worked for me in a very long while. I need structure at this point in my life and lots of it. I'm very much not at all a diet person. But again, this is do-able. This has jump-started my weight loss. I needed that. I was tired of the slow or non-existent losses on other plans. I needed something radical.