Thank you, all. :grouphug: I've copied and pasted your replies to share with the family later. Dd wants to go to Paris. Dh and I are more partial to Barcelona. Ds wants Yorkshire. I would love to visit South Wales and show the family where I grew up. My fil wants to come with us, which is always fun. But he wants to do a cruise. Dh and I are not the cruise types. All of your ideas and tips are so helpful. I wish we could do it all. If anyone has more to add, please do share. :D Thanks for the great tips, Megan. I visited Cornwall as a child and love those cream teas. :D Caroline, you're an absolute angel :grouphug:. Thank you. I will get back to you soon. :lol: :D Thanks, Margaret. I often wonder about having a kitchen ... I really don't like cooking when on holiday, but having a fridge would definitely be nice. Pretty much all hotels in the Caribbean have fridges. Not so in other places. I don't know if having an entire kitchen would be worth the cost, since I really don't want too cook, but it's worth looking into. I'm familiar with that area and have visited there as well as most of Yorkshire, probably the same time period as when you were there. I was there in the mid 80's. Beautiful and gorgeous. Yes, B&Bs would be very nice. We often stayed in B&Bs when traveling in Wales as a child. Melinda, thanks for all the fabulous tips. Wow, now you've gotten me thinking. Budapest sounds interesting. :D Always wanted to visit Vienna, but the cost has always turned me off. Interesting, since we'll be going to Israel also - that's our whole reason for traveling to that part of the world. Amsterdam is very nice, I've heard. I went there when I was really small, so I can't remember it much at all. Yes, I don't think our dd would fully forgive us if we never took her to Paris. And Lord only knows when we'll make it to Europe again. I wish we could do it all. I wish there were package deals where you could visit several places at a reasonable cost, without staying in places that are complete dives, if you KWIM. I don't need to stay in a 5-star resort. But just a little bit of comfort and cleanliness without paying an arm and a leg would be nice. Very helpful tips. I really do appreciate it. This is great. Valerie, I will PM you. Thanks.

Megan, thank you. :D No time to read your reply yet, since I'm in the middle of cooking, but just remembered something. Is is better/cheaper/cheaper and better to book hotels from places like this - or - to book 2 hotel rooms through Priceline? In the U.S., we generally have great luck booking just one hotel room for all 4 of us - except in major cities like NY or San Fran - in which case, we tend to stay out of the cities. But in Europe, I think if we go with PL, we'll have to book 2 separate rooms? Does anyone have experience with PL in Europe? Or the above link? Or anywhere else???

Next June or July, we may be heading to Europe. We will definitely be going to the U.K. for a few days. Would greatly appreciate any tips, etc. 1. Dh and I would like to do just one other city/country - for simplicity AND for cost reasons. We're thinking Barcelona. The dc are thinking Paris. We're open and unsure about any other cities - Florence, Milan, Prague, Rome, Greece ... you name it. We don't mind the heat, hence why we've picked the summer. Also, why we live in the tropics, anyway. So any opinions on cities, etc. - please share. 2. If you know of nice places to stay for a family of 4 - anywhere in Europe. I know that Europe hotels are not like hotels elsewhere. Still, I would like it to be clean and nice - and not have to pay an arm and a leg. 3. Any cheap ways of flying from London to the other place in Europe? Or should we take the train? 4. Any tips for traveling and places to stay in the U.K. - we're thinking a few days in London and a few days in Yorkshire (which ds wants to visit) and maybe Wales (where I grew up). Thank you, thank you, thank you. :)

Happy Belated Birthday! We are all so blessed to have you and your family in our lives. :grouphug: Thank you. :)

ANXIETY ATTACKS Info I have on panic attacks. I assume it's the same thing. SYMPTOMS OF PANIC ATTACK: • Rapid heart rate • Shortness of breath • Sweating • Trembling • Tightness in throat • Dizziness • Nausea Panic attacks can feel scary – like you’re having a heart attack – but they won’t kill you. In fact, most panic attacks pass within 5-10 minutes and rarely last longer than 20-30 minutes. If you experience them frequently – several times a month or regularly over longer periods – then you have what’s called a “panic disorder”. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches you to switch to healthier thought patterns. One of the best ways to control a panic attack: Control your breathing. When you feel yourself beginning to panic, focus on making each breath slow and deep. Put your hand on your belly, and as you inhale, focus on your belly rising; as you exhale, feel it relax and fall. Regular exercise can decrease the frequency and intensity of panic attacks. 30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise – running, speed walking – have shown great success. 40 to 60 minutes a day of yoga, martial arts or tai chi can really help. Certain foods tend to provoke panic, while others can palliate or prevent it. Avoid: Caffeine MSG Aspartame Diets high in sugars and simple carbs – white bread, pasta Eat More Of: Complex carbs – brown rice, lentils, fresh vegetables Protein GABA Green Tea B Vitamins Valerian Anchor your mind – by counting each breath slowly from one to 10, and then back down from 10 to one. Do this until the attack passes. Remember that the attack probably won’t last more than 10 minutes, and even though it feels terrible, you will be OK. Say to yourself: “I can make it through this” and try not to let yourself get caught up in negative thought patterns. The Bach Flower Remedies represent a form of psychotherapy in a bottle, a noninvasive modality to address negative emotional states like: • Anxiety • Depression • Impatience Bach Rescue Remedy is, in fact, used in many emergency rooms to help alleviate trauma. A Welsh homeopath, Dr. Edward Bach recognized in the 1920s that, if herbs have healing powers, so must flowers. Over many years, he experimented with numerous flowers and trees to create a total of 38 plant-based Bach Flower Remedies. Another essential part of detoxifying your emotions is learning how to remain calm and let a greater force take over. By breathing slowly and deeply, you are able to let go, release tension throughout your body, and even lower your heart rate. While deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can all help you let go of whatever negative feelings and stress you hold within you, I find the following words so helpful that I read them every day: • To let go doesn’t mean to stop caring; it means I can’t do it for someone else. • To let go is not to cut myself off; it’s realization that I can’t control another. • To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being. • To let go is not to deny but to accept. • To let go is to fear less and love more.

Peela, thanks so much for the update. :grouphug: You're lucky that they gave you $ off however. I can't imagine that happening in most other places. Certainly not here. Otherwise the medical establishment would be broke, and the patients would be doing quite well, thank you very much. ;) I also feel more lumpiness on on side close to PMS time. Interesting, since yesterday in my research, I was reading about how important circulation and daily breast massage is. At least a minute on each side per day. In the shower is best. It also helps with knowing our breasts and what's going on with them. I remember you once mentioned that that is so important. So many women I know are afraid to do monthly self-exams. When I dry body brush every morning, at least a few times a week, I also focus on my breasts, the lymph nodes near them and in the under arm area. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing. But circulation is key. My massage therapist believes this is so important. Agreeing with Peela, that you should probably start a new thread. In a nutshell - and this is basic, since I don't know your details: STRESS: Regular exercise and good nutrition is key. FEELING LOW: I read this recently. All of us get depressed at times, such as when a good friend moves away or dies, or during the holidays when we’re alone. We may also get depressed from lack of sunlight during dark winter months or when we listen to the news. Inactivity (watching TV, reading escape novels) and sugar (chocolate) are sure-fire ways of turning temporary blahs into chronic depression. These 5 steps will help. If 5 steps are too many, just do the first one. It will help you move on to the rest. Put a copy of these 5 steps on your fridge. Then you’ll know where to look when you’re down and can’t get up. STEP ONE: KEEP MOVING Regular exercise improves your mood as much as medication. The last thing most of us want to do when we’re depressed is exercise. But it’s the most important step you can take. Force yourself to move. Within 20-30 minutes, you’ll have more energy and feel better emotionally. Force yourself to get out and walk. If it’s still daylight, get up right now and walk just for 20 minutes. You need to exercise 4-5 times a week to beat off depression. Daily is even better. STEP TWO: DON’T ISOLATE YOURSELF When you’re depressed, it’s difficult to reach out to others. But that’s just what you need to do. Stop making excuses. Your friends love you even when you’re feeling down. They want to help you as much as you want to help them when they’re in need. Pick up the phone and make a date with a friend to get together. Have them over for a cup of coffee or tea if you can’t get out. Look for activities that will distract you and take your mind off your problems. Arrange to go for a walk and exercise with a friend. Reach out, even if you don’t feel like it. If no one you know is available to get together, volunteer your services somewhere. Offer to help out one time for just a few hours. If you like it, do it regularly. You’ll meet new people and feel better being around others. STEP THREE: EAT HEALTHY FOODS Some foods will add to your depression. Others have the opposite effect. For instance, it’s important to get enough protein – as much as 15-20 grams with each meal. You need protein to help make mood-regulating chemicals. Protein also keeps your blood sugar from dropping. Low blood sugar can cause fatigue and temporary depression. Avoid any foods that trigger a low-blood-sugar response, such as sugar (honey, pure cane sugar juice, etc.), alcohol, fruit juices, and high quantities of refined carbohydrates (brad, crackers, white rice). Get junk foods out of the house today. When you want something sweet, eat a piece of fruit. Eat small amounts of unrefined carbohydrates such as beans, fresh fruit, and brown rice. They help your brain release serotonin. Half a cup of a starch, such as brown rice or one piece of fruit, is a reasonably small amount. Make eating good foods easy by planning in advance. Buy healthy frozen meals, especially those that are organic. Get pre-washed, pre-cut salad greens and vegetables to either eat raw or to sauté with your entrée. Have some bean dip on hand to eat for a meal or as a snack with carrots and celery. Buy healthy prepared soups, either dried, frozen, or in boxes. STEP FOUR: USE SUPPLEMENTS St. John’s Wort is the most popular and well-studied herb for minor and moderate depression. It has been tested head-to-head with Prozac. It often works just as well as Prozac with fewer side effects. One reason it works so well is because of its side effect. It causes photosensitivity. Bright light therapy helps reduce depression. By increasing your sensitivity to light, St. John’s Wort magnifies the effects of normal light. It acts just like you’re being exposed to continuous light therapy. The daily dosage varies from 300-1000 mg a day. Try it for at least a month. One warning: St. John’s Wort can reduce the effectiveness of some medications. If you take any drugs at all, consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this herb. Raises serotonin levels Helps relieve chronic insomnia Helps relieve mild depression – especially if you’re healthy and not taking other medications. May help relieve panic attacks – when taken 2-3 times a day Because this herb can sensitize the skin to sunlight, take it in the evening after the sun has set. 5-HTP Helps with: • Sleep problems – quality and duration • Emotional eating and evening cravings – helps suppress appetite • Anxiety and depression as it increases serotonin levels • Melatonin production • Serotonin production Best if taken sublingually - opening the capsule and pouring the contents on your tongue. Try to avoid eating or drinking anything for 20 minutes before and after taking it. No more than about 3 capsules a day – can safely take up to 400 mg per day – although most need less. Loses its efficacy if taken every single day – best if you take breaks – sometimes alternating days – and sometimes take a break for an entire month or so It may take 1-2 weeks to notice any effects and up to 6 weeks to notice the full benefits. Be cautious about taking this if you’re on anti-depressants STEP FIVE: USE AROMATHERAPY TO HEAL Essential oils are never used topically. Never take them internally unless you are under the care of health care practitioner skilled in using them. However, you can safely rub a few drops on your wrist, put them in your bath, or add them to oil and give your hands and feet an aromatherapy massage. Use only pure essential oils. Synthetic ones won’t work as well. Lavender is known for its ability to lift depression. It relaxes, stimulates, calms, and invigorates. Ravensera is energizing and uplifting. It helps relieve chronic depression and promotes energy and mental clarity. Bitter Orange helps lift anxiety, depression, nervousness, and insomnia. Patchouli calms the nerves, improves concentration, and lifts depression. REMEMBER THAT: Everything changes. Today’s depression will turn into tomorrow’s peacefulness and joy if you’ll allow it. Concentrate on everything you have rather than what you don’t have. Appreciate each little blessing. DRY EYES Drink LOTS of water. If you already drink plenty of water, drink more! Foods rich in Omega-3: Walnuts; Fatty fish (salmon and cod); a good fish oil - such as Carlson's - Omega-3s help the body to produce more tear layer around the eye, which creates more lubricated eyes Limit caffeine Eliminate artificial sweeteners Dandelion Root Tea Blink often LACK OF ENERGY - again exercise, also sleep and good nutrition. There are supplements, but this could be due to many factors. Too many details and tips to post here. Maybe if you start a new thread. I often suffer from this. Too long to post here. I can share some tips later if you're interested. GAINING WEIGHT - the bane of my existence. Again, good nutrition, but also could be due to thyroid or a whole host of other reasons. Antidepressants can lead to weight gain. There are some supplements and other tips - but too long to post here.

Yes, I'm generally more of a yoga type also. But I can go either way. I love moderate-to-high intensity also. Yes, walking 3 miles is excellent. I've read time and time again about the benefits of walking and breast cancer prevention: Walking, even for a few hours a week, significantly reduces breast-cancer risk, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The thinking is that walking helps reduce levels of body fat, a source of estrogen. The research looked at 74,000 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 79. Those at a normal weight lowered their risk by 30 percent; those who were overweight, by 10 to 20 percent. Younger women may also gain similar benefits. Good for you. :) They're well worth having.

Thanks for the link. Off to view it later. :) BTW, I always love your avatar. It's one of our favorite books, by one of our favorite authors. :D

Yes, I often read and enjoy Andy Borowitz on Huff Post. :D There are so many bloggers there that do a fabulous job. I'll find the interview eventually. I think that sooner or later, it should make it to You Tube or something. My dh was sorry that he missed it. We're both going to look for it, however.

Peela, so happy that all went well. :grouphug: If you have time to share any tips that she has, please do. Would so appreciate it. Yes, I totally hear you. Glad to know that I'm not the only one feeling this way. The info is conflicting and overwhelming. I agree that compared with so many supplements, we are far better off eating more veggies and just eating healthier overall. I think that plain yogurt is fermented. Not sure. Anyway, I eat lots of that. I've always felt that goat cheese is healthy too. Fermented dairy makes sense. I also need my protein, but like you, not too much. Wheat and meat don't seem to bother me at all. The only foods that make me feel sluggish immediately are deep fried, which I tend to avoid for the most part. Very cold things - like ice cold drinks and smoothies don't sit well with me either. When I eat lots and lots of sugar, I feel horrible. A little here and there is fine. Dairy is fine with me also. Many people in my culture (Middle Eastern) have problems with dairy. Not me. Nonetheless, I don't drink milk like I used to. Soy ... I've read such conflicting stuff about this also. Before my thermogram, about a month before, I ate more soy than usual - soy milk (non-GMO, the good type), edamame, non-GMO tofu, etc - I made a concerted effort to eat one soy product per day. I thought it would help my thermogram readings, having read that cultures that eat lots of soy have lower breast cancer rates. Now, I'm not so sure. She said that my estrogen levels were too high and to avoid soy. I never told her that I had been eating soy. So, until my next thermo, which unfortunately, will be quite some time from now, given where we live, I'm going to avoid it and see if it makes a difference. It's unbelievable how many supplements and food items (particularly processed food) have soy, soybean oil, soy lecithin in them. The almond milk that I've been getting, I just realized, has soy lecithin in it. Your post/rant is so true and describes to a "t" as to how I've been feeling lately. Again, glad to know that I'm not the only one. And once again Peela, if you get a chance, do please share ANY info your thermo lady, or you yourself come up with. Thanks so much. :grouphug: I wish my thermo could be sooner, just to see if the changes I'm making, including the progesterone cream, make any difference.

Annoying. Can't see it from our country. :glare:

Thanks. I just tried You Tube while you were posting. I'll do a search on Democratic Underground, which, believe it or not, I've never heard of. I've been more of huffington post, bbc, cnn, and digg kind of person ... Is Mox News something that makes fun of Fox News? ;) Funny is always nice and necessary :D. Thanks for sharing. Off to watch while drinking my green tea. :)

No, but the very, very few times I've seen Fareed Zakaria, I've liked him a lot. Very intelligent and yet humble and not annoying or arrogant. I just like him. I hardly ever watch TV. I'll have to ask dh. He sometimes watches Fareed.

So sorry. :grouphug: Were you on the homeopathic or, if I remember correctly, you were on the non-homeopathic? Maybe, just maybe, the homeopathic won't do that to you? Just a thought. :confused:

Not that I'm an expert by any means. I'm a research nut, however. The first one, I'm not sure I would get. I don't like iron supplements (if you want to know why, I can copy and past the info I have). Mind you, the ingredient list is not very long, which is always a good sign. I would prefer to get iron from food, yellow dock (which I used to take regularly, and need to get again), spirulina, and/or floradix (haven't tried either, but have heard good things about both). The spirulina looks good. No other ingredients - no soy, no nothing. That's good. Don't know anything about SPATONE. This is what I know about seaweed. Seaweed contains molecules that slow cancer growth, especially that of breast, prostate, skin, and colon Rich in iodine and other minerals Sea vegetables (agar, arame, hijiki, kombu, nori, sea palms, and wakame) have some of the highest mineral content of any plants—especially calcium, iron, and iodine (the latter of which supports thyroid health)—all vital for women). Sea veggies are well known to protect against environmental pollutants; McGill researchers find that the alginic acid they contain reduces the amount of radioactive materials absorbed through the intestinal wall Increase your iodine intake with mineral-rich sea vegetables (agar, hijiki, kombu, nori, and wakame) at least twice a week. You can eat as much seaweed as you want. The principal edible seaweeds are: nori, kombu, wakame, arame, and dulse Seaweed can be used in soups or salads and can be added to beans and lentils Since toasting doesn’t affect seaweed’s iodine content, you can eat it dried or dried and toasted. Toast some in the oven or in a dry frying pan to see if you prefer that taste. You can also powdered seaweed to your food or add larger pieces of seaweed to soups, grains, or vegetables. Seaweed should be an enjoyable addition to your diet, not an unpleasant experience. If you simply don’t like its taste, you can get it in capsules. Use 5-10 grams of mixed brown and red seaweed for thyroid problems. This is about 1 ½ teaspoons per day. If you’ve been told that your thyroid is borderline-low, eating seaweed makes sense. But remember, you need to eat seaweed every day or take iodine in a different form. Brown seaweed lengthens the menstrual cycle, thanks to an anti-estrogen effect They are highest in iodine and include all forms of kelp. Hijiki and Sargassum are two other forms of brown seaweeds. Fucoidan, found in kombu and wakame seaweed, helps provoke cell death by apoptosis and stimulates immune cells Fucus, also known as Bladderwrack, is considered to be the best for underactive thyroids. Not all seaweeds are safe to eat. Some come from polluted waters. Be more cautious and talk to a naturopath if you’re on thyroid meds and want to try seaweed. I haven't started on any seaweed yet but I would like to. I've just started to take and LOVE Seaweed Gomasio, which I ordered from amazon. I order my supplements from amazon or vitacost most of the time.

Peela, thanks for the link. I'm coming up so much info - very overwhelming - but very, very helpful and interesting. I need to make lots of changes. I hope to post my info within the next few weeks or as soon as I get done with all of it. Yes, I hear you. I would love to go through early menopause. Yep, I loved taking EPO and although I've never had a problem w/my period, I love how it helped with my PMS breasts, as well as other benefits - dry eyes, healthier looking skin and hair. I now just take EPO on the weekends. Not a huge amount. Just 1 capsule on Saturday and on 1 on Sunday. That's it. Alternating might not be a bad idea. It's worth trying out different things - maybe use Chaste Berry on weekdays and EPO on weekends. Try that for say 6 weeks and see how you feel? Iodoral has helped me a lot with PMS breasts. Even more than EPO. I notice a huge difference when I don't take Iodoral. Last week, I threw away a few of my supplements since I noticed that they contain soy in different forms - soy, soy lecithin, and soybean oil. I'm also trying to drink less milk. I'm no longer a huge milk drinker, but I've always loved milk-based desserts - ice cream, you name it. Apparently, 80% of our estrogens come from milk. More broccoli and cruciferous veggies, more fiber (helps get rid of estrogen), and more exercise (moderate to high intensity - since stretching does nothing for estrogen). There are other tips, but that's all I can think of for now. Will post my final "research" as soon as I can.

Just over halfway through HP #7. Re-reading this since the movie may arrive here next week. I'm happy to be reading this again, otherwise I think I would be completely lost while watching the movie. ;) I just love the Harry Potter books.

I like these forums and have found them very helpful. I only heard about hcg a few months ago and am planning to start later this month. There are 2 types of hcg - the homeopathic (drops or pellets) and you can order these from many places and the non-homeopathic (which you have to inject, mix and all other stuff that I don't know much about). I'll be going for homeopathic drops. The key things for success, in my very humble opinion: 1. research, research, research - spend time reading up and going on those forums. 2. plan this for a time that's suitable for you. You don't want failure. The hcg diet is very mind-oriented, if you KWIM. You have to be mentally ready for this. 3. there are 2 loading days in which you should eat as many healthy fats (and other foods that you may crave and really miss) as you can. Those who don't load sufficiently, have a very hard time. There are some other important things to bear in mind. But those are the top 3 that I can think of right now.

Lori has some good suggestions in this thread - particularly post #18 onwards.

Lori, you're a wealth of info. Thank you. :grouphug:

Lori, thanks again. :grouphug: Are Fallacy Detective and Art of Argument Christian or secular? Sorry to keep asking you questions.

The Logic Liftoff series are great. Lori recommends them in this thread.

Cyndi, I just found this thread (yes, I know it was way back when ;)), but maybe it will help you or others. Lori's suggestions (post #5) in this thread are really helpful. We're particularly loving the Logic Liftoff, Countdown, etc. series. Amazon has them. Ooops ... just realized that you posted this on High School section. Well, maybe the last book in the above series ...

Lori, just wanted to thank you once again. :) We've started and love #1 and #3. I have to be honest that #2 was so-so for us. Maybe a bit too distracting and easy? I don't know ... Haven't yet tried or purchased #3. Maybe later. #4 - we've already done, if my memory serves me correctly. Thank you, once again. :grouphug:

Copying and pasting the info I have here. "CRAVING CHOCOLATE IS A SIGN OF A MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY Chocolate is the highest in magnesium of all foods. When I increased magnesium in my patients who craved chocolate, their cravings left. Craving chocolate can be a sign of a calcium/magnesium imbalance. It could be mean that you're getting too much calcium and not enough magnesium. Most women need 500-600 mg a day EACH of supplemental calcium and magnesium. The rest we get from a healthy diet. But we're being told to take 1500 mg of calcium and half as much magnesium. This isn't enough magnesium and our chocolate craving tells us so. Magnesium is an extremely important mineral that is often overshadowed by its partner, calcium. Magnesium helps all muscles relax. It helps carry calcium into the bones. And magnesium, found in nuts, seeds, and legumes (beans) in abundance, is excreted in higher-than-usual quantities when you're under stress. This is why so many women crave chocolate before menstruation, a time when magnesium levels are lower from physiological stress. When magnesium is increased, chocolate cravings decrease. Too much calcium and not enough magnesium can lead to brittle bones and heart disease. If you're a chocoholic you may want to decrease your calcium to 500 mg in your supplement, limit dairy products, and increase your magnesium supplement to bowel tolerance (comfortably loose stools)." Certain types of calcium and magnesium are not as effective as others. If you need more details, let me know.