Maybe some of the following info might be helpful. CAUSED BY Stress Fatigue Eyestrain Seasonal allergies Magnesium Deficiency Caffeine Poor Nutrition Excessive Alcohol Intake Most eye twitches subside on their own Drink lots of water Magnesium is good for muscle spasms (twitches and tics are very often caused by a magnesium deficiency) Chamomile is also anti-spasmodic Gently massage width of lid with finger for a minute or two several times a day -- In some cases the twitching may be due to simple muscle fatigue, eye strain, stress, drug reactions, and even caffeine. In other cases, it could indicate a disease or situation requiring serious attention. Twitching generally occurs as a result of an overwrought nervous system unloading impulses. It is most common during rest from stress and strain. Facial twitching in adults, accompanied by rather severe facial pain, is the result of a facial neuralgia. Signs & Symptoms Twitching occurs when a muscle contracts and releases suddenly and involuntarily. Slight twitches are obvious to the person experiencing them, but they are not usually noticeable to others. It is very common for muscles to twitch involuntarily from fatigue after strenuous exercise. Many people experience twitching and jerking of several muscle groups when falling asleep. Twitching eyelid muscles are common. Diagnosis & Tests An excess of toxic heavy metals in the body such as mercury, aluminum, lead, cadmium and copper can lead to neurological irritation, and twitching. A hair mineral analysis can determine individual toxic heavy-metal levels. Treatment & Prevention Some people have found relief in treating their twitching with mineral supplements (such as potassium or calcium), hot packs, massage, or drinking a few glasses of tonic water for the quinine. Others have resorted to Botox injections which can be painful, expensive and offer only temporary relief, not to mention the possible bruising and drooping limp muscles from the Botulinum toxin. In some severe cases, surgery has been the chosen recourse sought. Neuromuscular function and muscle control require the minerals magnesium, calcium and potassium. A deficiency could be causing tics, trembling or cramping. The B-vitamins reduce stress-triggered trembling by calming the nervous system. Vitamin B12 is often poorly absorbed through the intestinal tract and should be taken in a sublingual form. Calcium is also important for muscle growth and contraction and for the prevention of muscle cramps. Herbs are excellent for treating nervous system problems of all kinds. Chamomile, hops, lady's slipper, passion flower, skullcap, wood betony, St. John's wort or valerian in tea or tincture form provide a sedative effect on the nervous system. For tea, add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 tsp. of herbs or take 20 drops of herbal tincture in liquid daily. Prognosis When twitching is associated with other signs of a nervous system disorder, it can be more serious. In this case, a neurologist can best secure the diagnosis. Eyelid Twitching is called Eyelid Myokymia

Cyndi, hope you find some relief fast. Been thinking of you :grouphug:. :lol: :lol: :lol: Reminds me the other evening, a group of us met a blond who looked exactly like my sister. Everyone thought so. It was WEIRD. :001_huh: :lol: My sister's a brunette like me. Told my sister about it later. She couldn't stop laughing.

I love doulas and had such a wonderful experience with ours, with the birth of our daughter. :grouphug: I'm also a curriculum and research freak. :D Also eclectic - with some CM - but that's less now as they're getting older. Also love smilies, but I don't always have time to copy and paste. :D

Loving Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and re-reading and also loving Dreams from my Father

:banghead: How absolutely horrible.

Okay, good to know. Thank you. Off to add it to my wish list.

Not much time to post, but I find this whole topic absolutely fascinating and have been doing LOTS of research, which can get quite scary. Yes, inflammation is the underlying cause for most health concerns. Maintaining a good pH balance and a healthy lymphatic system are key also. Have not read the other posts yet. I hope that Peela chimes in if she hasn't already. Peela is my hero. :grouphug: I will add more here later if anyone's interested. :) Thank you for starting this thread. :grouphug:

Maybe some of this might help. When trying supplements, be patient when looking for results and relief. LONG-TERM RELIEF AND PREVENTION Magnesium A magnesium deficiency is implicated in an unusually high amount of health problems including migraines. 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. 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. Since magnesium is a safe nutrient to take in large amounts, you may want to simply increase your magnesium intake. Take as much as you can without getting uncomfortably loose stools. Start by taking 200 mg twice a day. Take with meals to ensure optimal absorption. And 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. 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 Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) – 400 mg daily may cut the frequency and duration of migraines. But you’ll need a Rx for that dosage. Riboflavin has been used to treat migraines for more than 50 years. The amount of riboflavin that’s needed to reduce headaches is much more than you’ll find in any multivitamin, and riboflavin doesn’t work overnight. Be sure you take enough of it and give it at least a 3-month trial. When it’s combined with magnesium and feverfew, it should work more quickly. 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 Flax seeds – 4 tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily Melatonin - taken at night helps some. Low melatonin in our bodies has been linked to migraines. • 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. GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) – is an omega-6 essential fatty acid, reducing the severity, duration, and frequency of migraines. GLA significantly lessens nausea and vomiting. 1300-1600 mg daily from borage oil or evening primrose oil. Don’t use GLA if you take an antiseizure Rx. Take it on a full stomach in 2 divided doses, equally spaced during the day. 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. 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 • Prevents migraines after using for 2-3 months 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 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. REGULAR YOGA is a powerful headache cure. 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. Acupuncture helps with all sorts of pain CHIROPRACTIC/MASSAGE – both help immensely with pain Be aware that you should wait for any inflammation to subside before starting either. BOOK What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Migraines by Dr. Alexander Mauskop MORE IMMEDIATE CURES SHOWER AND WASH HAIR EPSOM SALTS Soak your feet in warm water with Epsom Salts. Since migraines are triggered by a mineral deficiency, this may help. 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. COLD COMPRESS on head, face, or throat will lessen the pain SLEEP - Get enough sleep. Your body needs a full night of quality sleep to fight pain. Sniffing lavender oil before sleep can help you. 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 have been found to add to stroke risk for women with migraines

Loved all of these. :) It does get better. I'm reading it right now and loving it. :D Neither me, but an IPad would be lovely. :) I keep adding this to and taking it off my wish list. Weird question: does it make you hungry and want to eat more? That's the last thing I need these days. ;)

We could not stand it. At all. We tried and tried. For us, it was THE worst homeschooling purchase we made in the past year. :thumbdown:

Ronette, you probably don't want to hear from me, since I tend to go overboard with my posts, as you well know. ;) But here's some info for anyone who may be interested. I love these threads, since I feel like I'm learning so much. As far as testing and numbers go, I had the info somewhere and can't find it. But you ladies all seem to be in the know anyway. :) If you're under 60, take at least 2,000 IU per day. If you're 60 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. 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. Vitamin D3 helps BONE HEALTH Optimal vitamin D levels are associated with a far lower risk of osteoporosis. Facilitates calcium absorption and promotes bone mineralization Fights frailty One study found that people with low levels of vitamin D walked more slowly and took longer to get up out of a chair than people with higher levels. Another study found that when people took vitamin D, their posture improved and their thigh muscles got stronger! And still another study showed that vitamin D actually improves your balance, making you less likely to fall! When vitamin D levels are low, the surface of bones become softer This condition is called osteomalacia, and osteomalacia causes backaches and pain. This softening of bones can be so mild it’s subclinical – which means you can’t identify it yet. But it could still be responsible for your pain. The problem stems from a lack of circulating calcium caused by insufficient vitamin D. So the solution is to take more D, not more calcium. EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING Mood swings, depression, and bipolar disorders are all linked to a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D helps normalize brain function. CANCER PREVENTION Those with optimal levels enjoy a 50 percent reduced risk of breast cancer, as well as a substantially reduced risk of colon, colorectal, prostate, thyroid, and bowel cancers D appears to influence up to 200 genes involved in cancer formation and prevention. Recent studies have shown that women with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D had the highest rates of breast cancer. Those who had the highest levels of vitamin D had the lowest incidents of breast cancer. They concluded that if a woman took 2,000 IU of this vitamin/hormone a day, she could cut her risk in half. DIABETES Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Greatly reduces risk of multiple sclerosis MS may be linked to a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D helps normalize brain function. Its protective effects on nerve growth factors in the brain make it an ideal nutrient to use for either the prevention or treatment of MS. The association between vitamin D and MS is compelling. There are more people with MS who live in the low altitudes of Switzerland than in the high altitudes where UV rays are stronger. Almost no cases of MS can be found at the equator, but the further away you go, the more MS you find. Countries farther from the equator typically have higher MS rates. HEART HEALTH Reduces risk of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension PROTECTS AGAINST ELECTROPOLLUTION Vitamin D3, is an ideal radioprotectant, even against low-level EMFs (cell phones, etc.). It helps facilitate communication between cells, which is interrupted by electropollution, and also activates the immune response, which can be tamped down by exposure to radiation. Take 5,000 IUs of Vitamin D daily (up to 10,000 IUs if you’re EMF sensitive, as a growing number of people are. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY German scientists suggest that vitamin D is anti-inflammatory, which may help explain why it also helps protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease, particularly congestive heart failure. MENTAL DECLINE Sufficient levels of D are critical in preserving brain function Memory loss may be linked to a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D helps normalize brain function. Its protective effects on nerve growth factors in the brain make it an ideal nutrient to use for either the prevention or treatment of mental decline. The more vitamin D, the better the memory. IMMUNITY, ANTI-ASTHMA, COLDS, AND FLUS Research links low levels of vitamin D with asthma. Without D—the body’s immune soldiers—T cells—can’t fight infections. A randomized trial of children with a history of asthma finds most are low in vitamin D, leading to higher incidence of influenza A, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports. WEIGHT PROBLEMS D3 helps in maintaining a healthy weight Recent research at the University of Minnesota even finds that overweight individuals are better able to shed pounds when they get more vitamin D. For each nanogram/milliliter increase in this vitamin, dieters lost an extra half-pound of body weight. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Reduces risk of rheumatoid arthritis AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS PSORIASIS MACULAR DEGENERATION Vitamin D3 prevents macular degeneration. WHO IS DEFICIENT IN D? 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)

101 Devotions for Homeschool Moms - by Jackie Wellwood - wonderful book

We started using Jump In, and although we're taking a bit of a break finishing up some other programs, we really do love it. :) In fact, I appreciate your post since it's reminding me to perhaps return to Jump In sooner than planned. I miss this program. When researching it, I came up with these notes: For 5th-8th grades, junior high, or even reluctant high school student Appealing to reluctant writers Open-and-go format Workbook style Student-led – instructions are simple enough for student to read on own Very little teaching required other than answering a few questions and checking work The student can work very independently and do each of the skill areas on his own The parent just coaches them through writing their assignments When you get to the actual writing assignment, you can, if you need to, take longer than the author suggests. You can have the student work on 1-2 paragraphs a day and then you can work on revision together. That way you can ask him questions like "So what is the main point of your paragraph?" and "What is another way you could say that so it would be clearer to your reader?" Assignments are short and not overwhelming Very easy to use, one assignment a day or however long you want to use it Incremental approach - very step-by-step and very methodical Student learns a little each day by doing a "skill" Breaking down into steps – easy to use Covers all types of writing – including essays and research papers There is a lot of leeway as far as what to write about Covers several genres of writing - A large part of the book teaches persuasive and expository writing. The remaining quarter focuses on different types of creative writing. Of all the different programs, Jump In seems to teach the greatest variety of writing skills. Has enough material for 2-3 years if you include the "Writing Plunges" in the Teacher's book. After that, it could be used as a reference and you could use different topics for the different formats.

Lots and lots of :grouphug:. So sorry to hear this. I have not yet read all the posts yet, but definitely will. Maybe someone has already suggested this. I HIGHLY recommend a very hopeful, encouraging, and most of all, practical book - The Anti Cancer Book. Amazing. I recommend this book to everyone, not just those with cancer or affected by cancer. My dh LOVED this book and he doesn't usually read this kind of stuff. at. all. http://www.anticancerbook.com/ I just read that about 13% of those diagnosed w/lung cancer are nonsmokers. I have lots of practical tips on dealing with cancer, but I don't want to sound annoying or overwhelming. This is not a time to overwhelm, I know.

I finally got to read this. Thank you for sharing this. Very encouraging and helpful. :grouphug:

We're on Level 2. Things we don't like about WWE: * Some of the literature selections we simply skip, because they're quite boring or written in a very old-fashioned way that is hard to understand. * He hates answering in complete sentences and thinks it's very annoying * I can't stand, really can't stand, the FLL style of orally giving him grammar lessons, if you KWIM - of telling him, "now son, this is an indirect object" etc. Boring, boring, boring. He hates it. I hate it. We don't do it. He just doesn't retain that style of lecturing and starts fidgeting. Can't say I blame him. He learns better through actually doing, through workbooks and such; not through being told. Things we like: * He loves most of the literature selections * He likes dictations. I never, ever thought that he would. :D * His writing and spelling is naturally improving. Again, never thought that would, either. We have level 3 already and will likely use that. Not sure about getting level 4 yet.

We love AAS and it truly has been THE best homeschooling purchase we made in a long, long time. :) The price is well worth it. I know it's expensive, but trust me on this, and I'm sure most will agree, it is worth it. PP is a whole different ball game. It never really worked for us. We tried and tried. Way too dry, and, mind you, we used all the cards, etc. that came with it. Not engaging at all. PP is, IMHO, not a spelling program, or at least it wasn't when we were using it. PP, I think, is so dry that it's designed for older and remedial learners. As far as learning to actually read, we had far more success with ETC and just lots of good, systematic phonics books. Practice, practice, practice. Yes, ETC is a bit scattered. But to me, it's not a spelling program, so the fact that it was a bit scattered never really bothered us. AAS, however, is a spelling program, and very systematic and organized.

I love this thread. I think it's wonderful that you're teaching your girls about other faiths. Oftentimes, unfortunately, people tend to develop tunnel vision and think that their religion is the only one. We're Baha'is. A common misconception is that we're an Islamic sect. We're not. We believe in: the oneness of all religions the oneness of mankind the oneness of God We have many celebrations and are the 2nd most widespread religion in the world. We do not feel that ours is the only religion, nor that it will be the last one. Rainn Wilson's interview here (from "The Office") says it well. A good quick read. :)

• Magnesium – 400 mg of magnesium citrate. Magnesium is a natural anti-inflammatory that lowers cortisol levels by up to 39 per cent. That’s substantial since studies have shown that cortisol levels are 30 to 50 percent higher in women prone to jaw-joint pain than in control subjects. Magnesium also helps keep estrogen balanced and prevents the body fro m reacting to excess estrogen. • Rest the muscles and joints by eating soft foods. Avoid eating hard foods, like nuts, candies, and steak. Do not chew gum. • Avoid clenching or tensing. Make a habit of relaxing your facial and jaw muscles throughout the day. • Apply warm compresses on the area of pain. (1/2 hour at least twice daily). • Home therapy includes mandible (lower jaw) movements, such as opening and closing the jaw from side to side. Try this after a warm compress is applied for 20 minutes. The lower jaw movements should be repeated 3-5 times a day, 5 minutes continuously each time, for about 2-4 weeks. • Anti-inflammatory pain medications such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Aleve) may ease the pain of TMJ. • Reducing the harmful effects of clenching and grinding by wearing an appliance, sometimes called a bite plate or splint. Custom-made to fit your mouth, the appliance slips over the upper teeth and keeps them from grinding against the lower teeth. • Try massaging the various muscles that may be involved. Probe all of the muscles of the face, shoulders, and back of the neck. (Avoid the area around the throat.) Press on the muscles to identify extremely painful points. Massage the painful spot with hard, slow, short strokes. Do this several times a day until the muscle is no longer painful when pressed. • To massage the masseter muscles on each side of your jaw, place your thumb inside your mouth and squeeze the thick muscle in your cheek (toward the back of your mouth) with your fingers. To get at the harder-to-reach jaw muscles inside your mouth, use your index finger to probe for tender areas behind the teeth, and use the finger to massage these spots. • Maintain good posture while working at a computer, watching TV, and reading. Take frequent breaks to relieve stressed muscles. • Drink plenty of water every day and get plenty of sleep. • Learn relaxation techniques to reduce overall stress and muscle tension in your back, neck, and body.

Agreeing fully here. I often deal with the same problem with our ds. The whole lack of contentment thing drives me bonkers. I like the amazon book recommendations. I wish there were some books for kids for living in the moment and enjoying the NOW. Service and gratitude journals are great ideas. :) I often have the kids list 3-5 things that they're grateful for. I do the same also, with them, at the same time.

This made me giggle and smile when I read it yesterday. :lol:

I have heard from a very trusted source that their products are a complete waste of $. I also looked up what Paula Begoun (the Ralph Nader of cosmetics) has to say about it. Here is a link to a few reviews.

http://www.google.com/

Elizabeth, if you don't mind your list of things to try getting longer, here are some more tips. Many skin conditions are common symptoms of a congested lymphatic system. Things that help to clear up the lymphatic system: • Daily Rebounding/Bouncing on a Trampoline if you have one • Deep Breathing • Dry Body Brushing KEEP IT SIMPLE AND BE GENTLE Wash the face with a microfiber cloth and nothing but water (Exfolia Cloth available from amazon or Chinaberry). Avoid harsh or irritating skin-care products. Treating acne-prone skin gently is the best way to go. Avoid washing your face with bar soaps or bar cleansers of any kind. Do not pick at blemishes! I know it's tempting, but doing so can cause the blemish to rupture and increase the chance of scarring. Avoid subjecting skin to extreme heat or cold. Hot compresses or ice cubes are not the way to treat acne or to encourage healing. Avoid thick, waxy hairstyling products, especially if your hair usually touches your forehead. NUTRITION Less Milk. I know she's a picky eater. But milk is probably the #1 acne culprit. Even organic milk is a problem. Switch to calcium-fortified soy milk and other sources of calcium – spinach, collard greens, tofu, plain yogurt. I used to drink milk like it was going out of style. Then my acne cleared up. If you can, see what happens by eliminating milk for a few weeks. Sugar - refined sugar - is probably the #2 acne culprit. If that doesn't work, see what happens by eliminating refined sugar. This is hard to do. Less refined sugars. Candy, soda, pastries, and cookies can be particularly troublesome for those prone to acne. To clear skin once and for all, first say goodbye to sugar. Then, think zinc. Meat (grass-fed is best) eggs and pumpkin seeds are decent dietary sources. Acne is inflammation, and inflammatory foods most certainly play a role in acne. Your goal should be to fight inflammation and there are certain things you can do for that - Carlson's Fish Oil, etc. That's all I'm going to say about diet, since, as you mentioned, she is picky. One of the best overall health books I have read recently is The Anti Cancer book - not a book just about cancer, helps you improve your health overall and really goes into detail about inflammation. He talks about how cultures that do not eat sugar, don't have acne. Australian teens who eliminated sugar, saw their acne disappear. That book is sooo good. If I could, I would get a copy for all my friends. It's practical and a message of hope. Probiotics are essential Health Yourself Wobenzym N at VitaminShoppe.com – this can optimize the body’s nutrient absorption for clearer skin within 2 weeks. Nature’s Cure: They have a formula for girls and a formula for boys. All you do is chew a pill in the morning and one at night AND this is the best part, it's HOMEOPATHIC! With Nature’s Cure, sometimes it helps to change to gender if you see that it’s not working. We ordered ours from amazon “The Clear Skin Diet” by Valori Treloar - depending on her age, this book may motivate her to improve her diet. AVALON ORGANICS SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS - the type of shampoo and hair products could aggravate acne LOTUS MOON PRODUCTS – from Chinaberry or http://www.smbessentials.com/skin-treatments/acne-treatments.html Especially their Blemish Control Gel and Oil Check Blemish Control Wipes LOTUS MOON WILLOWHERB SERUM is topical zinc CALAMINE LOTION may work since it's rich in zinc. It has helped some. Lack of zinc is often related to acne. Sugar depletes zinc.

Some of those already mentioned. Fun books are any of the following: Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg Anything by Maeve Binchy ... if you want sweet and light, and oftentimes funny Funny in Farsi and its sequel Laughing Without an Accent ... both had me and dh laughing out loud. :) Tears rolling down our face laughing.