He might be happy to know it can be obtained over the counter now, no prescription needed. :) (If he's like my DH, who avoids doctors at all costs, going to the doctor to ask for a prescription might be more traumatic than the hair loss itself.)

Try an Epsom salts bath. If you don't have any, make someone go get a big carton of it at the drugstore. Add about 2 cups as you run a full bath. Bring a book and stay in as long as possible. :)

Agreeing with the others, you want the Park Hoppers. My kids loved CA Adventure the last time we went (ages 4 and 7), and we did spend a lot of time there, but we never spent a whole day. Depending on the day and time of year, it may open 2 hours later than DL. With Hoppers you can plan to go to DL first thing in the morning, and then spend the rest of the day over at California Adventure.

The viruses commonly referred to as parvoviruses are almost always genus-specific. A human parvovirus, like the one that causes Fifth disease, cannot infect dogs, and canine parvoviruses do not infect humans. Could be. Antibody testing can be falsely negative until as long as a month after a tick bite, so if you get your blood drawn now and it comes back negative, ask to re-test in a month.

My first guess would be a virus, even if you don't have other symptoms of a viral infection. Several years ago, my DH was diagnosed with viral myalgia. He could hardly move, and bloodwork showed a lot of muscle breakdown. He recovered over a week or so.

Another introvert here, daughter of 2 introverts, married to an introvert, and parent of at least one introvert. I consider myself amply qualified to comment on the issue of introverts and small talk. :D I don't do small talk, unless I'm inspired by circumstance or a gut feeling that I'm interacting with a kindred spirit. My chance-meetings with acquaintances in the grocery store are typically perfunctory. I'm there to shop, not socialize. We can chat later, in a social venue, assuming I'm feeling chatty. That's just me, and I'm grateful that my friends and family accept my way of being in the world. Though I model polite interactions, I don't train my kids to say hello to adults, and I'm horrified at the idea of asking a child to fake a smile. Yes, I know that smiles are culturally expected, especially of girls and women, but I dislike the idea of teaching a child to fake positive emotion. (However, though my younger usually won't answer random questions from unfamiliar adults, she will initiate grinning, giggling games of peek-a-boo with some of them. :D) Eye contact is another touchy issue. Many children are uncomfortable making eye contact with adults. They may find it too intense, and may have trouble making eye contact and focusing on making conversation at the same time. I recall reading about this in a parenting book. The author argued that it may be counterproductive to force children to make eye contact while correcting problematic behavior, because the effort to maintain eye contact may prevent the child from hearing anything you're saying. Adults often ask children personal questions. How would you like it if a slight acquaintance asked how old you are or wanted to know how you planned to spend your tax return? You might avoid answering, because it is probably none of the other person's business. Why are children expected to have more flexible boundaries than adults? Rather than babble on more, I'll ditto these previously two raised points: (bolding mine)

Another website recommendation: Mark's Daily Apple. Ignore the supplement ads, they're totally unnecessary. I'd suggest browsing through the links on this page: Primal Blueprint 101. He's also written a book called Primal Blueprint, but I think the website is just as good. However, my absolute favorite is Kurt Harris's website: Archevore Diet. It isn't strict Paleo, but I do think it is solid. His suggestions are simple to implement, and the blog entries are meaty enough to satisfy a scientist. I find some of his terminology silly (EM2) and sometimes it is hard to figure out the abbreviations, but it is worth working through. (PM me if an abbreviation stumps you!)

I live in New England. My hair is horribly frizzy here and in CA, but it develops gorgeous waves in Las Vegas. I think it is the dry air combined with harder water. :iagree:

I don't eat legumes anymore, but when I did, I used to find excuses to eat ham so I could make this split pea soup: source: link

Actually, I don't see it as bragging. I see it as goal-setting, which is an important part of physical training. Why do I say it wasn't a brag? Because for a young guy his size, unless he's rail-thin, a one rep max bench press of 225 lbs isn't all that impressive. It's maybe a little over average, and it is probably more than his lighter/shorter friends can lift, but it's nothin' special. He probably knows this already, hence the goal of increasing to 300 lbs.

I didn't know what celiac was until I met someone with the disease when I was in grad school. She was in her early twenties and had been diagnosed about 5 years earlier. She had a super-positive attitude about her dietary restrictions, and never acted depressed about them. I am so grateful that I knew her. Her example made my own transition to a restricted diet much easier. I will say that it is far easier for me (an adult) to accept my restrictions than it is for my 5yo daughter, so perhaps that will be the case for your son too. My daughter is GF and soy-free and lactose intolerant. I'm GF, 99% soy-free, and I react horribly to lower quality cooking oils. You're right, there are few social situations that don't involve food, and it can become tiresome. But it isn't all bad. Here are some of what I consider to be positives. 1. I eat far more healthfully and mindfully than I otherwise would. 2. Even in social situations, I can remain in control of and mindful about what I'm eating. I don't have to eat a bunch of junk just because everyone else is eating it, or because it would hurt someone's feelings if I didn't eat it. The downside is that I have to bring my own food/snacks or be prepared to wait until later to eat. I also must explain over and over why cross-contamination issues mean that I really can't allow others to try to cook for me. (FIL seemed to think I should eat the turkey since the meat was "so far" from the bread-based stuffing in the cavity. Never mind the basting. Ha!) 3. My food restrictions aren't a bad method of screening acquaintances who could become friends. If someone argues with me or heckles me about dietary restrictions, I know to back away. :) 4. There are relatively few restaurants that can accommodate me, and the ones that can tend to make good food out of high quality ingredients. That's good for our bank account, and because we eat out infrequently, I truly enjoy it when I do eat out.

Link please!!! (I tried GFG and didn't find it there, but maybe I missed it.)

Yes! My seasonal allergies are hardly noticeable now, and I don't react to our cats as much either. I used to have itchy bloodshot eyes for weeks every year (lovely picture, isn't it?). I only had a couple days of itching since going GF, and it was only because I went overboard on those days petting one of my kitties. :lol:

Yes, but you have to check the label every time you buy, as companies sometimes change their recipes. La Choy brand soy sauce was GF the last time I checked. Tamari (a type of soy sauce) is usually GF, though you still have to check the label. A couple years ago I picked up a Whole Foods brand low-sodium tamari and only noticed it wasn't GF after I'd gotten home. The WF regular tamari was GF though. Eden Organic makes a tamari soy sauce too. Look in the natural food section of your grocery store if you don't find tamari with the Asian food.

I've been GF and very low grain for just over 2 years. Being low grain makes GF a little cheaper, as I don't buy a lot of GF subs. However, my veggie bill is not small. For some New Year's inspiration, I just used some birthday money to order this new cookbook (expensive, but also available for less as an ebook), and I've requested this one and this one from interlibrary loan.

The Bargain Price listing you linked to is the revised edition, currently priced at $5.58. Is that the one you ordered?

:iagree:

:grouphug: I say this: "I'm an introvert, and I'm happy being an introvert. As an extrovert, I know introversion may seem strange or hard for you to understand, but it is not something that needs to be fixed. It is a valid way of interacting with the world. If you want to read up on the differences between introverts and extroverts, I'd be happy to suggest a book on the topic." If the person I'm talking to expresses interest, I might go into an explanation of how certain types of activities recharge extroverts but drain introverts. If the criticism continues, I say, "I wouldn't dream of telling you that your way is wrong. Quit it." Edited to add: I avoid passing the bean dip right away for two reasons. DH and I are both introverts. At least one of my kids is an introvert, and I want her to hear her parents loudly and clearly defending introversion. I wish I'd had that kind of affirmation, especially as a teen. Second, I assume many extroverts are genuinely ignorant when it comes to introversion, so I figure my little speeches are a community service. :)

Yes. Fasting sugar is not a perfect predictor of other pre-meal sugars. In your shoes I'd go get an inexpensive glucose meter and do some monitoring on your own. If you'd rather not do that, read up on dietary approaches for controlling hypoglycemia, and give one (or more) a try. Some people do best on a low or moderate carb approach, while others prefer very frequent small meals. FWIW, at times I've had symptoms consistent with hypoglycemia. However, while my sugar can run low, I've never caught a low number when I'm feeling off. I suspect sleep issues and/or caffeine are the real triggers for my symptoms. Good luck!

You might have to lie. :tongue_smilie: Many piercers and tattoo artists ask you to sign something stating that you haven't recently consumed alcohol.

:iagree: Unfortunately, a high percentage of MDs are ignorant of the relationship between carb intake and trigs.

:iagree: There were times I should have informed a trusted adult of questionable/inappropriate actions by other adults, but it never occured to me to do so. It boggles my mind now, but what it really drives home for me is how disempowered children can feel around adults. It reminds me that as a parent, I must actively assist my children to trust and voice their feelings.

It may be considered non-sexual, but that doesn't make it okay. *I* wouldn't be comfortable with a teacher touching me for anything other than brief posture or form adjustments. I take yoga, and often receive manual adjustments from teachers, both male and female. Some use a very light touch, others manipulate more directly, and that kind of touch doesn't bother me. But a hand placed on my shoulder would not be appropriate or comfortable for me. To the OP, I'm so glad you're showing your daughter that her instincts warrant action. This will help keep her safer as a teen and young adult. And I ditto the Protecting the Gift recommendation: excellent book!

I think it is fine!

Hmmm. I just watched the video and didn't hear it either. But I'm curious to hear others' thoughts on this topic anyway! :bigear: