[Liver Health]

Anthony William has a new book coming out this month about liver health: https://smile.amazon.com/Medical-Medium-Liver-Rescue-Gallstones/dp/1401954405/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539806726&sr=8-1&keywords=liver+anthony+william

His books contain a lot of practical advice, including dietary recommendations.

[mammogram, thermogram, both?]

Here's a link with info about thermograms: https://www.drnorthrup.com/best-breast-cancer-screening-tests/ 

I've had 2 thermograms. The thermogram center I went to gave me tips to help me reduce my risk. When I did a follow-up thermogram, my risk had decreased. Some of the things I did include stress-management, Reiki, and yoga. Even though my risk had decreased, it was still high, so I've since added CBD oil.

[Fibrocycstic breast tissue]

Thermography is a safe alternative and works better for fibrocystic breasts. https://www.drnorthrup.com/best-breast-cancer-screening-tests/

[Affordable yet effective brands for vitamins/supplements?]

My doctor put me on Thorne Research Basic Nutrients 2/Day. It's a very good product and reasonably priced.

[Conditioner recommendations for curly hair?]

Giovanni products are the best. I use Giovanni Smooth as Silk Shampoo, Direct Leave In Conditioner (which I brush in), and a tiny bit of L.A. Natural Styling Gel (which I scrunch and pat in).I also use Giovanni Smooth as Silk Xtreme when needed.

[Help me help my daughter (Mental Health Related - Anxiety Attacks)]

Thatboyofmine, will you add me to your group? Thanks! 

[Denver area peeps...]

Here are a variety of activities nearby: Evergreen Lake, Lookout Mountain, Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, 16th Street Mall, Molly Brown House Museum, and Lair o' the Bear. You can also hike around the ampitheatre.

[Help me deal with DD's Anxiety and Depression]

The best thing I did for my daughter was to get her a puppy. Her dog forces her to be active and present. She takes full responsibility for her dog, and her dog is loyal and loving. Her dog makes her laugh and brings her so much joy.

She also goes to a yoga studio, and yoga has been great for her confidence and health. The studio is run by a psychologist who also does therapy, and she has a refreshing approach. She focuses on developing coping mechanisms and strategies instead of just talking endlessly about problems. 

I know how hard it is to see your kid struggle. I hope she can find some relief.

I also recommend checking out Anthony William's books. He has some great advice about healing using food. 

[Moms of kids with special needs]

When we travel we usually rent a house instead of staying in a hotel room. I always make sure we have a washer and dryer. Staying in a house is much more comfortable for us than being in a small hotel room.

That said, traveling is exhausting. It's a lot of work. I have to be really mindful of what I plan, both from a safety viewpoint and a practical one. Some things just can't be done as a whole family. I generally plan 3 day/2 night trips, and I plan activities that everyone can do.

When I was growing up, my mom planned trips that were packed with sightseeing destinations that kept us busy all day. It was great, but there's no way my family could keep up with a packed schedule. We have a different pace, and that's okay.

[What do you do if you suspect you have an ear infection?]

I put colloidal silver in the ear for ear infections. I also take colloidal silver orally. An alternative is to use Mullein garlic drops. I also take Fenu-Thyme. I avoid dairy and eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and garlic. 

[Help me deal with terrible anxiety and stress, please!]

Sorry to hear you're going through this. It's hard to be a caregiver when there are so many needs that must be met.

My naturopath put me on Kavinace ultra pm, and it helps me to fall asleep and stay asleep, as it calms down my brain. I had terrible insomnia before I started taking it. On nights when that's not quite enough, I also take 3 mg of melatonin. Sleeping with an eye mask also helps.

Theanine has also been a life saver. I take it 2-3 times a day, and it also calms down my brain. The brand I use is Thorne.

I recently had a crisis and needed something stronger, so my naturopath gave me Charlotte's Web (CBD oil). I went from a terrible mental state to feeling normal again. He also gave me some chewable GABA pills to take if I start having anxiety. 

I also wonder if there are some services available to help your family and neighbor. I would definitely explore options for help. However, I understand that sometimes life just throws too much at us at once, and we just have to muddle through the best we can. Hopefully if you can start sleeping again and calm down your brain, you'll feel more up to task.

[The most basic, Self teaching easy to use Geometry you can think of ....]

I really like Math U See Geometry. However, I think Key to Geometry might be more basic and easier to self-study. 

[Looking for reassurance in an incomprehensible time]

I am so sorry that you are going through this. You are not a failure. Raising a child with special needs is just so difficult. My son (16) is not as severe, but he will likely live with me forever. I think a lot about what is sustainable. In other words, I think about what I can sustain over the course of my life, and what services he will need so I don't reach my breaking point.

It sounds like your current situation is not sustainable. I would suggest that you make it a priority to find services for your son, even if it means relocating. I would open myself up to more options, and I would extend my research far beyond what I had explored before. I have a hard time thinking about the future. My son means the world to me, and I want him to always be surrounded by people who love him. I'm going to have a hard time trusting other people with his care when he's older, but I know it can't all be on me.  

I've had to learn to make myself a priority, and it's been hard for me. But if I don't take care of myself and manage my health and stress, then I won't be able to continue to care for my son. I've been doing yoga and meditating, and it's helping me manage my stress better. Sometimes life gets unmanageable, though, and we need to revamp things, so life becomes manageable again. No amount of meditating will help if you're in an impossible situation.

It sounds like your husband has already passed his breaking point and that you are alone in this. What a tough place to be in. I'm hoping that means he will be amenable to ideas of how to improve the situation, even if the ideas could mean big changes in your lives.

I want you to remember that your health and happiness are important too. You are important and valuable, just like your son. I hope you can find a way to make things better for everyone, including yourself. I know there are no easy fixes or answers, but I hope you can find a way.

[Rebounding help?]

I also have the 350i Jumpsport. It's a great rebounder. It's quiet and has a nice bounce.

[Anxiety]

Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube. She's my new best friend. LOL She encourages me to be kinder to myself and is helping me calm my overactive, stressed-out brain.

[Naturally improving thyroid health?]

I highly recommend reading Anthony William's books. He has a new one called Thyroid Healing. I read his other books and they're very insightful. https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Medium-Thyroid-Healing-Hypothyroidism/dp/1401948367

[5 year old with violent tantrums... Not normal right?]

I would recommend an evaluation with an occupational therapist. I recommend researching sensory processing disorder to see if that fits. You can also look into a program called the Zones of Regulation. Like others said, food allergies are worth looking into. I would do an elimination diet.

 

I wish my daughter had started occupational therapy sooner. It has helped her so much with regulating her emotions.

[I am looking for specific traits in a dog, suggestions?]

This article has a lot of great information about brace and mobility support dogs: https://www.anythingpawsable.com/brace-mobility-support-dogs-complete-guide/. You'll see in the article that dogs should not be used for brace support until they are 2 years old. My daughter has a service dog we trained ourselves. Her dog is amazing. However, the training and qualifications needed in our case were much less specialized. If you think you want to try training yourself, I think you'll need to find a dog that is old enough to start working. You should also have the dog examined by a professional to see if it has any health issues that would prevent it from being able to work.

[Dilemmas of Food and in Consideration of the Other People Expecting to Eat as Well]

I make myself a separate dinner. I'm mostly vegan and gluten free. I eat things that are quick and easy, like quinoa, cooked or raw vegetables, soup, beans, and salads. Sometimes I'll substitute ingredients, so I can have a similar item. For instance, if I'm making burritos I use a gluten free tortilla and dairy free cheese on mine.

 

Because I make 2 and often 3 different meals, everything is quick. Tonight I warmed up a pre-made chicken alfredo, and I pulled out some ham and chicken from the fridge for my son who won't touch pasta, and I made myself some cooked vegetables and nuts. I also had rice and raw veggies on the table as sides.

 

I have started insisting that my son at least try some bites to try to expand his palette because it would help if he was less picky, but I think there are sensory issues going on. Plus it's hard for me to be too hard on him since I eat separate food too.

 

Sometimes I get irritated by the whole thing, but mostly I've just accepted this is how it is. There's just no way my family is going to eat things like quinoa with broccoli or vegan soup for dinner.

 

It sounds like you should tell your family that you're changing your diet and that you may cook your own food even if someone else makes dinner. Let them know that it's about eating in a way that makes you feel good and not a judgment on their eating choices. People can get really defensive and judgemental about food, especially when they hear the word vegan, so your approach is important.

[Update in #18: Need a wok, too. (OP:Need a really great, large, non-stick frying pan with a lid...)]

My husband loves this griddle for cooking breakfast: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BKXE02/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It's called the Broil King PCG-10 Professional Portable Nonstick Griddle. We've had it for 2 years, and it still works great. It's so much easier than using a pan.

[Semester Psychology course (0.5 credit)?]

My daughter used the REA CLEP book, supplemented with Crash Course. I had her highlight the text and make note cards. I tested her on the note cards and also used the included tests. She also wrote some papers. For only half a credit, you could just select certain topics.

[I need to shop but I share an Amazon account with my daughter.]

I recently added my teen daughter using Amazon Household. I had to approve her order, and her order shows up when I look at my orders! This is frustrating because she was ordering Christmas presents. I don't see my husband's orders, though.

[How do you decorate a whole room for christmas?]

When my kids were little and played with the Christmas decorations, I bought festive stuffed animals, toy navitity sets, and a mailbox for letters to Santa. Now that my kids are older we use the mailbox to exchange nice notes/letters to each other. I like to buy decor at Michaels and Hobby Lobby.

[Online place to buy daybed?]

I've been looking for the same thing, and Amazon has a lot of daybeds. Some of them have drawers.

[Looking for Successful Fundraising Ideas]

I love when people do Jamba Juice fundraisers because the discount cards are a good deal. It looks like a very easy fundraiser to pull off, if you have the store in your area.

 

My son did the See's candy fundraiser. It was profitable, mostly because he set up at a great location. He got a lot of donations too because people believed in his cause and because he had a personal connection to the location he was fundraising at.