A day without saturated fat is like a day without sunshine….
27 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
Nothing irritates me more than talking to people who should know better. You know, nutritionists/dieticians, health care providers, etc. These people have promulgated the myth that saturated fat is bad for you. There is not a shred of evidence that saturated fat contributes to heart disease. Instead, take a look at the triglycerides laying down in your arteries from all of the carbohydrates we consume. And the trans-fats and rancid oils we’re consuming. Here is a fabulous article on a cardiologist’s view point on saturated fat. This is going to take a while to un-do the damage this myth has created.
When patients want to lose weight
07 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
A lot of what I see as an acupuncturist is either related to being overweight, or people come to see me because they are overweight. I am so fortunate that I got to see Marlene Merritt (Acupuncturist/nutritionist) in Austin TX speak about weight gain and the relation to blood sugar. She has a phenomenal set of videos on youtube.com/merrittwellness on blood sugar and how it impacts so many of our organ systems. I started offering her 7-Day challenge at AcupunctureWorkz because I was so impressed with the science behind how it works. I started watching carbohydrates myself and cannot believe how much more energy I have, plus I lost a little weight. Now, back to the patients who come to visit me.
Many of them are diabetic, pre-diabetic or insulin resistant. I have had several of them tell me its “too hard” to watch their carbohydrates. They want to eat what their kids eat. They travel a lot. They work all the time. They don’t like to cook. They’re too tired. And on and on. As a nurse, I cannot tell you how many people I have taken care of who had their limbs, or toes chopped off due to complications of diabetes, went blind, had the burning, horrible pain of neuropathy in their legs and their feet (medication barely touches this kind of nerve pain), or went on dialysis after their kidneys failed. The ones who died are too numerous to count as well. It is shocking to me when people say its “too hard.” Talk to me how hard it is when you only have one foot. Or can’t see.
There is a way out. A path back—much of this is reversible. I’ve seen it happen! I hope I never hear another person tell me how hard it is…
Its about time I followed up!
25 Apr 2011 1 Comment
My hip replacement went well! I do remember waking up the morning after thinking “This is the worst day of my life.” But it did improve after that moment. Not that it wasn’t difficult–I’m not used to having people do things for me. Of course there was some pain–a different kind of pain than had been my constant compaion for two years. I needed help with the most mundane things of life. My mom washed my hair. My husband dressed me. My dad had to help me get my leg elevated since I couldn’t do much with it at first.
I think all of that has made me a better practitioner though. I thoroughly understand what chronic pain and having physical limitations does to your psyche. I am grateful for the help I had and cannot believe how much better I feel. I would encourage anyone contemplating a joint replacement to NOT WAIT. The clock is ticking on your life….get it fixed and get back out there!
So you’re going to have surgery….
12 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment
in Medical Procedures Tags: orthopedic surgery, pre-operative
Scary thought, that. Having an operation. Someone slicing you open from stem to stern with your permission. Sewing you back together. Hoping you don’t get infected, get a blood clot, or have a freaky anesthesia experience that lands on a TLC episode of “I was awake during my operation and I couldn’t scream.”
I heard those words too, recently. So now I have two months to get ready for it. I asked some people how they got ready and poked around the internet and found five things that people recommend in order to be mentally and physically ready.
1. Relax.
As in, take a deep breath. You’re likely going to live. Billions have done it too. Perhaps adding yoga to your routine, journaling, walks, prayer, reading, time with girlfriends, time with your spouse; whatever you need to settle down. Do it. And do it often.
2. Take a multivitamin.
Include Vit D and calcium in your repertoire also if not already taking it. If you’re taking fish oil, you’ll likely have to stop prior to your surgery date, and probably at least 14 days prior. This is also a good time to start eating healthier–build up all those good stores of vitamins, amino acids, etc for optimal. scar-free wound healing! OK, so you’ll probably have a scar. Think of it as a laugh line–you’ve earned it. Stop the alcohol too. It may help you relax, but do you really want to tax your liver right before you assault it narcotic pain medication?
3. Exercise
This can also go along with the “relax” part above. But it will also ensure optimal lung function, good muscle tone, and its also good for your mood. Do what you can; if you’re having orthopedic surgery like I am, you likely have some limitations, possibly severe ones. Do your best.
4. Sleep
Long and deep–sleep is essential for a healthy immune system. If worry is causing you to lose sleep, exercise will help wear you out and help you fall asleep faster.
5. Get a massage and acupuncture.
Both are great for wellness, balance, and helping your immune system. And both will relax you for sure. You can also give your liver a boost prior to the chemical onslaught.
I’m still trying to do the above along with losing about 5 pounds and exercising my soon to be affected muscles. Having a goal will help you feel as if you have a little bit of control in a situation where you really won’t have any after a certain point. And that’s good.
New Smoking Cessation Article
21 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
in Smoking Cessation Tags: acupunctureworkz, great american smokeout, leslie droege, smoking cessation, stop smoking
I’ve written an article on smoking cessation that you might want to read, especially if you’re trying to quit! Here’s the link: http://ezinearticles.com/?Quitting-Smoking-With-Acupuncture&id=4926720
Just in time for the Great American Smokeout in November.
