Lupus Care Bear

Wouldn’t 

it 

be cool 

to have 

one of these?

Teaser! Toni Braxton's Lifetime Movie 'Unbreak My

Lifetime has released its very first trailer for Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart” movie. Toni’s story, including her battle with lupus, is the focus of the new Lifetime movie premiering January 2016.

Protect Yourself this Cold & Flu Season

Temperatures are dropping and the holiday season is upon us! 

Although we’re immersed in quite a magical time of year, it’s also the beginning of cold and flu season. Not so magical after all!

When you have lupus, you have to take extra precautions to protect yourself from viruses. Not only will you feel horrible from the illness itself, but the virus could potentially provoke a flare! A double whammy during such a busy time of year! Not to mention, the use of strong immune suppressants may put some of you at a higher risk for contracting a virus. This is because the goal of lupus treatment is to suppress an overactive immune system so that it does not produce auto (self) antibodies that cause lupus symptoms. When your immune system is suppressed, you have the potential for increased chances of catching viruses and infections.

With that being said, what are the best ways to avoid catching a cold or the flu? A good starting point is to discuss the annual flu vaccine with your doctor.

While nothing is 100% fool proof, some simple steps you may want to keep in mind to help lessen the possibility of getting a cold, the flu or other viruses include:

• Avoid anyone- including family members- with symptoms of fever (over 100° F), nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Specifically you should avoid close, personal contact such as hugging, kissing, and shaking hands.
• Wash your hands (tops, palms and fingers) frequently with hot, soapy water for at least 15 seconds.
• Remember that surfaces- especially in bathrooms, on shared office equipment, on store countertops, gas pump handles, any surface of the car, and in restaurants- can expose you to germs. Keep alcohol-based gel or wipes handy, both out in public and at home.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way
• Shield coughs or sneezes with the crook of your arm. Do not use your hands or handkerchiefs as they carry moisture and spread viruses.
• Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
• Please remember that you should never discontinue medications used to treat your lupus without first consulting your doctor!

Wellness

Just because lupus makes you sick doesn't mean you aren't well. Wellness is a state of mind that can help you beat lupus. Get to a wellness of mind and spirit,  it is essential to get the upper hand over lupus. #LupusInColor

My Lupus Story with Lupus Connection

My full story will be up on LUPUS CONNECTION (which I keep saying Lupus Connect in the video). If you're interested in them, please visit http://lupusconnection.net/

CHANGE YOUR FOCUS

Don’t always focus on what lupus pain was in your body or the pain that has yet to come. Take time to create conscious thoughts on the wellness within you and invite your focus to be in ‘I am well ‘ mode. It’s going to be hard to do, but your body, mind and soul will thank you and be in a position to return the favor by feeling a bit better. When we control our  thoughts our body can follow. It won’t totally remove lupus from your person, but it will give you a little reprieve. Change your focus, change your struggle and increase power into your battle over lupus

Avocado Spinach “Pasta” Sauce – AIP/Paleo/Gluten Free/Vegan IN SEARCHOF SIMPLICITY: by MY JOURNEY WITH LUPUS

Originally posted on The Bumpy Road To A Simple Life:

Avocado’s are delicious but they have a very short shelf life. When they are ripe you need to eat them right away as they go bad really quickly. The other night I had an avocado that needed to be eaten before it went to waste. It was already too soft to put on a salad so what should I did with it?

I’ve used avocado in many different things – icing, smoothies, mayo, muffins, but never in a sauce but I new it’s creamy texture would be perfect. I searched the web and found a few interesting recipes but they either all had a lot of fresh basil or ingredients I am not currently allowed to eat. So I decided to make my own.

This was so yummy even my son ate it and he does not like avocado. It will become a staple in our house moving forward.

So here is the recipe:

Avocado Spinach “Pasta” Sauce

1 ripe avocado

a big handful of spinach (around 1 – 2 cups)

3 cloves of garlic

juice of half a lemon

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp basil

1. Start by cooking your spaghetti squash.I do this by cutting it in half, scooping the seeds, and placing them inside down in a pan with a bit of water. Then I cook at 375 F for about 30 – 40 minutes.
2. Place all ingredients into a blender or food processor, I use a vitamix. Blend until smooth.
3. Heat a pan on medium heat with a little oil – coconut, avocado, etc… Add the squash and saute slightly. Pour sauce over squash and heat through stirring often. This only takes about 5 minutes. This step means you’ll have a nice warm dish and prevents any leftovers from browning the next day.
4. Serve and enjoy.

Hope you enjoy!

Sabrina

Back to School With Lupus: For the Parent

Back to School With Lupus: For the Parent Posted on ctlupus by ctlupus

It can be hard enough as a parent finding the time and energy to send your child off to school every day. For lupus patients, this challenge is even greater. 

Last week on the blog we discussed helping your child with lupus transition back into the school year. However, what if it’s not the child who has lupus, but the parent? If you are a parent with lupus getting ready to send your kids back to school make sure you’re prepared. Here are some tips to help you lower stress and stay healthy this school year.

Make your health a priority

Listen to your body and do what’s best for you. Move at your own pace and be willing to say no. You may feel guilty putting your health first, but if you don’t you will end up wearing yourself out making you more susceptible to a lupus flare.

Tell your family how you’re feeling

Communication with your family is key with lupus, especially when one day can be great and the next not so great. Let everyone know exactly how you are feeling each day. A number scale is a good way to express the discomfort and pain you may be having. This can help your family understand better and adjust expectations accordingly.

Stay organized

Help prevent unwanted stress by staying organized! Check out some tips on the blog at https://ctlupus.wordpress.com/2015/08/18/time-to-get-organized/  and be sure to take a look at our “Organizational Tips” Pinterest board, https://www.pinterest.com/ctlfa/organizational-tips/

Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to seek out help when you need it! Get into a routine of having scheduled help come throughout the week. This will help lower your stress and give you some rest time if needed so that you stay healthy! Ask family members to watch the kids or hire a neighborhood teen to be a mother’s helper after school!

For more information on parenting with lupus visit http://www.lupus.org/resources/15-questions-dealing-with-stress-of-being-a-parent-with-lupus

Public Release: 6-Aug-2015 Kidney impairment decreases blood flow to the brain, boosting risk of brain disorders

Kidney impairment decreases blood flow to the brain, boosting risk of brain disorders

Protecting kidney health may help safeguard the brain

American Society of Nephrology

Highlights

• In a population-based study, poor kidney function was strongly related to decreased blood flow to the brain.
• Poor kidney function was linked to stroke and dementia most strongly in participants with decreased blood flow to the brain.
• A growing body of research suggests a link between kidney impairment and brain disorders.

Washington, DC (August 6, 2015) — Impaired kidney function may lead to decreased blood flow to the brain, and ultimately to the occurrence of stroke or dementia. The findings, which come from a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), suggest that maintaining optimal kidney health can provide benefits to the brain. To read more please go to https://neuronsandsynapses.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/poor-kidney-function-decreases-blood-flow-to-brain-increases-risk-of-stroke-and-dementia/

From EurekAlert: EurekAlert:Public Release: 6-Aug-2015

FIVE EMPOWERING HABITS

Originally posted on Lupus In Color:

Five Empowering Habits of the Lupus Warrior

1. Complain less and applaud more – Just because you are fighting a hard battle, you make a conscious choice to complain less about the fight and applaud your effort more to overcome the trials of lupus.

2. Speak well over yourself – Speaking to yourself in empowering ways removes the desire to stay still in the pain lupus brings. It also conditions your brain to see the brighter side instead of the hill you are climbing.

3.Be selective in your talk of your battles – Every battle that lupus puts you through is not worthy of discussion with yourself or others. Sometimes the lupus warrior just has to fight and not talk to stay focused on the win.

4.Understand it’s a bad day not a bad life – Lupus brings many difficult days, it doesn’t mean your life is worthless. It simply means you have to put on your battle gear and fight. After all, you’ve won every battle so far, that’s evident in the breath you just took.

5. Value yourself above all lupus issues – Yes, parts of you are broken, but that doesn’t mean you as a whole are broken. Lupus can damage your body, mind and spirit so, its up to you to work hard in keeping strong and keep high value in self worth. You are a warrior that never quits, say it to yourself daily and the warrior will see and focus on your strength, bravery, faith and love beyond anything lupus can bring.

#LupusInColor