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/

Sometimes combining certain foods can improve their health benefits.

Like: Avocado and Tomato. Tomatoes are loaded with the antioxidant lycopene. But when you combine tomatoes with avocado, the unsaturated fat in the avocado helps the body absorb SEVEN TIMES the normal amount of lycopene! And lycopene inhibits the production of cancer cells.

Another good combo: Grilled steak and Brussels sprouts. There are compounds in Brussels sprouts which help the body flush out carcinogens. Including the carcinogens which form on charred meat during grilling.

Finally: Here’s a BAD food combo… Alcohol and energy drinks. Caffeine is a stimulant, while alcohol is a depressant. And when you overload your body with both at the same time, it puts tremendous stress on your heart… So don’t even think about ordering a Red Bull and Vodka.

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

Need an energy boost? Go for a walk!

Originally posted on ConnieSelleccaBlog:

you find yourself nodding off each day after lunch…Forget trying to get an energy boost from Starbucks or RedBull. Take a walk, instead!

Researchers at the University of Birmingham discovered that people who took a short, leisurely walk during their lunch hour got a significant mood boost, had longer attention spans, and were better able to fend off work-related stress than those who consumed caffeine – and the change lasted for several hours. That’s because walking increases oxygen flow to the brain, and boosts the production of energizing, feel-good brain chemicals.

Explaining Lupus to Just About Anyone How to Explain Lupus to Family,Friends, Colleagues, Children and Acquaintances

Explaining Lupus to Just About Anyone How to Explain Lupus to Family, Friends, Colleagues, Children and Acquaintances thank  you to  Brenda Campbell.  And  the upus-upus-effect.com.com  for this wonderful information.   I would also recommend for you to sign up for their emails. They have with the kids to help you manage your own. 
Explaining Lupus to Just About AnyoneI know we’ve all heard it. Those five little words of no more than three or four letters each. “But you don’t look sick.”

Lupus is one of those “invisible” illnesses. Most of the damage caused by this mysterious, chronic illness is internal. Certainly, there are external signs at times – hair loss, instability, skin rashes, and in my case, the constant companion of an oxygen tank. However, this external damage is only a fraction of what is really going on inside.

As a result, explaining Lupus is not an easy task. I know that if I share all of the symptoms and complications I have, many people will think I’m exaggerating – especially if it is thrown out there haphazardly or in a disorganized fashion. I have felt judged on more than one occasion because so many of my problems cannot be seen from the outside. I’m sure we have all experienced that at one time or another – but it doesn’t change the reality of what lupus is and what lupus does. The support of others – and their acceptance – is something we all need.

I can recall several instances when I have matter-of-factly told people of my condition only to discover that they have never heard of lupus. And those that have heard of it often do not understand it.

Lupus is not easy to define. There is no clear-cut description of what it is or what it does because it can attack so many different body systems that no two people have the exact same lupus. It has many different faces and presents itself in many different ways. It continues to evolve and change. It seems that once I get a handle on it, something new pops up.
Honestly, one of my biggest fears is that people will think I’m ‘shopping for sympathy’ or ‘pity-seeking’. This is simply not the case. But, I do want people to understand because it affects what I am able to do. My abilities can change on a daily basis – good days, bad days, really bad days, times when I’m flaring on maximum overdrive and times when I almost seem ‘normal’ – if there is such a thing.
I have found myself needing to explain Lupus in a variety of settings: with family and friends, to my third grade students, and even in social or professional situations. Each explanation may look different depending on who the audience is, what they need to know, and why they need to know it. I would like to share what it might look like in each of these scenarios. It’s never easy, but with a plan of action tailored to fit a variety of circumstances we can be prepared to explain our “individual” lupus accurately, concisely, and authentically.

The disease is referred to as “lupus,” the Latin word for “wolf.” When lupus was just beginning to be recognized as a medical disorder, it was thought that it was caused by a wolf bite – probably because of the distinctive symmetrical red or purplish scaly rash that at least half of those with the disease develop on their faces, also referred to as a “butterfly rash.”
Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood disease that attacks different parts of the body. It is challenging to identify, tough to live with, and an obstacle to address and treat.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This causes symptoms such as swelling and inflammation, and damages the joints, skin, blood, heart, brain, kidneys, lungs, bones, nervous system, etc. Lupus can attack any organ or part of the body.
When the immune system is functioning properly it makes proteins called antibodies in order to battle and safeguard against antigens such as bacteria and viruses. With lupus the immune system is not able to tell the difference between antigens and healthy cells. This leads the immune system to attack healthy cells – not merely antigens – inducing swelling, discomfort, and tissue damages.
According to the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), 1.5 to 2 million Americans have some form of lupus. The disease has an effect on both men and women, however, women are diagnosed 9 times more often then men. Lupus is usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45.
Other risk factors include exposure to sunlight, some prescription medications, infection with Epstein-Barr virus, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Lupus 3D Medical Animation

This 3D medical animation depicts how the immune system normally attacks foreign invaders, and its own body in an autoimmune disease such as lupus. Common symptoms and treatment options for lupus are also presented.

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

Just Keep Swimming!

Posted on ctlupus.wordpress.com/ by ctlupus

Swimming is for everyone! For lupus patients swimming offers a low impact workout that many cardio activities cannot. Swimming improves strength and fitness while being very gentle on the body. Water cushions stiff joints that are often injured by exercises on land. This is especially good news for lupus patients who struggle from joint pain. Swimming can improve your fitness and range of motion to relieve pain and stiffness, all while building strength.

When immersed in water up to your waist, your body is only bearing 50% of your body’s weight. At your chest, 25% to 35%, and your neck, only 10%.

If you are new to a swim workout it is recommended to take it slow and at a pace that is right for you. Our bodies are made for land not water, therefore it is easy to become frustrated. If you’re just starting out try swimming for 10 minutes and build up to 30. Walk the length of the pool or even use a kickboard if you’re not ready to swim underwater.

Try swimming and see if it works for you! Remember to start slow and always listen to your body!

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