Hyaluronic Acid

Flickr Photo Credit: Cleanwalmart

My friend Nancy swears by this stuff. These are a couple of links I had kicking around on the hard drive. Will post more as I find out more. If anyone has any other information, please feel free to post.

http://www.ctds.info/hyaluronic_acid.html  Informational article on Hyaluronic Acid.

http://www.discount-vitamins-herbs.net/Hyaluronic-acid.htm Another article on this nutritional supplement. Comes with a reference list.

Cholesterol Lowering Breakfast Smoothie

Flickr Photo Credit: Joi

My Dad uses this one that was doctor recommended as a nutritional method for reducing cholesterol. He drinks it every morning and has had great results.

1 handful of walnuts and a heavy pinch of shaved almonds pulverized in a blender. In the same blender, add a teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 pkg of Splenda (optional), 1/4 dry oats, 1 small container of yogurt (vanilla or plain), and a handful of berries (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, or a mix of all). Add milk to desired level of thickness. Blend away!

Recipes: Anti-Cancer Marinade

Flickr Photo Credit: Rick

I came across this somewhere when researching ideas to use with my husband’s parents, who both were undergoing cancer treatment at the same time. It’s a simple little marinade made with ingredients most of us have around our homes. It looks to me to be healthy enough to use any time.

6 tbsp olive oil, 4 tbsp cider vinegar, 4 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp grainy mustard, 3 medium cloves of crushed garlic, 1 1/2 tsp salt.

I would be happy to receive any information on this recipe, or any other anti-cancer recipes.

Creating a Healing Environment: The Good Humor Man

Flickr Photo Credit: Nogg3r5

The healing benefits of laughter are well known. If you have a friend, loved one or family member in need of recovery and “mood enhancement”, consider the medicinal gift of humor. Local library branches usually have comedy videos / cd’s available for check out. There is also no shortage of internet options for jokes and comedic anecdotes. You might even register your loved one to receive some of these “daily delivery” options. If time allows, bring a joke book in the style preferred by the patient and read it to them at their bedside. One thing is for certain, providing the gift of comedy need not provide an insurmountable challenge to your family budget.  So go ahead. Schedule a “laugh – in” for the person in your life who needs one. It’s a support method you’re both sure to enjoy.

Creating a Healing Environment: You’ve Got Mail

Flickr Photo Credit: S.C. Bailey

The power of human interaction is almost beyond comprehension when it comes to long term recovery or heaven forbid, dealing with a terminal illness. Even those long distances away can provide comfort and “mood enhancing” assistance with various types of communication. From actual hard-copy mail, to prayer and meditation, to internet communication or voice mail, this form of healing support is invaluable. If phone and postage costs are prohibitive in supporting your loved one’s recovery process, consider internet options such as the various sites where you can go for free and select various greeting cards, virtual floral arrangements, etc. Most of these also allow you to pick the date a particular “e-card” is sent. This provides a fabulous way to provide up to a year’s worth of cheer in advance. Simply select various e-greetings for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc. Include your message to the recipient, and select the appropriate day for distribution. Even the tightest of budgets without internet or personal computer access can usually allow the use of an affordable city bus to the local library for internet access. If that is still too much of a concern, most people, regardless of their personal spiritual beliefs, are comfortable acknowledging the power of prayers and positive thoughts. Anyone can find a way to provide comfort and healing assistance through this venue.

Creating a Healing Environment: Aromatherapy

Flickr Photo Credit: Furry Scaly

With some patients, this may not be appropriate. But for many, it is. Some ways to keep it economical? Pick up a liquid potpourri burner at your local thrift store. What’s that? Panicking over the cost of liquid potpourri while you’re trying to make over the family budget in order to stay home and care for your loved one? Fear not. As most people who know me will tell you, I can squeeze a nickel “until it cries”. Aromatherapy options are no exception.Water with a few drops of a preferred essential oil reduces the cost dramatically. Still not affordable enough? Saving apple peels / cores, citrus peels and similar items to toss in with the water to slow simmer adds a great deal of aroma to a home or room. The cost? Free! Still needing another idea? This one gives you a healthy, soothing beverage as well: In Egypt, a popular Ramadan drink is made by slow simmering cinnamon in hot water. Not only will your recovery environment smell FABULOUS , you’ll have a soothing beverage as well. Do a little cinnamon research on your own. You may be surprised at some of the health benefits.

Creating a Healing Environment: Elements of Style - Incorporating Color Into Your Loved One’s Healing Oasis

Flickr Photo Credit: One by Jude

Most of us probably agree that day in and day out of drab walls and linens inhibits anyone’s mood, regardless of whether they are ill or not. Those dealing with a serious disease need their spirits lifted even more. A simple and affordable way to do this is with color.

Bright quilts or a favorite blanket are wonderful comfort items for the hospital or home care situation. Colorful bandanas make affordable curtain tie-backs for children’s rooms. Discount stores or grandma’s scrap box can each prove wonderful sources for snazzy pillows to toss in a bedside chair / rocker or in the rest bed itself.

Colorful scarves and caps for chemotherapy patients allow them to show their individual style and personality. Tapestries and sarongs for wall art, colorful robes and pajamas . . . all will assist your loved one in the healing process.

Creating a Healing Environment: She Gave Me Water

Flickr Photo Credit: Woute R.

Incorporating the water element into your healing oasis is a powerful aid in establishing the proper attitude for recovery. Try a miniature (or larger if space permits) waterfall / fountain in the hospital room, home atmosphere, or outdoor therapeutic garden. The soothing sounds and visual beauty of moving water will do wonders. Many fountains also have stones, incorporating the earth element as well. Other ideas? Koi ponds or other types of “water gardens”, as well as wising ponds for larger facilities.

Creating a Healing Environment: Let There Be Light

Flickr Photo Credit: Ishrona

Lighting elements can also be extremely beneficial to those in a situation of long term healing. Candles, diffused light, dramatic “up-lighting”, outdoor garden lights (particularly if the garden is viewable at night from the patient’s window), hanging crystals to create rainbows of reflected light, marbles cast into the crushed rock of an outdoor viewing garden to catch the sun . . . all of these ideas can be therapeutic and add an touch of beauty to the space you are creating for your loved one to heal. Any additional ideas for adding light to healing spaces would be gladly received.

Creating a Healing Environment: Sounds of Silence

Flickr Photo Credit: Christiane Michaud

While a peaceful rest area is always helpful, there are times when the healing element of sound can be beneficial. Incorporate soothing music, chant, drums, nature sound recordings, etc. into your loved one’s healing oasis. From spiritual music to the sounds of moving water, wind, birds and tribal music, sound can do a great deal to enhance our mood. And anyone who has assisted a loved one through a traumatic disease will tell you, maintaining a positive attitude is a large part of the battle. Feel free to write in with any ideas of this type that you have tried. We would love to hear from you.