The Mystic Kitchen

May 12th is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day!!

Danette — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:08:17 +0000

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain disorder that affects over 2-4% of the WORLDS population. While science is starting to learn more about this disorder, it still remains one of the most misunderstood disorders around. In fact, most people who live with fibromyalgia spend 2-15 years fighting with doctors searching for an answer to their strange symptoms.

So what are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Chronic wide-spread pain which has been present for 3 months or more in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, fatigue, multiple tender points (places on your body where the slightest touch hurts). Most fibromyalgia patients also report sensitivity to light, sound and noise, they suffer with IBS and various allergies, TMJ, depression, headaches (often migraines), sometimes arthritis and PTSD. Fibromyalgia patients wake up feeling like they’ve been “hit by a mack truck” every morning no matter how much (or how little) sleep they’ve had. Often nerve pain is present in the form of shooting, numbing, tingling, stabbing pain in any or all 4 extremities. Other diseases such as PMS, PMDD, endometriosis, many forms of arthritis, Lupus, spinal diseases and more can be secondary diseases that fibromyalgia patients develop.

What causes fibromyalgia?

While science is still researching this, there are many theories that have been studied and shown to be present in the history of many fibromyalgia patients. Many report some form of accident, be it a car accident or slip or fall for example. Others report some form of trauma. 64% of fibromyalgia patients report some form of abuse in their past. Some patients develop fibromyalgia after an illness or a hospital stay. Studies have also shown that fibromyalgia seems to have a genetic component.

Science now shows that fibromyalgia is believed to be the cause of over active nerves. This activity in the central nervous system of fibromyalgia patients causes mixed signals between the pain sensors and the brain. Studies have also shown that the length and intensity of the trauma that a fibromyalgia patient suffers directly correlates to the level of their fibromyalgia pain. For example, someone who lived through years of physical abuse suffers from a more severe pain level.

To date there is no cure. Fibromyalgia is so complex, so widespread that currently there is not a “one fix wonder”. There are prescription meds that help maintain the pain level for fibromyalgia patients, but even that does not stop the pain. While some fibromyalgia patients can manage to continue working, there are more and more of us each day who just cannot continue to work. Fibromyalgia is a debilitating disease…it is a chronic disease that we are living with each and every day.

To read more about Fibromyalgia, and for some helpful tips-
read more here

We also sell some great fibromyalgia products in our store

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Ten Simple things you can do this Earth Day

Danette — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 06:08:59 +0000

Earth Day is April 22nd, so in honor of Earth Day, I have compiled a list of 10 easy things you can do, to help keep our earth luscious and green! Every one person who does even one thing on this list makes a difference!

I am by no means a “granola nut, Birkenstock wearing, tree hugger” however, I do have kids and I want their planet to be a good, healthy place to live! So go on, pick one- I dare you… Who knows, you might even develop a good habit or something…

1. Slow The Flow

A faucet leaking just one drop per second wastes over 1,300 gallons per year! Most repairs to plumbing fixtures pay for themselves within just a year. Fix it!

2. Think Green When You Clean

Choose nontoxic, naturally derived cleaning products, which are proven effective but won’t cause long term damage to the Earth.

3. Give Weeds A ‘Hand’

Herbicides aren’t the only way to control weeds, and they’re certainly not the most environment-friendly way! Invest in a good pair of gloves and garden tools, and remove weeds by hand. Also, choose natural alternatives to pesticides for getting rid of pests!

4. Walk, Hike, Ride A Bike

If people in the U.S. would occasionally ride a bike for a short errand instead of driving a car, over 70 million gallons of fuel could be saved each year! And there’s the added benefit of enjoying the fresh air and exercise! For short errands, take a hike!

5. Plant A Tree Every Earth Day!

Over a 50-year lifetime, a tree generates $31,250 worth of oxygen, provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycles $37,500 worth of water, and controls $31,250 worth of soil erosion. It also provides shade that keeps homes and cities cooler!

6. Reduce, Reuse Recycle

It’s more than just a slogan. You can start making the world a ‘greener’ place today: return hangers to the cleaners, donate clothing and computers to charities, pack lunches in reusable containers instead of bags, there are hundreds of easy things to do! It’s up to you!

7. Paper not Plastic

For once at the Grocery store, when they ask- say paper please! I know it is less convenient, but there are a lot of non-toxic, biodegradable re-uses for those paper bags! There is no doubt that plastics are notoriously bad. Americans dispose of 10.5 million tons of plastic garbage every year!

8. Go Vegetarian for one day a week

Put down the meat, and cook Alfredo with mushrooms… Tofu sandwiches..or even grilled veggie burgers! There are actually some great tasting recipes for meatless dinners- and I guarantee you won’t miss it as much as you think!

9. Buy Local Fruit & Veggies

Food sold in American supermarkets has to travel an average of 1,500 miles to get from the farm to your plate. Buying locally not only supports your local economy, but cuts out the massive amounts of energy used to store and transport the products across the world

10.Lighten Your Energy Bill

Turn off the lights, the computer and the television when they are not in use. Using only highly efficient and money-saving appliances can reduce the electricity consumption of an average household to one-10th of the national average.

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Ways to Earn Money Online

Danette — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:08:33 +0000

Like to “Tweet”? or write blogs? how about taking quick & easy online Surveys?

I have compiled a list of great places online, to earn money doing things you normally do- Twitter, blogging or taking polls. I only list the ones I am currently doing myself- some actually pay in real cash and some are points you earn that can be turned into great prizes, such as Amazon Gift Cards, Ipod Touch- even a Wii or big screen tv! So Check them out today! Read More HERE

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4 Alternative Medicines for Cholesterol

Danette — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:53:11 +0000

When your total cholesterol level climbs above 240, it’s time to take action to decrease your risk for a stroke or a heart attack. There are a slew of supplements that promise to keep your lipid levels in check.

[Read More...]

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Beautify for Spring

Danette — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:09:15 +0000

Just a few tips on Dandruff- how to get rid of it once & for all, and also how to get a Closer Shave.. especially now that shorts & sandals season is upon us! [Read More...]

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Please Welcome our Sister Site!

Danette — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:48:04 +0000

A Great new source for ALL your Digital Scrapbooking Freebies! Please vist our sister site: Scrapbook Freebie Cafe where you will find a variety of freebies every day- papers, templates, elements, quick pages- and even some great tutorials!

Your source for digital scrapbooking freebies! I love free stuff- and I love digital scrapbooking~

So I created this site, to bring you all the newest freebies I can find! There will be new updates everyday, so be sure to bookmark this site!

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Elegant Wine themed decor (the right way!)

Danette — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:46:58 +0000

If you hear somebody mention wine kitchen decor perhaps it makes you think of the kind of kitsch accent pieces and accessories an eccentric elderly aunt would choose. If you get it wrong wine kitchen decor can easily look outlandish and way over the top.
We have all seen those kitchens that are chock full of cockerels or fat chefs and wondered if the owner of that particular home was entirely sane. However, if you know what you are doing wine kitchen decor can actually look very tasteful and attractive. [Read More...]

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A day for Gourmet…

Danette — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:11:46 +0000

Today I had lunch with an old friend at the new gourmet restaurant in town-
The Sage.

I had such a good experience that I decided to write a review on it…

This Fine Gourmet restaurant offers something for everyone, from Lobster Canneloni and Lamb Osso Bucco to Dad’s Spaghetti and New York Steak.

For dessert there are choices from a wonderful rich Cheesecake to Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee. And for lunch you can go all out with the Lemon Chicken Piccata or just keep it simple with the soup, salad & sandwich special.. [READ MORE]

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Give Yourself a Facial!

Danette — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:00:41 +0000

Scrub off Winter, and get your skin Spring Fresh with these great facials you can do at home- with ingredients you will find right in your cupboard!

..V isit our Spa Recipes Page..

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Cafe World on Facebook

Danette — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:58:53 +0000

Cafe World, a restaurant based game for Facebook, allows players to build and manage their own restaurant, earn points and coins from serving dishes to customers, and adding your Facebook friends as neighbors.

I admitted, I recently became very obsessed with this game. okay..maybe even a little addicted..(ssshhhh!) I have so much fun with this game (especially being able to design my cafe), I wanted to share it with you..

I will try to post a load of information for you in the coming days- tips for beginners, cheats, free bonuses, and pleanty of links.. [READ MORE]

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