Functional Medicine

The Immune System Recovery Plan by Susan Blum MD
A must-read for anyone experiencing an autoimmune disorder!

Are you aware that there is an alternative practice to conventional medicine that can lessen and even reverse symptoms of your autoimmune disease? Although many alternative medicinal practices have been around since the beginning of time, a refreshing breath of hope has more recently been brought to light. It’s called Functional Medicine.

Dr. Susan Blum is the author of “The Immune System Recovery Plan” in which lies the premise of finding and removing triggers of disease such as allergens, toxins, and hidden microbes and supporting the body’s function with nutrients, herbs and other “pro” drugs such as probiotics. It has helped thousands of people worldwide.

I found this book spellbinding as it put in simple terms the way our bodies respond to stress, sugar, and white flour or gluten-filled foods to name a few. It explains the symptoms that arise from them. I felt excitement and hope for the first time in a long time after reading Dr. Blum’s book. I could actually understand how the information could help me and thousands like me decrease the amounts of Plaquenil, steroids and low dose chemo drugs we are taking.

I am currently seeing a Functional Medicine Practitioner. At this point diet and stress management is the main focus of my treatment. A baseline blood lab was drawn and will be drawn again to see how omitting gluten, sugar, and certain inflammatory causing foods may change the results. I’ve been on the Auto Immune Protocol for three weeks and just this past week have had noticeable relief of muscle soreness in my arms.

The studies supporting this holistic approach are scientifically tested so I feel that between Dr. Blum and my Functional Medicine Practitioner I am arming myself with some very strong defenses against an out of control immune system.  I hope you’ll take the time to download or order your copy of “The Immune System Recovery Plan”. In my opinion, it’s an excellent resource for health and hope.

High School Organizations to the Rescue!

Today I suddenly realized I had a contractor coming tomorrow to refinish my wood floors! Where did October go? I had set the date several weeks ago and panic rushed over me because I have two rooms of furniture that need to be moved TODAY! I know, poor planning on my part.

Luckily a high school organization called the E-Unit is in the process of raising money for their weight room at the school. I called their sponsor and within a short amount of time, I was told there would be a group of kids to help me out later this afternoon!

In rural Nebraska, many schools have Future Farmers of America groups, prom committees, dance squads or any number of organizations who are in need of funds. Don’t rule out calling the school to inquire when you need odd jobs done. I think it’s important to support them as they are not only helping others, they are learning about business opportunities. Who knows? This may be the making of the next big moving company for one of them! For now, I’ll happily donate to the E-Unit’s fundraising efforts.

An Amazing Day in the Garden

I took this photograph at the Denver Botanical Gardens in the summer of 2014.  The subject was a beautiful glass design created by artist Dale Chihuly and it shared the surrounding water with live fish and lilies. There were also a great number of pieces that were on dry ground throughout the gardens. It was amazing to think of the ambition and orchestration of such a massive and breathtaking exhibit!

The glass art made me feel free while being outside walking around the brilliant forms that were so massive and cheery. The sounds of birds and waterfalls were soothing like an audio one might hear at a spa. The reflections of the water, the glass, and an occasional sprinkler cast a sparkling energy only nature could achieve. It seems as though Chihuly mixes colors from the rainbow as no hue was left out. As a matter of fact, he has been quoted as saying when asked his favorite color, “I like to say I’ve never met a color I didn’t like.” I can relate!

About this Artist:

Dale Chihuly is a large scale glass artist who started out as an Interior Design student. He is known for revolutionizing the Studio Glass movement and causing a wider acceptance of glass design as an art discipline rather than one of a craft.  He is best recognized for his spectacular architectural commissions worldwide in historic cities, museums and gardens.

He has shown his work in many locations including Montreal, Richmond, Boston, San Francisco, Jerusalem, and Venice. He also has many permanent pieces that may be located near you. Do check out his website to see many more photos of his work, personal information, and fun facts. http://www.chihuly.com/