Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

 I would like to share a story about my grandparents with you.  My grandmother, whom I loved dearly, suffered with RA.  When I was a very young child; five, seven or even 10 years old, I used to tag along with my grandparents when they went to the “mineral baths” in northern Greece.  I must tell you I felt quite special, most of the people at the mineral baths and the surrounding hotels were all over 50 0r 60 years old.  I was the only child, I guess my grandparents liked me tagging along.

Lest you start to wonder why I bring up this story, I have been asked many a time about holistic remedies for RA.  Some years ago I started to recommend to people to create their own mineral baths.  My grandparents used to travel for their mineral bath, but they could do so, they were retired.  I have recommended the following regimen and it does seem to bring some measure of relief to people with RA.  You will need to purchase organic, clay cat litter.  Please ensure it is 100% clay as these days there are all sorts of additives.  The other items you will need to purchase are epsom salt and baking soda.  I know this may sound funny to you but once a week create a mud paste out of the cat litter (combine the cat litter with water).  Get into your tub and cover yourself with the mud paste.  Keep it on as long as you can stand, rinse yourself and then soak in a warm bath with epsom salt and baking soda.  Please try this and do it once a week, I do believe that it might relieve some of the pain.

RA can certainly be affected by lack of sleep so if you can, make an extra effort to sleep eight hours per night.  If you find you are having a hard time falling asleep please remember that a cup of chamomile tea will help.

There are certainly a number of things that can help with inflammation.  I think a cup of hot water with the juice of one lemon will certainly aid in reducing inflammation.  Cinnamon is a such a great anti-inflammatory that every single morning you should combine a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of cinnamon and eat it.  This will eventually help with inflammation.  I like turmeric, it is a fantastic spice that aids in the reduction of inflammation.  You will find that many of our recipes include turmeric.  It is important to increase your intake of omega-3s.  Begin eating raw walnuts, and consume as much wild Alaskan salmon as you can.  Remember what I say about the canned salmon, it is a great go to item, if it says wild Alaskan on the can.

There are certainly several vitamins and supplements that you should take; vitamins C, E and D3.  Oh yes, one supplement not to forget is CoQ10.  If you get busy and forget about the nuts and salmon, remember to take fish oil and glucosamine.  Please remember, this is my own personal opinion but I should also tell you that I have shared these natural remedies with other people and they have helped quite a bit.  Try them and let me know how you do.

Sure Way to Sleep Better

I just recently heard that there was going to be a new sleeping pill on the market.  Oh wonderful, another sleeping pill!  Why not just give advice on how to sleep better.  There was definitely a time in my life when I was quite the workaholic and I can honestly tell you there were many times I only slept two or three hours a night.  Thank God I gave that up a long time ago (not the workaholic part though).  Sleep affects everything.  Or should I say lack of sleep affects everything?  Listen, for those of us looking for anti-aging solutions, let me tell you that lack of sleep is the fastest way to look older.  Not enough sleep makes us sick, tired and old.  Listen, there’s a lot to be said about all those centenarians around the world who go to sleep when the sun sets and wake when the sun rises.  Now I’m not that extreme, not just yet but I do ensure that I get a solid seven hours of sleep these days.

Lack of sleep will affect your immune system, energy levels and productivity levels.  Therefore I would like to recommend several things that you can do to help get a proper night’s sleep.

• Decrease fast food intake.
• Do not have caffeine after 4:00 PM.
• Do not eat after 7:00 PM.
• Do not fall asleep on the sofa.
• Turn off the television, in fact turn off every electronic gadget you own an hour before bedtime.
• Soak your feet in warm water and epsom salt (this soothes the whole body).
• Too much alcohol can affect your sleep.
• My personal favorite, drink chamomile tea.
• A cup of warm milk really does work (please make sure it is organic).
• A tablespoon of almond butter before bed (yes, this really does work).
• Exercise really does help us to sleep better, try to find the time.  Even if it’s just a fast 20 minute walk.
• I find that reading knocks me right out (in my case listening to my Kindl.  Wow how grateful I am for this little contraption).
• Lastly, but of course most importantly, take some time and pray at night.  I must tell you handing over all of your anxieties to God is the surest way that I know to get a good night’s sleep.

In my life I have had periods of little sleep and periods of much sleep.  I can sure tell you my periods of little sleep left me wanting.  I am sure that I almost always get a good night’s sleep.  In fact I plan my schedule so that I sleep most nights seven hours.  I certainly can attest that it does matter.  The nights that I do not get my seven hours I do not feel or look myself.  Folks I mentioned the fast food in one of the bullets because over the last several months I have met many people who are not sleeping well.  These people it turns out are eating a lot of fast food.  I sure think it matters.  In fact, speaking of eating, remember to eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.  Light dinners; I do think make a difference.  Kali nixta to all.

Learn a Thing or Two From My Grandfather

My grandfather, who I adored and loved dearly, was a great general in the Greek army.  Artillery actually, since you might be wondering.  This great man was feared and respected alike, but was probably one of the gentlest men I have ever met.  He was born right outside a city named Argos (you might be interested to know this happens to be the oldest city in Europe, so we say in Greece, actually more so when we are in Argos).  Although I must tell you it is believed that Athens is the oldest city in Europe and Argos is the second oldest.  I’m not really sure though, I shall look into it.  I digress however.

Back to my grandfather George.  You may be wondering why I am sharing a little bit into the personality of my most favorite person in my life, besides my children of course.  You may recall yesterday I told you you would need three of four items.  You need these items for the hot, steamy weather ahead.  Why you ask?  Well whether you are a man or a woman, for the next three or four months you will most likely live in open toed shoes, flip-flops, sandals and the like.

Now we get to why I brought up my grandfather.  I cannot be sure when he started doing this as I was only three years old when he retired from the army.  As far back as I can remember my grandfather got pedicures once a month.  Now he probably did not do this to beautify his feet.  He did state often that it was important to take care of one’s feet.  He used to say, “If your feet hurt, your whole body hurts.”  So he took very good care of his feet.  Now I should tell you he did not go to a salon or spa, he had what he called a “foot lady” come to the house.  Without fail, once a month the “foot lady” came with a big bag of tricks.  My grandfather would than have the housekeeper fill up a large basin with warm water.  He would sit in a huge wing chair.  “Foot lady” would place the basin at his feet, he would roll up his suit trousers (my grandfather wore a suit every day, even in his later years when we were running around just doing errands) he would place his feet in the basin, “foot lady” would than spend at least an hour giving him a pedicure.  If I happened to be around, I had the privilege of sitting and chatting with my grandfather which used to be one of my most favorite things to do.

So here’s the point my friends, and now I am probably speaking mostly to the men out there.  For the males who are not going to a salon to take care of their feet and the women who do not have the time to make it to a salon; I implore you take care of your feet.  It is simply gross and unattractive to look down at someone’s feet and have them look like they are in dire need of moisturizer.  If you are not going to worry about what your feet look like, learn a thing or two from my grandfather.  Even well into his 80s he simply had no issues with his feet.

Here is what I recommend especially for the summer, but you should do this all year round.  If you have a large basin great, if not sit at the edge of your bathtub.  Fill the tub halfway up your calves with very warm water.  Pour some epsom salt into the tub, let your feet soak for 15 or 20 minutes.  Nearby you should have a box of the kosher salt.  After your feet have soaked, place the kosher salt into a face cloth.  Rub the kosher salt all over your feet and calves.  Please pay special attention to your heels and soles of your feet.  The heels are what tend to get scaly and dry.  It will serve you well to scrub these areas.  Rinse your feet with warm water.  At this point it is all about preference.  Use non-petroleum jelly, coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil and rub all over your feet.  Use a lavish amount and immediately pull long socks over your feet.  In fact there are many nights that I simply rub coconut oil, non-petroleum jelly or extra virgin olive oil on my feet and sleep with socks on my feet.  Not too attractive I know, but my feet feel good.

There you have it my friends, you learned a little bit about my grandfather and one of his healthy habits.  Boy, I certainly made up for yesterday didn’t I?

Three of Four Things You Really Need

Please forgive me my friends, I woke up very late this morning.  I must run off to a meeting.  There simply is no time for a blog this morning.  What I am planning to blog about tomorrow you will most certainly need:  epsom salt, kosher salt, non-petroleum jelly and/or coconut oil.  We will discuss the need for these tomorrow.  Try to pick up these ingredients today.

Have a fantastic, healthy day.