CONFESSIONS OF A MASTER CAREGIVER

Guest Post: Heather’s Voice: I Am A Mesothelioma Survivor

Pamela — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:49:20 +0000

As you know this blog has been about my journey as a caregiver to my mom who had Alzheimer’s and about the disease and those who serve as caregivers in this area. I have been blessed that it has also served as a vehicle for other caregivers to reach out, not just those in the fight against Alzheimer’s. While we love-giver’s may be advocates for different illnesses, our role, hopes and concerns are the same.

Last December I introduced you to Cameron Von St. James whose wife Heather is a survivor of Mesothelioma. I share with you today, Heather’s story in her voice.

If you or someone you know is battling Mesothelioma, visit their website http://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/ at or contact Heather at http://www.mesothelioma.com/treatment/speak-with-a-mesothelioma-survivor.htm.

You can also follow Heather on twitter @HeatherVSJ.

Hear Heather’s Story (click on the picture for the video):

Filed under: Guest Post, Health & Wellness, Videos Tagged: Cameron Von St. James, Heather Von St. James, Mesothelioma

Friday Fit Tip: Quote

Pamela — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:10:17 +0000

Sometimes a fit tip just needs to be a mental reminder….Be a LOUD VOICE to END ALZHEIMER’S!!

Filed under: Fit Tip Fridays Tagged: PushPrayGrind, Voice

Make It Up Monday: Fit Tip Friday: Curbing Your Cravings

Pamela — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 17:52:27 +0000

I missed my Friday Fit Tip so today I’m making it up. I’ve been on a fitness journey for some time, off and on for years, especially after 2007, when I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis. Thankfully I do not need medication, but it further put things into perspective. While I knew I could be at risk to have some of the health conditions my parents had, I now had my own and didn’t need to get theirs. So I started working with a nutritionist and trainer.

But with life changes, I fell off the wagon, or shall I say I was on the wagon, but the road was long because I wasn’t in alignment, thoughts and deeds. After my mom passed, I was all over the place, but once I moved to my temporary location in Oct., I knew I wanted to get into a better routine, start eating healthier and get my mind in alignment because it’s a lifestyle. I’ve always been active, but I wanted to be at an optimal weight and fitness level.

The weight started coming off even though I wasn’t doing any particular thing, then I realized I was moving more, particularly walking and eating less. My surroundings and current circumstance aren’t conducive to much more, but something was happening. So I say God got me started when I didn’t know how and though I know He still has me, I need to be a conscious part of the program.

I say all of this to say, that though I’ve always known better ways to eat, those cravings do arrive. I believe in moderation, but even sometimes I have to leave moderation at the door along with the craving because it becomes more than moderation. Such is the case of this weekend. I did well with my eating but caved in bought my favorite M&M’s saying I’d spread it out between 2 days (yeah right) and boom, there went the bag. It was the regular size bag, but still it was very late in the evening and I didn’t need to eat them anyway. I don’t have a snacking problem, but I sill have miles to go and snacking and cravings will only slow me down.

So what causes those cravings and what should we do with them?

Cravings are normally a sign that your body is not getting something that it needs. The underlying cause can vary greatly from person to person, but a lack of minerals in the system is the most common cause for those who crave sugar or carbs. If your blood pressure is normally low (below 112/78), that can be a strong indication that you may not be getting the minerals your body needs. When minerals are too low, you can buffer the need for those minerals by raising your sugars. (Hello cravings!)

Poor digestive performance is the most common cause for mineral deficiencies. Digestion needs to be working optimally in order for us to pull needed minerals out of the food we’re eating.

How to Stop Sugar Cravings: 8 Tips to Use Right Now

If you’re craving sugar, here are some ways to tame those cravings.

Give in a little. Eat a bit of what you’re craving, maybe a small cookie or a fun-size candy bar, suggests Kerry Neville, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and ADA spokeswoman. Enjoying a little of what you love can help you steer clear of feeling denied. Try to stick to a 150-calorie threshold, Neville says.
Combine foods. If the idea of stopping at a cookie or a baby candy bar seems impossible, you can still fill yourself up and satisfy a sugar craving, too. “I like combining the craving food with a healthful one,” Neville says. “I love chocolate, for example, so sometimes I’ll dip a banana in chocolate sauce and that gives me what I’m craving, or I mix some almonds with chocolate chips.” As a beneficial bonus, you’ll satisfy a craving and get healthy nutrients from those good-for-you foods.
Go cold turkey. Cutting out all simple sugars works for some people, although “the initial 48 to 72 hours are tough,” Gerbstadt says. Some people find that going cold turkey helps their cravings diminish after a few days; others find they may still crave sugar but over time are able to train their taste buds to be satisfied with less.
Grab some gum. If you want to avoid giving in to a sugar craving completely, try chewing a stick of gum, says nutrition advisor Dave Grotto, RD, LDN. “Research has shown that chewing gum can reduce food cravings,” Grotto says.
Reach for fruit. Keep fruit handy for when sugar cravings hit. You’ll get fiber and nutrients along with some sweetness. And stock up on foods like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, says certified addiction specialist Judy Chambers, LCSW, CAS. “Have them handy so you reach for them instead of reaching for the old [sugary] something.”
Get up and go. When a sugar craving hits, walk away. “Take a walk around the block or [do] something to change the scenery,” to take your mind off the food you’re craving, Neville suggests.
Choose quality over quantity. “If you need a sugar splurge, pick a wonderful, decadent sugary food,” Moores says. But keep it small. For example, choose a perfect dark chocolate truffle instead of a king-sized candy bar, then “savor every bite — slowly,” Moores says. Grotto agrees. “Don’t swear off favorites — you’ll only come back for greater portions. Learn to incorporate small amounts in the diet but concentrate on filling your stomach with less sugary and [healthier] options.”
Eat regularly. Waiting too long between meals may set you up to choose sugary, fatty foods that cut your hunger, Moores says. Instead, eating every three to five hours can help keep blood sugar stable and help you “avoid irrational eating behavior,” Grotto says. Your best bets? “Choose protein, fiber-rich foods like whole grains and produce,” Moores says.

How to Stop Sugar Cravings: 5 Tips for the Long Term

One of the best ways to manage sugar cravings is to stop them before they start. To help you do that:

Skip artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners may sound like a great idea, but “they don’t lessen cravings for sugar and haven’t demonstrated a positive effect on our obesity epidemic,” says Grotto, author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life.
Reward yourself for successfully managing sugar cravings. Your reward could be large or small. Remember why you’re working on it and then reward yourself for each successful step.
Slow down. For one week, focus on your sugar cravings and think about what you’re eating, suggests Chambers. Diet mayhem often results from lack of planning. So slow down, plan, “and eat what you intend to eat, instead of eating when you’re desperate,” Chambers says.
Get support. Many people turn to sweet foods when they’re stressed, depressed, or angry. But food doesn’t solve emotional issues. Consider whether emotions are involved in your sugar cravings and whether you need help to find other solutions to those emotional problems.
Mix it up. You may need more than one strategy to thwart sugar cravings. One week you may find success with one tactic, and another week calls for an alternative approach. What’s important is to “have a ‘bag of tricks’ to try,” Gerbstadt tells WebMD. To tame sugar cravings, you really need to “figure out what works for you,” Neville says.

Here are some other tips offered by professionals:

“Depriving a sweet tooth is a recipe for disaster. Don’t cut things out so you binge later. Instead, try allotting up to a fifth of your daily calorie allowance to the sweet of your choice. Every day I have a small package of Paul Newman’s Organic Peanut Butter Cups; they’re 180 calories for the pack—and I don’t feel deprived.”
—Jillian Michaels, trainer on NBC’s The Biggest Loser and author of Master Your Metabolism

“Instead of throwing away a wrapper after you indulge in something sweet, keep it in a jar. It’ll help you be more aware of how much you’re eating.”
—Susan Albers, PsyD, author of 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food

“Make a collage with pictures that represent you reaching your goal—and look at it when a craving hits. Then ask yourself if having that doughnut will bring you closer to your goals.”
—Chris Downie, author of The Spark and founder of SparkPeople.com

“Cut out distractions. When your attention isn’t diverted, you can truly savor what you’re eating—and that satisfaction will help you control mindless snacking or overeating.”
—Lillian Cheung, RD, co-author of Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life

“On a 3×5 index card, write a check every time you successfully say no to a craving. You need to do this 15 times in a row before you’ll be able to conquer any craving. On the reverse side of the card, write down some affirmations to remind yourself why you should resist.”
—Judith Beck, Ph.D., director of the Beck Institute of Cognitive Therapy and Research

Filed under: Fit Tip Fridays Tagged: Food, Health, Nutrition

Join The Alzheimer’s Association On The Longest Day – June 21, 2013

Pamela — Thu, 30 May 2013 03:04:44 +0000

On Friday, June 21st, join the Alzheimer’s Association for The Longest Day^®, a day to come together to honor those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.

Millions of people around the world are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and millions more act as their caregivers. To show support and bring awareness to this vicious disease, from Sunrise to Sunset, teams and individuals will be participating in this fundraiser that is about movement. Step out of your box, try something new or do what’s familiar, as many will run, walk, bike, spin, swim and dance to help us keep movement going for 16 hours.

While I’m considering my own day’s worth of activity, if you’d like to organize a team, see what other teams are doing or learn more about The Longest Day® visit here: https://thelongestday.alz.org/home/about.

Filed under: Awareness, The Longest Day®, Videos

Recap: Seth Rogen Raises $400,000-Plus For Alzheimer’s At Hilarity For Charity

Pamela — Sun, 26 May 2013 01:20:02 +0000

Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller

On Thursday April 25th at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angles, Hilarity for Charity the organization founded in 2012 by actor/comedian Seth Rogen and his wife Lauren Miller, held their 2nd annual fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. This year’s show entitled, Hilarity For Charity “House Party” raised over $400,000 during an evening that included Samuel Jackson, Kevin Hart, Mindy Kaling, and the Backstreet Boys to name a few.

This lady wasn’t able to make it unfortunately, but next year it’s a must. So for those of you who weren’t able to make it either, here’s a recap of the night from The Hollywood Reporter:

Kevin Hart joked about his DUI and the Backstreet Boys worked the crowd into a frenzy during “Hilarity for Charity Presented by GIV Mobile” which the actor organized with his wife Lauren Miller.

Seth Rogen and his wife Lauren Miller helped raise more than $400,000 to fight Alzheimer’s during an evening that saw Samuel L. Jackson show his sentimental side and Rogen dance on stage with the Backstreet Boys.

The second annual Hilarity for Charity Presented by GIV Mobile event, held at Avalon Hollywood, was personal for Rogen and Miller, whose mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 55. The couple hopes to bring more attention to Alzheimer’s, which has also afflicted two of Miller’s grandparents.

“In the 70s, things like cancer were very taboo to talk about. Now it is on the forefront of things that are getting charitable attention,” Rogen told The Hollywood Reporter [5]. “Bringing Alzheimer’s into the limelight is what we’re trying to do.”

Miller said there are a lot of misconceptions about the disease, especially among younger people.

PHOTOS: Seth Rogen, Backstreet Boys Fight Alzheimer’s at Star-Filled Fundraiser [6]

“Young people, unless they’ve been touched by the disease, don’t really understand Alzheimer’s and how it’s growing,” she said. “We want to focus on young people and their awareness of Alzheimer’s.”

Researchers estimate as many 16 million Americans will suffer from the disease by 2050.

A number of stars who attended the event shared stories of loved ones who had Alzheimer’s, with the evening’s most poignant moment coming during a surprise appearance by Samuel L. Jackson.

The actor stayed true to his tough guy persona by insisting he wasn’t going to tell a “sad-ass story about Alzheimer’s.” He went on to note his mother had died in November after suffering from the disease, as had multiple members of his family.

“So I have the potential to be one of the people you’re raising money for” Jackson told the crowd. “It’s a pretty devastating disease … but [those who have it] can also be very funny.”

PHOTOS: Hollywood Reporter’s Philanthropy Issue [7]

Jackson recalled the hijinks that would ensue when his mother and aunt, both of whom had Alzheimer’s, would come stay with him. The women would hide their purses from his maid, whom they thought was a stranger, then they’d forget where the purses were hidden. Jackson and his family would have to spend hours looking for them. The women also loved to play charades, even if they couldn’t quite grasp what they were supposed to be acting out.

“I enjoyed her life and I’m glad I had her,” he said of his mother. “You’re all here and you’re all going to be able to do something for a lot of people.”

Kevin Hart took the stage to joke about his recent arrest for suspected drunk driving [8], and took a dig at Reese Witherspoon, who was taken into custody [9] last week.

“Stop f—ing judging because I got a DUI,” Hart told the crowd. “Reese’s was much worse than mine. She talked back to the cop. I said ‘Yes, sir, boss.’ I stumbled when I said it. Reese was like ‘Do you know who the f–k I am?’ I would never say that. That’s followed by a billy club,” he said.

Nick Kroll (FX’s The League) navigated tricky waters by making a joke about the Boston Marathon bombings, calling attack was an “awful, awful thing,” but opining that it will inevitably it would become a punch line, so he might as well start now.

“You know that there were like a couple Yankee fans that were like … ” Kroll said, pausing to give a shrug, “… Curse of the Bambino.’”

He added: “See that’s a joke about Yankee fans, because the Yankee fans are the Laker fans of the Cowboy fans.”

Near the end of the show, Rogen came on stage to read an email from Judd Apatow, who wrote he would match up to $15,000 in donations.

PHOTOS: 4 Portraits of Hollywood’s Change Agents [10]

“If you don’t donate, I will keep my money and spend it on private jets and Botox for my children,” the email read. “Maude has a wrinkle between her eyes I would like to smooth out, and Iris has some crow’s feet that look terrible on 10-year-olds.”

After Rogen worked the crowd into a frenzy with promises of enraging Apatow by making him pay up, Numb3rs alum David Krumholtz stepped up to make the $15,000 donation.

“He’s had a lot to drink, so I just hope this is legally binding,” Rogen said.

The Backstreet Boys closed out the evening with performances of “Larger Than Life,” “Quit Playing Games With My Heart,” and “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” The band also treated the crowd to a preview of a new song, “Permanent Stain,” which its members claimed was inspired by a young Rogen stalking them during their 1997 Backstreet’s Back Tour.

“Seth used to hang out at all of our hotels,” A. J. McLean said. “I think it was my underwear that he stole off my bus at one point.”

Rogen joined the boy band on stage during the final chorus of “Everybody,” doing a good job aping the band’s “Thriller”-inspired moves.

Other stars who performed during the evening include Mindy Kaling, Rob Riggle, Bo Burnham, Billy Eichner, Garfunkel & Oates, Ken Marino, and John Mulaney.

Filed under: Awareness, Celebrity Champions, Events