Do not presume that your prayers are not answered, because they are. It is up to you to receive and listen.

(Quoted from Entering the Castle, an Inner Path to God and Your Soul by Caroline Myss.)

If you and I search our hearts, the issue we long to resolve the most is healing --- resulting in us enjoying healed bodies and healed lives. Like the thirst of a sandpaper throat longing for that first melodious drink of water. Or, the starving man who only feels satisfied when his soul is rewarded, too.

If you suffer with a chronic illness like Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you probably want to understand why.

Do not presume that your prayers are not answered, because they are. It is up to you to receive and listen.

(Quoted from Entering the Castle, an Inner Path to God and Your Soul by Caroline Myss.)

Do not presume that your prayers are not answered, because they are. It is up to you to receive and listen.

(Quoted from Entering the Castle, an Inner Path to God and Your Soul by Caroline Myss.)

In seeking your personal truth, I urge you to make time to practice real silence. Still yourself through the practice of mindfulness, meditation and/or deep breathing.

I couldn't fit the entire title of this post into the heading. It really should read, "9 Tips for Doing the Laundry When You're Too Tired, Too Much in Pain and You Really Don't Care if it Gets Done or Not!"

That said, here are some great tips that will help us people who suffer with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and chronic pain get our housework chores done, such as doing the laundry. (Even if you live alone, you can adapt these to your own needs and situation.)
------------------------------

*Click this link to get to another page where you can read the whole article. It, too, is lengthy because it includes all 9 of these really great tips that you won't want to miss. For your reding convenience, I placed it on another website with better viewing. **To see a full screen view once you arrive, click the black and white box just above and to the right of the article.

For you listening convenience, here's the audio link. Now sit back and enjoy! (Or, of course, you can download the program to your own MP3 player and listen to it at your leisure.)

Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

Recently, Joe and Teresa Graedon of the People's Pharmacy wrote, Beware of unexpected drug side effects. They talked about antihistamines to anti-depressants, such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.

They also mentioned that to help the FDA, Food and Drug Administration, discover unanticipated reactions to prescription medications (such as side effects), you should report them to MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/.

I recently wrote about the dangers of drug side effects on the Health Matters Show blog. Now, this subject is coming up again.

The drug side effect problem concerns me because I know many people who fall ill to their medicines. (I even have a girlfriend who passed out flat on the floor hitting the back of her head. She believed it was caused from taking Lyrica!)

I know this topic interests you, too. I invite you to post your concerns and share your experiences about RX drugs.

Have you ever suffered with a tough drug side effect?

If so, what did you do?

Thanks,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

PS- You many contact Joe and Teresa Graedon at peoplespharmacy@gmail.com)
You mail contact me at info@healthmattersshow.com.

I am totally revising what I eat and how I exercise. It's quite a process, but it's really important if I want to stay totally 100% recovered from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and live the most healthy life that I can.

I won't input all my research here, but I thought you might be able to use something that I came across on transfats... you know that nasty stuff that we're supposed to stay away from now?

Well, check out an old post on the Lose Weight Diet blog that still seems mighty important.

If you're counting calories, fat grams, carbs or you're on any kind of diet (Wow, I hate to use that word!), don't miss this information. Really, really search for the transfats you're consuming and get rid of them!

Happy Health,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

As we live and experience today, August 8, 2008 -or- 080808, you may be struck by the round shapes of the numerical digits, but even more by the symbolic significance of the numbers themselves.

Throughout the ages, 8 has long been a number of interest. Learn what it can mean to you.

(Listen to the 8 minute audio.)

Or check out the entire article in print that's so easy to read here. (It's easy to read if you click on the black and white box in the right hand corner above the article.)

Thank you so much and...

Be Sure to Enter the Contest for a free book!

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

Before you talk about Fibromyalgia (FMS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS, CFIDS or ME) and brain fog, you need to explore what is meant by the term brain fog. The complaint is common to both illnesses. If we learn more about it, it won't seem like such an unsolvable puzzle.

BRAIN FOG:
1. feeling like you're in a mental fog;


2. Inability to think clearly

If that describes you, you're not alone.

In the last blog entry on this subject, August 8th, we looked at the general definition of brain fog and some of the body systems that might be involved with the condition.

A. Brain
That's obvious, but never more so than when you're suffering with it not working well.

B. Digestive System
That's not obvious, but it's important. If the Digestive System is not functioning up to par, your body is not able to manufacture the food source ingredients to keep it going at full tilt. If some parts of what your body requires are missing, other system may fall into being dysfunctional also, because of lack of necessary nourishment.

C. Lymph Drainage System
If your body's ability to handle lymph fluid becomes sluggish, you won't have peak energy. You may feel full, generally off and unable to move freely or at will. If your lymph drainage gets so slow that it's essentially non-functional, this can have an impact on other body systems (i.e. Immune System) and further impair your body functionality.

D. Immune System.
This one is the big, hairy monster because many components of the body depend on the Immune System. When it is really non-functional, you're in trouble.

E. Sleep System
This can add to your problems if you're sleeping poorly. The body needs good sleep to heal!

So what kind of suggestions does this lead us to?

Brain fog does not have to be a permanent symptom. Do everything you can to bolster your body (body, mind and spirit) and give you a chance to recover and really heal.

*Note:To pick up more tips of how to feel better, check the blog heading, Getting Well and ELT Healing Protocol.

Thanks,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

I met a young man who is challenged like most of us are in some way in life. He is wise beyond his years and is quickly becoming an accomplished writer.

I offer you his words as a thought for your day and as encouragement in your mind body spirit, soul-based healing journey. Here is what Jonathan Kenyon Fiedler sent to me and is allowing me to share with you:

Hello. I'm Cinda Crawford. After listening to me for awhile now, most of you know that I personally am recovered from bad cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

I also enjoy the awesome privilege of being a health expert on these two topics by way of studying, speaking and writing about them for years - and - by attaining a special certification in ELT, which stands for Essential Life Therapy. ELT is an energy-based, mind/body/spirit healing mechanism that works. I've seen what it's done for me and other people suffering with illnesses like Fibro and CFIDS ME. But let me stop there because today we're going to talk about... Michael Phelps.

I believe in the power of music. It's authentic, real and alive. It helps us to be the same.

I was a music and piano major in college, but years ago when I got so sick, I discovered a new power of music. I took music therapy sessions from a music therapist from my area.

I discovered the work to be profoundly moving and effective in moving me along on my healing journey. I've been interested in music as a direct healing tool ever since. (You can discover this for yourself by reviewing the healing and meditation CDs listed in the Cinda Recommends store on the left side of the blog.)

And recently, I was introduced to the work of Dr. Alice Cash of Healing Music Enterprises. She has a great announcement for all people who may face surgery in the future. I'll let you read directly from Dr. Cash here.

Have a great and happy day. I encourage to make music a part of it!

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

Oh, to watch the womens swim team and Dara Torres win the Silver Medal, I sit in awe once again.

And then she says, "Don't put an age limit on your dreams."

Oh, may we all take that to heart.

Have a great evening, dear ones, and seek your dreams. They may be... to feel really well and then to do only what is important in your heart!

Happy health and now back to watching Michael,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

Listed at Medicinenet.com are 8 Causes of Night Sweats. Some of them impact people with Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in a big way.

If you or someone you know is suffering repeatedly from night sweats, then all of the reasons for them given by MedicineNet may be important. Last week on the blog we discussed reasons 1 and 2 out of a total of 8. Today we're addressing reason 3, Infection, and reason 4, Cancer.

Both of these are big topics when it comes to people who have Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS or CFIDS).

(Yawn....)

It's early morning here in Roanoke, Virginia, and I thought there may be no better time to talk about Sleeping and Night Sweats than now, so I'm taping the show early for you today. I want to talk candidly about this important subject. It's time for a first hand and "fresh" perspective... pardon the irony.

If the clouds part (or if it rains for us... we're dry) and everything works as it should, the Health Matters Show podcast for Friday will include me talking to a great speaker and physical therapist, whose name I will keep under wraps for just now.

Just a little bit of drama here to encourage you to tune in Friday, August 29, 2008 for a very special show.

I know that many people with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other chronic illnesses have thought about physical therapy and wondered if it would help them. If you have a question that you'd like me to ask our guest, send in your question by commenting right here on this particular blog post or e-mail it to healthmattersshow@gmail.com. I will include as many questions as I can during this frank and honest discussion.

Have a good one. Be sure to join us Friday!
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

On August 8, 2008 I announced a great contest for all of my listeners and readers. (I ran a post that day in honor of the special day, 080808 and you.)

And you've sent in some really good contest entries. Many are worthy of receiving one of the 5 copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul's Celebrating Mothers and Daughters that I'm giving away. But if you haven't sent in your contest entry yet, you must hurry...

The contest runs until September 1, 2008. Let me explain why I'm doing this and why you should enter today.

I honor and cherish each one of you, the people who visit the Health Matters Show. You honor me with your time, attention and loyalty.

That's why I decided to give away 5 copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul's Celebrating Mothers and Daughters, which is an absolutely fantastic, 5-star-rated book!

(If you're still curious about why I'm doing this, keep reading.)

Years ago my mother shared a heart-wrenching story about her past. Her mother, my grandma, gave an incredible gift to each of her 4 girls. Grandma not only risked her life to bring the girls into the world in the early 1900's, but she gave them the opportunity for a really bright future.

The story, The Gift, explains how Grandma sacrificed everything, absolutely everything so that her girls would have a chance at true prosperity and a happy life. Through the laughter, through the tears, this is a story worth reading and a book to treasure and keep in your library!

Go to http://www.cindacrawford.com/contest.html. Put in your name, a valid e-mail address and then send us the reason why you deserve good health and prosperity in life. You might tell us what you've gone through with your illness, how you've survived or what you've overcome. Your contest entry doesn't have to be long, just meaningful and from the heart.

This contest does not close until 9/1/08. I sincerely wish that you have the best personal health and life prosperity.

The five people who give the best reason why they deserve a copy of this great book will win their very own copy- free! I pay all shipping and handling costs and, because I'm an author in the book, I'll autograph it personally! The only thing you need to do right now is

ENTER

.

Now remember, Monday, 9/1/08, the doors will close and this contest will be over!

If you are one of the 5 winners, you'll be notified by e-mail to send in your full name and physical mailing address so that we can ship out your book.

Thanks so much dear ones. Have a great day & send in your entry!
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

I intended to write this post telling you how my area of the country, Roanoke, Virginia, has been dry until the last few days. I hadn't paid attention until my flowers and tomato plants began to wilt in the heat.

That was me being busy with life and not being aware of my environment.

I can't speak to the absolute validity of this one mother's claim to need help to save her child with Lyme Disease, but it seems mighty legitimate to me. That's why I'm posting this alert here.

Check out her story and Sue Vogan's blog., decide for yourself... and if you're led... help in any way you can.

We folks with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other chronic illnesses (some have Lyme Disease!) know what it's like to be sick or have a family member sick, and feel powerless to be helped or to help.

http://lymebook.com/vogan-blog/?cat=1

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show