Five years ago today, I made the hardest decision of my life. I ended a relationship. I walked away from a dream.
I'm glad of this: five years ago today, I did not know today.
I did not know where the path would lead. I might have been overwhelmed.
I say this, but what I do not mean is that I have any regrets. I look back on this day five years ago and I perceive the best decision I have ever made (with the exception of my decision to follow Christ).
The road this decision has led me down has been most challenging, but also most rewarding. But who is to say a different decision would have been less challenging? It most certainly would not have been rewarding. Not in the least.
Today, I look back on a day which was, well, good. But this week is not filled with memories of things which are good. It is a week of difficult memories. Processing them (yet again) has not become easier with the passage of time. Instead, it has grown with difficulty. Yet, someday, the pain will ease.
Someday, the pain will ease.
January 24, 2011
January 23, 2011
tumeric
Today is day 26 of my headache. I have had a mere two days without a headache during these 26 days. One of those days was after an acupuncture treatment (but I have had 3 treatments during this time, and the other two treatments failed to relieve the headache for more than a few hours). The other of those days was after taking a large dose of pills (and mixing prescriptions with over-the-counters... On that note, I should make it clear that I have discussed this combination with my doctor and he has given the okay to take this combination). Needless to say, I cannot maintain that method!
So now I'm trying to do two things. 1) Try to find out what is causing this headache. 2) Try to find alternate methods of relieving this headache.
Introducing tumeric. Tumeric is a spice which works, among other things, as a natural anti-inflammatory. I was given a small amount of tumeric essential oil. The down side is that it stains your skin (tumeric is a bright, bold yellow). Applying this at the source of my headache, the stain is covered by my hair. However, it is not hidden when I apply it at the pressure points between my finger and thumb.
Since beginning to apply tumeric oil, my headache has not ceased. But, it has proven to be far more effective than the 800mg of ibuprofen which I was taking every 4 hours. The tumeric oil typically relieves my headache for about 6 hours.
But since tumeric is a spice, it can also be taken orally. Here is a list of the majority of the health benefits which can be derived from tumeric in oral form (the following information is taken from http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html):
Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful healers. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.
The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.
Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:
1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
So now I'm trying to do two things. 1) Try to find out what is causing this headache. 2) Try to find alternate methods of relieving this headache.
Introducing tumeric. Tumeric is a spice which works, among other things, as a natural anti-inflammatory. I was given a small amount of tumeric essential oil. The down side is that it stains your skin (tumeric is a bright, bold yellow). Applying this at the source of my headache, the stain is covered by my hair. However, it is not hidden when I apply it at the pressure points between my finger and thumb.
Since beginning to apply tumeric oil, my headache has not ceased. But, it has proven to be far more effective than the 800mg of ibuprofen which I was taking every 4 hours. The tumeric oil typically relieves my headache for about 6 hours.
But since tumeric is a spice, it can also be taken orally. Here is a list of the majority of the health benefits which can be derived from tumeric in oral form (the following information is taken from http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html):
Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful healers. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.
The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.
Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:
1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
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