I used to sit and watch TV all night long, thinking I was the only person in the world who couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t until I got online and began chatting with other insomniacs that I realized how many people suffer with this. None of us had any real solutions but at least now I know I’m not alone.

Over the years I’ve tried one insomnia cure after another. Needless to say, none have worked consistently. After all, here I am at almost midnight, still wide awake. So why might I be interested in a cure that is based on a CD? Well, I guess it’s because it makes sense to me.

This CD offered at sleep-deprivation-cd.com is based on binaural beats, sounds at 8-12hz that help to relax you. The technique of using sounds at this frequency range dates back to 1839, although it’s been only recently that the process has been applied to an insomnia cure.

I know that sounds have amazing effects on all creatures. I still have a doggy lullaby CD that I used quite a bit to keep Belle calm, especially when she was in heat that first year. And I still believe it was the “white noise” of the vacuum cleaner and the dryer that often soothed my kids when they were infants.

So that’s why I’m so interested in this site. Getting only 4 or 5 hours of sleep every night takes its toll on the body. I think, too, that this sleep deprivation contributes to my headaches and other ailments. Sleep is so important for every part of your health, from mental acuity to ability to lose or maintain weight.

I really want to try this CD. The price has been reduced and they’re even offering free shipping which makes it even more tempting. I’m going to give this insomnia another night or two to straighten up on its own but if it doesn’t I’m placing an order. I’ll let you know how it goes.

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Interesting how you can start out at IMDB researching movies and end up at a different site, learning about a condition like Erb’s Palsy, the result of a birth injury. I’ve tried to retrace my steps because my surfing habits just confuse me more and more these days.

I don’t even remember what movie I was first searching but I landed on the page about Martin Sheen. Next thing I know, I’m reading in a Wikipedia article that he was injured during childbirth and has a mild form of this condition which causes paralysis to the arm.

Now I want to go out and rent Apocalypse Now and pay very close attention to his left arm. I’d never noticed it before so I’m really curious. And I still don’t know how I got from one site to another. I think I need software that tracks my path, like a map, and saves it so I can go back and read more. Interesting stuff.

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For those wondering where I’ve been, I’m here, dealing with life’s little obstacles. I’ve had one kids with the flu this week. I ended up with a cold. And then there was Nick’s kidney stones…. overnight in the emergency room while the kid was doubled over in pain.

After a CT scan, we learned that the 2mm stone had moved from the kidney to the bladder, which caused the pain. It isn’t blocking anything but when it moves and he passes it, more pain will likely ensue.

Oh, and we also found out that he has two more, larger stones in the kidney. Yep, my boy is kidney stone former. He gets that from my dad and my sister. No doubt, working outside in the heat without enough hydration caused these ones to form.

Anyway. I’m tired and I have to help Maggie with her homework. If I can keep my eyes open. Vacation, anyone?

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The last time I did a fast it was for only 3 days. This time, I’m doing a 30 day fast along with a colon cleanse. I really need to get rid of the toxins in my body so I can work on getting healthy.

Right now, I’m drinking at least 64oz of water every day as well as herbal teas. I’m staying away from artificail dyes which means I stopped eating sugar-free jello. I miss that. But I think I’m feeling better already.

We’ll see how this goes. I’m not going to weigh myself for the entire month. I’ll just monitor my overall feeling of well being and record that. If this makes me feel healthier and more energenic, then I may just devise a schedule for fasting. It’s worth a try.

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I spent a few hours at my mom’s house yesterday. Her cat, Calliope, is probably one of two or three cats I’ve ever really liked. Calliope is the most affectionate cat ever. So, naturally, when she climbed up to her window seat right behind me and put her head and paw on my shoulder, I reached around to grab her and put her on my lap. She nestled her head under my chin and stayed like that for over 20 minutes. Such a loving kitty!

Last night I noticed these, uh… welts, I guess, on my face. I’m not sure what else to call them. Maybe they were more like large mosquito bites. There are two under my eye and one at the corner of my eye, kind of forming a half circle. There are three more on my forehead, all in a row. Weird.

If this isn’t an allergy, then maybe Calliope has fleas. Or maybe I ate something that caused this? I hate mysteries having to do with my health.

Anyway, the welts are still there, just not as red. Hope they go away soon because they still itch a little.

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I have hay fever type allergies. Jesse, Nick and Levi do also. Levi, though, has been hit the hardest. Not only does he have a reaction to pollen and dust, we think he’s showing signs of a mold allergy, too. After a few hours of searching online, I finally found a company that does mold testing in PA with some great information available at their site.

There’s so much I don’t know about mold allergies but I am trying to learn. I need to find out how to rid my home of mold and how to prevent it from returning. I’m wondering, too, if I can train Belle to sniff out mold. According to the site, dogs are excellent at detecting mold. Who knew?

First thing, we need to get rid of the mold that’s here, mostly in the basement. Then we need to clear up any places where water collects, again mostly in the basement. I think we can do this. After all, I quit smoking because it was better for Levi’s health. Cleaning the mold from my house couldn’t possibly be more difficult than that was!

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Every once in a while I get on a food kick. I find something I like and I go overboard eating it. Right now, it’s sugar-free Jello.

I’ve always liked it so it isn’t unusual to make it a couple times each month. But every day? That can’t be good for me. I think it has something to do with the hot and very humid weather. I don’t eat ice cream but that’s what I’m really craving. I think the sugar-free Jello tricks my mind into thinking I’m getting ice cream.

Tomorrow, no Jello. All that red dye (I like cherry and strawberry best) is probably doing terrible things to my insides. Anyone know for sure?

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When I got pregnant with Nick, I picked up my very first home pregnancy test. Prior to that, I’d gone to the doctor for the test and results. Looking back, it’s hard to believe I had to sit around and wonder for a full week, waiting for my doctor’s appointment, to find out what a drug store test kit can tell us in minutes. My, how times have changed!

Over the years, I’ve purchased other home test kits, specifically for drug testing. I’m a mother. I have six kids. Sometimes, you do what you have to do. I’ll also mention that when a test comes out negative, or clean, I don’t feel the need to apologize. If my kid destroyed the trust, that’s not my fault. Earn it back.

That said, those kinds of problems in my family are in the past. Now I’m faced with a new need for Home Health Testing® because as my husband and I age, our bodies begin to misbehave. From cholesterol and colon cancer tests to those that check for thyroid or urinary tract problems, HomeHealthTesting.com offers FDA approved test kits for the privacy of your own home.

HomeHealthTesting.com has had a web presence since 1996 and is a participant in the BBBOnline Reliability Program. From their Guarantee of Customer Satisfaction to their 24/7 toll free customer support line, the focus on helping the customer is apparent. You can also rest assured that your privacy will be respected, you will not be spammed and your personal information will not be sold. Considering the sensitive nature of these tests, that’s very reassuring. The information they offer regarding some of these health issues is worth a look as well.

I know my own pharmacy doesn’t carry this wide range of home medical testing kits. I also know that when I’ve purchased kits in the past for drug testing, I was little concerned about my privacy. I wish I’d known about HomeHealthTesting.com because that would have been a much better solution. And now, I’m going to look into the sleep test. Perhaps there’s a reason for my insomnia. Can’t hurt to find out, right?

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Two years ago a massage therapist gave me a sample of this really great pain relief gel. It worked and I wanted more. However, it was very expensive so I really didn’t make the effort to get more. Recently I received samples of another pain relief gel but this time, I think I’ve found my Holy Grail. Oh, yes. I’m loving Freeze It advanced therapy gel!

How good is this stuff? Well, the fact that it relieves the pain in my almost-50 year old muscles is an indication that this pain relief gel is a keeper. When you also take into account that my mother, who just turned 76, swiped three of my four sample packs after trying it on her knee and wrist, you can conclude that Freeze It rocks!

This tidbit about my mom is notable for a couple reasons. First, no matter what I’ve offered her for joint and muscle pain relief, she’s not been impressed. Usually, she hands the product back to me with a “thanks, but it didn’t help.” Also, my mom is the most generous person I know and thus, is more comfortable giving than receiving. It just isn’t like her to skip the “can I have it?” part and jump straight to, “It worked and I want your other samples.” And yet that is exactly what she did. In fact, according to my mom, after using FreezeIt she actually slept through the entire night, pain-free. That’s impressive!

If that wasn’t enough to warrant this raving post, then the price surely is. With a suggested retail price of $9.99 it’s still lower than the sale price of the other pain relief gel. Someone mentioned that they found it priced even lower at one of the our department stores so I’ll be checking that out on my next shopping trip. You see, with a husband and three sons in the construction industry, and my sore shoulder from sitting at my computer or stirring my hot process soap on the weekends, we deal with quite a bit of muscle and joint pain around here. When my mom puts her seal of approval on a relief gel, the rest of the family listens.

So, bring on the Freeze It. This family has found it’s pain relief gel Holy Grail!

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Way back in 1999, I discovered Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution and the low carb lifestyle. In 8 months, I lost over 70 lbs. I kept it off steadily for 4 years, gained a little during a stressful time, then quickly lost it again. Then, in January, 2006, I quit smoking. In April of that year I lost my job. Today, I’m back where I was in 1999 with my weight and I’m totally disgusted.

I’ve tried a number of things to get back on track. Recently, I tried a typical low fat diet plan that is touted by the experts as being nutritionally sound. I was doing the “healthy eating” thing. The problem? By the end of the second week, I’d gained two pounds. Even more troubling, I was terribly ill. I was eating enough calories while keeping my fat, protein and carbs balanced according to most nutritionists and whatever government agency tells us what’s healthy for us. But my insides were shaking, my head was throbbing and my stomach was queasy. And no, I was not wtihdrawing from sugar. I haven’t eaten sugar since 1999.

Today I decided to go back to what I know. I’m going to focus on high protein and keep my carbs down to around 20 grams per day. My only problem with this way of eating is that often, I’m forced to prepare two meals several times a day, one for the family and one for me. I used to be able to pick up low carb meal alternatives like protein bars but they’re not as widely available as they were a few years ago. I guess the low carb craze has fizzled off making low carb products difficult to find. Enter the Internet and borderless shopping possibilities!

I’ve found an online site that still carries all the products I love to make a success of my low-carb, high protein diet. DietDirect has some great protein bars that I can’t wait to try. I really miss my quick breakfast bar to start my day off the right way. And they have other quick breakfast meals like the cheese and bacon omelet with just 2 grams of carbs and 15 grams of protein! For lunch, there are several flavors of soup with just 5 grams of carbs and 15 grams of protein. Oh, I love easy meals that I don’t have to mess with!

I’m so glad that I found this site. I love being able to make one large order from one site rather than having to pay shipping on two or three orders all over the internet. With DietDirect.com I can order my food as well as other vitamins and supplements. I’ve never taken the Thermogenic Fat Burners or Appetite Suppressants but I have taken Hoodia as well as a number of other supplements like Chromium Picolinate and B-complex. I like being able to order those when I order my protein bars and other high protein foods. Very convenient!

I’ve been really upset by my lack of weight loss with traditional diets but I’m feeling new hope today. Just looking through all the products that DietDirect.com offers makes me believe that I can do this again. I’ll keep you all updated on my progress.

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