And a toast to one of the greatest beers ever brewed! Nothing like a Sierra Nevada pale ale while in the Sierra Nevadas. Ahhhhhhh. This is the life!
More photos here - http://carolinecraven.smugmug.com/Nature/Aspendell
Caroline Craven - Certified Life Coach, MS Advocate, Motivational Speaker, Writer & Patient Expert living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Eluding MS in the Eastern Sierras
Time for the Eastern Sierras! Aspendell to be exact. Five friends. Five days. My goals: relax, laugh, eat, enjoy, catch a wild trout on a dry fly.
Balance was a bit of an issue and my friend found and made me an awesome walking stick. It's always good to have a portable hiking stick with you, especially when carrying photography and fishing gear!
MS just seemed to fade away at 8500' and cooler temperatures. No need for cooling vests except for the day we went to Bishop to check out potential barns for horses. Instead my days were filled with friends, food, fly fishing, photography, hiking and more.
Here is a Leichtlins Mariposa Lily or a Calochortus leichtlinii
And a toast to one of the greatest beers ever brewed! Nothing like a Sierra Nevada pale ale while in the Sierra Nevadas. Ahhhhhhh. This is the life!
Cooler temps allowed for this woman to forget her MS and enjoy life. Wahoo!
More photos here - http://carolinecraven.smugmug.com/Nature/Aspendell
And a toast to one of the greatest beers ever brewed! Nothing like a Sierra Nevada pale ale while in the Sierra Nevadas. Ahhhhhhh. This is the life!
More photos here - http://carolinecraven.smugmug.com/Nature/Aspendell
Posted with Blogsy
Ms and PMS. Twice the Trouble!
I should know by now. My MS is always worse the week before my menses. PMS and MS. PMSMS. As if one isn't enough... This last week I couldn't get cool at night. I didn't experience the heavy sweats last night as in the past. But woke up and knew to get to the bathroom. I had just been thinking that it had been awhile and I should check the calendar. But here it is! A few days early. Being as I'm 45 I could be heading for a pause in my meno. The point is that there is a definite relationship between MS and PMS. Would like to figure out the hormonal details.
Today was a doozy with my MS escalated. Cramps and back spasms. Energy, vision out the door. In need of a gentle day. Stretching, yoga, bath soak, praying, thanking God, breathing deep...
Water. Lots of water. And half a Vicodin for the pain. Especially because yesterday I indulged in a margarita and some great Mexican food at Dona Maria's. Yum! Best chile verde around. That was after taking a great horse ride and stopping at farmers market for some incredible produce. A wonderful Saturday was had by all.
Sunday mornings are my favorite. Today was the invitational for the trail trials. Dreamy and I qualified twice. But neither Kathy nor I had the energy to go. And I'm glad. While spending the morning talking to God and being gentle I felt the motivation to write again. I go in stages, writing. Not writing. But There is much to share about Multiple Sclerosis or MS.
MS can often be managed by lifestyle, nutritional and other changes. Don't give in to all the western medicines being thrown at you. Look deeply into the options and find a solution that works with your life style.
I did and couldn't be healthier!
Fortunately, after six months on the Copaxone shot, I was submitted into a double-blind, three-year T cell vaccination study at USC, federally supported. After going off the shot I took matters into my own hands.
While becoming certified in holistic nutrition via Bauman College, the lessons learned about the relationship between food and MS were significant. In addition, because my MS hit so that the loss of vision and the inability to walk unassisted was devastating, yoga became a necessary therapeutic relief. And it still is to this day as I just wrapped up an intimate yoga session with God being thankful for my life with MS. For I have changed much these past ten years.
My main MS solutions in a nutshell:
And find good outlets. Mine include photography and writing....
See you back here. And stay cool!
Today was a doozy with my MS escalated. Cramps and back spasms. Energy, vision out the door. In need of a gentle day. Stretching, yoga, bath soak, praying, thanking God, breathing deep...
Water. Lots of water. And half a Vicodin for the pain. Especially because yesterday I indulged in a margarita and some great Mexican food at Dona Maria's. Yum! Best chile verde around. That was after taking a great horse ride and stopping at farmers market for some incredible produce. A wonderful Saturday was had by all.
Sunday mornings are my favorite. Today was the invitational for the trail trials. Dreamy and I qualified twice. But neither Kathy nor I had the energy to go. And I'm glad. While spending the morning talking to God and being gentle I felt the motivation to write again. I go in stages, writing. Not writing. But There is much to share about Multiple Sclerosis or MS.
MS can often be managed by lifestyle, nutritional and other changes. Don't give in to all the western medicines being thrown at you. Look deeply into the options and find a solution that works with your life style.
I did and couldn't be healthier!
Fortunately, after six months on the Copaxone shot, I was submitted into a double-blind, three-year T cell vaccination study at USC, federally supported. After going off the shot I took matters into my own hands.
While becoming certified in holistic nutrition via Bauman College, the lessons learned about the relationship between food and MS were significant. In addition, because my MS hit so that the loss of vision and the inability to walk unassisted was devastating, yoga became a necessary therapeutic relief. And it still is to this day as I just wrapped up an intimate yoga session with God being thankful for my life with MS. For I have changed much these past ten years.
My main MS solutions in a nutshell:
- Faith
- Family and Friends
- Lifestyle management. Reduce stress.
- Priotize appropriately
- Manage each day as a new day
- Simplify. Continually simplify.
- Manage external and internal toxins
- Yoga, gentle movement
- Exercise, horses, fluid movement.
- Fresh, fun foods.
- Photography.
- Fly fishing
- ShenTrition. A protein green drink designed by chimes medicine. Http://getshen.com. Six years. Will not stop.
- Anger management and stress relief awareness
- Medical marijuana for many symptoms. Pain, tremors, fatigue...
- Manage stress, anger, boundaries
And find good outlets. Mine include photography and writing....
See you back here. And stay cool!
Hydrating and Cooling Tricks for MS
Finally! Getting some good sleep. Good food, activity, supplement balance.
There are different kinds of vests and systems. A lot of trial and error goes into thriving with MS but there are many more options these days.
We Have a "trails trial" this Sunday so I am prepping for the heat. Cooling vests out and ready to freeze and cool accordingly. Here I am on "Dreamy" in my blue Cool Medic vest.I have an Artic Heat vest on underneath the sun shirt. Some vests are water cooled. Some frozen and some carry ice blocks in them.
I was nervous for this day as it was a 7-8 mile/10-12k in the open desert with predicted temperature around 90F. And I had never been on one before.
My packing list:
CamelBak with lots of ice in bladder.Chill bladder in refrigerator overnight add ice in morning.
Cooling vest #1 - Arctic Heat cooling vest, activated and in freezer.
Cooling vest #2 - Cool Medic cooling vest in cooler, to get wet right before ride.
Cooling neck wrap, activated and in freezer.
(2) quart size zip locks with ice for inside boots after ride.
(1) sun hoodie from Solumbra
(1) pair fingerless, sun gloves from Solumbra
(3) bandanas in cold water in cooler
(2) gallon ziplocks with ice for cooler
Hat
Layers and
sun shirt
Light weight jeans
4 bottles water at least
2 coconut waters
Banana or orange juice or both
Morning of event: Shentrition Coconut water Water Banana.... I'm ready for this!
And it was a success! I stayed relatively cool, body didn't get out of whack and even placed seventh overall. A good day was had by all.
There are different kinds of vests and systems. A lot of trial and error goes into thriving with MS but there are many more options these days.
We Have a "trails trial" this Sunday so I am prepping for the heat. Cooling vests out and ready to freeze and cool accordingly. Here I am on "Dreamy" in my blue Cool Medic vest.I have an Artic Heat vest on underneath the sun shirt. Some vests are water cooled. Some frozen and some carry ice blocks in them.
My packing list:
CamelBak with lots of ice in bladder.Chill bladder in refrigerator overnight add ice in morning.
Cooling vest #1 - Arctic Heat cooling vest, activated and in freezer.
Cooling vest #2 - Cool Medic cooling vest in cooler, to get wet right before ride.
Cooling neck wrap, activated and in freezer.
(2) quart size zip locks with ice for inside boots after ride.
(1) sun hoodie from Solumbra
(1) pair fingerless, sun gloves from Solumbra
(3) bandanas in cold water in cooler
(2) gallon ziplocks with ice for cooler
Hat
Layers and
sun shirt
Light weight jeans
4 bottles water at least
2 coconut waters
Banana or orange juice or both
Morning of event: Shentrition Coconut water Water Banana.... I'm ready for this!
And it was a success! I stayed relatively cool, body didn't get out of whack and even placed seventh overall. A good day was had by all.
Homeopathic leg cramp medicine not working!
6/20/12
8:34pm
Stopping the Hyland's leg cramp medicine. Horrible reactions. Quinine scares me!
Ate some great mahi mahi, sorrel, quinoa dinner.
8:13am
Not sure about the Hylands leg cramps remedy. Woke with terrible cramps.not sure what from. Went on walk yesterday and thought was hydrating through the day. But obviously not enough. Today I've had a banana, 2 magnevelures, 2 coconut waters plus four glasses of water so far. Took a warm bath and massaged muscles. Soft tissues tight. Could be from wine last night.
6/19/12
Trying a new leg cramp homeopathic remedy. We will see.
Have been dry brushing at night.
Bathing and soaking with mineral salts
Stretching, yoga
Had a pretty rough night. Took a Benadryl for some poison oak and it kept me up all morning. Too much mixing. All I can handle is 1/2 a klonopin and 1 Tylenol pm.
First things first...
First things first, morning prayer:
For The Common Task
P. 27 pocket prayer book
"Dear Christ, help me to make the common things of life and make them beautiful. Help me to do this today."
Prayer book given to Connie Craven, my grandmother, on May 9, 1965, Mothers Day, by Community Christian Church in Burbank.
Connie was a lovely lady but didn't have an easy life. She made her life beautiful in part with this prayer book. I can see how it effected her to become the angel she was when she returned to heaven. Now I need to learn this way of life. Through Christ and my faith.
MS Research:
Recovery is slow. Two days. Coconut water good but high in sodium. Lots of water retention after long hot rides. Body's natural defense against inflammation external and internal. Warm plus sunny.
Today's ride planned for 70's and shade. Should be nice.
Had good solid sleep after a day of wine tasting with girls. Came home and drank water. Took 1/2 klonopin and 1 Advil pm. Seems a good mixture but worried about liver and kidney health. Let's explore that more.
Off to get ShenTrition drink and ready for the day...
I'm Back!
Hey there, Its been awhile. Lost focus. Things considered and things changed. Watch this spot and look forward to learning about life with Multiple Sclerosis. Not always fun but pretty darn good at times. After a recent six week relapse this MS survivor is coming back strong. If it doesn't have to do with family, friends, fun, food or fishing, it's not on my agenda. Of course horses belong in the fun category.
Tomorrow is a big day. For those with MS you understand our sensitivity to heat but to others it's a continual cool down session in training. My goal is to ride a horse for about 2 hours in the morning in Palmdale in my first trails trials. With two cooling vests, (including this one from arctic heat), a cooling neck band and various other attachments and a chest full of ice, I should be cool, if not maybe mistaken for a terrorist of sorts.
Im training for the heat as part of my MS therapy. Heres a great resource about active bodies and heat in general and helpful for those with MS and are heat sensitive:
Strategies for Training and Competing in the Heat and Humidity: Click Here via @powerbar
My main alternative is to use coconut water for a natural effective hydration program. Check out the health benefits.
For up to date info about dealing with multiple sclerosis check out this site!
Benefits of Yoga for MS
From improving balance to decreasing numbness and tingling the benefits of yoga for multiple sclerosis are seemingly infinite.
This morning I woke weak and nervy from my cold. A long awaited yoga practice came to mind. Not that I was at my strongest or my best but it had been too long. So with iTunes set for my yoga collection a free-flow practice began. Finding my center and moving from there my body began to tear apart like taffy releasing toxins and evil negative energy. Somewhat gracefully but mostly awkward my MS started to subside, seeping away as my hips sink deeper into pigeon. Bear hug brought relief for tension shooting sparks through fingertip nerves. Ending with shavasana after shoulder stand and wheelbarrow released stress as my neck and head settled into the ground. Nervy noni is still here but definitely better. A critical use of time. And one I oft forget.
This morning I woke weak and nervy from my cold. A long awaited yoga practice came to mind. Not that I was at my strongest or my best but it had been too long. So with iTunes set for my yoga collection a free-flow practice began. Finding my center and moving from there my body began to tear apart like taffy releasing toxins and evil negative energy. Somewhat gracefully but mostly awkward my MS started to subside, seeping away as my hips sink deeper into pigeon. Bear hug brought relief for tension shooting sparks through fingertip nerves. Ending with shavasana after shoulder stand and wheelbarrow released stress as my neck and head settled into the ground. Nervy noni is still here but definitely better. A critical use of time. And one I oft forget.
Waterman open for business - Snow good for MS
Our local ski area for over the past seventy years, Mt. Waterman celebrated its opening day of ski season on Friday. Locals haven’t been haven’t able to ski consistently since 1939 mainly because Mt Waterman provides snow the old fashion way, from the heavens above.
Sunday came. Picnic, map, cameras in tow, my friend and I set off. Forgetting that Hwy 2 was closed we headed straight up Angeles Crest out of habit. Detour one, head down to the 210 and head west to Sunland Blvd. Mt. Waterman was smart to leave instructions on their answering machine. Write them down because you may not have cell coverage up the mountain.
For the first time in years there was snow but no way to get to the slopes because of road closures. But it opened this past weekend. For two reasons I wanted to go to Mt. Waterman: Photograph the locals enjoying some Southern California spring skiing. And most importantly, have a picnic with a friend in the snow under blue skies and sunshine.
The detour is not difficult, just pay attention and soon enough you will find yourself on Big Tujunga Canyon Road. It was well worth the extra thirty minutes of our lives to see what these mountains had to offer. We lost time as the drive mesmerized us through the devastation of the Station Fire and the renewal from the recent rains. We stopped on several occasions to take vistas and see the Angeles National Forest from a different perspective.
I grew up skiing Mt. Waterman and what was then Kratka Ridge, now Snowcrest, now closed. I worked restaurant and rentals at Kratka Ridge during parts of high school and university. My brother worked Mt. Waterman on several occasions. My sister skied them both. Good stories at family time.
Excited to see snow, people having fun, and families being active, I was looking forward to food at the top of the chair lift. That is one cool thing about Mt. Waterman. For $10 each we got sight-seeing tickets to take the two-man chair lift up the mountain. We got our hands toasty in the Warming Hut. Grabbed some food. Grabbed a picnic table. Took our jackets off, enjoyed the sunshine and watched smiles come tumbling in of all ages and ilk as the boarders and skiers took breaks between runs.
We didn’t take our skiis or boards this time. But from experience and the smiles on folks’ faces we recommend grabbing your skiis and/or board because Mt. Waterman is open this Saturday and Sunday. Even in this 80 degree heat, the north facing slopes of Mt. Waterman and the solid base of snow should provide for fun timed of Southern California spring skiing. You can’t get more local than Mt. Waterman - Praying for snow since 1939.
Snow phone: 818.790.2002
ww.mtwaterman.org
photos at: carolinecraven.com/photography (scroll down for mt. waterman gallery)
Horses and MS
I haven't been writing but I've been riding. Thankfully to good folks at Flintridge Riding Club providing me with a wonderful variety of horses to exercise and play with. The riding takes energy. And I found that I don't have the use of my hands as much for typing after a good day of riding. That is OK - I will taking riding on a beautiful, sunny Caifornia day anytime!
Interesting year thus far. Photography has gone commercial with my new online website service. Stock photography here we come. And insurance application is in for horse training/instruction.
This month has been enjoyably busy with BandBCountryChicken.com. What a blast. Agriculture. Business. Start-up. Friends. Could life get better?
And did I mention my newest project horses? One is "bear" but I call him "moose". and a little old guy named "tucker" needing some rehab. It's all good. Beautiful, sunny skies to ride under. Once the rain has stopped. Like today.
I've had major numbness and pain with my MS but not sure how to deal with it, except take better care of myself. Hmmmm. Yes, that does sound good.
I have another glass of water and meditate before bedtime. that is a small but critical effort for me. Baby steps are fine. We just need movement.
Interesting year thus far. Photography has gone commercial with my new online website service. Stock photography here we come. And insurance application is in for horse training/instruction.
This month has been enjoyably busy with BandBCountryChicken.com. What a blast. Agriculture. Business. Start-up. Friends. Could life get better?
And did I mention my newest project horses? One is "bear" but I call him "moose". and a little old guy named "tucker" needing some rehab. It's all good. Beautiful, sunny skies to ride under. Once the rain has stopped. Like today.
I've had major numbness and pain with my MS but not sure how to deal with it, except take better care of myself. Hmmmm. Yes, that does sound good.
I have another glass of water and meditate before bedtime. that is a small but critical effort for me. Baby steps are fine. We just need movement.
Quiet lately
Obviously I've been quite quiet about my MS. My blogging is way down. My MS I would rather forget right now. I've lost use of my limbs so many times this week I have lost track of counting. The numbness, tingling, annoying pain.
So instead of blogging I've been working on my photography site. I need this for next year and beyond. I'll try to post from the photography service. Been playing around with the UI a bit.
Best and keep me posted on your health. I am serving a healthy plate full of kale and beet greens with garlic along with my KFC. Sometimes you just have to live it up!
So instead of blogging I've been working on my photography site. I need this for next year and beyond. I'll try to post from the photography service. Been playing around with the UI a bit.
Best and keep me posted on your health. I am serving a healthy plate full of kale and beet greens with garlic along with my KFC. Sometimes you just have to live it up!
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