While my humeral fractures heal, the doctor says: No driving, no swimming, no biking, no boogie boarding, no running, etc. My left arm must NOT BE MOVED and must remain in the sling and swath, bound firmly to my side.
This does not mean, however, that working out is out of the question. On the contrary, my parents just bestowed on me a new piece of exercise equipment: a stationary exercise bike! I rode a mile on it yesterday, and it felt great!
So, my weekly workout for this week will consist of:
1) Selected stretching routines from Kathy Smith’s book, Flex Appeal;
2) Walking, both for exercise and for fresh air and sunshine;
3) Belly dancing (modified); and
4) Biking.
I’ll need to be careful to rest and not “over-do”. My body is working hard to repair the damage from the biking accident. My workout needs to be a help, not a hindrance to the body’s mission to restore health and well-being.
As soon as possible, I will add a fifth option to my workout routine: gardening. In the garden one finds healing for the body, soul, and spirit–a feast for the imagination, flavored with beauty, hope, and anticipation.
“Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.” Hans Christian Andersen
Tags: bone health, healing a broken bone, healing a fractured humerus, osteoporosis
On Monday, June 16, 2008, I was gliding down the hill on my daughter’s bike toward my house when I squeezed the left hand break. Little did I know that this action would lock up the front wheel. Over the handle bars I flew, landing full force on my left shoulder. Major ouch! A man who was driving by stopped, hopped out of his truck, and offered help. I was screaming–wailing aloud–and refused to stand. Doubled over and clutching by arm to my chest, I told him I lived at the yellow house only three or four houses away. He ran there to get help. Thank God, my daughter, Kelly, was home! She picked me up in her car and drove me to the hospital. I was still screaming and crying from the pain when an orderly sat me in a wheelchair and took me to the ER.
The ER nurse intended to cut off my shirt and bra, but I refused. This was the black pinstriped shirt that Kelly had given me! I would NOT have it destroyed! We managed to slide it off, as well as the bra, amidst tears of pain. The nurse then inserted an IV and administered a dose of morphine.
A series of X-rays were taken next. Diagnosis: Severe fracture of the shoulder. The neck of the humerus was broken. Treatment? The ER doctor had my injured arm put in a sling and wrapped with a swath to keep it immobile. Then he gave me the number of the on-call orthopedic surgeon, Dr. LeVoire.
We made the appointment with Dr. LeVoire. When we saw him on Wednesday, he said that an active, younger person will usually have surgery to align the bones and have a brace attached or pin inserted to stabilize the bone. However, he said that he did not do that type of surgery. George and I replied that we were seeing another orthopedic surgeon in Orlando on Friday, Dr. George White, who had been recommended by Zoe Paiva. Dr. LeVoire said that Dr. White was an excellent choice–the best.
So, this morning we saw Dr. White’s physician’s assistant, Steven Anderson. Mr. Anderson pointed out that the ball of the humerus was fractured, in addition to the neck, and that other fractured fragments were indicated by the X-rays. He consulted with Dr. White this afternoon. Dr. White wants a CT-scan done of shoulder area. Neither he nor Mr. Anderson think surgery will be necessary, but they just want to be sure. I am glad of that! The CT-scan will be taken on Monday.
In the meantime, I am grateful for all the help, support, and prayers coming from my husband, George, my children, parents, extended family, and friends. I’m also quite heartened that I did not break my hip or vertebrae, as might have been expected in one who is recovering from osteoporosis. God is so good!
I wonder if my bone-healthy diet will help this injury heal more quickly than it would have otherwise? I’ll keep you posted!
Kathy
Tags: bone health, os, osteoporosis, treatment of a broken bone
Here are my top 10 favorite alkalyzing, bone-building foods!
1. Water with lemon or lime. It’s great any time!
2. Tomatoes of all kinds–cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, and those big, juicy on-the-vine tomatoes.
3. Almonds, including raw almonds, almond butter, and almond milk.
4. Broccoli, especially steamed with tomatoes and sunflower seeds.
5. Onions. Saute them with garlic for flavor and an another alkaline boost!
6. Apples. You know the old saying: “An apple a day…”
7. Lentils. Lentil soup is both appetizing and alkalyzing!
8. Sweet potatoes. Yams, too! (No, they’re not the same thing. 🙂 )
9. Greens, especially kale. collards, and romaine lettuce.
10. Grains, especially organic oats, rice, and quinoa.
I always keep these items on hand. Whenever I’ll be away from home for any length of time, I tuck a few of them of them in my lunch box. Then, if I get hungry, I’ve always got something wonderful to eat!
Enjoy!
Kathy
Tags: alkaline diet, bone health, osteoporosis, Top 10
I have a wonderful aunt whom I love dearly who has severe osteoporosis and scoliosis. She was the picture of health when she was younger, and she lived a very active life. Now she is in her 80’s and experiences much back pain. I have shared with her about the benefits of an alkaline diet to improve her bone health, but she says she believes it is too late for her. Because she continues to drink coffee and other acid-producing foods, I believe she is right. It is too late for her because she has decided that she cannot or will not change her diet.
This situation serves as strong motivation for me. Her condition could have been mine in 30 years, if I had given up hope and chosen not to listen to the advice of my doctors. I am overwhelmingly grateful to them, to God, and to all who helped me to make the transition to a healthier, happier way of living. What was once hard and disagreeable is now pure joy!
“[God] lifted me out of the pit of despair, our from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God. O Lord My God, many and many a time you have done great miracles for us, and we are ever in your thoughts. Who else can do such glorious things? ”
Psalm 40:2-3,5
Tags: bone health, faith reflection, Motivation, osteoporosis
What it’s for: “Biochem’s Ultimate Lo Carbâ„¢ Whey contains 100% Pure Ultra-Filtered/Micro-Filtered (UF/MF) whey protein isolate, the finest quality and most easily assimilated whey protein isolate available, with 99% undenatured whey peptides.” For those of us who are looking to add high-quality, easily digestible protein to our diets, Biochem’s 100% Whey Protein is a welcome solution!
What’s good about it: Biochem’s brand of whey protein is all natural and absolutely delicious! My favorite flavor is the vanilla flavor of 100% Whey Protein, but I also enjoy the berry flavor of 100% Berries & Whey -and- the vanilla flavor of 100% Raw Foods & Whey. They dissolve instantly without sticky clumping. Biochem’s whey protein products contain no processed sugars or artificial sweeteners, and are sweetened with only Xylitol, Stevia, and/or evaporated cane juice. They also contain no yeast, wheat, gluten, starch, preservatives, artificial color, or artificial flavor.
What’s bad about it: It’s costs a few dollars more than the other whey protein powders on the shelf, but to me it’s well worth the cost!
It’s better than: Any other whey protein I’ve tried–and I’ve tried a bunch!
It’s not a good as: Cheesecake, cherry pie ala mode, or chocolate chip cookies, but hey! Those foods are bone-enemies that I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole, knowing what I know now about nutrition and bone health.
Why I use this product: It’s so yummy in my fruity protein shakes that it tastes like dessert! Yet, with all natural ingredients and no artificial sweeteners, it’s good for me, too! Most mornings I have a shake with BioChem Sports’ Whey Protein for breakfast. But at night, when my husband eats his frozen yogurt with chocolate chips–which contains the processed sugar and dairy products that I can’t have–I often whip up a fruity protein shake in the blender for dessert. Bone-healthy and scrumptious!
Best place to get it: I buy it at my local health food store, DeLand Bakery and Natural Market, but it’s also available on-line.
For more information about this product:
Visit http://www.biochem-fitness.com/powders.html
Tags: bone health, osteporosis, product review, whey protein
Some people think that staying on this diet is a chore, but the JOYS of bone-healthy eating far outweigh any inconvenience or self-denial involved. Here’s a list of the top 10 benefits!
1. Pain free! No more headaches, muscle aches, joint aches, or aching feet.
2. Clothes fitting with ease! No more stretching and pulling in the wrong places.
3. Maintaining a healthy weight! I have weighed 110-112 for the past six months (down from 142) and wear a size 6 instead of a size 12-14.
4. Easy kitchen cleanup every night! Bone healthy foods don’t stick to the pans the way creamy sauces and sugar-laden foods do.
5. Energy! I have loads of energy for work, play, service, and intimacy. It’s wonderful not to be worn out at the end of the day–or at the beginning, for that matter.
6. Strength! I can lift items as needed, do the heavier yard work, move furniture, etc., without feeling strained and sore.
7. Increased bone density! My bone density is being restored NATURALLY!
8. Drug free! I take NO pharmaceuticals drugs, which is amazing in this day and age. I take only the nutritional supplements recommended by my doctor, in addition to diet and exercise.
9. The great outdoors! A companion to bone-healthy eating is bone-building exercise. After a fruity protein shake, I enjoy running/walking for a mile or two outside in the morning or after school. I would never have dreamed it would be possible for me to enjoy running before I changed to an alkaline diet.
10. Peace and happiness! I feel good about what I eat. I don’t come away from dinners at home or at restaurants saying, “I shouldn’t have eaten that.” Instead, I am grateful for every delicious, nourishing bite to the One who has guided me to this way of eating.
If you’re ready to begin this exciting and enjoyable way of eating, try reading through the Foundations pages of this website first, then look through the recipes and menus to locate some dishes you’d like to try. Diets are most effectively changed one recipe at a time. You can do it!
“Bone” apetit!Â
Tags: bone health, osteoporosis, osteoporosis diet, Top 10
Here’s a delicious alkalyzing recipe that’s good for your bones…and your tastebuds!
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup water
1 cup sliced tomatoes
1 cup sliced onions
1 cup of fresh green beans
1 cup of sliced mushrooms
1 cup of sliced zucchini
1 cup of sliced yellow summer squash
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp Frontier brand Ginger Stir Fry Seasoning
Place vegetables in olive oil and water in a large skillet. Add soy sauce and seasoning, and saute over medium heat until cooked the way you like them. Scrumptious!
If there are any veggies left over, they make a great lunch item! I spoon them into a Rubbermaid TakeAlong plastic container, and pack them in my lunchbox to take to work.
Enjoy!
Tags: , osteoporosis, Recipes
