Medical Marijuana – How I Became A Believer

Unless you live under a rock in the middle of the desert, by now you’ve heard the term Medical Marijuana. Whether you approve or disapprove on the issue of marijuana,  there is no denying the fact that Medical Marijuana use is widespread and appears to be growing every day.

 

I got my first look at the benefits of marijuana when a family member in her late 70s developed cancer. By the time she received her diagnosis, the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes. So, the only recourse was immediate surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The cancer itself was excruciatingly painful. The treatments made her sick to the point of being unable to eat or sleep and without those things she lost all quality of life. Her misery was devastating to witness.

Eventually someone suggested she try marijuana. Out of desperation, she agreed to it.

Suddenly her appetite returned and she was able to rest. And seeing her smile and laugh again was nothing short of a miracle. The transformation left no room for doubt. Marijuana provided relief and that gave her hope and the will to go on. 

Since then, I’ve opened up to the idea of marijuana as a form of medicine. Sure, there are many instances in which its usage is debatable, but when used responsibly, I believe marijuana can make a huge difference. I’m also convinced that very soon, medical researchers will gain the support they need to pave the way for deregulation. When that happens, many lives will be saved.

In the meantime, there is much to learn.

 

What is Medical Marijuana?

Medical Marijuana is a term for marijuana, or the chemicals derived from it,  used solely for medical purposes.

 

What is Medical Marijuana used for?

According to Marcel Bonn-Miller, PhD, a substance abuse specialist at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, “The greatest amount of evidence for the therapeutic effects of cannabis relate to its ability to reduce chronic pain, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, and spasticity [tight or stiff muscles] “

Medical Marijuana is used to treat a number of different conditions, including:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Appetite loss
  • Cancer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Eating disorders such as anorexia
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Mental health conditions like Schizophrenia and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscle spasms
  • Nausea
  • Pain
  • Wasting Syndrome (Cachexia)

 

Cannabinoids: The Key Ingredient

The marijuana plant contains more than 100 different chemicals called Cannabinoids. Each one has a different effect on the body.

Cannabinoids are similar to chemicals the body makes that are involved in appetite, memory, movement, and pain. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are the main chemicals used in medicine. THC produces the “high” people get when they either smoke marijuana or ingest foods that contain it.

 

Research suggests that Cannabinoids might:

  • Reduce anxiety
  • Reduce inflammation and relieve pain
  • Control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy
  • Kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Reduce inflammation and relieve pain
  • Control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy
  • Kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth
  • Relax tight muscles in people with MS
  • Stimulate appetite and improve weight gain in people with cancer and AIDS

 

Which states allow Medical Marijuana?

More and more states are legalizing marijuana to treat pain and illness. Medical Marijuana is legal in 33 states and the District of Columbia. The following states allow only restricted use: Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. 

 

How do you get Medical Marijuana?

In states where it is legal, you need a written recommendation from a licensed doctor. Many states allow for recreational marijuana use and require no documentation from a medical professional. Law specifics vary from state-to-state. To find out what the marijuana laws are in your state, view this interactive map.

Even in states where it is legal, not every doctor is willing to recommend Medical Marijuana for their patients. You must have a condition that qualifies for Medical Marijuana use, and each state has its own list of qualifying conditions. Your state may also require you to get a Medical Marijuana ID card. Once you have that card, you can buy Medical Marijuana from a store called a dispensary.

 

Has the FDA approved Medical Marijuana?

The FDA has approved two synthetic Cannabinoid medicines, Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros) and Nabilone (Cesamet) to treat nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy. 

The FDA recently approved the Cannabidiol, Epidiolex,  for treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome. In studies, some people had a dramatic drop in seizures after taking this drug.


It’s exciting to think that someday soon we’ll be able to reduce or replace expensive medications (with all the side effects that go with them) with a more natural alternative. For those dealing with long-term or chronic conditions such as MS, Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy, that would be a major life-changer.

 

Want to learn more?

There is a lot of research available from reputable medical organizations, as well as a vast number of patient testimonials. 

Here are some links to get you started:

Medical Marijuana FAQ

Marijuana as Medicine? The Science Beyond the Controversy 

Could Medical Cannabis Break the Painkiller Epidemic? 

Marijuana for Chronic Pain

Marijuana for Cerebral Palsy

Map of Marijuana Legality by State

 

DISCLAIMER–The views and opinions expressed here are based solely on personal experience, research and my interactions other professionals in the field of health and wellness. This article is not a diagnose, or medically based advise. Your experiences and sentiments may differ from my own. If you are suffering from any serious medical condition, you should consult your doctor or naturopath for a diagnosis.

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Is Plastic Food Storage Wrap Your Sustainability Achilles’ Heel?

Sustainability tip: Why you should switch to reusable food wrap

You’ve swapped plastic grocery store bags for reusable cloth totes. You haven’t purchased bottled water in years. You even bring your own bamboo drinking straw to parties. But is plastic food-storage wrap your sustainability Achilles’ heel?

Then check out the bevy of new brands crafting reusable food wrap from beeswax-coated cotton fabric. Made by melting nontoxic beeswax (and sometimes jojoba oil and tree resin) into the fabric fibers, the cloth becomes pliable in the warmth of your hands. Use it just like plastic wrap around half an avocado, a bowl of cherries, a baguette or anything else to protect food, ward off mold and keep food from drying out. Each beeswax cloth can be washed by hand in warm water and hung to dry and lasts for about a year.

Another welcome difference between plastic wrap and beeswax cloth: a slightly honeyed scent that wafts from the cloth during use. We love it!

Try it out:

Abeego Reusable Beeswax Food Wrap, Medium

This beeswax wrap protects food from air and moisture, and mimics natural and porous lemon peel and onion skin to let your food breathe.

Khala Cloths Multi Pack

Preserve food by wrapping it with this beeswax wrap and sealing with the warmth of your hands. The blend of organic beeswax, coconut oil, and natural tree resin created for Khala Cloths will adhere to itself, keeping food fresh until you are ready to use it again.

 

Author: Jenna Blumenfeld

Thank you to  Author, Jenna Blumenfeld and  New Hope Network Blogger CO-OP

 

 

 

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Is your spice cabinet out of control

Are you are you feeling like your spice cabinet out of control? Do you have bottles, zip bags and boxes of spices haphazardly strewn inside your cabinet space?

Lots of folks only clean out their spice cabinet when moving, or when they run out of room.
If you didn’t know this already, spices don’t last forever. Since they’re usually one of the more expensive pantry items, it’s really worth taking the time to inventory what you have to be sure you use them before they’re bad.

Here’s how to do it! Use this guide on how to take stock of what you have, figure out what to keep or throw out, and how to put your spice cabinet back together.

Throw Out the Old Spices
Unlike fresh food, spices don’t actually spoil or go bad. What does happen, though, is that they lose flavor and potency over time. Old spices won’t season your dishes in the same way and can add disagreeable, flat flavors.

Dependent on the type of spice and what form it is in, shelf lives do differ:
Ground Spices – 1 year
Whole Spices – 1-2 years
Dried, Leafy Herbs – 6 mos. to 1-year tops
If you are unsure of how long you’ve had the spices, and can’t find an expiration date, use your senses. Ask yourself, does the spice in question still have a strong scent? Does it have the beautiful deep color that it once did? Grab a pinch, does the fragrance of scent come up when you rub it between your fingers? If the answers are no, then it’s time to dump and replace it!

Clean and Reuse
Once you’ve tossed out the old spices, you may want to keep the bottles — I sometimes reuse them for homemade spice blends, dried orange, lime or lemon peels or keeping thumb tacks, screws, buttons or other tiny household items. Just make sure the cleaned bottles are totally dry before reusing

Consolidate
If you have more than one of the same spice that’s already open, merge them together to save space.

Expiring Soon
Take a dive in to check those expiration dates moving the ones that are just about finished or expiring to the front. From here on out, when you bring new spices home, grab a permanent marker and note the expiration date , big and bold where you can’t miss it.

Where to Store your Spices
Resist the urge to store your spices near your stove, atop the oven or on your window sill. Your spices will hold up much longer when stored in airtight containers, away from heat and light. My favorite place to store spices is in a cabinet or drawer within reach of my prep area.

Your Spice Staples
There are several spices I always have on hand. These are the ones that are often in recipes.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention My Sage Gourmet’s collection of Artisan blends. Most of the seasoning ingredients that makeup our blends, come from my own garden. I grow, harvest and hand- blend each of my tried and true combinations with a few locally unobtainable exceptions. My Sage Gourmet blends are here to help you create unique, delicious healthy, easily. Dishes with ease.

I love to cook-a lot which means I am always cooking up new blends based on mine and my clients tastes and experimentation-It is so exciting to create something bold and new.

Beyond My Sage Gourmet blends, these are the spices I have on hand much all the time:

Cumin – Buy it in seed or powder form. It is a typical ingredient in many spice blends, such as curry powder. Cumin is a staple spice in many cuisines, especially Mexican, Indian, African, and Asian.

Bay Leaves are best whole and dried and can be ground down easily. They may seem like a spice that is easy to forget about, but they are a silent, nuanced enhancer of yumminess. My two favorite ways to use are roasted whole chicken and soups.

Black Peppercorns – Fresh is Best. I like these best when purchased whole. Invest in a pepper grinder!

Cinnamon-baking for sure but also instead spicy dishes, like a cinnamon-lemon chicken.

Coriander Seed is a whole spice or ground make an excellent addition to beef goulash, curry, fish and grains. Adds just a little sweetness to food.

Red Pepper Flakes are a must have for any spice rack, as they heat up sauces, add an extra pop to pizza, and taste delish in many types of stews and soups.

Smoked Paprika (Sweet) is another essential, as the depth of its flavor does a lot for everything it is added to. Generally, when a recipe calls for Paprika, Sweet is what they are referring. Sprinkle on deviled eggs, chicken or pork for starters. I found this great recipe by Jamie Oliver.

Nutmeg works like magic for many vegetables and tastes wonderful in savory foods, like grains, pork and even eggs. I add a bit to my whole grain pancakes along with orange peel for extra flair. I prefer shaving from the whole nut using a fine metal cheese grater.

Basil is another herb that makes itself known in Italian cuisine, though it does also come up in French cooking as well. I keep a jar on hand at all times. Super easy to grow but since the summer heat causes it to bolt too fast. I just can’t grow it year-round.

Rosemary is unlike most other spices because it doesn’t lose much flavor as it cooks. This is a spice that is unique in its ability to be added to a dish early on.
Cayenne Pepper is excellent for Cajun or Southern United States inspired dishes. Cayenne pepper gives a nice spiciness to many dishes.

Ground Cloves are excellent with meats and add a lot to holiday baking. They are also delicious with fruit and in marinades.

Turmeric is found in a lot of different curry powders and gives a nice yellow glow to many foods. TA hot trend right now due to all the health benefits.

Cardamom Powder intensifies both savory and sweet flavors. It is light and floral with notes of citrus.

Allspice Powder was historically used to preserve and flavor meat. It is warm while also maintaining a slight pungency.

Ginger Root Powder is present in a lot of Asian cuisines. It gives a distinct heat and flavor to every dish.

Sage is popular in England and in Greece. This herb is mostly popular in America for stuffing during the holidays, but we think it is an essential spice because it does so much for fatty meats. It tastes excellent with things like veal or lamb.

 

Of course, a spice list aimed at helping someone get their spices in order wouldn’t be complete without My Sage Gourmet’s spice blends.

Savory Spring blend combines just the right amount of savory to show off any spring recipe. We cannot do without it. Delicious on beef, chicken, pork, fish or grilled vegetables. Mix it into a dipping sauce or dressing or add to your favorite grain.

Summer Garden Blend- Classic summer flavor anytime. Best on veggies, fish, poultry and pork.
Get the summer feels at any time of the year!

Oven Roasted Garlic- Come on, need I say more! Our most popular blend. It is our famously tried and true blend. We add it to many dishes for that savory, familiar taste but without the bulk that garlic cloves add to a dish. Garlic mashed potatoes-Hello!

Tuscan Herb Rub- Try it on boneless, skinless chicken, salmon steaks, lamb or in your next marinara sauce.

Herbs and Coffee Rub-This aromatic and versatile blend can be used as a cooking ingredient, a classic rub or for additional seasoning at the table.

Chili Lime Rub – This spicy salt blend adds a zesty kick to your favorite dishes. An essential addition to any pantry. Delicious on chicken, pork, fish or grilled vegetables. Great with guacamole, or add a pinch to your salad dressing for that wow factor.

Herbs De Provence Sea Salt- Celebrating the signature flavors of France, this aromatic seasoning is an essential addition to any pantry. Our versatile blend can be used as an ingredient in cooking, or to season foods at the table.

Maple Seasoned Black Pepper– The perfect seasoning for any kind of meat, poultry or fish. A delicious addition to egg dishes, soups or stews. Try it on butternut squash, sweet potatoes or asparagus.

Southwest Seasoning– A delicious addition to any shrimp, fish, pork or poultry dish. Use it to spice up your tacos, quesadillas or Spanish rice. Or add a pinch to your eggs, soups or stews. We like to rub it into our chicken before it hits the grill.


Summer Sale Happening Now!
20% off our most sought after seasoning blends!
Plus Free Shipping on all orders over 50.00!
Use coupon code MYSAGESUMMER at check out
Hurry ends August 30!

Now that you know what you have in your spice drawer and where everything is, it’s time to get cooking! If there’s a certain blend of spices that you make often, save some time by making a big batch so you don’t have to measure out multiple spices each time. If you feel like you should use spices more often, keep small bowls of your favorites out on the counter as reminders.

Do you have any spice storage tips to share?

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Going gluten free as a senior

  While learning to live a gluten-free lifestyle can be daunting to anyone, it provides unique challenges to seniors over age 65.

As awareness of gluten issues grow, more and more people – including seniors – are being diagnosed with celiac disease and gluten allergies. While learning to live a gluten-free lifestyle can be daunting to anyone, it provides unique challenges to seniors over age 65.

Here, we address some challenges seniors going gluten-free may grapple with.

 

 

 

 

 

Getting diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity

Once considered a disease that affects mainly children, doctors now know that gluten issues can affect anyone at any age. But for older people who may be grappling with other health issues, getting a proper diagnosis can be tricky because the symptoms mimic those of a number of other ailments.

To get a proper diagnosis, you’ll want to first rule out celiac disease, an auto-immune disorder caused by gluten that attacks the small intestines. Celiac affects 1 percent of Americans, says Lola O’Rourke, the education supervisor at The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America. That translates to about 400,000 adults over age 60.

A celiac screening test is a simple blood test and the key to this test is to get screened before you take gluten out of your diet, says O’Rourke. Otherwise, “you’re going to have a potential false negative.”

If you don’t have celiac, the next step is to test yourself for “non-celiac gluten sensitivity,” which affects about 18 million Americans, or six times the number of those who have celiac, according to the Beyond Celiac website.

“There isn’t a test for non-celiac gluten sensitivity. The only way to know if you have it is to give up gluten for several weeks and then binge on it. If you feel really bad, then you probably have it,” says Jane Anderson, a medical journalist who writes about the gluten-free lifestyle for Verywell.com and who has been gluten-free since 2003.

The good news is most gluten issues can be managed with diet alone, and the growing awareness of the gluten-free lifestyle means living gluten-free has never been easier.

 

Dining out

Many restaurants these days have gluten-free options labeled on their menus, making dining out for gluten-free seniors much easier.

Here are some tips:

  • Call ahead to find out if a restaurant has a gluten-free menu or gluten-free options
  • Inform your waiter that you are gluten-free, not by choice, but because of serious health reasons
  • Speak to the chef and ask for menu accommodations or recommendations

“The beauty is now if you say, ‘I’m gluten-free,’ you don’t get a blank stare, you get, ‘oh yeah, my mother or my aunt is gluten-free,’” says Anderson, who has written many articles for Verywell on dining out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gluten-free eating at home

 

Dining at home is always a gluten-free person’s best option. You don’t have to worry about cross-contamination on a cutting board or someone adding a dash of flour as a sauce thickener.

But while there are a ton of gluten-free labeled processed foods (no need to give up beer, bread, crackers or even cereal), seniors should consider sticking to the basics, such as: dairy, fresh fruits, meats and veggies.

Why? Because for seniors, “your caloric needs go down, but your need for nutrients goes up,” says O’Rourke, who is also a registered dietician. Processed foods, even the gluten-free ones, can be unhealthy.

What’s more, there’s no reason a gluten-free lifestyle should be limiting.

“We encourage people to really explore ethnic cuisines. There’s a whole world of Asian, Indian and Mexican cuisines that don’t rely on gluten-filled ingredients at all,” says O’Rourke.

To learn more about gluten-free food options, see “What Can I Eat” from the Celiac Disease Foundation.

 

 

Grocery shopping

Anyone on a gluten-free diet needs to become an expert label reader because many foods contain gluten, especially processed ones.

“The biggest issue is learning where to look for gluten. You can’t just say, ‘I’m going to give up bread and cookies.’ It’s nowhere near the only gluten in everything,” says O’Rourke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some tips to follow when reading labels, according to Celiac.org:

  • Check for obvious glutens: barley, brewer’s yeast, malt, oats, rye, soy, wheat.
  • “Wheat-free” does not necessarily mean “gluten-free.” When in doubt, go without.
  • You can generally trust the “gluten-free” label because the FDA regulates gluten in food.

 

 

Prescription medications, supplements and vitamins with gluten  

Seniors with a gluten intolerance need to be careful managing over-the-counter and prescription meds, many of which contain gluten in their

binding agents.

Both Anderson and O’Rourke recommend seniors make friends with their pharmacist. The pharmacist can check if your meds contain gluten and help find an alternative for those that do. Because binders can change in a prescription, you should have the pharmacist check every prescription with every refill.

Anderson also adds that “it’s easy to do supplements because a lot of them are gluten-free and the companies want you to know it,” says Anderson, who orders her own supplements on Amazon and finds that many companies label their products “gluten-free.”

She does caution, however, that “it’s unusual, but not unheard of, to find a supplement that has gluten.”

Learn more at Celiac.org and Glutenfreedrugs.com, a searchable prescription and over-the-counter database that is managed by a pharmacist.

 

Searching for gluten-free senior living

One of the biggest problems gluten-free seniors face is finding an assisted living or long-term care community that can accommodate their specific dietary needs.

Communities that provide long-term care must provide a diet prescribed by a doctor, but assisted living and retirement facilities do not, Ronni Alicea, a dietician specializing in gluten-free diets in healthcare facilities, said to the Gluten-Free & More website.

Still, more and more residences are adopting gluten-free menu options. Grandview Terrace in Sun City West, Arizona, and GenCare Lifestyle communities in Arizona and Washington are all gluten-free certified.

Not all seniors can afford or want to move far away to a community that specialize in their needs. So how to find a place that can work with you? You can start by researching residences and setting up appointments.

 

“You have to talk to the people in charge of the food – the dining coordinator or dietitian or the staff on consult,” says Anderson, who recommends that you “don’t just ask, ‘can you do gluten-free.’” Instead, ask them to walk you through a week’s worth of menus.

Also ask to speak to other gluten-free residents who can tell you straight out if the food is good, if the community really sticks to a GF menu and if there is variety and a lot of options so you won’t get bored.

 

This article originally appeared on aplaceformom.com.

Author: Julyne Derrick

https://goo.gl/rMG84n

DISCLAIMER–The views and opinions expressed here are based solely on personal experience, research and my interactions other professionals in the field of health and wellness. This article is not a diagnose, or medically based advise. Your experiences and sentiments may differ from my own. If you are suffering from any serious medical condition, you should consult your doctor or naturopath for a diagnosis.

 

 

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IT’S GIVEAWAY TIME

Spring Giveaway! 

My Sage Gourmet and The Swag have teamed up for a Spring Giveaway.

To Enter- Head over to Instagram, find @mysagegourmet   and simply follow the rules to enter

 

THE RULES:

Follow @mysagegourmet and @theswagusa and tag a friend.

Enter as many times as you’d like to increase your chances.

A set of winners (tagger and tagee) will be picked by our team.

Contest ends on the first day of Spring-March 20 @ 12:00pm PST

 

 

What’s up for grabs

Each Winner will receive The Swag Bundle includes each of the Swag Produce Bags (Small, Long & Large) and The Grocery Shopping Bag.

Winners must live in the U.S. and be 18 years or older to enter.  This giveaway is not associated with Instagram.

Please visit the http://www.theswagusa.com to learn all about this incredible product line.

 

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