Unless you’ve been under a rock all week, you have probably heard about the government task force that has recommended new guidelines for breast cancer prevention.  It goes something like this…

If you’re younger than 50 or older than 75, you no longer have to worry your pretty little head about breast cancer, or getting those pesky boob squishing mammograms.

Hallelujah!  I wonder how long it will be before we go back to giving women Valium for chest pain?  Who needs preventative care when it’s not 100% effective anyway?  Hell, just go ahead and give us anti-anxiety meds for all of our ills…I’ll betcha we save a bundle on healthcare costs. Women already outlive men by a bunch of years, maybe this will even things out a bit…Isn’t equality what we’ve been cryin about all these years?

OK, I know, I went a little too far with my analogy.  But seriously, this is what’s going on…

*Read full post at catherine-morgan.com

The Great American Smokeout happens every year on the third Thursday in November, and it has been going on each year since 1977.  This is a day that smokers all across the country are encouraged to not smoke, or at least cut back on their smoking for one day.  Each year millions of smokers participate in the smokeout in the hope that this one step will be the catalyst to their quitting permanently.

On the American Cancer Society’s website you can find a lot of great information to help you with this challenge…

• Reasons to Quit
• Guide to Quitting Smoking
• Planning your Quit Day

You can also read about the history of The Great American Smokeout here.

From Suite 101…

The American Cancer Society uses this yearly event to not only draw attention to the health issues and dangers that accompany smoking, but also to point smokers who struggle with quitting towards the many resources and tools available to them.

It has been proven that success in quitting smoking is greatly increased when smokers have support. This support can come in a number of ways. The ACS recommends that smokers eager to kick the habit employ one or more of these resources:

• nicotine replacement products (such as the patch or gum);
• counseling;
• prescription medication to lessen nicotine cravings;
• joining a stop smoking support group;
• using telephone smoking cessation hotlines;
• guide books;

Are you a smoker?  Will you be abstaining from smoking for the Great American Smoke Out?

Here’s a look at some of what other women are blogging about quitting smoking…

READ THE FULL POST AT catherine-morgan.com

World Diabetes Day:  A Blog Roundup

In honor of Word Diabetes Day I’ve decided to do a blog roundup of women blogging diabetes.  Most are blogs by women who are living with diabetes, and others are women blogging about parenting a child with diabetes.  I’ve also included several informative links and resources at the end of this post.

If you blog about living with diabetes or World Diabetes Day, please leave your link in comments.

*read full post at catherine-morgan.com

Do you know someone who suffers with Alzheimer’s disease?  Or someone who is a caregiver to a loved one with this devastating disease?  If so, you understand the heartache associated with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Who are we without our memories of past experiences?  For most of us, the though of losing our memories to Alzheimer’s disease is horrifying.  But there is much more to Alzheimer’s than memory loss.

*Read full post at catherine-morgan.com

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month.  I hope this post will provide information and facts about epilepsy, while also showcasing women blogging about life with seizures.

Here are some epilepsy facts from CURE Epilepsy…

• Epilepsy affects over 3 million Americans of all ages – more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease combined. Almost 500 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed every day in the United States. Epilepsy affects 50,000,000 people worldwide.
• In two-thirds of patients diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause is unknown.
• Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be a result of genetics, stroke, head injury, and many other factors.
• In over thirty percent of patients, seizures cannot be controlled with treatment. Uncontrolled seizures may lead to brain damage and death. Many more have only partial control of their seizures.
• The severe epilepsy syndromes of childhood can cause developmental delay and brain damage, leading to a lifetime of dependency and continually accruing costs—both medical and societal.
• It is estimated that up to 50,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from status epilepticus (prolonged seizures), Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and other seizure-related causes such as drowning and other accidents.
• The mortality rate among people with epilepsy is two to three times higher than the general population and the risk of sudden death is twenty-four times greater.
• Recurring seizures are also a burden for those living with brain tumors and other disorders such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, tuberous sclerosis, and a variety of genetic syndromes.

I found this video on a blog called My 3 Peanuts – It is a very informative video that explains exactly what happens during a seizure.

Understanding Epilepsy…

READ FULL POST AT catherine-morgan.com

Is it possible to eat cookies and lose weight?  Well, Dr. Sanford Siegal would certainly like you to think so.  After all, at $56 for a week’s supply, Dr. Siegal is going to make an estimated $18 million this year selling his weight-loss cookies.   It’s called The Cookie Diet, and if you like cookies it may sound like a great way to lose weight.  But is it?

Usually, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.  And apparently the first deception about this diet is calling it a cookie.  The word “cookie” implies that it’s a yummy treat, but it seems everyone agrees they don’t taste very good.  Also, the meal-plan for the cookie diet restricts the dieter to only one meal a day, and less than 1000 calories.  Anytime you restrict calories that low, weight-loss is inevitable (with or without the cookie).

A friend of mine tried these cookies because someone she worked with seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight using them.  But she told me the cookies were very dry and not tasty at all.  She also said she would never buy them again, because they didn’t work.  When I asked her about the co-worker that had lost so much weight using the cookies, she mentioned that she saw the guy recently, and he had gained all the weight back.

Here is more about The Cookie Diet…

READ FULL POST AT catherine-morgan.com

Anti-depressants have been in the news a lot recently.  There are new questions about anti-depressant use and the risk of suicide.  Questions about why anti-depressant use seems to be on the rise.  Questions about the risks of using anti-depressants during pregnancy.  And questions about the safety of using anti-depressants in adolescence.  Unfortunately, there are more questions than answers.

For me, these types of questions boil down to…Do the benefits outweigh the risks? And there is no right or wrong answer, I believe these questions need to be addressed on a case by case basis.

As with everything in life – Knowledge is power.  So in this post we will take a look at the latest news surrounding anti-depressant use, as well as links to information on diagnosis and treatment of depression.

READ FULL POST AT catherine-morgan.com

The latest research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has it linked to a cancer-causing retrovirus…

Last week I was reading a lot about the latest research linking Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) to the XMRV Retrovirus.  Some of the articles even implied that people suffering with CFS (like myself) should be excited at the possibility that this news could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of CFS.  But, it’s not exactly good news for CFS patients, especially for patients hoping for a cure.  Here’s why…

Read full post at catherine-morgan.com

I’m honored to be a member of the American Cancer Society’s Blogger Advisory Council, a small group of volunteers that advises the Society on its social media strategy. Part of our mission is to help spread the word that we have power in the fight against cancer. And our first step is to build awareness and encourage women to get involved. Visibility equals power! So we have started a blog “chain” to spread the word among women bloggers. We call it Bloggers for More Birthdays.

You can help me…Join Bloggers for More Birthdays by dedicating a blog post to someone you love who’s been affected by cancer. It’s a simple way to celebrate those you love. Just write a post (like I’ve done here), host our badge, and know that whatever you write, you are helping to raise awareness and inspiring others to join American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer.

Here is my contribution to the Bloggers for More Birthdays Campaign…

Becky was my best friend.  A wonderful mother.  And a great mom-mom.  Even though she’s been gone for over seven years, a day rarely goes by that I don’t think of her and wish she were here.  Time has helped to replace some of my grief with many lovely memories, but it hasn’t healed my anger towards the disease that took her from us.  Cancer.

I hate cancer, and I hate that my friend didn’t get a chance to be a survivor.  Why her?  She deserved to be a survivor, she deserved to have more birthdays.  She fought this disease with every ounce of strength she had, but in the end cancer took away every ounce of strength she had.

Although I’m angry, I’m also grateful for the time I did have Becky in my life.  She was there for me during some very tough times.  I know I’m who I am today, partly because of her influence in my life.  I only wish I was able to thank her for that.

No matter how much time goes by, I will never forget the angel she was…and still is.

If you’ve posted, let The American Cancer Society know so they can feature it! Just put a link to your post in the comments section here, or email your post to bloggersubmit@officialbirthdayblog.com.  You’ll be showing your support for More Birthdays and bring visibility to your blog.

This is a post in honor of breast cancer survivors.  They are women sharing their stories of hope, struggle, determination, and survival.  Some are in words and some are in video.

*Read full post at catherine-morgan.com

Avoiding Candy Cravings During Halloween and Sticking To A Healthy Diet

I have been successfully off of sugar since my post Conquering Sugar Addiction:  The First Step Towards A Healthy Diet (and the toughest), but I know I am always just one bite of a brownie away from falling off the wagon.  And now there is another huge temptation – Halloween.  It seems like everywhere I go I am faced with those giant bags of Halloween candy.  The next few weeks are going to be a real test of my new-found willpower.

It’s nice to know I’m not the only one struggling with Halloween candy temptations.

*Read full post at catherine-morgan.com

Let’s talk about fear.  Are You Afraid of Breast Cancer?  If so, you’re not alone.  Cancer is a scary thing…And all the pink in the world can’t change that.  Sure, pink ribbons may be pretty, but breast cancer is ugly and scary.   Here are some facts about breast cancer…

• An estimated 182,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2000.
• Approximately 42,200 deaths will occur in women from breast cancer in 2000.
• One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.
• Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.
• Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.
• Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50.

Many women are blogging about their breast cancer fears.  From little fears to big fears.  They have fears of mammograms, fears of treatments, fears or recurrences, fears of dying…and on and on.  What are your breast cancer fears?

READ FULL POST AT catherine-morgan.com

I’m sure you’ve heard that October is breast cancer awareness month.  The problem with breast cancer awareness is that being aware is only helpful if you can actually do something about it.  And in the case of breast cancer, that something is getting a mammogram.  Sadly, not every woman can afford to get a mammogram.

READ FULL POST AT CATHERINE-MORGAN.COM

I recently posted this on my Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome blog, but I thought it would be good here too.

I don’t normally recommend products on my blogs, but as a person suffering with chronic illness I know how important it is to share information that could benefit others. I started using these products about a year ago, in the hope of boosting my immune system, and increasing my energy. I believe it has done both of these things and more, I just feel so much better on the days that I use this product than on the days I don’t.

This product has the potential of benefiting your health in so many ways…And for anyone looking to generate an income, the company also offers a very simple way to do that too.

These products have really increased my quality of life.

It’s by a company called Isagenix. They have many products but I’ve been using three.

The first one is a nutritional shake. They come in Vanilla and Chocolate (and they actually taste good). Even though it is “technically” a meal replacement, I often use it as a supplement between healthy meals.

The shake contains 23 grams of the highest quality New Zealand whey and casein protein from grass-fed cows with no added hormones or antibiotics, as well as filling fiber, calcium and vitamins to support the body’s vital functions.

This perfectly balanced shake also contains Ionic Alfalfa™, our proprietary blend of 70 super-charged minerals, trace minerals and alfalfa juice. Active enzymes in each serving helps maximize the absorption of key nutrients.

Here is the nutrition information for the IsaLean Shakes…

The second product I use is called Isafruits. You can use it separately, but what I usually do is add it to my shakes (the vanilla ones).

I like the IsaFruits because I know I am not getting nearly the amount of fruits in my diet as I should, and this makes it so easy. If you are someone who doesn’t get enough vegetables in your diet (I personally don’t have a problem with that), they also have a product called IsaGreens you could try.

IsaFruits makes it easy for you to get your 2–4 servings of fruits every day. It tastes great and has only 1 gram of sugar and 15 calories per scoop. Benefits from drinking IsaFruits regularly can range from improved mental clarity and skin to supporting your immune system. You may also experience:

• Greater energy
• Fewer signs of premature aging
• Protection against illness*
• Greater overall health

Here is the nutritional information for the IsaFruits…

And the third product I’ve been using is called Ionix Supreme.

This is what I take a shot of first thing in the morning, it’s like a little kick-start for my day…And it’s good for you too.

Ionix® Supreme will provide the nutritional fuel you need to help you be at your best all day, every day.

Our scientifically balanced formula is filled with adaptogens that help neutralize the effects of stress and power performance.

The antioxidants in Ionix® Supreme fight damaging free radicals and help preserve health.

In addition, the whole food concentrates and our proprietary blend of trace minerals provide the foundation for outstanding health.

Here is the nutritional information for the Ionix Supreme…

So…These are the three products I try to use every day, and when I don’t I definitely notice a difference. I’m not trying to push them on anyone, but after a year of using them I really believe in them.

When it comes to the price…It’s hard to compare because there really isn’t anything on the market that compares (I’ve even recently gone into a retail store that sells all kids of supplements…and they say they have nothing that compares to Isagenix). But I did notice that all of their shake products were more expensive than Isagenix…And my son has actually tried some of the retail shakes for body building and he says they taste awful.

This is the cost…

The Isagenix shakes are $49.00 if you buy off the website, but $37.00 if you become a distributor (my mother became a distributor so I could get the products for less money). The canisters are equal to 14 meal replacements, but like I said…I use them as supplements and one canister lasts me about a month.

The IsaFruits are $43.00 if you buy off the website, but $32.00 if you are a distributor. This is about a three month supply for me.

The Ionix Supreme is also $43.00 off the website, and $32.00 if you are a distributor. This is about a two month supply for me.

So I’m spending about $64.00 a month.

At first this seemed like a lot of money to pay, but when I started using it I realized it was worth every penny to feel as good as I feel when I’m using them.

And even though my mother only became a “distributor” so I could get the products at the lower cost…I’m seeing how this could also be a good business opportunity for someone who is unable to work outside the home or just wants to make some extra money.

It’s so simple…When you sign up they actually give you a working website for your customers to go to, with all the product information, videos, and an online shopping tools (so you never have to worry about collecting money, shipping, or anything). For example – This is my mother’s Isagenix website…

http://francesellen.isagenix.com/us/en/products.dhtml

Anyway, Isagenix has many other products too…

A Weight Loss Plan

An Athletes Sport Health Plan

A Healthy Lifestyle Plan

I’m just telling you about the ones I use on a regular basis (and that I love). If you would like to order any of the Isagenix products, you can just click on my mother’s link (above). If you’re interested in getting more detailed information on the products or how you can become a distributor…I can get you into contact with the woman who has all of that information. She is a cancer survivor who swears by this product. Just let me know in comments and I’ll get you hooked up with her…once I get your comment I’ll delete it.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Birthdays:  How do they make you feel?

Today is my birthday.  Should I be stressed because I’m getting (and looking) older?  Or should I be grateful for the opportunity to have another year of life?

I know the politically correct answer is – be grateful.  But truthfully, it’s more of a mixed bag for me.  I admit that I like it when people tell me that I don’t look my age (even when I know they are probably lying).  But at the same time, I really am thankful for every day of my life.  And overall, I’m more grateful for turning 23 33 43 than stressed about getting older.

This summer I was honored to be asked to become part of The American Cancer Society’s Blogger Council.  The American Cancer Society is trying to change the way women think about their birthdays through their More Birthdays Campaign…

To most people, birthdays are just a reminder that they’re getting older. But at the American Cancer Society, “Happy Birthday” is a victory song, because a world with less cancer is a world with more birthdays. And that’s definitely something to celebrate.

More than 11 million Americans who have survived cancer—and countless others who have avoided it—will celebrate a birthday this year, thanks to the progress we’re making together to help people stay well and get well, to find cures, and fight back.

So I’ve declared The American Cancer Society the official sponsor of my birthday.  Here is the link to my American Cancer Society Birthday Page…

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/catherinemorgan

Let me know what you think, and feel free to also leave a small donation to The American Cancer Society.

Women blogging about birthdays…

READ FULL POST AT CATHERINE-MORGAN.COM