Ingredients

 2   racks of baby-back pork ribs

 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce

Rib Rub

2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons tabasco sauce

Directions

1.  Lay each rack out on a heavy duty foil sheet.

2. Mix Rib Rub into a thick paste and use your hands to rub it into the meat. You want to rub a thin layer all over without leaving any gritty deposits. It will stain the meat a rich red color. Work the rub into the meat for at least a minute (I hate doing this but it must be done!). Store extra rub in the refrigerator.

3. Wrap tightly in foil. I lay the racks vertically on long vertical sheets. I fold over the top and bottom, then bring the sides up so they are even and fold over and crease, then roll down until the seam is flush against the meat. Be careful not to allow the bones to puncture the foil (I usually use two sheets to prevent this) all your good juices will leak out!

4. Refrigerate until ready to start cooking (the longer they sit the stronger the flavors will be, however you can cook straight away if desired), you can do this the day before if desired or at home if taking to a picnic or campsite.

5. When ready to start cooking place all foil wrapped racks on a rimmed baking sheet or large roasting pan, the packets will leak and your oven will be a big mess otherwise. You can pile them all on, they don’t have to be arranged.

6. Bake at 300°F for 2 1/2 hours, I have cooked as many as 8 racks for that same time without any difference, although if your ribs are very thick you may want to increase the cook time a bit or if you just want to delay you can cook them at 250°F for four hours.

7. At this point, remove a rack and careful unroll the foil to check if they are done, the bones should be loose in the meat (you should be able to remove a bone just by pulling it with your fingers). If they are still tight, put it back in for another half an hour or so, keep checking.

8. Transfer finished racks (carefully!) to the grill. Baste each side of each rack with barbecue sauce (this rub works will with a slightly-sweet mesquite) and finish them over a high flame for about 10 minutes, get a good crust, be careful not to let it stick.

Vitamins are divided into two basic types; water soluble and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body and need to be replenished every day. Fat soluble vitamins can be stored and are used as the body requires them.

Vitamin B1-Thiamine

• Water soluble
• Helps break down carbohydrates in the body, aids in digestion, and nervous system functioning.
• Found in whole grains, brown rice, beans, peanuts, pork and milk.

Vitamin B2-Riboflavin

• Water soluble
• Needed for healthy growth of skin, nails and hair, breaking down of protein, fat and carbohydrates and normal function of important enzymes.
• Found in milk, and other dairy foods, yeast, green leafy vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish.

Vitamin A

• Fat soluble
• Important for good eyesight, normal growth, healthy cells structure and to increase appetite.
• Found in liver, cod liver oil, egg yolks, milk products and yellow fruits.

Vitamin B3-Niacin

• Water soluble
• Necessary for proper blood circulation and healthy functioning of the nervous system.
• Found in whole grains, lean meats, fish and poultry.

Vitamin C

• Water soluble
• Boosts the immune system by protecting it from viruses and bacteria, healing wounds, increasing cell life, and reducing cholesterol and plaque build-up.
• Found in citrus fruit, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin E

• Fat soluble
• Essential for normal brain function, cell structure, and the formation of red blood cells.
• Powerful antioxidant that helps to fight against pollutants and toxins
• Found in whole grains, nuts, sprouts, soy beans, vegetable oils, eggs and green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin B12

• Water soluble
• Important for the normal development of red blood cells, nerve formation, aids the body in absorbing carbohydrates.
• Found in dairy products, eggs, beef, pork and fish.

Vitamin D

• Fat soluble
• Essential for strong bones and teeth, proper absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the digestive tract.
• Found in sunlight, milk and milk products, eggs, tuna, herring sardines, and cod liver oil.

Vitamin B6

• Water soluble
• Helps to prevent skin diseases, helps the body to maintain blood sugar  levels and absorb protein and carbohydrates,  essential in making of hemoglobin

• Found in pork, fish, organ meats, eggs, and dairy products.

Folic Acid

• Water soluble
• Important for the production of red blood cells.
• Found in eggs, pumpkin, carrots, apricots, beans, and green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin K

• Fat soluble
• Important for clotting of the blood. Plays a role in the production of a clotting factor called prothrombin.
• Found in dairy products and green leafy vegetables.

Picnics, family reunions, tailgating…. I love summer!  This is one of my favorite recipes!

Ingredients

• 1 package (3.4-ounce) instant vanilla pudding
• 4 cups fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries), washed and hulled, plus extra for garnish
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 24 to 36 ladyfingers

Instructions

1. To make the fillings, prepare the pudding according to the package directions and chill it.
2. Slice the strawberries, if you’re using them, then toss all of the berries with the lemon juice and the 1/4 cup of sugar. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the berries to release their juices.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream, vanilla extract, and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form. Set aside.
4. To make the layers, set a layer of ladyfingers (around 7 or on the bottom of a large, clear serving bowl (ours was 4 quarts). Top with the berries with half of the pudding.
5. Add another layer of ladyfingers, another third of the berries and juice, and the rest of the pudding. Add a final layer of ladyfingers and berries. Top with the whipped cream and a berry garnish.
6. Refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Serves 8 to 10.

The above recipe is from Familyfun.go.com

The Benefits of Water

Did You Know?

• The human body is anywhere from 55% to 78% water depending on body size.
• Muscle consists of 75% water
• Brain consists of 90% of water
• Bone consists of 22% of water
• Blood consists of 83% water

Water:   

• Transports nutrients and oxygen into cells
• Moisturizes the air in lungs
• Helps with metabolism
• Protects our vital organs
• Assists our organs in absorbing nutrients
• Regulates body temperature
• Detoxifies
• Protects and moisturizes  joints
• Can help reduce muscle spasms and cramps
• Reduces fatigue

All cells in the human body need water, so drink up!!!!  

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay cheque.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t mess up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special  occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words “In five years, will this matter?”

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative: dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Myofascial Pain…Muscle related pain

Some of the most common symptoms of TMD are muscle pain and jaw dysfunction.

The most common causes of muscular related pain are:

    Bruxism:

• For many patients bruxism is mild and requires little treatment. Cases that  involve severe grinding and clenching can lead to long term TMD problems such as damage to teeth and gums, breakdown of bones, inflammation and muscular dysfunction. Treatment can include biofeedback, stress management, medication, and the use of a night guard.

Poor Posture:

• Sitting for extended periods of time without moving, or working at a computer can lead to tightening of neck muscles and developing sore points in the back of the neck and shoulders. These are commonly called trigger points and can lead to referred pain to other areas of the jaw and face. Forward head posture may lead to shortening of the back and neck muscles. Treatment may include trigger point massage,  physical therapy and learning ergonomics (how to avoid work habits which create excessive amounts of static work and how to reduce the amount of unnecessary muscular force they are applying to their bodies).

 Injury:

• Muscle pain occurs when there is a direct trauma or over-exertion to the muscle that may result in tears in the muscle fibers. TMD muscle pain in the jaw can be the result of clenching, grinding which in turn can cause the muscles that are used to support the joint to go into spasms. Treatment is usually focused on getting the muscles to relax.

Orofacial Pain (Nerve Pain)

     Trigeminal Neuralgia (T.N.)

• The pain from T.N. affects lifestyle as it can be triggered by common activities such as eating, talking, shaving and brushing teeth. Wind, high pitched sounds, loud noises such as concerts or crowds can aggravate the condition in many patients. The attacks are said by those affected to feel like stabbing electric shock, burning, pressing, crushing, exploding or shooting pain. These episodes of intense facial pain may last from a few seconds to several minutes or hours. The trigeminal nerve has 3 branches. One branch supplies nerves to the eye area, one to the cheekbones and upper teeth, and the third to the lower teeth and jaw. There is not a general consensus on what causes T.N.  The first line of treatment is generally medication for pain as well as antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

 Atypical Odontalgia

• This type of nerve pain is generally triggered by a dental injury to the root canal of the teeth or the gums. It may progress to chronic persistent pain. Dental treatments generally do not help even when the tooth is removed the pain may persist and also may move to an adjacent tooth.It is important to note that these types of pain do not respond to dental procedures and should be avoided until a complete history and exam is done of the muscles and nerve functions of the head, neck and face. CT Scans, MRI’s or simple x-rays will help in deciding what treatment is indicated.

 Stress Related Orofacial Pain

• It is not uncommon for muscle tension to increase at times when stress levels are high.  With TMJ Disorder the tension may trigger clenching and grinding which in turn results in jaw pain. It can be a very vicious cycle. If initial treatment of TMD is not successful anxiety may increase. Anxiety turns into depression, and depression increases the pain by lowering defenses to fight against it.  Generally the initial pain is targeted, and reducing anxiety and depression is addressed. Anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed.

Joint Related Pain

      Osteoarthritis

• A degenerative condition of the temporomandibular joint. A slow process that generally has no pain associated with it in the early stages. There may be grating sounds in the joint during movement. CT scans are used to verify changes withing the joint.

     Inflammatory Disorders

• The joint can be affected by trauma or infection. You may feel tenderness when pressing on the joint and/or pain on opening.  Inflammation can also be the result of arthritis. Treatment may include heat, ice, anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics.

Healthcare professionals and patients alike often call ALL facial pain “TMJ disorder,” when in fact, there are many causes of this type of pain that may not even be jaw related.
As you can see from reading this list, facial pain comes in many types and can have many causes. If you’re suffering from pain, it is important that you get a definitive diagnosis so that you’re able to move forward with the type of treatment that is best for your particular type of pain.

 Having TMJ disorder has really limited my ability to eat fresh things so I decided a few months ago that I wanted to get creative, do something  more than just a blender to get my veggies/fruits in.  I looked into juicing and was really happy with the things I read. Here are my top 5 things I love about it.

1. Juicing is TMJ friendly and quick

2. Juicing can boost your immune system and help your body resist and fight infections or help fight inflammation.

3. Juicing will help to break down the vegetables, making it easier to  assimilate, so you will receive most of the nutrition. Freshly pressed juices provide enzymes as well      as vitamins and minerals that are easily assimilated.

4. The fruits and vegetables you use in juicing are very high in antioxidants, which are revered for their anti-aging properties. But antioxidants also improve circulation, contribute to cardiovascular health, enhance brain function, and reduce the negative effects of stress

5. You can add a wider variety of vegetables in your diet. Many people eat   the same vegetables, raw or cooked, every day. Foods should be rotated to prevent  developing allergies. With juicing, you can juice a wide variety of vegetables that you may not normally enjoy eating whole.

My goal with juicing is purely to replace the veggies/fruits that I would normally eat in a day, so when I juice I don’t prepare a lot…I make it more of a side dish to go with my regular meals once or sometimes twice a day or as a snack.  If I would normally eat  1 ½ cups of salad for lunch then I instead juice 1 ½ cups of cabbage or some other green, and then I throw in 1 carrot and half an apple. I sip on my juice while eating my regular meal(soft/no chew food).  I am currently juicing twice a day but I know people that only do it once a day and just do greater quantities.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes:

• 1 ½ cups cabbage, 1 carrot and 1 apple
• 2 apples, ½ beet and ½ lemon
• 2-3 slices of fresh pineapple,2 oranges(peeled),1 apple,1 kiwi
• 1 cup cabbage, 1 apple and 1 kiwi (this is my very favorite)

I’ve been reading up on juicing and have come to find that you can really try and juice just about anything, spinach, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, celery, kale, etc.  I can’t say I would want to juice all of those, but at this point I’m ok with trying new things and seeing what I can come up with and maybe even like. I also love the nutrition that I’m getting.

Since starting my juicing journey (6 weeks now) I also came across something very interesting. I started having heart burn, stomach aching (before juicing)  and my doc said he thought I had an ulcer, well after doing a lot of research I found out that cabbage juice has been shown in clinical studies to heal gastric ulcers and help with problems like IBS.  So instead of taking another round of medication (like pain meds aren’t enough with TMJ) I decided to juice cabbage and sure enough my heartburn and stomach aches went away. It made me feel great that food was helping my body and it makes me want to continue juicing because I know I’m getting great nutrition with it.

I’ve been asked a few times, how did I choose my juicer?   I researched juicers for a few days and decided that because I was unsure that I would love juicing I wanted a juicer that had great reviews, was under $300 and had a decent resale value in case I really didn’t like it.  I chose to go with the champion juicer.   This juicer was highly rated, it is an American company that has been around since the 50’s and I really loved that aspect, knowing that I could get replacement parts very easily was a comfort.  I also had a friend who has had her champion juicer for 15yrs and it’s never broken.

Click here to view the juicer on Amazon

Do you juice? Share your tips with us!

Take Care of Yourself
1. Keep a pain journal. We have a free download here:
http://www.tmjhope.org/managingpain-flare-up/

2. Get some fresh air everyday.

3. Yoga is great for your sense of well being

4. If you have a loved one or friend who is having a hard time empathizing
with you, invite them to TMJ Hope so they can see what you and
others are dealing with.

5. Chat, vent, rant, ask questions, and share on TMJ Hope. We are here to
support you every step of the way.

6. I know you have heard it before……take baby steps. Feeling good and
over doing today could make tomorrow miserable.

7. Have all the tools you will need for your recovery ready.. Heating pad,
ice packs, bandages, pillows, pre-made and frozen smoothies, straws etc.

Entertain Yourself
1. If you have young children, play your favorite classic board games with them.

2. Purchase or rent an entire season of Sex In The City (or one of your favorite
TV series)

3. Let your kids read to you…….it makes them feel involved.

4. Rent some classic movies…….I love An Affair To Remember!

5. Books on CD are great!

6. Go to the end of the internet and back

7. Download all your favorite music

Be Productive
1. Get rid of those nagging piles of paperwork, catalogues and bills.
Sort them out and file appropriately (most of mine goes in the
circular file)

2. Start planning your next vacation.

3. If you knit or crochet start some early gifts

4. Plan your next garage sale and inventory what you plan on getting rid of.

5. Prepare the honey-do list for the resident handy-man. If you don’t have one,
this is a great time to take friends and family up on their offer to help.

6. Plot out your summer garden, choose the plants you will need

7. Keep a diary of your recovery. It will give you a better perspective
on things,and is a great way to help and support others

What tips do you have???