Do you enjoy reading this free on-line newsletter? Do you appreciate the fact that there are no sponsoring commercial ads cluttering the pages? Then please consider making a contribution to help keep them coming.  I have always wanted Betty's house to be commercial free, and that is still my intention.  And I never wanted it to be paid subscription only.  But be that as it may, everything connected with the website and newsletter costs money, and I cannot do it alone. Even a small amount helps and is greatly appreciated. 

Any contribution you would like to make may be sent to Iams House, 139 Inner Circle, Davis, CA  95618, or by credit card here.  I have a new shopping cart that makes it easy for you to make a donation.   YOU make the website and this newsletter possible.   Without your help both will disappear.  For those of you who have recently made a donation, many thank yous and big hugs.

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1. Archives of recent issues of Journey to Wellness are always available here. If you are a new subscriber I suggest you take one archived issue each week and really study the material covered.  Over a period of a year Journey to Wellness covers just about every aspect of the healthy natural lifestyle that I recommend for MS.
    

2. If you wish to send an e-mail to me, please be sure to use one of the following as the subject:
      
              "Order" if you are writing concerning an order           
              "From a Newsletter Subscriber" for all other correspondence

    Some Thoughts on Choices

For those of you who have been with me for some time, or have read my books, you are familiar with how often I stress that most things, if not everything, in our life is brought about by our choices. I know that life sometimes can be a little scary because we don’t always like what we create, but being in charge is so empowering! I try to always remember that I have the power to recreate. I can choose again and again.  I am in the driver’s seat; I am therefore empowered, and life is great!

I am often asked, "Do you mean that I created this __________ (whatever - you fill in the blank)? Yes! The human mind is capable of incredible things - both positive and negative. It is the most powerful creative force in the universe as we know it. And our mind is always creating, consciously or subconsciously.

I don't know about you, but my guess is that you, like me, want to create CONSCIOUSLY. When we hand that responsibility over to our subconscious, then all our old programming comes into play - the "I'M NOT ENOUGH," the "I DON'T KNOW HOW", the "I CAN'T DP THAT," etc., all that "stuff" programmed into our subconscious from the time we were born.

At birth our subconscious mind is a blank, and from the day of our birth thE programming of our subconscious begins. Our parents, our teachers, our peers, and of course today a big part of that programming is done by the media.

The media and advertising have programmed us to believe that we need to take pills (chemicals) for everything! Why? Because the pharmaceutical industry is profit driven and they want us to be dependent upon them, either physiologically or psychologically. 

I do not for one minute believe our body was designed to have chemicals put into it. Physicians have also been brainwashed by the pharmaceutical companies that "side effects" are outweighed by the so-called benefits of their potions.

A couple of years ago I took an 8-week "Mini Medical School on Aging" at the University of California at Davis, and the head of the gerontology department at the UCD Medical School taught us that when he sees patients at the UCD clinic (seniors), it usually takes him several months to get them off all the meds they are taking. He said when they come into his clinic they are mostly ill from the meds - many times 12 or 14 different prescriptions from various physicians. He said that most patients (1) didn't know what or why they had been prescribed, (2) knew or thought some of them were to offset side effects of other drugs, and (3) they were afraid to stop taking them!

The same relationship exists between the media and prepared foods manufacturers.  Many people exist today on what I call man-made non-foods.  The huge food preparation companies are a very powerful economic force worldwide.

I strongly believe that we should spend our dollars on healthy, wholesome food that we cook at home and not on foods prepackaged in some factory, and then we won't have need for pharmaceuticals that alter our body's healthy bio-chemical balance. I challenge you to opt for healthy choices.

How do you change those old, self-limiting beliefs that have been instilled in your brain? Reading positive materials and books [many of which I have reviewed in detail in this newsletter over the years] is one way, but probably the most effective is positive affirmations. A few examples are:

        I AM HAPPY, HEALTHY AND AT PEACE WITHIN
        I AM FILLED WITH VIBRANT, ABUNDANT ENERGY
        I AM A VERY SPECIAL LADY (or man)
        I LOVE AND ACCEPT MYSELF IN EVERY WAY, EVERY DAY

Those are enough to get you started. Write some yourself that are meaningful for you. Just be sure they are in the present tense — I am, I have, etc.

Still skeptical?  That's OK. Just ACT AS IF...You may borrow my belief until you develop your own! All I know is that it works.   

I always begin my day, before I get out of bed, with, "THIS IS A DEVINE, BLESSED AND INFINITELY ABUNDANT DAY - GOOD THINGS ARE COMING MY WAY."  That sets my attitude on a positive path. As I get out of bed for a few minutes I continue repeating that affirmation several times OUT LOUD! Who am I talking to? The "me" that resides inside, my own subconscious.

How many times should one repeat an affirmation? As many times as you need to.  Let's take the "I am a very special lady (or man)" above. You may need to say it 100 times each day - out loud - until you really believe it, deep inside your psyche. I suggest you say each one of them many, many times each day, in order to drill them into your psyche; in order to change old negative programming.

In From MS to Wellness I suggested one stand in front of a mirror, nose to nose with your image, look deep within your eyes (remember your eyes are the windows to the soul) and talk to your self, your subconscious, out loud. It is the most powerful tool for change - healing - that I know of.

Please know that:
                    You Can Heal (Change) Your Life

Also remember that your answers are always inside of you. And the best way I know to connect with those answers is through regular daily meditation. If you need help getting started, there is a basic meditation report available at www.BettysHouseLifeAfterMS.com/Meditation.htm, with expanded instructions in Four Steps to Overcoming MS. Send me a e-mail if you have specific questions or need help with meditation.

 

The Greatest Power in the Universe is
not Willpower but Mind Power.

                                                                     - Burt Goldman   

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself
In the service of others."

                                                                                                                       - Ghandi

  Bon Appétit - Healthy Food Tips and Recipes 

Grilled Salmon with Herbs
Makes 6 - 4-ounce servings.

If you've never grilled salmon, then try this recipe. I think it is great. It also works well in a 375 degree oven. Either way, enjoy.

        1-1/2 lbs. fresh salmon
        2 T olive oil
        1/2 t. dried dill or basil
        1 garlic clove, finely minced
        1 T lemon or lime juice
        salt and pepper to taste

Prepare grill. In a small bowl, combine oil, herbs, garlic, lemon or lime juice, salt and pepper. Using a pastry brush, brush salmon with herbed mixture.

Cook on barbecue until done. Salmon is done when it flakes when tested with a fork. If you cook your salmon in an oven, watch it carefully the first time as cooking times will vary from oven to oven. You want it to be flaky, but not dry. You may prefer your salmon soft, in which case you will want to use a covered dish. Either way, spray or brush with a little oil.

NOTE: This recipe also works well encased in parchment paper, then baked in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 10-12 minutes.

How To Make a Crust-less Quiche

One of the things I enjoy the most in life is creating with food in my kitchen. This do-it-yourself "recipe" is one I love. I can make a lovely quiche out of whatever I have on hand. (It makes a lovely vegetarian quiche)

Making a crust-less quiche is not much different than making a regular quiche. Actually it's easier, as there is one less thing to fuss with. You do need some fat in the recipe to make it easy to remove from the pan, but unless you are making a super-low-fat version (using fat free milk, for example), you don't need to worry about greasing the pan.

Here's what you need:

▪   9" pie pan (Pyrex works well, or dark metal. Shiny metal isn't as good.)
▪   Whisk or blender for egg/custard mixture
▪   Other ingredients as desired

Here's how:

1. Prepare the solid ingredients - sauté and season any raw meats and vegetables. About 1 to 1½ cups of these ingredients work well for one quiche - more if there is no or little cheese. About 1½ to 2 cups total solid ingredients for a 9" pie pan is about right.
2. Spread meats and/or vegetables in a deep-dish pie pan.
3. Spread shredded cheese on top of the other ingredients.
4. Make the custard, using either a bowl with whisk, or (my favorite) a blender. A standard quiche might use 4 eggs to 1 and 1/2 cups of liquid, and this amount works well for a deep-dish 9" pie pan. You can use cream or milk (or Rice Dream if you are following a dairy-free food plan). Include seasonings as desired. I like to use salt, pepper, an herb or two if not already in the pan. A little mustard powder adds another layer of flavor.
5. Pour the custard over the solid ingredients, and put onto center rack of 375 F. oven for 30-45 minutes.
6. Begin checking at half an hour. You want the outside to be done (a knife inserted comes out clean), but the center will be soft. (It will continue to cook after removing from oven.)
7. Remove from oven. The center will cook in a few minutes. You can eat it warm, cold, or room temperature.

I like to serve it warm with a dollop of fat-free sour cream. It is almost better the next day, either heated in the microwave, or served cold with a salad. Spinach or asparagus are two of my favorite veggies. If you are using spinach, cook (or thaw), and squeeze all the water out before adding it to your veggies. Another one of my favorite things to do is just before putting my quiche in the oven, liberally sprinkle with shredded fresh Parmesan and/or Romano cheese.

Tips:

1. Make sure all ingredients other than the egg are fully cooked before adding to the pan.
2. When you are layering ingredients, heaviest go in first, and cheese last.
3. If top is browning too fast, cover with foil.
4. Sprinkling the top with a little paprika is a nice touch.
5. You may of course make your quiche with a crust, but I much prefer it without the fat and calories of a crust.

Soft-Serve Banana "Ice Cream"

Frozen bananas rival soft serve when given a whirl in a blender or food processor. Trust me, it's AMAZING: no fat, no cholesterol, no added sugar, just creamy and sweet bananas!

4 frozen bananas (1 banana per serving)

Place frozen bananas in a blender or food processor. Pulse several times to break into smaller pieces, then turn on and run for about five minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. The bananas will start to resemble soft serve in a few minutes. Transfer to a bowl and place in freezer for about 15 minutes, if you'd like, or serve immediately.

Makes four 1/2 cup servings

NOTE: You may top with various toppings. I like a sprinkle of walnuts. A friend likes a topping of pure maple syrup mixed with about 2 teaspoons of dark cocoa powder.

Pesto Vegetarian Lasagna
Serves 4

8 ounces whole-wheat lasagna noodles
1/3 c. packaged pesto
15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
4 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/3 c. chopped fresh basil
1/4 c. toasted pine nuts (toast gently in a dry skillet until golden)

1.   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions and set aside.

2.   In a bowl combine the ricotta, basil, and pine nuts. Set aside.

3.   Spray an 11 1/2 X 3 x 7-inch baking pan with cooking spray. (I use a 12" square corning ware baking dish.) Spread one-third of the pesto in the bottom of the pan. Cover with half the noodles. Spread half the herb-ricotta mixture over the noodles. Repeat with another one-third of the pesto, the remaining noodles, the remaining herb-ricotta mixture, then cover the whole thing with the remaining pesto. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the top.

4.   Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through and bubbling. Let sit for about 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Note: Leftovers are great when reheated in a microwave. You may also pass marinara sauce at the table to serve, drizzled on the top.

    FROM MY MAILBOX

Once in a while I receive an e-mail that literally brings tears to my eyes, and this is one of them. I ask Karen if I might share it with you. Karen is newly diagnosed, and with an attitude like hers I have no doubt that she will succeed in her journey to wellness. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

Good morning Betty. I'd like you to know how grateful I am to have found your website. March 26th will remain a wonderful miracle to me. You gave me a renewed hope to keep my mind directed to overcoming this challenge we've both experienced. I've been glued to my laptop enjoying all the newsletters which you have so thoughtfully shared with so many.

I can tell you are remarkable and a gift to me. You have a beautiful manner dealing with people, You've really inspired me, I started my day being grateful for you. Love, /s/ Karen D.

Thanks so much, Betty, for making the CCSVI story so easy to understand. Now when I read the research stories I feel like I know what they are talking about. Thank you for all you do. I look forward to reading the newsletter every month. I also especially liked your "Act as IF . . ." and Qi Gong videos availability on You Tube. Thanks again. /s/ James D

Thank you, James, for sending along that lovely note.

Dear Betty,

I have been reading regularly your monthly newsletters which are a great help to me as I am on the way to recovering from MS myself.  I have one question about diet which you may know the answer to: Are coffee and green tea ok to drink while on the BBD? Kind regards. /S/ Saskia J.

Hello Saskia. Thanks for the lovely compliments on the Journey to Wellness newsletter. It's nice to hear from you. In a word, the answer to your question is YES! I have a cup of coffee every morning when I first get up and during the day I brew a cup or two of tea - any kind. Most of the benefits we read about for green tea apply to "black" tea as well.

Hi Betty,

I used to receive Journey to Wellness. The last one I received was July, 2009. Please put me back on the list. Thanks. /s/ Barbara R.

Hello Barbara.  Welcome back! The newsletter has published almost every month for the past 13 years. For about 2-1/2 years now it has been available at my website. You may always go to www.BettysHouseLifeAfterMS.com and click on "current issue" and it will take you to the latest newsletter.

If you will go to www.Twitter.com/iamshouse you may sign up to receive a short e-mail from me when a new newsletter is posted to Betty's House. On my Twitter page look at the bottom of the column on the right, click on "RSS Feed" and follow the instructions. I only use that Twitter page to send brief messages about newsletters or my Natural Health blog.

There has been so much important MS Research News recently that I suggest you review the last several month's issues. Just click on "archives" and you will see all the archived copies. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Again, welcome back.

Hi Betty,

I just found your site today. I think what you're doing is great! I was diagnosed with remitting-relapsing MS about 6 years ago. Last year I really started progressing and was told it wasn't a relapse. I was starting a cupcake business, and the sugar was really harming me but I didn't know it. Since then, I am seeing a naturopath and having great results. The neurologist wanted me to get a cane and I refused. Now I can walk at least a mile. The dizziness in my head is completely gone. I see improvements every day.

The neurologist did want me to get on Tysabri and I refused. He had no proof that it would help me, and I didn't think the 1 in 4,000 patients dead was great odds (and he didn't think that should be a concern). I am starting a nonprofit (charity) for individuals who need financial assistance with holistic healing and advice. We are in the beginning stages, and in a few months we'll have our first fundraiser to help with the startup costs.

I am looking forward to reading about more information from your site. . . Keep up the good work. You are definitely making a difference! Nanci N.

Hello Nanci,

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was very sweet of you to send me a note. I am so glad you found me. Some times it feels like trying to convince the MS community to help themselves is a little bit like spitting into the wind! - But I keep trying.

My kind of MS - Primary Progressive - doesn't have periods of remission, so it really was a big deal when I first stopped the progression, and then after years of staying on the program I reversed the neurological damage. But even with that success with my program, I get bombarded with people who have MS themselves and yet they are not interested in what I have to tell them.

There are probably lots of psychological reasons for that, but mostly they don't believe my story, or in their body's ability to heal itself. I am so glad to hear that you discovered the nutritional "poison" that we call processed sugar, and that you rejected Tysabri (a most dangerous drug), and instead decided to get on with your life. Actually all healing begins in our head!!!

Do keep in touch. Incidentally I suggest to all people who are new to my website and Journey to Wellness newsletter that you work backwards from the current issue and study all the issues in the newsletter archives. And be sure to sign up to follow me on Twitter and you'll get a brief note from me when each new issue of the newsletter is posted at the website.

NOTE:  I have had several e-mail exchanges with Nanci since this first one, and her plans for a non-profit foundation are progressing.  She lives in Orange County, California and will let us know when she launches the new foundation.  Good Luck Nanci.

  Featured Exercise DVDs and Books

I absolutely do not believe anyone can prevent
the tendency of MS to progress without a
consistent gentle stretching and deep breathing exercise program

The worst aspects of MS, including the acute fatigue that plagues many, respond very positively to gentle exercise.  Such a deal!  And it really doesn't matter what level of disability one has.  Many exercises can be done either standing, seated, or lying down.  And deep breathing — which is so essential — can be done any time and any where.

I am often contacted by readers about various Qi Gong programs they have purchased that they cannot or do not use.  I understand.  I have many, many different DVD programs in my personal library, but most do not work for me either.  That is the joy of the Tai Chi/Qi Gong for Seniors routine, as well as Yoga for MS.  They are designed specifically for people with limited mobility.  They are simple and easy, perhaps deceptively so.  At first they almost seem too simple.  But over time when you really learn to work with them and do the simple movements in a slow, meditative way, the benefits are enormous.  Both have been practiced successfully for centuries in many countries of the world.

When combined with the Qi Gong techniques in The Healer Within book, the Tai Chi/Qi Gong for Seniors and Yoga for MS programs are superb healing tools.

~ Fitness must be a Way of Life ~

Over the years I have evaluated personally many exercise programs, and the absolute best overall that I know of are:

Tai Chi for Seniors by Mark Johnson
Yoga for MS by Shoosh Crotzer, and
Gentle Fitness by Catherine MacRae. 

I am very confident in recommending them.

FOUR STEPS TO OVERCOMING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS includes just about everything I have learned in my own journey to wellness.  It is an easy to read, understand and follow e-book guide to the management of Multiple Sclerosis using the healthy lifestyle approach that I practice and recommend.  It incorporates each of the four areas, exercise, meditation, diet, breathing techniques, and supplements.   This book includes an extensive recipe collection as well as an all inclusive guide to the Best Bet for MS food plan.  It also includes a complete guide to our Internal Guidance System.

THE HEALER WITHIN is an excellent book by Roger Jahnke, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, which is truly the "bible" of Qi Gong and oriental medicine. 

Link to pricing, availability and order information

Research News

Those of you who have been with me for some time know that I come from an MS family (three generations with it), and while everyone who has MS has other family members with it, there is a strong familial predisposition toward MS. Since my own diagnosis I have had an interest in learning more about that tendency. The following recent research report I found very interesting.

What role for genetics in the prediction of multiple sclerosis?

Sawcer S, Ban M, Wason J, Dudbridge F.
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.

For most of us, the foundations of our understanding of genetics were laid by considering Mendelian diseases in which familial recurrence risks are high, and mutant alleles are both necessary and sufficient. One consequence of this deterministic teaching is that our conceptualization of genetics tends to be dominated by the notion that the genetic aspects of disease are caused by rare alleles exerting large effects.

Unfortunately, the preconceptions that flow from this training are frequently erroneous and misleading in the context of common traits, where familial recurrence risks are modest, and for the most part the relevant alleles are neither rare, necessary, nor sufficient. For these common traits, the genetic architecture is far more complex, with susceptibility rather than causality resulting from the combined effects of many alleles, each exerting only a modest effect on risk. None of these alleles is sufficient to cause disease on its own, and none is essential for the development of disease.

Furthermore, most are carried by large sections of the population, the vast majority of which does not develop the disease. One consequence of our innate belief in the Mendelian paradigm is that we have an inherent expectation that knowledge about the genetic basis for a disease should allow genetic testing and thereby accurate risk prediction. There is an inevitable feeling that the same should be true in complex disease, but is it?

ANN NEUROL 2010;67:3-10.

CCSVI Update

I know that most of you are closely following the rapidly developing story of CCSVI (see last month's Journey to Wellness). Now we have a lecture by Dr. Michael D. Dake, Department of Cardiothoriac Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, entitled CCSVI and MS. Dr. Dake's lecture brings us up to date on the current CCSVI research. It is designed for fellow physicians, but is very interesting and telling at the same time.

It is beginning to look more and more like we are on the verge of unraveling the MS mystery.  Please take the time to watch this video report.  It is available in two You Tube videos. The links are as follows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adbVIR1h7h8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IuuJKuZiKg

Global Study to Compare Tysabri, Glatiramer Acetate, and Interferon Beta-1a in Relapsing-Remitting MS

CAMBRIDGE, Mass -- March 26, 2010 -- The first patient was enrolled yesterday in a global phase 3b, randomized, rater-blinded, active-controlled study designed to evaluate switching to natalizumab (Tysabri) from glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) or interferon beta-1a (Rebif) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The SURPASS study is expected to enrol 1,800 patients in 27 countries and provide direct comparative data of different treatment options for RRMS patients who experience breakthrough disease activity.

"Despite being on therapy, many MS patients still experience disease progression, resulting in loss of physical abilities and permanent damage to the central nervous system," said SURPASS trial advisory committee member Richard Rudick, MD, Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. "Currently, there are limited data to inform decisions about how to switch in patients who have disease activity while on therapy. The goal of the SURPASS study is to provide those data so physicians can improve treatment decisions and outcomes for their MS patients."

A significant number of MS patients continue to experience clinical relapses and disease progression despite treatment with disease-modifying therapies such as glatiramer acetate and interferon beta-1a. The SURPASS study, a large, well-controlled comparative trial of MS treatments, will evaluate switching to natalizumab versus staying on or switching between glatiramer acetate and interferon beta-1a and determine whether early use of natalizumab in the treatment algorithm ultimately leads to better outcomes.

"[Natalizumab] … is bringing hope to many MS patients," said Alfred Sandrock, MD, MPH, Neurology Research and Development, Biogen Idec, Cambridge, Massachusetts. "By evaluating [natalizumab] against other MS treatments, our goal is to provide the data needed to make better treatment decisions and improve patients' lives."

SURPASS will enroll patients with RRMS, ages 18 to 60 years, with a baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score from 0.0 to 5.5. Patients must have been treated with a stable regimen of either glatiramer acetate or interferon beta-1a as their principal first therapy for MS for 6 to 18 months prior to randomization. Patients must also have had disease activity within 12 months prior to screening defined as 1 or more clinical relapses or 2 or more new MRI lesions (Gd+ and/or T2 hyper intense lesions).

The primary endpoint of the study is the annualized relapse rate. Secondary endpoints include the change from baseline to 48 weeks in T2 lesion volume and the proportion of subjects who remain free of disease activity, defined as no clinical relapses, no new Gd+ lesions, no new or newly-enlarging T2 lesions, and no sustained progression on EDSS.

Additional study objectives will evaluate the safety and tolerability of switching to natalizumab.

Participants will be randomized in a 2:1:1 ratio to 1 of the following groups:

▪ Group 1: 900 patients will receive natalizumab 300 mg intravenous (IV) every 4 weeks
▪ Group 2: 450 patients will receive interferon beta-1a 44 mcg subcutaneous (SC) 3 times per week
▪ Group 3: 450 patients will receive glatiramer acetate 20 mg SC once daily.

SOURCE: Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc

Fiber News

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition just published a study (March 10, 2010) that found dietary fiber is associated with increased leukocyte telomere length. Recent studies have found leukocyte telomere length (or the length of specific white blood cells) as a strong predictor of inflammation and diseases of aging, including cancer. The longer the length, the lower the risk of chronic disease, and vice versa.

More good news about the benefits of a high-fiber diet.  Please read my natural health blog on Probiotics vs. Fiber.  If you haven't yet checked out my Betty's House Natural Health blog, you'll be surprised to find all the information included there.

I hope April is a great month for you.  And remember, spring really is just around the corner. 

{{hugs}} to all.

Betty
PLEASE NOTE:   I AM NOT A MEDICALLY TRAINED PERSON, AND I DO NOT GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE.  BUT I HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS STUDENT OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOR MANY YEARS, AND I HAVE DEVELOPED A PROGRAM THAT HAS KEPT ME SYMPTOM FREE FOR A LOT OF YEARS NOW SINCE PRIMARY PROGRESSIVE MS FIRST MADE ITS APPEARANCE IN MY LIFE.