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An old friend called. It has been years since we talked and odd that we were both complaining about the aches and pains that have beseiged us. And that led my friend to share some of her remedies for success.
She started by recommending a book called “Quench,” a treatise on the value of staying hydrated for optimum health. I never heard of it of course and I was intensely interested so immediately purchased that book. It all made perfect sense and I began to implement the suggestions.
Quench, by Dana Cohen:
“Based on breakthrough new science in the field of hydration, Quench debunks many popular myths about “getting enough water” and offers a revolutionary five-day jump start plan that shows how better hydration can reduce or eliminate ailments like chronic headaches, weight gain, gut pain, and even autoimmune conditions.”
Another area my friend spoke of was a concept called “earthing” or “grounding”, both of which advocate so many minutes of the day going barefoot outside in the grass or on the ground such as at the beach. That also made perfect sense. I grew up going barefoot in Florida.
However, being older now and living in a mountain paradise instead of seaside:
- Earthing would expose one to tick bites and onward to Lyme Disease, which is a prevalent problem now in Virginia.
- We sometimes get serious snow and ice here too and going barefoot might result in frozen toes, gangrene, and possible amputation.
- Of course there is always an alternative and they do sell mats and things that can be plugged in to electrical outlets that would give you the grounding benefits and allow you to stay inside.
- On the other hand, being a worrier, I would fear electrocution!
- Or in the worst case, the only thing I would have to fear is fear itself, which would ground me so that I would be afraid to even leave the house (shades of Elsa-the-Dog).
As for Quenching:
- I think the hydration idea is good. I actually tried it, but it did not work since I was i up all night with runs to the bathroom. In the end I suppose the need for sleep became more important than the need for hydration.
- In reality, I still believe hydration is terribly important for good health, so I would not discount quenching as a positive therapy. You can find the book, “Quench” on Amazon.
In my case, however, it became choices between Lyme Disease, amputation, and sleepless nights.
To be sure, I do not wish to make fun of my friend’s remedies. They are really working for her and she is so excited about her discoveries, she wished to share. And I love her for that.
Earthing is a concept that is still floating (forgive the pun) around in my head anyway and if I could get by the electrocution part, I might invest in one of those mats.
“… Throughout history, human beings have walked barefoot on the ground, releasing electrical tension naturally and preventing its accumulation. When the human being is in contact with the earth, either because he is barefoot or through any conductive object, whether it is a metal bar, a wire, a tree or a plant, this silent energy from the earth is transferred naturally…” Author unknown.
Well, I’m all for barefootedness, but around here you’d have to pick your spot more carefully than we did when we were kids. I do go barefooted at work from time to time, but not in summer — the boat decks are too hot.
I do take dehydration seriously. For one thing, our muscles, our brain, our kidneys — even our bones — contain high percentages of water, so everything from muscle cramps to heart issues can be related to dehydration. In our summer heat, I watch myself pretty closely for fatigue and headaches: two signs of dehydration. Getting enough water doesn’t require a ‘plan,’ though. That sounds like yet another way to sell a book.
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Hydration is very important and I think it must be approached in increments until your body adjusts. If you normally drink say, 4 cups a day, add 1/2 to 1 cup more each day until you reach 8. And drink as much as you can before 5 pm, so you aren’t up all night!
When I was pregnant with my first child, I was told to drink 2 quarts a day. For two weeks, I was in the bathroom a lot, but then my body adjusted, and I’ve been hooked on water ever since. 🙂
Did you know that you can wear magnetic inner soles that will ground you all day long? I recommend these, which are the best available due to their engineered design: http://nettrax.myvoffice.com/nikkenusa/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=736&pid=53475396642554012
They also help with balance, which is an issue as we age. Who knows, they might even help BigFoot! 🙂
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Oh, thankyou very much for that link Eliza! I am so eager to purchase the magnetic inner soles but not sure. I broke my right ankle in 1998 and it is put together with 3 metal plates and 6 pins. I am not sure if magnetic insoles would be affected by that but will ask a doctor as soon as I return to one. I will definitely save the link!
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Sorry… I had my answer all ready for you and then it disappeared. I hope this is not a repeat. But did want to tell you how excited I am about the magnetic insoles. I am simply hesitating because my right ankle is held together with 6 pins and 3 plates and I think they are metal and how would that be affected by magnetized insoles? Must ask a dr when I go back to one but I will definitely save the link. Thankyou!
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You are handling the hydration thing beautifully! I will give it another try.
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The trick is to drink your water throughout the day, rather than gulping it down. If we drink a lot of water at once, it goes right through. Sipping on a regular basis lets the body absorb it.
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Yes, it did come through the first time. I don’t believe the pins will be an issue (they are only about 900 gauss). Incidentially, these inner soles are a boon for diabetics with circulation issues.
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Those are interesting ideas. My children have water bottles permanently attached to themselves. I’m trying to drink more. I’ve found that if I add a little lemon or lime juice to water and keep it cold in a travel mug, I can drink more by just having it handy. I take a swig when the computer is debating whether to turn on or not. Another swallow helps me wait for big photos to load. Wait times are good water times!
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Drinking lots of water actually makes me sick. I know I need to drink more but I work at it in smaller amounts and definitely not before bedtime. I know the signs of dehydration well and pay attention to that. As for being barefoot, I love the concept but I wouldn’t even go barefoot when I was a kid. My mom says I came out of the womb yelling, “shoes! I need shoes!” At my age I truly need shoes for balance. I am intrigued by those magnetic innersoles. The book may not be for me but I always learn something.
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I laughed over the issues with quenching.
Earthing might work for people who don’t have large dogs with more paws than they know what to do with. I wear slippers even in the summer to protect my feet (although steel-toed boots might be more effective).
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I’m all in for the hydration part because I do drink a lot of water and believe it helps (although that going to the bathroom in the middle of the night isn’t fun). And I can understand the point of grounding or earthing or whatever you call it. As a kid, I always went barefoot in the summer but now, like you, have to worry about those nasty ticks that give us Lyme Disease – it’s rampant here. But I do spend most of my indoor time barefoot, of course that’s not earthing it but flooring it! 😉
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I do alot of flooring it too! 🙂
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Anything for our dogs! We have always had large ones until now. And now our litle one feels large.
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The innersoles are intriguing me too. May just go ahead and order em!
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I am impressed with your planning and determination! Now I am at the computer sans water and not only dehydrating but sitting too long for good health. They say “sitting is the new smoking.”
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I am going to order them! Thankyou Eliza! 🙂
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Sipping sounds like the solution!
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The bear thought she was very large!
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Good for you! I hope you like them. They can be worn smooth or bumpy side up (bumps hit reflexology points, but may take getting used to). Also, important to note, not sure of your shoe size, but if you need to trim them, cut along marked lines 1 size LARGER than your shoe size and trim equally on BOTH ends. Tuck firmly into toe and heel of shoe and press down. (Cut too small and they will shift annoyingly!) I’ve been wearing them for over 20 years and love them.
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I also sit too long and am trying to break the habit. It’s addictive, wouldn’t you agree?
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As a kid growing up in the country I went barefooted in the summer even if the ground was hot. Today I don’t go barefooted outside as my feet have grown tender. But maybe I got enough grounding as a kid. Now I know I need to drink more water and agree that it is important. Will try to do better,
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So get this post! Have stepped outside in bare feet briefly to ground, mostly because tick season has seemed to have abated this far in the summer. However, then the feet are dirty and must be washed. As for drinking more—peeing happens too much already as it is!
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I too spent my childhood barefooted and had the toughest feet now that I recall. In Florida there were stickers and hot pavement to contend with. I doubt I could manage that now.
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Thankyou Eliza! I can’t wait for the insoles to arrive. Have also had a conversation with my “consultant” who thinks I got them too big. Will see. She is not aquainted with BigFoot of course, which is actually bigger than the normal other foot.
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Elsa does have an inflated image of herself at times.
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Please let me know what you think of them after you’ve given them a few weeks to work their magic. 😉
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Will do Eliza…. they aren’t here yet though.
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