Challenged by pain? Try these rural remedies.

Want to reduce aches and pains in your 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's? What works for you? I've discovered a few self care strategies. Check out my rural remedies to relieve swollen joints, aches, and fibromyalgia pain.

1. Cool not hot. Reduce heat and sun if possible. Try lukewarm or cool showers and baths. Relieve inflammation rather than adding to it with a hot bath. I drink ice cold beverages; studies show that ice water burns more calories. Need to work outside? I try to complete the most strenuous tasks early in the morning or after sundown.

2. Stay hydrated. I've cut out soda and carbonated drinks, including diet soda. It seems like carbonation bloats you up, adds to your BMI, and for me, it adds pounds. Who wants more weight pressing on their joints? I recommend decaffeinated green tea instead which boosts those anti-oxidants. Get rid of the straw and sip from the cup instead. Who wants extra air in their stomach?

3. No sugar. This remedy takes effort and diligence. Check labels carefully, there appears to be hidden sugar in so many processed foods and there are all kinds of tricky names that hide as sugar. If it's grown in the ground or on top of the ground and hasn't been modified, it's probably better than something you buy in a cardboard box at the grocery store. Try it for a week and see if you feel different; I can do anything if I know it's for a limited amount of time. I can decide after the trial time if it's worth the work of making it a habit for life.

4. Get a complete physical and review your medications, vitamins, and supplements with a trusted doctor. Don't trust yours? Find someone new. I was frustrated with how I felt and found out my mix of prescriptions recommended over the past 10 years was probably causing more harm than good. Don't forget to review how you're sleeping with the doctor.

5. Limit fragrances and chemicals. Reduce chemicals in your home as much as possible. Why breathe that stuff, stick your hands in it, wash your clothes in it, or spray it on your skin? It can't be good.

6. Remember how flexible you were in high school? Watch a dog get up from resting. Copy their moves. I added slow stretching before bed and first thing in the morning to my daily routine. Consult a fitness specialist or a trusted fitness web site or DVD for the best ones for specific aches and pains. Why not regain the flexibility of your youth? Just a little bit can make a big difference in how you carry yourself and complete your tasks during the day.

7. Move it or lose it. Limit computer, TV time, or anything that involves sitting like driving in the car. I take a little walk to limber up if I've been sitting for quite a while which seems to help. And check out the chair you sit in the most; is it adding to your aches and pains?

8. Firm up muscles with weight training. Studies show that weight training as little as once a week can improve your posture. Resistance bands are fairly inexpensive and you can do it at home. Who wants that stooped over look?

9. Be proactive. Become a stress (stress=pain) detective. Keep a daily diary to discover patterns in how you feel. Is pain worse after eating a heavy meal or sitting in a meeting for 8 hours? Use your diary to set small, reachable goals and eliminate trigger points for stress.

10. Is it your shoes? Ditch the flip flops, high heels, and shoes with no support. Are the heels run down on your favorite pair of shoes? Proper shoes can do a lot to relieve feet, ankle, knee, leg, back, shoulder, and neck pain. One day of "no shoes" or "cute flip flops" and the next day everything hurts.

Share. I'd love to hear what you've tried that works well to reduce pain and stiffness. My challenge: try just one rural remedy on this list and let me know how it goes.

Summertime Family Reunions

Cradling the newest baby
Getting a little grin
Greeting faraway travelers
Clasping weathered hands
Remembering those gone before us
Blessing homemade goods
Handwriting the newest recipe
Sneaking back for seconds
Announcing the next wedding
Watching the youngsters run
Sharing secrets with sisters
Updating the family tree
Checking out the scrapbooks
Squinting at old photos
Lingering over stories
Buckling up the grandkids
Waving bye till next year.


Rural remedy: How to enjoy the yearly family reunion.

Family reunions grow more special with time for this rural girl. So many things to enjoy. My goal for the family reunion is to take time to visit a bit with each person there. Hearing the old stories and learning new tidbits about my ancestors are always a delight. Seeing relatives that you may only see once a year and catching up on all the family news is energizing. As the sun goes down on a hot, humid, and fabulous Flinthills day, I reflect on the ebb and flow of those attending our family reunion: the brand new babies balanced with the loss of our favorite relatives.

For some a family reunion is wrought with stress and not so hot memories emerge. Try Kat's rural remedies for surviving a family reunion:

1. Hold the family reunion on the same week each year, same weekly day, and same time. This avoids a lot of excuses from those you wish would attend.
2. Routine is best. A little something different is OK each year but routines assure family members that there won't be surprising and stressful events.
3. Remind people through e-mails, facebook, or a postage invitation. Make sure your own immediate family doesn't schedule something as a conflict.
4. Prepare your food in advance. Using tried and true recipes that never fail for you alleviates the stress of that brand new recipe that may flop.
5. Plan your household schedules ahead of time. Get the car ready and prepack. It may be a rush to get there with Sunday services to attend - many reunions are on a Sunday.
6. Set a personal goal for the day. Mine is to meet and greet each person there, not leaving anyone out. Or perhaps it's to leave current personal or career stresses at home. You deserve a day of enjoyment and recreation.