Lifestyle Choices Associated With Less MS Disability

How do lifestyle, medication, and demographics affect people with multiple sclerosis? Answers to this question are the focus of international, internet-based research conducted by George Jelinek, M.D., and his team from the University of Melbourne, Australia.

In 2012, the research team collected baseline data for the Health Outcomes and Lifestyle Interventions in a Sample of people with Multiple Sclerosis (HOLISM) study. Participants from 57 countries were recruited through social media leveraging MS blogs, forums, Facebook, Twitter, international MS societies, and the primary researcher’s website, https://overcomingms.org. The HOLISM study provides a snapshot of current lifestyle and risk-modifying behaviors of a large international group of people with MS, as well as an ongoing platform for analyzing the association between these factors and disease progression.

Researchers have been analyzing the data collected in 2012 from approximately 3,000 people living with MS and publishing the results in individual articles. Those published to date are listed below. The original research plan includes a 5-year follow-up survey which would allow for comparison of longitudinal data. Updates on the status of that survey are unavailable. This latest article focuses on the associations of lifestyle, medication, and socio-demographic factors with disability in 2,469 people with any form of MS.

Read this post in its entirety:
Lifestyle Choices Associated With Less MS Disability and Fewer Relapses

Ordering Household Supplies in Bulk

In running a music studio at home, one which is equipped with a private bathroom, it is important to keep well stocked on basic supplies such as toilet paper, hand soap, facial tissue, and towels.  As I have taught each piano student to wash their hands before every piano lesson, helping to not only keep the piano keys clean, but to cut down on germs and illnesses, the studio can go through a large volume of paper towels.

Rather than making several trips to the store throughout the year, using gas, time, and energy, I discussed the ease and benefit of ordering bulk supplies online a long time ago.  It is really very simple.  The same large office supply stores or discount stores which offer annual back-to-school sales frequently offer free shipping for online orders over a certain cost. 

Read this post in its entirety:
Easy Living with Chronic Disease: "Back to School" Anytime of Year

Stuff that makes life easier....or not.

Today's Simple Life tip comes from Ammey of Being Ammey. Her April 13th post, Arm Saver, discusses a kitchen item which Ammey had desired since childhood but was reluctant to purchase until recently.

I am a baker. I love to cook. It is one of my passions, and I can say that I am pretty good at it too. I make a mean loaf of Challah and Kickin’ Chickin’ Stew. I still cream the butter and sugar together by hand, I tirelessly whip the egg whites and knead the bread dough with tiny pearls of sweat clinging to my young brow. It can take me an extra 30 minutes to mix up a batch of muffins because my arm weakness requires I take a rest between adding ingredients blueberry and flour; sure, it’s daunting but I do it anyway.

Why have I done it this way for what seems like forever? There has been something missing from my kitchen all these years. That’s why.

Then the desired item found its way into Ammey's kitchen, just to be avoided for a little while. Hmmm?

I know. I deal with things in a strange way, All this excitement, and all the acceptance was overwhelming I guess. My hunny kept asking me “Aren’t you going to use it?!” Like I was crazy. Well I was crazy. I really did not want have to use it.

But after trying it out, Ammey found freedom.

I am proud to say that the love I put into my food still shines through, even when it assisted by [the mystery item]. The best part is my arms are saved, born again. I am free to enjoy what I make now vs being to tired to enjoy it from making it!

So if you'd like to know what the mystery item is, hop on over to Ammey's blog. While there, be sure to read other posts and maybe leave a comment or two.

If you have any tips on helpful, or not so helpful, items out there, please send me your recommendations via email at brass.and.ivory (at) gmail (dot) com.

Stuff that makes life easier....or not.

Today's Simple Life tip come from Jenn of Jenn's Nook (posted on March 27, 2008). Her post shares an article she found on organizedhome.com which features some cheap homemade cleaners!

source=Pantry Cleaners: Recipes for Homemade Cleaning Products
Posted December 9th, 2007 by Cynthia Townley Ewer

Taken a trip down the cleaning aisle at the supermarket lately? If you believe the ad hype, you can't keep a clean house without loading your shopping cart with a different cleaner for each surface, floor and sink in the house.

Hogwash! Simple recipes using products from your pantry make effective household cleaning solutions. An added plus: these natural products are more environmentally friendly than commercial alternatives.

Stock your cleaning tool tote with these homemade cleaning sprays and solutions to make short work of household grime--without harsh chemicals or irritating fumes.

Try these easy recipes to clean your organized home faster, better and cheaper:

White Vinegar

Mildly acidic white vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits from smooth surfaces, yet is gentle enough to use in solution to clean hardwood flooring.

White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up. (And no, your bathroom won't smell like a salad! Any vinegar aroma disappears when dry.) With no coloring agents, white vinegar won't stain grout on tiled surfaces. Because it cuts detergent residue, white vinegar makes a great fabric softener substitute for families with sensitive skin.

Try these recipes to harness the cleaning power of white vinegar:

Homemade Spray Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water

In the kitchen, use vinegar-and-water spray to clean countertops, lightly soiled range surfaces and backsplash areas.

In the bathroom, use vinegar spray cleaner to clean countertops, floors, and exterior surfaces of the toilet.

For really tough bathroom surfaces such as shower walls, pump up the cleaning power by removing the sprayer element and heating the solution in the microwave until barely hot. Spray shower walls with the warmed generously, allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse. The heat helps soften stubborn soap scum and loosens hard water deposits.

Undiluted White Vinegar

Undiluted white vinegar straight from the jug makes quick work of tougher cleaning problems involving hard water deposits or soap scum.

Use undiluted white vinegar to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl. Before you begin, dump a bucket of water into the toilet to force water out of the bowl and allow access to the sides. Pour undiluted white vinegar around the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush to remove stains and odor. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings.

Clean shower heads that have been clogged with mineral deposits with undiluted white vinegar. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse and buff the fixture to a shiny finish.

Add one cup of undiluted white vinegar to the laundry rinse cycle instead of commercial fabric softener. White vinegar softens clothes and cuts detergent residue--a plus for family members with sensitive skin.

Baking Soda

Baking soda's mild abrasive action and natural deodorizing properties make it a powerful replacement for harsh commercial scouring powders. Put baking soda to work in your organized home:

Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge to tackle grimy bathtub rings, scour vanities, or remove food deposits from the kitchen sink. For tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10 to 20 minutes. Dirt, soap scum and deposits soften and are easier to remove.

Slow-running drains? Keep bathroom drains running freely by pouring 1/2 to 3/4 cup baking soda into the drain, and dribbling just enough hot water to wash the solution down. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then flush thoroughly with hot water. The deodorizing effect is an added bonus! [Do not use this method on blocked drains.]

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol provides the base for an evaporating cleaner to rival commercial window and glass cleaning solutions. Use this glass cleaning spray recipe for windows, mirrors, chrome fixtures and for a shiny finish on hard-surface ceramic tiles:

Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:

1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Ammonia

A strong alkaline solution, clear, non-sudsing ammonia creates stronger window and all-purpose cleaning recipes than acidic vinegar.

Choose non-sudsing varieties of household ammonia for these cleaning recipes. Suds may look like they're working, but they're tough to rinse and remove.

Try these formulations for spring cleaning or tough chores:

Strong Glass Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:

1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia

Strong All-Purpose Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:

1 T clear, non-sudsing ammonia
1 T clear laundry detergent
2 cups water

Furniture Polish

Most of us no longer use hard-to-apply furniture wax, but rely on oil-based polish to keep furniture protected and shiny.

Our "salad dressing" version avoids the danger of silicone oil, found in most commercial polishes and sprays. Silicone oil can penetrate tiny cracks in furniture finish and enter the wood, causing problems in the event refinishing is needed. Lemon juice dissolves dirt and smudges, while olive oil shines and protects the wood:

Furniture Polish Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:

1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice

Shake well and apply a small amount to a flannel cleaning rag or cleaning cloth. Spread evenly over furniture surface. Turn cloth to a dry side and polish dry.

Mix in a sprayer bottle:

1 T clear, non-sudsing ammonia
1 T clear laundry detergent
2 cups water

Furniture Polish

Most of us no longer use hard-to-apply furniture wax, but rely on oil-based polish to keep furniture protected and shiny.

Our "salad dressing" version avoids the danger of silicone oil, found in most commercial polishes and sprays. Silicone oil can penetrate tiny cracks in furniture finish and enter the wood, causing problems in the event refinishing is needed. Lemon juice dissolves dirt and smudges, while olive oil shines and protects the wood:

Furniture Polish Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:

1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice

Shake well and apply a small amount to a flannel cleaning rag or cleaning cloth. Spread evenly over furniture surface. Turn cloth to a dry side and polish dry.

If you have any tips on helpful, or not so helpful, items out there, please send me your recommendations via email.

Stuff that makes life easier....or not.

Today's recommendation comes to us from Orla of Toronto, Canada and Chef'n of Seattle, WA.



The power of peeling right in the palm of your hand! The PalmPeelerTM easily slides on your finger, tucks in your palm and peels anything you can throw at it. This neat little package is dishwasher safe with a stainless steel blade and convenient eyer at the tip.

Orla says:

"This is a product that has been a lifesaver for me. Using a regular peeler causes shooting pain up my right arm. This palm peeler design works much better ergonomically for most peeling duties (not all). Very small round vegetables are hard to peel with it since you need to be able to have a good grip with the other hand to create a decent peeling area.

I also use disposable clear food grade clear plastic gloves to reduce the tingling/numbness etc that happens when working with food i.e. constantly having to wash my hands which aggravates the tingling/numbness..... I buy these by the large box and sometimes use 4 or 5 sets to prepare a meal (and thereby reduced washing my hands 4 or 5 times too AND avoided the tingling etc....sweet). This choice was made by me knowing the environmental/toxic concerns of plastics but, alas, I am cooking more now that I found this solution and that is always a good thing for me.

It has taken me awhile to wake up to the fact that it is easier to find solutions than live in the problem. I have adapted my life, unconsciously, in many ways since the onset of my symptoms. I am now actively pursuing adaptations and the fact that you posted the JarPop is another curious and timely connection. I am looking forward to what others have to contribute too!"

I, too, am interested in what others have to contribute and share.

If you have any tips on helpful, or not so helpful, items out there, please send me your recommendations via email.

Stuff that makes life easier....or not.

Today's nifty tool comes from Spring Mill Home Products of Gladwyne, PA.

This was an impulse buy from The Container Store, an item which I found near the checkout stand. You know those little items can be so attractive...

With rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, sometimes my hands can get a little weak and I had already been using the edge of a bottle opener to "pop" the lids of glass jars before attempting to twist. My mom used to use the flat edge of a butter knife for the same purpose. So I thought if this plastic gizmo worked, it'd be kinda cool.


From their website:

JarPop! "World's Easiest Jar Opener "

- A gentle lift opens almost any jar
- Pops the vaccuum so lids spin free
- No twisting, no gripping, no wrestling
- Lids stay completely re-sealable
- Patented, award-winning design
- Top-rated by leading consumer magazines


Why is JarPop so revolutionary?
Other jar openers give you ways to apply more twisting force to wrestle a jar open. JarPop, however, completely eliminates the need for force and twisting. By popping the vacuum with one gentle lift, JarPop ends the wrestling match before it begins!

Why are jar lids so hard to open?
Jar lids stick tight because the vacuum inside the jar holds the lid so tightly against the glass. Twisting the lids off is often impossible because of this vacuum. Also, twisting requires great strength and a complex range of motions-- gripping wide lids, holding the glass jar, squeezing, and exerting twisting torque. It stresses every joint in the hands, fingers, wrists, elbows and parts of the arms and shoulders.

How does JarPop open jars?
JarPop changes the whole equation. JarPop pops the vacuum so lids freely off. With just a gentle lift, (no twisting required) JarPop flexes the lid just enough to break the vacuum seal. Air rushes into the jar with a "pop" sound and, voila-- the lid is free to spin off easily. No twisting, no gripping, no wrestling. It's so easy, a four-year-old child can open the toughest jelly jars. It's even fun to use!

Who Invented JarPop?
JarPop was invented in Europe by a Danish engineer whose mother had arthritis and was struggling with jars in her kitchen. JarPop has been awarded 2 United States Patents and has been patented in many other countries around the world. JarPop has won numerous design awards and contests including the prestigious Danish Design Council award for excellence. JarPop has been top-rated by dozens of national publications and consumer reporting services.

Finally, this is not a paid endorsement, merely my personal opinion derived from my personal experience.

If you have any tips on helpful, or not so helpful, items out there, please send me your recommendations via email.

Stuff that makes life easier....or not.

Here's a new random feature at Brass and Ivory

Stuff that makes life easier....or not.

Submitted by Diane:

Not helpful: Suction cup finger nail clipper. Suction cup it WHERE? Suction doesn't stay anyway. Blades are dull. You still need strength in one hand. Ordered from an OT's "private catalog," but they all look the same to me. I'd love to hear if anybody knows a way for me to keep my fast growing, hard nails (yeah-yeah, lucky me) trimmed, neither of my hands are strong and no fingers are 100%, can't control scissors etc.

I don't have an answer for Diane. Maybe you , dear reader, can make a suggestion on how to keep those beautiful finger nails neat and tidy.

Submitted by Carole:

Revlon makes very good tweezers called Expert Grip. They have padded handles that are easy to grip and use. I bought a pair on Ebay for $3.00 I don't know how much they are retail You can see them here: Revlon Beautytools. They really work for me.

Carole also wrote about things which make cooking easier on her blog. Go check it out.

If you have any tips on helpful, or not so helpful, items out there, please send me your recommendations via email.

Stuff that makes life easier....or not.

Here's a new random feature at Brass and Ivory

Stuff that makes life easier....or not.

Yesterday as I was conducting the (not so completed on a regular basis) girlie task of shaving the hair, and some winter-dry skin, from my legs, I had a thought.

Yes, I think to myself while in the shower.

I am thankful for the brilliant people at Schick (I had to look that up later) for designing the Intuition Plus® Razor.

If you don't know what this is (and probably most girls already do), the Intuition Plus® Razor has a wide, curved, slip-resistant handle...three blades on a pivoting head...and a skin-conditioning, lather-creating, shaving solid which surrounds the pivoting razor head for a no-shaving-gel-required smooth shaving experience.

Ok - before you start thinking this is some type of paid advertising. It is not!

I was thinking of those persons with MS who may have dexterity issues with difficulty keeping hold of a razor, or who seek simplicity in the shower and fewer lotions and potions on the shelves, or who like to find ways to combat winter-dry skin with the best exfoliator out there, being the razor.

Some years ago (honestly I don't know when), I received a sample razor in the mail from Schick. I thought it looked a little odd, but tried it and liked it...still do.

Replacement blades are sold separately from the uniquely-shaped handle, which is a smart idea. However, don't tell Schick - but I still use the sample handle I received in the mail such a long time ago and haven't purchased a new one. So mum's the word - okay?

Pros:

• I haven't nicked myself with this razor, even around the ankles.


• It is ready to go. All you need is wet skin, seriously.


• It is easy to hold and the pivoting head makes going over curves a snap.

Cons:

• When rinsing the shaved hair from the razor blades, and yes sometimes my leg hair has become longish between shaves, I worry that I'm rinsing away the valuable moisturizing/shaving cream solid.


• The solid often wears away unevenly, but this can be worked around if you are clever enough to glide the solid over the skin in one pass, then glide the razor over the lathered skin in the next. Yes, this does require more thought.


• The resulting shave may not be the closest, maybe I'm not pressing hard enough or making enough passes at one spot, but it is definitely the easiest I've experienced.

So - that's my tip for the MS ladies out there - and MS men if you so desire a razor designed to smoothly shave those muscular legs of yours - for clumsy fingers and awkward grips, I recommend trying the Intuition Plus® Razor.



Again, this is not a paid endorsement, merely my personal opinion derived from my personal experience.

If you have any tips on helpful, or not so helpful, items out there, please send me your recommendations via email.