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Saturday, April 17, 2021

down in the back again...

 



About 2 years ago, I had a bad back incident. Never really knew what brought it on, but suspected I had twisted it trying to see around a corner while driving, but never really knew how it happened. But I basically couldn't walk for about a week. Well, I've done it again... and don't have any idea how or when this time. It isn't quite as bad since I can still walk (with a brace and slowly), but haven't had to see a doctor yet. 

My back started feeling a little odd Thursday evening when I got up from the sofa. It's the middle of my lower back.  And now it's continued through Friday and into Saturday... worse if I sit for a while and then try to get up. The brace is one of those sacro belts that are elastic and fit around your lower hips and connect with very strong velcro. It does help. 

Anyway, just thought I'd share. Could be it's just one of those 'perks' of old age. Who knows?  (BTW, those long things with pinchers on the end - do they have a name? They sure do come in handy when you can't bend to pick up something. Every house-hold should have one of those... just in case)


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It's cool this morning here in North Texas... in the middle or high 40's I think. We've had a lot of rain lately, but really needed it... mostly rain so far, nothing severe. 

There are 4 outside feral cats sleeping together in one basket out back. DH just came to tell me. We have one that loves that basket and is always in it... and sometimes he shares it with another. This morning there are 4 squished inside it... guessing they must be feeling the damp.


lone cat in favorite basket


I didn't get a pic of all 4 in the basket as if one sees me, he will run... and then all will run because he ran. Did not want to disturb them. They looked very comfy... although squashed.


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Question:  Have any of you out there used coconut oil... either for cooking or skin or whatever?  I have a friend that swears by it for both... and some of my non-gluten recipes use it.  

I did buy some, organic virgin coconut oil from Central Market (owned by HEB). And I haven't used it for cooking yet, but have been trying it on my skin. Too soon to notice if it does anything, but does smell good... reminds me of Hawaii and the beach.

She also uses Dr. Bonner's castile soap for a lot of things too (refuses to use anything with chemicals - wants all natural) She uses almond, but there are other fragrances. Anyone use this? 

Well, that's my 2 cents for the day. We haven't been anywhere or done anything worth mentioning... so, no fun pics to show. 

I did try to make Naan bread the other day (with almond flour). It tasted good, but was kind of crumbly?  I used a recipe that didn't require yeast and  I trimmed down the recipe so it wouldn't make a lot...  (and possibly I got the amounts wrong). I only wanted to use 1 cup of almond flour, so I 'calculated' what the other amounts should be. But I'll try again next week.

Thanks for reading this far. It's not a terribly interesting post. But hey, it's all I've got for today.

Hugs (virtual),
Rian






22 comments:

  1. I hope your back is better soon. 🙏

    I also hope you get warmer temperatures soon, and send some to us as well.

    Asfor coconut oil, I'm using it, and ghee, in place of butter right now, as I have to be off dairy, sugar and fermented foods right now. I'm about to give up on coconut flour, I really don't like the taste of it and it seems to be hard on my gut, which seems odd since it's meant as an alternative for those who are grain-sensitive.

    Anyway, I used coconut oil and coconut milk to make biscuits today, though I did use regular flour. They came out yummy! I don't use coconut oil on my skin, though. I've heard it's very beneficial!

    Take care.

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    1. Do you make your own ghee or buy it? I know one can make it, it just takes a bit of time. And I've seen it in stores, but have never bought it and have never used the coconut flour. (just started using the almond... did like the taste of the almond in the Naan bread)

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  2. I use coconut oil on my skin, and especially when my eyes start itching and acting up, I put lots of it around my eyes and it sure does help. I also use it for any itchy spots anywhere else too, and it stops the discomfort quickly. I love your pretty black feral and can just imagine what that basket looks like with three others in there. :-)

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    1. That's interesting about your use of coconut oil. I read that it's good for your skin and have been using some on my face and neck - alternating it with my regular moisturizer.

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  3. Oh dear. I hope your poor back doesn't keep you in pain for too long. Old injuries have a way of coming back to haunt us! -Jenn

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    1. Thanks, Jenn. It hasn't gotten any worse... although it hasn't gone away either. We shall wait and see.

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  4. I have several picker-uppers, except for one I call the grabber. I also have my cane, very useful for rotating things to their front side so I can see if they are parsley, rosemary or thyme.
    I hope your back recovers or the doctor fixes you. Whichever happens by say Monday.

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    1. The problem with back pain (and not knowing what caused it) is that I'm never sure whether it's better to be still and let it rest and heal... or move around and loosen it up. I have been doing a little of both (and adding heat and cold). It's only been 3 days, I will give it a bit more time.

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  5. I hope your back heals quickly. As I age I notice unexpected health issues just occur, reason unknown. The pincher thing is what I call a grabber, and is so useful. I pick up the newspaper with it every day, and pick up the cat and dog bowls twice a day with it.

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    1. Yes, that 'grabber' is great. I think there's also one available that has a magnet on the end so that you can pick up small metal objects. (Mine doesn't do this, but it works great for other things)

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  6. I use coconut oil on my skin. I use shea butter on my feet and I like to whip the coconut and shea butter together for all over my body after a shower. I add a little frankincense essential oil to liquid coconut oil for face and neck.
    SOmetimes I mix is with baking soda to brush my teeth. You can find 101 uses with an online search!
    Bonner's or any castile soap (I mostly use Vermont Soap's) is also a staple in my house. I put it in a pump container by all the sinks and use it in homemade cleaning products. Like your friend I avoid chemicals.

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    1. I found some Dr.Bonner's in an 8oz bottle to try it.

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  7. We call those pincher things grabbers and boy are they handy. From getting something off a high shelf to picking up sticks in the yard after a storm. I use to use coconut oil till my cardiologist warned me that it raised bad cholesterol. Might try it on my skin though.
    Sure hope you back is getting better. I use to be plagued but not at all lately. Maybe I am not as active as I use to be and don't tempt it to go out.

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    1. I read that it was good for the good cholesterol and would only raise the bad if you used it in cooking too much. Since I haven't even tried to use in my gluten-free cooking yet, I'm not too worried about that.

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  8. It's my back that is holding me back together with my hip (possibly connected) and it's so annoying because otherwise I'm good. I remember my Mother in law having one of those grabbers, never thought I'd be grateful for one, lol
    As for coconut oil, I use it a lot. I buy a big tub from Ebay and it last's for ages, and yes it's good for the skin although it can be a bit greasy.
    Hope you feel better soon.
    Briony
    x

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    1. Thanks, Briony... my back seems a bit better today. And I'm surprised to hear that so many people use coconut oil.

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  9. I call those things picker-uppers and when I asked at the local hardware store they knew exactly what I meant. :)

    Hope your back improves soon. You may have to break down and see the doctor to ensure it isn't anything more serious than a strain.

    Take care, stay well.

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    1. Thanks, Mae. It seems to be a tiny bit better each day... hard to say.

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  10. I have given birth to four children and I swear the pain from hurting my back was so much worse and lasted longer. I hope you are getting some relief by now. If it is not better soon, it is best to see a doctor.

    Our ferals are bundlers also. That is how they keep warm in Pennsylvania winters. I get upset when I sometimes see three of them outside sitting on a chair covered in snow when I have provided them with warm houses. They want me to worry about them.

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    1. It is better... not gone, but better. I think if it continues this way, it will be gone by Friday... that will be one week. Don't know if it needs rest or exercise, so doing a little of both (and heat & cold). Yesterday I tried to walk around the neighborhood... apparently too much... it was hurting before I got home. Doesn't hurt when standing or sitting, only when moving and mostly when I get up from a sitting position.

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  11. that's all most of us have and we are supporting each other!! sorry about your back, back injuries are a real pain. i am a no and no on your 2 questions but i know and read of a lot of people using coconut oil for cooking!!

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    1. Hi Debbie! Haven't tried the coconut oil for cooking yet, but am continuing to use it on my skin. We'll see. And I just got hold of the Dr. Bonner's castile soap in the liquid form. I will try that for cleaning. I think you dilute it and use it from a spray bottle.

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