Shoulders, neck and fibro; plus mock "orange slice" gummies

 

Mock "orange slice" gummies

You may have throbbing, aching pain in your shoulders and neck just like me if you have fibromyalgia. It’s one of the areas of the body affected by fibro. Body temperature scans of fibromyalgia patients reveal intense heat in the back, neck, shoulders and hips which is where the pain is most frequently felt.

Most days you can find me starting the day with a heat wrap around my neck and shoulders. Next are ice packs and maybe some Bio Freeze gel to reduce the pain.

Some of my other rituals include Tai Chi-like exercises to strengthen and stretch the entire body. The body is all interconnected so it’s hard to just stretch one part to get relief.

Here’s a simple routine you can do to help rebalance the body and reduce your pain.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/110837097

 

I've never looked forward to doing computer work because it increases my neck and shoulder pain. Recently, I decided to do some things that may help reduce the strain on this vulnerable area while on the computer.

First, I worked on my sitting posture. I used to think I was sitting straight but I wasn't. Now, I imagine a plumb-line is attached to the nape of my neck and that line is constantly being pulled toward the ceiling. I have to think about it a lot and constantly readjust my posture but it's making a difference.

In addition, I purchased one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Support-Cushion-Contoured-Corrects-Extension/dp/B012TSHM38/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1452991662&sr=8-4&keywords=posture+pillows

It’s a posture pillow.

I’ve also been modifying my work station to change the tilt and angle of my computer screen and height of my office chair. All of these things have helped me stay at the computer a little longer without increasing my pain.

Something else I do is stand up often and do this simple stretch. I found a link on youtube that shows what I do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wYLZdgvUfY

My best find to help my shoulders and upper body pain was one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/AlignMed-Posture-Shirt-2-0-Zipper/dp/B015P53GIM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452992089&sr=8-1&keywords=alignmed+posture+shirt

I have less shoulder and neck pain because of all these things. I admit have to do a lot of stuff but it’s better than suffering. What kinds of things do you do to help with shoulder and neck pain?

Mock orange slices

Real orange candy pectin slices

Recently, I saw my husband snacking on some orange candy pectin slices. It really made me nostalgic as orange candy pectin slices used to be one of my favorites. I decided to challenge myself to make a mock version that would suit my mostly paleo diet. Turns out my version would even work for the more restricted Paleo Autoimmune Diet (AIP).

Puree the carrots with water they were steamed in

 Here's what you need for the gummies:

3 carrots, peeled and cut into coins
1/4 cup water
3 T. grassfed gelatin
sweetener of choice
2 T. coconut oil

Here's what you need for the glaze:
1/4 cup pineapple juice mixed with 1 T. gelatin
optional: coconut shreds

Pureed carrots with gelatin

Here's what you do:

Boil the carrots in 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Cool slightly before pouring the carrots and warm liquid into your blender. Puree the carrots and water until smooth.

Pour the carrot puree back into the saucepan. Add the coconut oil, sweetener of choice and 3 T. gelatin. Heat and stir the mixture for about 5 minutes.

Carrot puree in cupcake pan

Pour the carrot puree mixture into the cells of a cupcake pan.(Makes about 9-10) Place the pan in the fridge to firm up the mixture.

The magic ingredient for making these carrot gummies taste like orange candy slices is pineapple juice glaze. Prepare 1/4 cup of pineapple juice in your juicer.  Place the juice in a small saucepan. Sprinkle on top the gelatin. Stir to dissolve. Then, slowly heat the mixture just until warm.

Pour this glaze evenly over the set carrot gummies. Allow it to mostly soak in for at least four hours or overnight. When you are ready to serve these yummy bites, pour off any pineapple glaze that didn't absorb and simply drink it. Sprinkle on coconut shreds as pictured below, if desired. 

 Here's what you need for the gummies:

3 carrots, peeled and cut into coins
1/4 cup water
3 T. grassfed gelatin
sweetener of choice
2 T. coconut oil

Here's what you need for the glaze:
1/4 cup pineapple juice mixed with 1 T. gelatin
optional: coconut shreds

Pureed carrots with gelatin

Here's what you do:

Boil the carrots in 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Cool slightly before pouring the carrots and warm liquid into your blender. Puree the carrots and water until smooth.

Pour the carrot puree back into the saucepan. Add the coconut oil, sweetener of choice and 3 T. gelatin. Heat and stir the mixture for about 5 minutes.

Carrot puree in cupcake pan

Pour the carrot puree mixture into the cells of a cupcake pan.(Makes about 9-10) Place the pan in the fridge to firm up the mixture.

The magic ingredient for making these carrot gummies taste like orange candy slices is pineapple juice glaze. Prepare 1/4 cup of pineapple juice in your juicer.  Place the juice in a small saucepan. Sprinkle on top the gelatin. Stir to dissolve. Then, slowly heat the mixture just until warm.

Pour this glaze evenly over the set carrot gummies. Allow it to mostly soak in for at least four hours or overnight. When you are ready to serve these yummy bites, pour off any pineapple glaze that didn't absorb and simply drink it. Sprinkle on coconut shreds as pictured below, if desired. 

Article submitted to: http://www.fibrobloggerdirectory.com/

http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2016/01/13/paleo-aip-recipe-roundtable-104/#more-22169