Ok, ok, here it is, the scoop on Morton's Neuroma. This is a painful issue typically presenting itself around or between the 3rd & 4th metatarsals (toes) on the ball of the foot. These are also called a benign tumor but they're more of a cyst. These can be very painful. It's kind of an irritation around the nerve. It can feel like a pebble in the shoe and get really bad. The body tries to protect the area by growing more tissue around the nerve but, unfortunately, this causes more swelling and irritation and, of course, pain. The pain is often described as burning, stabbing, but even numbness has been mentioned. There are different types of treatment but I would, if at all possible, avoid surgery. Seriously, try any & everything else before you go into surgery on your foot. That should be the last resort.

Orthotics, little pads, corticosteroids injections can help to offer some relief and I found something called Sclerosing alcohol injections as well. I'd never heard of that before to be honest here. I do know that the corticosteroid injections may or may not give enough relief and the pain may return after a period of time. You can only utilize the corticosteroid for a limited number of times, however, before it can start to cause degeneration of ligaments & tendons. Yikes!

So remember people, take of your feet. So many issues can be linked to the feet. It can effect knees, hips, back and up to the neck. Now, don't think everything is due to our feet but many things can be, alright?!? Thats known as the kinetic chain.

Well, I tripped over Putney the other night and came down hard on my left (the good one) knee on the ceramic tile floor. BAM! It was around 2 am & I woke up, the tv was on as was the house fan. I got up to turn off the fan and because of seeing the tv I couldn't see well in the dark. I didn't see my moose lying on the tile floor in front of my hutch/cabinet housing crystal, porcelain, liquor, and so on and so on. Of course the cabinet has glass sliding doors. So as I was going down I tried to not hit the cabinet, land on the dog, break the glass, or kill myself. So instead I dropped my knee down. OMG! The only other casualty was a tiny bottle of Finlandia Vodka that I was given a few years ago in a secret Santa gifting. Whew, it could've been really bad, but it wasn't.

My knee is soooooo swollen, bruised, tight and painful. I've iced, lifted, rested the damn thing and just can't wait to go to work today. I already called them yesterday to take me off of the dance classes I was in today. That wasn't gonna work at all. It doesn't hurt as much as yesterday but it does still hurt, nor does it bend as it should but I'll be fine in time. I have an ice pack at work and will utilize it often today. My shoulder really took a hit too. It's strained and hurts to extend it forward. Can't imagine what trying to lift something will feel like. Not fun being a klutz.

Someone in class yesterday morning, told me about a luminescent collar for dogs that I might have to get for poor ole Putters. That would, hopefully, prevent this from happening again. I do have a bell on Oreos' collar for just that reason.

Well, I changed my mind again regarding dance week at work. I taught a Bollywood dance class for a co-worker last week and liked what I did for the class, as did my assist, I decided to finish it for the recital. I tried looking for veils but they would arrive 4 days after the recital so I'm making them. Hmmmmm, lets see now, how long has it been since I've sewn anything? Oh well, it'll all turn out great. This time I'm going to make sure someone videos this and get t on here for ya'll. I think it'll be really cool. And very much outa my comfort zone. I'll leave it to your opinions. Wish me luck!

Keep working out folks, get outside (with sunblock, hat & sunglasses) and MOVE!

Stay healthy.

Peace out

First of all, did you know that the 3rd Sunday of July is National Ice Cream Day? Well, I'm here to tell you, it is. Started in the '84 by Ronald Reagan, July was designated as National Ice Cream Month and the 3rd Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day. Excellent! I've done my part. My new favorite flavor , right now at least, is Blue Bell's Coconut Fudge. Oh my goodness. It's like eating a melted Mounds bar. Heaven. Persoanlly, I think it might be 1 of Ronnie's best decisions made while in office. Yes, no, maybe? You can decide for yourself. On to more important, and only by a margin, matters.

Holy crap! We're in the middle of our monsoon season here in Tucson. So many crazy weather things that go on in the summer months. First, 39 days of over 100 degree temps., haboobs (not 1 word M.C.) which are massive dust storms especially on highway (freeway?) 10 to Phoenix, and our micro-bursts, which are the sudden, heavy bursts of rain & wind. They're very damaging. Snapped & downed power lines, up-rooted trees and flooded washes & streets, all in a matter of minutes. We had 1 of those micro-bursts in my neighborhood yesterday. It began just as I was leaving my sis' daughter's condo where G. is re-doing the kitchen counters & cabinets.

On a side note here, I really need rain gutters over my front door.

I got in the house, not quite in time this time, and the rain was really coming down & flooding the streets. Now, understand, we all live about 5-10 min. from each other. Thats how powerful these bursts can be. Anyways, I'm in the house and I hear a loud "pop." I had no idea what it was. I wait out the rain 'cuz I need to get to my shed & find some covering I have for painting & such for G. As I'm walking over to my shed, I look at the side of my house and I'm looking directly at the street. Wouldn't be much of an issue except for the fact that there used to be a wooden fence there preventing that view from my backyard!

The damn thing got blown down. The post just snapped at ground level! It was lying on the ground, in 1 piece. I couldn't pick it up by myself so I text'd G. since she was gonna come by anyway to get here ASAP to help me get it up. Up the street in a friends' yard, 1 of her trees got up-rooted. Crazy stuff.

The same thing happened a few years ago on the other side of the house. Scared the h___ out me. I was so afraid the dog might've gotten out but he hadn't. Not Putney but my beloved Roscoe at the time. I had it repaired and the guys left some posts I already had propped against it. So I took those and we propped 'em up against this new downed side. Yea, yea, yea, I called my yard guy, Fernando, and he's coming by to see & fix it for me.

I finally grilled my ribs that I'd boiled last week. I heated the grill, good & hot. Then I basted them, 4 with B-B-Q sauce and the other 4 with apricot preserves sprinkled with a little of Buck & Judy's Dang Rub #9 (the original rub). Grilled them on each side for about 5 min. each and OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-HO-HO-HO, delicious. The websites' almost ready and we're off & running with your ability to purchase these wonderful rubs. I just know you're going to love them as much, if not more, than I do. Good eats!

It's aquatic week at work this week, so that means lots of extra water-based classes. All in the morning hours due to the dangers of the heat in the afternoon. So, remember to put on your sunscreen at least 20 min. prior to going out & in the water, wear sunglasses & hats & drink lots of H2O. Keep it near the pool edge so you can drink it.

We're beginning rehearsals for dance week today. I've decided to not choreograph this time. I kinda need a break. However...I'm going to be in a hula-Tahitian piece. New for all of us. Should be interesting. Breaking boundries

I had my Dr. appointment this last week and I'm down another couple of lb's! Yippeee! Apparently my glucose is good along with my cholesterol. Whew, I was a little worried after last year. Keep working out, folks. Gotta keep that machine running.

Now, on to Mortons Nueroma. Next post, I promise.

It has been so lovely to wake up to temps. only being 76 degrees these last few days. Still "thick" outside with our version of humidity but slightly cooler temps. are welcome. It cracks me up that you can tell the humidity factor by the width & curl of my hair.

I've been busy in the kitchen lately. I broiled up some chicken thighs, boiled some country ribs (still need to baste & grill 'em with sauce) and made a huge batch of quinoa salad. My recipe for the quinoa salad is on my recipe page but I did make a couple of changes to it. One being instead of the yellow & orange peppers I used a large cucumber and I omitted the dried mint (mainly 'cuz I was out!). Tastes so yummy, cool & refreshing. I actually had a couple of helpings for dinner last night. That's right, that was all I had for dinner. It's really pretty simple to make, although there's alot of chopping involved.

And... watch out when handling the jalapeno pepper. Just make sure you have some yogurt or sour cream on hand in case you get some on your hands. I used the veggie bag from the grocery store over my hand. It worked great! You really don't want to touch any part of yourself if you do. If it happens the yogurt'll stop the searing pain deriving from the no-no. I promise, it works.

I'm getting in a few extra cardio workouts this week. Sadly, they're on a stationary bike. I really loath those things but with my knee it's about all I can do pain-free. I need to get some more cardio in, even though I'm teaching a bit more than I was lately, I still need more. I'm hoping to get to start taking some dance classes again these upcoming weeks. That'll make up for the bike work. I said make-up for not replace, I'll still be doing that too. Yuck! At least 30 min./workout. gotta

Wow, on a sad note, I just read that the absolutely beautiful Talia Castellano passed away Tuesday. What a brave spirit she was/is. 13 years old and just an amazing girl. RIP Talia. No more pain, just tears of joy.

I'll discuss Neuroma's later this week.

Later folks.

Peace

Whew, we finally ended our triple digit streak a couple of days ago. I believe we had 39 days straight of over 100 degree temps. Not nice! It's gonna go back up in a few days to those lovely, scorching temps. but for now I'll take the reprieve.

Last week I talked about plantar faschiitis and the fun associated with that issue. This time I'll discuss bunions. Or if you prefer the medical term, Hallux Valgus. Yuck! I'm still stunned that I never got one and ...grateful I might add.

Bunions are usually presented in people with flat feet like me. Typically, they form as a bump to the side of the big toe at the joint. Because folks with flat feet pronate, or roll on the medial or inside edge of their foot, there is a greater amount of pressure at that particular joint. The foot should strike at the heel when landing, roll up the outside, or lateral side, of the foot, across the ball of the foot from little toe towards big toe and then push off the big toe. However, us flat-footed freaks strike at the heel and roll only up the inside (medial side) and all that pressure gets into the big toe at an even greater angle.

Anyways, all of this can cause the big toe to be pushed into the 2nd toe and so on and so on, but the 1st metatarsal bone is pressing in towards your other foot. Then, of course you add the inflammation leading to swelling and pain due to swelling, thickening of the skin around the infected area and Yowza, Bunion. Big, ugly, painful bunion. This can lead to the 1st metatarsal bone actually breaking away from the the 2nd metatarsal bone at the base of the big toe. OUCH! Then you have the huge bump on the inside edge of the big toe joint. Not pretty.

I should mention that not all big, ugly bunions are painful to people. Just to the onlooker. Eeeuuuwwww! And... I have to add that being flat-footed is not the only condition to create a bunion. As I've said, I don't have a bunion. I do have calluses from dancing barefoot most of my life but no bunions. They say ill-fitting shoes can possibly be a culprit as can hyper-mobility, Rheumatoid arthritis, shortened Achilles tendons and some more as well as being flat-footed.

Now how do you treat bunions? There's the rub, no pun intended here. First of all, go to the podiatrist for heavens sake. There could be more than meets the eye here.

1. See the podiatrist
2. Ice
3. Advil or Ibuprofen
4. Custom orthotics
5. No high heels
6. Get wider shoes that are flexible
7. Cut an "X" in the inside of the shoe where the bunion is
8. Arch supports
9. Surgery, frankly, I would avoid this course of action as much as possible. If nothing else helps then go, but if you can avoid it do so.

Remember, if your feet aren't happy, you won't be happy. Foot pain can lead to so many other physical issues creating mis-alignment problems, poor posture, bad bio-mechanics. Take good care of your feet, people!

Well, on to other matters. I had another date last Fri. afternoon. It went ok, I guess. He's a nice enough guy. Very self-confident. Not quite sure if he's my kinda guy though. He wants to go out again, at a later date when he's more "flush." Haven't answered that request as of yet. I'm thinking.

My knee pain goes up & down at this juncture. I just don't know if the last round of injections are gonna do any good any more. I still have to wait about 3 more weeks to know for sure but I'm not as confident as I have been in the past. I'm fearing I might have to up the surgery date on it to this fall instead of early next year. My sis, G.'ll kill me if this affects our cruise. I just won't let it. How's that for positive thinking?

I got great feedback on my classes on the NW end of town last week. Whew, we all know I can be a handful. Apparently I was "funny", "entertaining" and still gave them quite a workout. Perfect. Just think what I can do when the equipment that was ordered arrives. Mua-ha-ha! (I'm also wringing my hands here.)

Well, Putney is lying in front of the front door eyeballin' me. It's that time. Time for the W-A-L-K.

Later gators.

Peace out,
Judi

Oh my! Putney & I made it back home just moments before a huge monsoonal rainfall. As we came out of an access way about 2 blocks or so from the house, you could see a large black sheet of rain coming down not too far away. Thank goodness we were close. Seriously, just moments. I sat down on the couch and next thing I knew, ka-boom! I do believe theres more-a-comin'. Cleaning up some then off to lunch with mom.

Peace,

Well, the 4th of July has just passed and we here in Tucson are still experiencing 35 days of over 100 degree temps. ( my tongue is hanging out here). Holey smokes! Of course unless you live under a rock, you've heard about the 19 firefighters who lost their lives last Sunday when the winds turned the fire on them and the 1 firefighter who survived on the team. So heartbreaking. One of my co-workers is from that area and knew some of these people. I cry every time there's something about it on the news.

The fire was caused by lightening and has destroyed the town of Yarnell. This monsoonal season, as I've stated before, is so dangerous in so many ways. Bless all 20 of these brave people and the towns up there.

The 4th went by without much of a hitch. I did have to work in the morning but got to be home in the afternoon, prepare some clam dip to take to my friends' house for a backyard B-B-Q. Brats steamed in beer the grilled, yummy! Thanks S. for the fun evening.

My sis's going through plantar faschiitis right now. Been there, done that. I haven't had a bout of it in years but boy do I remember the excruciating pain involved with it. OMG! Not fun. If you don't know if you have or have had it, you don't! Believe me, you know.

I feel so bad for her. I've told her to ice the foot, I've given her my Strassburg Sock, to sleep in. It's really uncomfortable but it did help me greatly. Told her to see her podiatrist again. She's so stubborn, I'm glad I didn't get that trait. Ha-ha. She said she'll give the sock 2 weeks. Who knows what she'll do after that.

If you don't know what plantar faschiitis is, it's a tearing of the faschia that runs along the bottom of your foot. It originates at the front of the calcaneous bone or heel bone and goes towards your toes. It tears at the origination site and hurts to set the heel down. It's very painful to walk let alone dance in my case. It begins to repair itself over night when the foot is in a relaxed state but as soon as you get out of bed and try to walk it re-tears. Ay-yay-yay! If left untreated it can begin to form heel spurs on the calcaneous bone which look like crochet hooks by causing the bone to try and grow more to shorten the distance which isn't good, I can tell you. I ignored it for 1.5 years and paid the price. I didn't even make it out of the parking lot of the Dr. when I called my boss & crying pitifully, explaining that I couldn't dance for 2 weeks. Ok, ok, I was hysterical.

There's lots of things that can happen to our feet and we really need to take better care of them. Pedicures are lovely but that's not exactly what I mean. The feet are our foundation, if you will. If they crumble, so does the rest of the body. Look how we react to stubbing our toes.

Theres pronation, over-pronation (flat-footed) that's me, over-supination, bunions, Morton's neuroma, just to name a few. I'll spend some more time on some of these issues in up-coming blogs but I'll put it to bed for now. Take care of your feet People! You'll be glad you did.

I started my new classes the NW side of town yesterday. What fun. A really wonderful gathering of people. I was running all over the place during the 1st class. There were 30 some odd folks in the pool. Wow! I was in the water for a bit but realized they couldn't always understand what I wanted so onto the deck I went. I think they truly liked it. The 2nd class only had 5 people so I did manage to stay in the water with them. They were great. I thoroughly  enjoyed myself and look forward to a wonderful relationship there.

Pool classes are a great way to get your workouts in. IF you put some intention behind your workout. Don't just be wet. Work in there. If you just go through the motion all you are is wet. You'll gain nothing from it, but use some force and you'll receive the wonderful benefits from it. Increased lung capacity, strength, endurance, flexibility and even emotional stress. The joints don't get the pounding but you can get the heart rate up, although it doesn't need to be as high as on land to receive the same benefits. Did you know that? Well, it doesn't by about 13-17 BPM! Pretty cool, eh?

Now working out in water doesn't help osteoporosis but it can help many other issues, so jump in and splash hard. 

Have a fab week. Peace out