Uncategorized

Giving It Up for Rheumatoid Arthritis

April 2, 2021 by 0 Comments
Foot Pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis

During this religious season, seems we are all giving up things to uplift our souls.  As a Jew, I don’t eat bread during of Passover. But this is nothing in comparison to what I’ve cast aside to live pain-free as sufferer of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Just two months ago, my ankles, feet, back, hands, and shoulders ached constantly.  Three MRI’s later, I sought remedy through conventional medicine.  My Rheumatologist, a genuinely capable physician, prescribed medication.  Unfortunately, I am extremely sensitive to meds and found myself bedridden in pain.  After tirelessly investigating RA medication side effects, I sought a more holistic approach to reducing inflammation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that inflames joints throughout the body.  There is no cure but there are lifestyle measures to counteract the inflammation that causes permanent damage:

Diet: Remove large amounts of sugar, trans fats, and gluten. Eat fish, chicken, quality lean beef, high protein grains and nuts, beans, vegetables, and fruits. Eliminate processed foods. Drink lots of water. Stay away from soda and drink green tea.  Flavor dishes with garlic, coconut, ginger, cumin, and other herbs.

Alcohol: Drink no more than one or two glasses of wine per week.

Vitamins and Supplements: I take a multivitamin, Calcium, D3, Turmeric, and Fish Oil.

Exercise and Stretching: Physical therapy was suggested, but since we are in a Covid-19 pandemic, I exercise and stretch a minimum of 4 times per week at home.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a great way to reduce pain.  Johns Hopkins is currently studying the effects of acupuncture to stem inflammation with great results found.  This therapy has alleviated my pain more than any other intervention. 

The results of my new lifestyle have been AMAZING.  I can be on my feet for hours without pain, I have lost 10 pounds, and now I can sleep at night.  If you are suffering as I was, why not give it a try.

Real Estate - Uncategorized

Sarah Wacaster – Quality Realtor, Quality Person

February 3, 2021 by 0 Comments
Sarah Wacaster

We all know 1 to 50 realtors because it is fairly easy to get a license.  Having bought and sold many homes in 4 states, I personally know hundreds.  From this experience, I have determined several real estate truth.

  • Regardless of the market (hot or cold), sellers think their property is worth more, buyers want to pay less.
  • Buying a house is an emotional decision; we fall in love even if the home does not meet defined needs.
  • Some realtors are in it for the money and want transactions.
  • Some realtors dabble in real estate.
  • The quality realtor is in it for the customer.

Sarah Wacaster is that quality realtor. Sarah comes from a family of realtors and understands the intricacies of real estate because she grew up in the business.  She never wanted to go into “sales” until she witnessed the customer service aspect lacking. So, Sarah joined the real estate business to offer a consultative approach.  This means Sarah helps her buyer define what must be in the house, what they need to do before they buy, and what they can afford.  She helps sellers understand what updates they need to sell their homes, define when they need to sell, and what can they realistically expect to get for their home.  Sarah does all of this in a gentle, caring way. 

Sarah also cares for her community by being on the Bolton Landing HOA Board and by collecting food and goods for the poor.

Sara Wacaster of Keller Williams covers the tri-county area and can be reached at (843)751-2400 or at [email protected].

Social Commentary

What Do You Want to Be?

January 21, 2021 by 0 Comments
  • Reader & Writer
  • Student & Teacher
  • Gardener
  • Nurturer & Sailor
  • Chef
  • Artist/Environmentalist

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” is the first is the meaningful question posed to us as kids. This mission statement is the guide to our college/trade school search. Then “what we do” is asked on our job applications, first dates, financial transactions (yadda, yadda). And then it goes on to the question, “what do your children/spouse do? As a result, our personal feelings of success are wrapped up in the reality of what we have been able to achieve in this narrow view. 

No wonder so many of us are utterly miserable.  Covid-19 and life problems have derailed that path to “working” success for many of us.  I know it has for me.  Isolation and the inability to enter a fog by going to events, shopping, and other activities with people around makes it sometimes feel unbearable. 

Going for a walk on a beautiful day I had an epiphany.  We should change the question to “Who do you want to be when you grow up?”.  What kinds of people do you want to be with?  Do you want to be creative? What activities put a smile on your face?  What impact do you want to have on others? Are there hobbies you want to explore, books you want to read, places you want to see? What do you need in your home to make you feel at peace?

When I asked myself who I want to be, I found I’ve reached my success after all and now I’m happy.

Social Commentary

The Soul of America

December 11, 2020 by 7 Comments

Today I am frightened.  Not about Covid-19, or unemployment, or the welfare of my family.  I am frightened for the soul of our nation, the United States of America.

Voting is a priceless sacrament. Since 1979 I have voted in over 40 elections in various areas of our country.  I have voted for Democrats, Independents, and Republicans.  Many times I liked the results and many times I didn’t.  I voted for Presidents when I knew that my selection would not influence the outcome in my state.  I still voted. Voting is our sacred rite and duty.

Now over 100 Republican representatives and our President are saying this rite is less important than the autocracy of one man.  That people who do not look like them, think like them, and pray like them should be cast aside.  With armed followers waiting for a nudge to move against those that do not look like them, think like them, and pray like them.  

Sounds like Germany in the 1930s.  And if we are not careful, that is where we will end up. We must tell our representatives “This is not OK”!  These actions undermine the Constitution. We must tell judges on the local, state, and federal levels, “This is not OK”!  We must tell our neighbors, “This is not OK”!