You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes (Moonlight Mesa Associates, 2007) is in its final printing. Recommended by many dentists, this cookbook was designed and written for those suffering from TMJ Disorder and other myofascial pain conditions.
I wrote this book after having an excruciating bout with TMJ Disorder that lasted well over a year. I was several months into the pain and becoming increasingly depressed, when I decided to take matters into my own hands and take control of my condition. I asked myself what was continuously causing my jaw pain, and I quickly knew it was the foods I was eating and my nocturnal habit of clenching.
Easy-to-Chew Foods
I set off looking for easy-to-chew foods that would be tasty, nutritious and something my family would also enjoy eating. I collected recipes from friends, family, fellow TMJD sufferers and my own concoctions. It was important to me that the recipes be not only easy-to-chew, but also easy-to-cook. I enjoy eating well, but honestly I don't like spending all day cooking.
Within a short time of changing my eating habits, I became pain free. If I deviated from my recipes, however, my jaw would start to twinge again. I quickly became a believer in my own collection of recipes! As I continued to improve and enjoy food again (instead of a steady diet of soups, oatmeal and chocolate milkshakes) I decided I wanted to share these recipes with others who were also having chewing difficulties.
TMJD Sufferers
I interviewed scores of TMJD sufferers and added "Ideas" to help with TMJD situations. I also decided to donate a portion of my profits to animal rescue/shelter organizations. I was excited to help people in any way I could because I personally knew how painful and depressing TMJ Disorder can be.
Several things happened with the publication of this book. One thing, I learned that most people do not have the patience to give this disorder "time" and a "softer diet." Statistically most cases of TMJD will self-resolve given time and a softer diet, but most people I talked with preferred to undergo expensive, often irreversible procedures which often left them worse off than they were before. Obviously, some people must undergo this type of treatment, but for others it is a seriously flawed decision urged by usually well-meaning doctors and dentists.
Other individuals took comfort in mouth guards which are another controversial area of treatment. For some, mouth guards work wonders; for others it's just more aggravation to the jaw. Some still gnaw away on the guards and cause horrendous tooth destruction. Why aren't those people's dentists addressing the root cause of the gnawing and gnashing instead of just making mouth guards?
My great contribution, my sense of helping others, began to fade as people lashed out with caustic comments: why should I buy your book when I can get recipes for FREE on the internet; who made you such an expert; all people need is a good chiropractor, and the like.
Well, I was also blessed that so many others contacted me via emails and letters thanking me for the collection of nutritious, easy-to-cook, easy-to-chew recipes. Many people sent their own recipes to be included if I did another edition. I've even had people call asking for help because their dentist/doctor has not responded to their problem. Always people wanted to share their stories with me, mostly because I understood the problem, the pain and the aggravation, not because I was a "self-styled" expert.
I am down to 300 copies (out of 8,000) of You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes. The book will not be re-issued. If anyone wants a copy of the book, contact me and let me know you've read this blog and the book is yours for only $12.95 plus s/h. (This is $5.00 off the cover price.)
One Pot Galley Gourmet
Also, these same recipes, plus desserts and breads, are in One Pot Galley Gourmet, a spin-off of You Can Conquer TMJ. So many people bought the TMJD book who didn't have TMJD but wanted the easy-to-prepare recipes, that I brought out the second cookbook in 2008. It is already in its 3rd edition! Both books are available also on amazon.com.
Incidentally, today I am painfree, but I will admit, I watch what I eat. I use only my cookbooks!
