RL "Becky" Coffield

TMJ Blogger Loses Job Trying to Help TMJD Sufferers

2009-08-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

Well, no good deed goes unpunished, so they say, and here's a case in point.

For a year now I've been writing for suite101.com, a fun site to write for as one has a carte blanche when it comes to topics. One of the requests of suite101, however, is that writers not use any articles they post on suite101 for at least a year.

Guess what? That means EVEN BLOGS. Even though I've never been paid one cent for the TMJ Blogs that wellspere.com shares with its readers, I was kind of "invited" to leave the site, despite the fact that I had well over 100 articles that had never been reproduced elsewhere.

So, why did I use the TMJ blogs on their site? For starters, I should have read their contract more closely. I "assumed" (and you all know what "assuming" means) that it was okay since I wasn't being compensated for the articles in any way. I also felt, and still feel - despite my job loss- very strongly that the more ways I can get information out about TMJD the better for so many people. My goal in this entire enterprise has been to HELP people. For that reason, I donate a portion of the sales of my book to PETA and other organizations. This is NOT a money-making venture for me. Rather, it's my contribution to help people who have this excruciatingly painful disease, however I can. In fact, shortly I'll be donating an entire box of books to a dental school! That's 50 books. At 17.95 retail that's over a $897.50 donation. But I got fired anyway.

Since I'm in the confessing mood, I admit I got so frustrated at my book reviews there never being read, that I posted them on True West and amazon. Again, I received no compensation for them...That was bad. I'm guilty. But no one read the things anyway. But, the fact remains, I'm guilty there. I confess. It was only a few book reviews too. I bet the authors appreciate me at least!

Well, I'm really sad about all this to be quite honest. I could understand their anger if I'd been collecting money for my postings, but that would be unethical. What I did was not unethical...what I did was for the benefit of the 50,000,000+ people who suffer from TMJ Disorder.

As I said, no good deed goes unpunished.

Health Care Danger for TMJD Sufferers

2009-08-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

I'm not saying this will happen here, but I feel the need to pass this information on. Think the health care debacle won't affect you with your TMJD condition? Think again.

Several months ago, an irate blog reader blasted me with (deserved) criticism about one of my TMJ blogs. Her anger was directed at what she thought was my opinion that clenching and grinding causes ALL cases of TMJD. Anybody who's read my blogs for long, knows that I have clearly stated that NOT ALL cases of TMJD are caused by clenching and grinding, but a good many cases are.

In the process of corresponding with this person, I learned a great deal about her situation. She is suffering horribly, absolutely horribly. Her condition is so debilitating it interferes with her ability to do her work and affects every moment of her life, sleeping and awake..

After consulting doctors and doing the whole run around rigamarole, she was told that she'd probably have to have jaw joint replacement surgery. The wait was TWO YEARS. This, for someone who lives in Canada and must use the Canadian health care no-service program.

I can't imagine being in such pain and so debilitated and having to wait for two years for surgery. Could that happen here? Yes, I think it could. Do I know that for a fact? No. It just seems logical that it will transpire since it seems to be the norm in countries that do have socialized medicine. While it's true that most people don't need to undergo such severe treatment, who would want to have to wait for two years if they did need it?

Many younger people, often the very ones who suffer the most from TMJD, tend not to be involved politically. This is a huge mistake. People must get involved, one way or the other, or suffer the consequences of other peoples' decisions.

Meanwhile, several more dentists have purchased You Can Conquer TMJ:Ideas and Recipes, to keep in their office for patients to read and get ideas from. You can get your own copy at amazon.com, or from www.moonlightmesaassociates.com where you can download an order blank. Dentists agree that easy-to-chew meals contribute greatly to helping with TMJD discomfort.

A Check List for TMJ Disorder Sufferers

2009-08-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

For those in the throes of TMJ Disorder, here are some ideas to consider when looking for alternative treatments in lieu of surgery:

1. Consider removing amalgams. I know of at least one person who claims that her nocturnal clenching and grinding greatly diminished after having all amalgams removed. Even though the AMA says amalgams are not harmful. A growing number of dentists disagree with this pronouncement.I'd give this idea some research and thought.

2. Consider a mouth guard. These do not work for all people, and in some cases the mouth guards actually make the condition worse. Even a study from Wayne State University claimed that mouth guards only worked at preventing clenching and grinding for about three weeks, after which time the patient grew used to the device and simply began clenching and grinding on the mouth guard, sometimes worsening their condition.

3. Practice meditation or other stress release techniques.

4. Avoid sugary foods prior to bed.

5. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants, particularly in the hours before bed.

6. Adopt a soft diet and avoid hard, chewy, crunchy foods. There are several cookbooks out there to choose from.

7. Are you too warm at night? Room temperature and sleeping too warm might be a contributing factor to clenching and grinding.

8. Could your TMJD be caused by an allergy? There's mounting evidence that this may be possible. An allergy test might well be in order.

9. Have you recently had extensive dental work done where your mouth was hyper-extended for several hours? Your TMJD will probably resolve in a few months. Be patient and careful.

10. Is your condition a direct result of arthritis? There's growing evidence that arthritis may be the body's response to vitamin and mineral deficiencies and not an inevitable result of old age. Check it out.

11. Have you ever had whiplash? Again, this may likely be the cause of your TMJD problem. Sometimes just knowing the cause helps.

12. A new thought: are you being over exposed to electromagnetic waves? We all are in many respects, but this is an area that needs to be explored.

13. Have you tried a magnesium supplement? While there is no evidence of this treatment being helpful, magnesium supplements are incredibly helpful at stopping charley horses and other muscle cramps. Most Americans are very magnesium deficient, and tests for this condition are next to worthless. Magnesium is cheap too.

There are many reasons for this condition to develop; there are few cures. Be cautious before you commit to any procedure than is irreversible. Absolutely get second opinions, and also consult with a Homeopath and/or a naturopath. Irreversible procedures cannot be reversed, and sometimes patients are left worse off than they were before the procedure!

Treatment for TMJD Almost Always Requires a Softer Diet

2009-07-20T09:35:00.001-07:00

TMJ Disorder is one of the most exasperating conditions that patients, doctors, and dentists are faced with. No one treatment works for everyone. Complicating the issue even more, TMJ Disorder has a host of symptoms. Ironically, there are people with TMJ Disorder who experience no pain whatsoever! Unfortunately, most cases of TMJ Disorder are quite painful.

Some cases are temporary and fleeting; others are permanent and devastating. There is no quick fix or single approach for the treatment of TMJD.

Most medical practitioners, however, advise their patients to eat a softer diet. For some, this seems impossible because they aren't familiar with many easy-to-chew recipes. Most people think of a softer diet as soup, oatmeal and the like. There are, however, a plethora of tasty, nourishing meals that one can eat if one is prescribed a "softer diet."

In addition, one may find that his/her diet becomes more healthful once most fast foods are eliminated.

Unfortunately, it seems there's an entire generation of younger folk who have an aversion to the kitchen. This generation is the "eat out" generation, but changing to an easy-to-chew diet will rapidly encourage one to prepare meals at home, thus saving untold amounts of money.

There are excellent recipes available on line, or one can choose from several cookbooks to find recipes tailored specifically for the TMJD patient. You Can Conquer TMJ:Ideas and Recipes is one such book that offers a plethora of easy-to-prepare, easy-to-chew, nutritious, tasty meals that the whole family will enjoy eating. These same recipes, plus a few others, are also available in One Pot Galley Gourmet, which retails for less. Both books are available on amazon.com and www.moonlightmesaassociates.com. One Pot Galley Gourmet, however, does not have the suggestions/recommendations for dealing with TMJD issues that the other book contains.

Statistically, most cases of TMJD will self-resolve given time and a softer diet. Unfortunately, there are other cases that will not resolve without irreversible procedures being done, for which there is no guarantee of success.

This is a condition that should not be taken lightly if one is in the early, nonpainful stages. Be forewarned and be pro-active with eating and chewing habits.

The Link Between Allergies and TMJ Disorder

2009-07-14T23:40:00.000-07:00

Just how strong is the link between allergies and TMJ Disorder? There’s been surprisingly little study done on this subject, although there are those medical practitioners who feel that at least some cases of TMJ Disorder are caused by allergies.

Interestingly, Weston A Price inadvertently suggested a dietary connection to TMJD when he wrote his major opus, Physical and Nutritional Degeneration. In this work, he showed how quickly dental arches became deformed once native people’s diets changed from natural, wholesome foods indigenous to their group, to a diet laden with processed white flour and sugar. Within one generation, dental caries became rampant, as did deformed dental arches, something most Americans seem to have. Deformed dental arches could contribute significantly to the development of TMJD.

Taken a step further, it is easy to see that food allergies can also be a culprit that brings about dental disorders and, subsequently, trouble with the temporomandibular jaw joint (TMJ).

According to the Atlanta Dental Group, PC., when allergies cause the nose to swell so that one begins to breathe through one’s mouth, many things go wrong. “With children that are growing, mouth breathing from allergies can be disastrous. The jaws will not grow together and a bad bite develops.” Eventually the allergy sufferer’s tongue becomes misplaced and is lowered to help facilitate breathing. Over time, this abnormal tongue placement can cause swallowing difficulties and even speech problems.

Ultimately, according to the Atlanta Dental Group literature, “Untreated allergies can also be the original source of TMJ problems because these allergies disturb the normal functioning and growth of the teeth and jaw bones.”

Besides the most common source of allergies, such as dairy, gluten, etc. many do not stop to consider possible allergies to metals – specifically metals that may be found in amalgam fillings.

The connection between allergies and TMJD is not studied or considered much at all, yet the possibility of a connection is there. Perhaps, instead of treating TMJ Disorder, one should check for, and treat, allergies first.

A Reminder that Not All TMJD Sufferers Recover

2009-06-29T23:39:00.000-07:00

I received an email today that, once again, brought me back to planet Earth. I do not mean to sound insensitive or perhaps smug in my attitude about TMJ Disorder. It's unacceptable that from time to time I seem to need reminders that just because I recovered, doesn't mean that everyone can recover...or recover very easily... or recover without undergoing irreversible procedures.

Indeed, how can the medical profession possibly profess that this condition can be cured, when no one is exactly sure why the condition arises? Even in my own situation, I may be painfree, but I am cautious about what I eat! That's not really being cured.

As I was reminded tonight...NOT ALL TMJD sufferers clench and/or grind their teeth. I know that in earlier blogs I made this clear, but still, I need to repeat it more often. Many clenchers/grinders DO NOT DEVELOP TMJD. Many who NEVER clench or grind DO develop TMJD.

I was also caught short by the person's description of her intense pain and how it has permeated every single moment of her life. The sufferer is a nurse - she knows healthy habits and practices them. Again, I must stand truly chastised if I sound demeaning or if anyone believes that I am diminishing their pain. That is completely wrong on my part and something I never intended, but I will certainly be careful that I never sound this way again. So, I do want to apologize to those who feel that I have in any way diminished the seriousness of their condition or their pain. This was NEVER my intention.

TMJD is an extremely debilitating, depressing condition. The fact that it mostly affects women only is undoubtedly one reason why it's not researched and studied more carefully. If men suffered from this condition as much as women, perhaps there'd be a cure,or at the very least a good explanation for why it occurs. It seems that the causes of TMJD are as multifareous as the people who suffer from it.

I have talked with people who will never, ever chew again because of this condition and the irreversible procedures that well meaning dentists/doctors did to them. Others are thankful for a surgery that allowed them to live a "normal" life when it comes to eating.

For the lucky ones, this condition is temporary and/or transient. For many, however, it is a debilitating, excruciatingly painful fact of life. Anybody who has had TMJD has suffered in ways that ONLY a TMJD patient can begin to understand.

My deepest, sincerest apologies to all whom I may have offended. Because this is the second time that someone has taken serious offense at my presentations, I will no longer blog unless I have something "documentable" or "newsworthy" to discuss. My opinion should not be part of this blog.

If you've had success in treating or overcoming this condition, please contact me with this information so I may share it with others who may greatly benefit from your experience.

For TMJD Sufferers, a Softer Diet Could Mean a Healthier Diet

2009-06-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

For those suffering from TMJ Disorder, changing to a softer, easier-to-chew diet, could mean a switch to a healthier way of eating.

This won't be true, of course, if one indulges in a steady stream of milkshakes and margaritas!

Softer diets generally don't have as much meat in them as standard fare. Meat is not at all bad for a person, but the amount of meat that Americans eat tends to be excessive. Meat is not needed on a daily basis, for one thing. Despite the plea to "show me the meat," many types of meat, especially processed meats, are laden with chemicals, preservatives, and hormones.

When one cuts back on meat, there is a tendency to fill the plate with some form of pasta. Pasta also is not bad for one...in moderation. Instead of pasta, one should try to fill one's plate with vegetables. Cooked vegetables are almost always easy-to-chew. While many people prefer their vegetables raw, this is usually not possible for the TMJD sufferer. Buy vegetables in season, preferably organic, and you may see the pounds drop in addition to the jaw improve.

Because of the economic downturn, many people tend to cut back on fresh produce because, in all honesty, it's expensive. However, buying vegetables in season will help with this cost; in addition, try growing some in patio containers or in a backyard garden. It's amazing how much better something seems to taste when one has raised it oneself!

Don't like vegetables? There's surely one you like...just eat it.

If, however, fresh vegetables are just not affordable, a good substitute is beans. Beans are cheap, versatile and...EASY-TO-CHEW. Besides being filled with protein, they're also a great source of fiber.

The key in all of this is to try to approach a softer diet with a positive mindset. Think of the benefits you'll derive from this way of eating, and don't focus on what you think you're missing out on.

You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes (Moonlight Mesa Associates) is a good resource for anyone looking for healthful, easy-to-cook, easy-to-chew, mostly one pot/pan meals. It's available at amazon.com.

Softer Diets Are Key to Easing TMJD Pain

2009-06-16T17:11:00.000-07:00

It sounds too simple, but it's indisputable: Eating a softer diet is a key element in easing jaw pain.

By softer diet, I don't mean pureed foods, oatmeal and a steady flow of soup, milkshakes, and margaritas! There are many items one can eat when one is experiencing TMJD, and many of these foods are meals that everyone in the family will enjoy also.

One of the best items to consider eating, not surprisingly, is beans, which are full of protein and fiber. The benefit here is that most people suffering from severe bouts of TMJD are unlikely to be able to chew meat, particularly if it's the least bit tough, stringy, or "chewy." Beans, however, provide an array of important nutrients (including protein); they're easy on the budget, and they can be made into a myriad of tasty dishes. (For added nutrition, add a quarter cup of lentils the last hour of cooking.)

Hopefully, one will not resort to canned beans which are often high in sodium and who knows what else to "preserve freshness." Beans do take time to cook, however, so if time is a problem, try using a crockpot to prepare them. The beans can cook all day on low and will be ready to serve when you're ready to eat. You Can Conquer TMJ:Ideas and Recipes includes numerous, easy-to-cook, easy-to-chew recipes, including many tasty bean and lentil dishes.

Besides beans, another easy-on-the-jaw-and-pocketbook item is pasta in all its glorious shapes, sizes and colors. While pasta is admittedly high on the glycemic index, the dish is still worth serving because of its versatility. It can be served chilled, hot, plain, with sauces, as a side dish, main dish, etc.

If pasta is strictly off limits, You Can Conquer TMJ:Ideas and Recipes has a plethora of fish menus. Fish is usually chewable by all but the most critically ailing TMJD sufferers.

One may need to eat a softer diet to achieve relief for jaw pain for many months - sometimes up to a year. However, one will most likely experience substantial easing of pain after eight weeks on a softer diet. The key, however, is to maintain watchfulness about what one eats long after the pain is gone. TMJD is a disorder that is likely to flare again.

You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes, considered by many to be the gold standard in TMJD cookbooks, is available at amazon.com, www.rlcoffield.com and www.moonlightmesaassociates.com

TMJ Disorder and Nutritional Deficiencies

2009-06-04T22:03:00.000-07:00

TMJ Disorder often results from prolonged cases of Bruxism. Bruxism is the medical term for tooth grinding. When grinding continues over a long period of time, besides wear and tear on the teeth, often TMJ Disorder develops because of the resultant stress on the jaw joint.

Bruxism can develop if a person's teeth are overly sensitive to heat and cold. Other causes include stress and allergies. More and more health experts nowadays believe that nutritional deficiencies can also cause bruxism.

One of the major things to take into consideration in all of this, is the amount of sugar that is consumed. It's recommended that people who grind their teeth and/or have TMJ Disorder, adopt a hypoglycemic diet. This is a diet that is "...high in fiber and protein and includes plenty of fresh vegetables and high-fiber fruits, plus legumes, raw nuts and seeds, skinless white turkey or chicken, broiled fish, and whole grains." In addition, eat starchy vegetables, like potatoes, and sweet fruits in moderation. Even though people believe fruit to be healthful, which it is, it is also extremely high in sugar.

It's also recommended that one eat six to eight small meals a day instead of three large ones.

Other suggestions are to avoid alcoholic beverages, which I've already discussed in another blog. Avoid fast foods, fried foods, processed foods and red meat, refined sugar, saturated fats, and severely limit dairy products. Avoid all foods with food coloring and preservatives.

Another recommendation is to avoid eating six hours before bedtime. Again, the idea is to not have sugar in the system. People who suffer from bruxism tend to have high blood sugar levels, so there may be a very strong correlation here between sugar intake and the tooth grinding.

Just because you may not eat table sugar, however, doesn't mean you're not getting a big dose of sugar anyway. High fructose corn syrup is an insidious product that has worked its way into almost every prepared food there is, from bread to packaged goods.

A final thought is to try taking Vitamin B complex. For some reason, many people are low in the B vitamins and these are positively critical. Major doses are not necessary or recommended. 100 mg. of each major B vitamin twice daily will do the trick.

There are other vitamins and minerals one can take as well, but try changing your diet first. The hardest part for most people is the withdrawal from sugar. It will take about two weeks. After that you'll begin to find that sweet, sugary taste quite repugnant.

It may be probable that people with TMJ Disorder/Bruxism are people who have deformed dental arches. Deformed dental arches occur due to parents' diet high in refined white flour and sugar which then affects the child's dental development.

Almost all the recipes in You Can Conquer TMJ:Ideas and Recipes are aligned with these eating recommendations. You'll find plenty of wholesome, easy-to-prepare, mostly one pot meals that will be easy on your jaw, filling and tasty too. You Can Conquer TMJ:Ideas and Recipes is available at amazon.com and http://www.rlcoffield.com/, as well as http://www.moonlightmesaassociates.com/.

Is Your Impatience Making Your TMJ Disorder Worse?

2009-05-29T15:06:00.001-07:00

Is your impatience making your case of TMJ Disorder worse? All too often this is indeed the case. Statistically, 95% of all cases of TMJ Disorder will resolve given TIME and a SOFTER DIET. But how many people are willing to make these two sacrifices?

TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS

Some one once made this silly statement, but it actually is true when it comes to most bodily ailments. As a rule, however, most people do not want to take the time to let their bodies heal naturally, and there is no question that nature's way can seem painstakingly SLOW compared to the promise of pharmaceutical painkillers, oral surgery, plastic mouth devices, etc.

Most people will run to a doctor, dentist, chiropractor, surgeon...whatever it takes to end pain of any kind as quickly as possible. And this is completely understandable. Pain is one thing that gets every person's attention! However, all too often medical intervention in dealing with TMJ Disorder can be more devastating, or prolong the healing time, than letting nature and a softer diet do their job - however slowly.

TMJ Disorder is a mysterious ailment, most frequently affecting females. How long this disorder has been around is not really certain. Some believe this disorder is a modern ailment that occurs because of many people having deformed dental arches due to poor dietary nourishment, specifically refined white flour and sugar.

There are many speculations, however, about its cause. There are equally as many guesses at its cures. For most people, however, the cure is simple - yet long.

SOFT DIET AND TIME

Over time, a softer diet will greatly alleviate the stress on the jaw joint and allow the jaw joint to return to normal. When we speak of time, we are talking six months to a year, sometimes more. To try to circumvent this diet/time necessity with painkillers, devices, irreversible dental procedures, etc, is mostly unproductive at best, and often more debilitating or even disastrous.

A softer diet does not mean oatmeal and soup. There are many nutritional meals one can eat that are easy to prepare and also meals that family/friends will enjoy. You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes has an excellent selection of tasty, nutritious, easy-to-prepare, easy-to-chew meals that will please just about everyone's palate.

This book is available at http://www.moonlightmesaassociates.com/, http://www.rlcoffield.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/ .

Stop Dieting and Just Eat Sensibly for Best Results

2009-05-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

If you’re a typical American, you’re overweight or obese. You’ve tried every diet in the book; you’ve bought herbal supplements; you’ve taken Hydroxy Cut and compromised your liver’s health; you’ve taken ephedra and compromised your heart’s health; maybe you’ve even tried out for the reality show, World’s Biggest Loser.

You’re frustrated and unhappy. Sometimes you just throw in the towel and give up altogether and then pack on another ten pounds. Does this sound familiar?

Here are some recommendations that may be of help. There is no magic bullet for everyone, but MOST people will benefit from these straight forward practices.

First, see an endocrinologist and make sure your metabolism is actually working correctly. You could get a leg up on this by reading Dr. Diana Schwarzbein’s excellent book, The Schwarzbein Principle. It’s interesting, easy to read and makes perfect sense. The woman is a leading specialist in her field, so she knows what she's talking about!

If you’re up for a truly intensive analysis of food and its effects on a person, read Weston A. Price’s Nutrition and Physical Degeneration and/or Gary Taubes’ Good Calories, Bad Calories. These three books alone should be required reading for everyone concerned about their weight.

What you will discover in all of this is pretty simple: what makes a person fat is EXCESS CALORIES. Carbohydrates seem to be the biggest culprit in this battle of the bulge, however. Study after study has shown that FAT DOES NOT MAKE A PERSON FAT. Cutting carbohydrate intake is the first and most important step a person needs to take to lose excess weight. So, cut carbohydrate intake down.

Exercise is key to burning calories. This is simple: find an activity that you can do that you enjoy, and then JUST DO IT. Make a commitment to yourself.

Finally, a good cookbook may be helpful. Schwarzbein offers some excellent recipes in her book. You’ll also find healthful, balanced meals in One Pot Galley Gourmet, a cookbook filled with easy-to-prepare, mostly one pot, healthy recipes. You won’t get fat eating any of these meals, unless of course you continue to overeat!

Remember, Rome was not built in a day, and neither was your waistline. Be kind to yourself and don’t starve yourself to death. Stop dieting and just eat sensibly. Exercise. For most people it’s that simple.

EASY Tips to Maintaining or Achieving Health

2009-05-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

It sounds simple, and it is. The keys to a healthy life are available for everyone, and at no cost. Many people who are slaves to medical care can cast off that mantle of expense and despair by just adopting these four simple principles.

Eat Healthfully

Eating healthfully sounds easy enough, yet statistically 2/3 of all Americans are overweight or obese. Where does one start? The four most deadly foods:

Soda pop

Processed foods containing numerous chemicals including high fructose corn syrup

Sugar

Highly refined white flour products

There are a plethora of nutritionists and scientists who agree that eliminating these items alone will drastically improve one’s health. From the original 1930’s harbinger of nutritional warning, Weston A. Price in Nutrition and Degenerative Disease, to science writer Gary Taubes and Good Calories, Bad Calories in 2006, increasing numbers of health professionals are strongly advising people to avoid sugar (including high fructose corn syrup) and refined white flour.

Exercise Regularly

Exercising regularly does not require gym membership. The simple act of walking can suffice for most individuals. A very worthy goal is to walk 10,000 steps a day, which equates to about 5 miles. Most people, shockingly, only average 400 steps per day.

Obviously some people are not able to walk because of disabilities, but most people are able to do some form of exercise that does not require expensive gym membership. There are channels on the television that are dedicated to exercise, and don’t discount housework, yard work and gardening as beneficial forms of exercise. Dumb bells are effective and cheap and will easily suffice for weight bearing exercise, as will the rubber tubing devices.

Get Enough Sleep

Surprisingly, lack of adequate sleep is a prime culprit contributing to weight gain and illness. Despite hectic schedules, all people should get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep, at a minimum. Sleep provides the body time to repair and to restore itself to maximum function.

Turn off lights while sleeping. Studies indicate that any source of artificial light in a room, no matter how tiny, keeps a person from producing melatonin.

Reduce Stress

This last recommendation is, for some, easier said than done. All too often, however, people carry stress that is unnecessary and unproductive. Recognize things that are beyond your control and learn to let these items go. This may mean limiting one’s exposure to continuous bad press. Sitting and watching the news and negative talk shows or crime dramas all evening may ultimately be contributing greatly to one’s stressful state of mind.

Being continuously stressed can contribute greatly to poor health:

Stressed people often over eat or crave fats and sweets.

Stress and depression can cause sleep difficulties.

Depressed/stressed people tend to exercise far less than their more positive counterparts.

Ironically, lack of exercise can in turn contribute to depression and stress.

The Power of Positive Thinking

Never underestimate the power of thinking positive thoughts! As Joseph Murphy, the author of The Power of Your Subconscious Mind said, " You are what you think, all day long." And, "Change your thoughts and you change your destiny."

Yes, it really is this easy to improve your health. Take it one step at a time, and remember, be kind to yourself. Times are tough enough.

An excellent cookbook for those wanting to eat healthy, nutritious, easy-to-prepare, DELICIOUS food is One Pot Galley Gourmet, a cookbook that specializes in tasty, healthful, easy, one pot meals. It's available at amazon.com and http://www.moonlightmesaassociates.com/ and www.rlcoffield.com

Fat Does Not Make You Fat! Dietary Fat is NOT the Culprit!

2009-04-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

A growing body of evidence is suggesting that the low-fat/ high-carb mania of the last several decades may be responsible for the rise in obesity, Type II Diabetes and a host of degenerative diseases.

A small cadre of health professionals is on the verge of wiping out decades of dietary advice that has sent Americans scrounging for low-fat labels on grocery items. Beginning with Dr. Diana Schwarzbein, endocrinologist and author of The Schwarzbein Principle, increasing numbers of informed health professionals are re-thinking the reigning conventional wisdom regarding diet and fat.

Don’t Blame Fat

Dietary fat is critical for human survival, according to Schwarzbein. In fact, low-fat, low calorie diets turn off one’s metabolism!

Gary Taubes, winner of three Science in Society Journalism awards, also demonstrates that dietary fat is not responsible for clogging arteries or making people fat in Good Calories, Bad Calories, where he debunks study after erroneous study making the false link between fat consumption and heart disease and obesity.

Blame Carbohydrates

According to Schwarzbein, Taubes and a growing number of health and dietary experts, excessive consumption of carbohydrates is to blame for a host of human ailments, ranging from acne to cancer, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, Type II Diabetes and many other degenerative diseases. Man-made carbohydrates are the most damaging, according to some nutritionists, and are actually the only “bad” carbohydrates.

Schwarzbein suggests that most, if not all, degenerative diseases are not genetically driven, but are the result of hormonal imbalance brought about by increasing insulin resistance due to excessive carbohydrate ingestion.

Balanced Diets

No one is suggesting that one abandon carbs entirely and resort to eating a steady diet of fats. According to Taubes, however, “Dietary fat, whether saturated or not, is not a cause of obesity, heart disease, or any other chronic disease of civilization.” He goes on to say that, “The problem is the carbohydrates in the diet, their effect on insulin secretion…The more digestible and refined the carbohydrates, the greater the effect on our health, weight, and well-being.”
Taubes’ seven years of intensive research indicates that refined carbohydrates are most likely the cause of cancer, Alzheimer’s and many other modern ailments.

Many health experts, however, still lay the blame on saturated fat for clogged arteries and expanded waistbands. The American Medical Association and The American Heart Association have as yet shown little or no indication of recognizing the obesity problem in America for what more and more people are saying it is: Excessive Carbohydrates.

Eating properly takes planning, something for which Americans appear to have little time. A balanced diet is increasingly difficult to achieve when many products in the grocery stores contain high fructose corn syrup, a particularly insidious man-made carbohydrate.
Human survival depends on fat. Long term low-fat/high carbohydrate diets lead to insulin resistance. Type II Diabetes, obesity and a host of other ailments.

An excellent cookbook, designed with these eating principles in mind, is One Pot Galley Gourmet, by Becky Coffield. The recipes in this book are all easy-to-prepare, mostly one pot meals, that are nutritious and delicious! The book is available at amazon.com and at http://www.moonlightmesaassociates.com/

Clenching and Grinding Can Lead to Throat Ailments

2009-04-06T19:32:00.000-07:00

Need another good reason to make every effort to stop clenching and grinding your teeth? More than just your teeth and jaws are affected! Clenching and grinding can also lead to serious throat and swallowing problems.

The damage done to teeth because of clenching and grinding often causes irreversible damage which can cost a lot of money and time a dental chair to repair. Equally as bad, however, (maybe worse) is the injury and trauma to one's throat that one can ultimately experience because of clenching and grinding. If tender throat muscles aren't scary enough for you, think about the horrible swallowing difficulties, risk of choking and other myofascial problems which can often ensue because of this insidious habit.

If you are already experiencing difficulty with swallowing, even if it's only occasional, or if you are prone to choking, you need to pay particular attention here. Stressing the jaw joints creates stress on the throat muscles as well. These things do not work in isolation. If you are already having difficulties with your throat, it is imperative that you take every action possible to stop the clenching/grinding that you are most likely doing at night while you're sleeping.

Often eliminating this habit goes hand in hand with eliminating stress. It's time to do some serious reflection here. Stress is going to do much more harm over the long haul to your body than cause TMJ Disorder, myofascial problems and swallowing/throat difficulties. These may just be the beginning of a long slide downhill.

Clenching and grinding is a very complex problem, however, and being under stress may not be the cause of this problem. There are many factors that can contribute to clenching, grinding and TMJD, from whip lash, head/neck injury, spinal misalignment, hyper-extension of the jaw, exposure to toxic substances and on and on. It can also be something as simple as a childhood habit that was never outgrown.

Take the time to analyze what could be causing this problem. Don't brush this off with a simple, "Oh well." Worse problems will come if clenching and grinding are not brought under control.

For ideas in dealing with this problem, You Can Conquer TMJ: Recipes and Ideas is available at http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.moonlightmesaassociates.com/.

Perfect Dessert Recipe for TMJD Sufferers

2009-03-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

Time for another free recipe! This one's a dessert recipe that you're going to LOVE for its healthful ingredients, ease in preparation and definitely its ease in eating.

Have you ever looked, really looked on a box of pudding? Go ahead. Look right now. You'll probably notice a whole list of ingredients that are not food at all...ingredients that are often three letter scientific mixtures, preservatives and many harmful chemicals. Well, here's a recipe for chocolate pudding that will seem irresistible for its wholesome goodness.

Grandma's Pudding

Here's just one of the pudding and dessert recipes that is available in One Pot Galley Gourmet, another cookbook very similar to You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes. The main differences between the two books are the inclusion of desserts in One Pot Galley Gourmet along with more recipes and also bread baking recipes. It's an ideal cookbook for TMJD sufferers too although it does not offer the ideas for dealing with TMJD like You Can Conquer TMJ does.

Ready? Here's Grandma's Chocolate Pudding:

Ingredients:

2 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 Tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/2 Tablespoons cocoa

Combine cornstarch and cocoa

Add milk and stir until everything is well blended

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick

Remove from heat and add sugar and vanilla. Stir until sugar is dissolved

Chill

That's it!! No chemicals. No preservatives. Look how little sugar is used! Only 1/2 cup sugar for four servings of pudding!

Honestly, the pudding has an irresistible creamy texture if you use whole milk. Remember, fat does not make you fat!!

One Pot Galley Gourmet

This book is available at amazon.com, http://www.moonlightmesaassociates.com/, and many online bookstores. It has received rave reviews for the tasty, easy-to-prepare meals that use wholesome ingredients. The recipes include beef, chicken, vegetarian, fish and pork. Most meals are one pot/pan and will delight the entire family.

TMJ Disorder Requires Life Adjustment

2009-03-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

Many illnesses and disorders require the people suffering from them to make life changes. Everyone knows someone who's had to lose weight and change eating habits because of diabetes. You probably also know someone who's had to avoid certain foods because of severe allergic reactions. Maybe you know people who must avoid the sun because of repeated skin cancers.

TMJ Disorder Requires Life Changes

Having TMJ Disorder is no different. For some reason, people don't think of TMJD as a life-altering disorder. They think there's a quick fix at the dental or doctor office. A pill. A mouth applicance. Surgery. Orthodontia work. Bridge work. Grinding teeth down. Bite alteration. Just fix it quick so I can go back to the nachos and margaritas, is the attitude of so many.

Once a person has had a severe bout of TMJ Disorder, however, things need to change. For some, drastic irreversible procedures may work. Unfortunately, this is a gamble, because for many the condition is worse after the irreversible procedure is performed. For others, mouth guards to help protect the teeth from nocturnal grinding and clenching are helpful. A study out of Wayne State University, however, declared that these devices are only effective for about three weeks. After this amount of time, the person adjusts to the device in his/her mouth and simply begins grinding and clenching on it. This may not be true for all people. It was true for me, however.

Changes Can be Simple

A life change does not have to be dramatic. The most important place to start looking at possible changes to make is in one's diet. One simply must eliminate crunchy, chewy foods that aggravate the jaw. It's well worth cutting back on, or eliminating, alcohol consumption, as drinking alcohol is a known cause of nocturnal grinding. Maybe caffeine will have to be eliminated- another known contributor to nocturnal clenching. Even over the counter drugs can exacerbate this condition.

Do No Harm

If you suffer from TMJ Disorder, it may be time that you adopt the "Do No Harm" policy and begin being kind to your body. This may involve a change in diet, practicing stress reduction, adopting an exercise regimen, eliminating toxic habits (like smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and caffeine products). Absolutely one should stop using illegal drugs of any kind, even if used "only recreationally." No matter how benign you think your drug usage is, it is highly toxic, stress inducing and harmful to your body.

Time and and a softer diet work wonders for the majority of TMJ Disorder sufferers. Others, unfortunately, do require further intervention. You can find a number of easy-to-cook, easy-to-chew recipes in You Can Conquer TMJ:Recipes and Ideas, available at amazon.com, www.youcanconquertmj.com, and www.moonlightmesaassociates.com

Avoid These Habits if You Have TMJ Disorder

2009-03-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

Surprisingly, many people who have TMJ Disorder, or who are flirting with it, often have habits, usually unconscious ones, that exacerbate this condition. Most, of course, have no idea that these habits or activities can cause undue stress on an already stressed jaw.

Gum Chewing

Chewing gum can put tremendous stress on jaw joints. People who have full blown cases of TMJD are aware of this and seldom chew gum, but many people who have lesser symptoms may not always equate gum chewing with TMJD, particularly if one's symptoms don't include pain but only include things like "popping" or crackling of the jaw. Popping and crackling jaw joints are only a prelude of what is to follow!

Chewing Ice

How many times have you sat around crunching on ice? Even chewing on shaved ice can put amazing stress on the jaw joints, not to mention that chomping on ice can crack and break teeth. This is a difficult habit to break. Ice chomping must be in one's DNA, for ice chompers revert to chomping and chewing ice no matter how hard they try not to. This is a BAD habit, and it's particularly bad for people with TMJD!

Chewing Pencils, Pens, Fingernails

This is another habit that is very detrimental to teeth and to jaw joints. It's also probably the most unsanitary habit there is if one considers who else may have handled the pencil or pen, and what else your fingers may have touched that is covered with germs and gross bacteria. Keep things out of your mouth. If you are a chewer and a chomper, this is very difficult. But if you have TMJD, it is essential that you not stress your jaw joints by chomping and grinding away on foreign objects.

Hard Candy

Please, don't even put a hard candy in your mouth if you are a chewer/chomper. The odds are, no matter how careful you are, that you are going to eventually chomp on the candy. Granted, you may wait until it's a tiny sliver or morsel, but you're going to do it. Avoid hard candy, and even avoid licorice and all those hard, chewy treats.

Toothpicks Count Too

If you're a natural born chomper/chewer, even using a toothpick can lead to some heavy duty chewing, especially if you leave the toothpick in your mouth for any length of time.

TMJD and Swallowing Disorders

If you have a bad case of TMJD the odds are that you may also develop a swallowing disorder. This disorder may range from slight to serious. TMJD is not a condition to be blown off or taken lightly, even if you aren't in pain. The throat muscles also can become involved along with the jaw muscles. Treat this condition seriously. Find out what is causing your TMJD and address this issue. TMJD is not a 'normal' condition. Something causes this and it seems that the cause of every case of TMJD is different. Don't continue habits that will lead to further complications of swallowing disorders.

There is speculation that vitamin deficiencies may be the root cause of this disorder; obviously, jaw or facial injury can lead to TMJD also. Some are suggesting that the condition may be hereditary. Sometimes dental procedures can cause a temporary bout of TMJD. No matter the cause, take this condition seriously and protect your jaws from further injury. NO MORE CHEWING and CHOMPING!

Lead Exposure and TMJ Disorder

2009-03-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

Calling all would-be scientists...got an idea here. We could all become rich and famous from this!

Toxic Lead/Metal Exposure

I'm not sure why this idea popped into my head, but I can't get rid of it and I need your help! Here's my thesis: Since TMJD is a relatively new disorder, perhaps it is caused by a childhood toxic exposure to lead. Even some other toxic exposure might account for it. Lead just seems to be one that's been around for quite some time.

So, here's where readers come in. If anybody out there has (had) TMJD and then has gone through a de-tox program where metals were removed from your body, please let me know if your TMJ Disorder got better after these metals/toxins were removed.

This toxic exposure idea has as much merit as just about any other idea that has been thrown out there as a possible cause of TMJD. It would even explain why TMJD may be heriditary...if a parent was exposed to this toxin it seems obvious that the fetus would also come into the world with this toxin.

Most adults remember the time when crews used to drive through parks, even neighborhoods, spraying out a mist or fog that used to kill mosquitoes. It could be something as simple as this.

My bet is that it's metals...or exposure during childhood to electromagnetic fields that may be causing TMJ Disorder in so many people.

Has anybody's TMJ Disorder improved after they had amalgam fillings removed?

Time for a Free TMJD Recipe!

2009-02-28T19:08:00.000-08:00

I think you're all needing another FREE TMJD recipe for those ailing jaws. Last time I gave out "Yvonne's Mexican Chicken and Rice." How about we do a beef one today?

Here's "Becky's Beef and Barley Mix"

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground hamburger (or ground bison's even better!)

1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 or 2 (or 3) carrots, peeled and chopped

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon marjoram leaves

salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 can (7 ounces) green chilies

1 can Italian stewed tomatoes (14 1/2 ounces)

1 1/2 cups water

3/4 cup barley

Ready?

Fry hamburger, onion, garlic, bell pepper and celery in a large high-sided fry pan. Fry until meat is well browned and vegetables are tender.

Stir in all the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook on low for an hour and fifteen minutes or so. You may remove the cover the last ten minutes if mixture still has too much liquid. I doubt this will happen, but you just never know!

This is GREAT with a dollop of sour cream on top.

BARLEY BITS:

Barley has 5 times more fiber than whole grains. It can be used as an alternative to pasta and rice. It has high amounts of soluble fiber and studies indicate it can significantly lower total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Other studies report significantly lower glucose and insulin after barley or barley extracts are eaten.

This recipe is just one of over 70 nutritious, delicious easy-to-prepare, easy-to-chew dinner recipes from You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes, available from amazon.com or http://www.moonlightmesaassociates.com/.

Stress Induced TMJD

2009-02-27T20:18:00.000-08:00

There are many causes of TMJ Disorder. This is one of the difficulties in diagnosing this disorder. Sometimes TMJD develops because of injury, such as a blow to the head or face, or whiplash. Sometimes arthritis irritates the tmj joint. Certainly clenching and grinding of teeth can cause or exacerbate the condition, and sometimes TMJD comes on for no discernible, apparent reason.

Often, however, sufferers will remark that they had their first bout with TMJD when they were undergoing a stressful time in their lives: divorce, death, job loss, financial difficulties...problems that sound very familiar to many people today.

So, when stress is causing a person to clench and grind his/her teeth, what exactly can he/she do about it considering all this clenching and grinding usually goes on at night while one is sleeping? There's a very simple solution here, although it is admittedly difficult to initiate.

Let Go of Things You Cannot Control

The fact is, most of the time the things that drive us to clench and grind our teeth are beyond our control. This is a difficult concept for some people to accept. As Americans, we tend to believe that we are in control of our destiny, that if we work hard we'll succeed, that we can do whatever we set our minds to. And to a large extent, I'd agree that this is true, but there are simply some things a person cannot control. For example, how much control do you really have over President Obama and his fiscal policies? How much control do you have over the weather? How much control do you have over North Korea's desire to deploy nuclear weapons? In other words, when you take a good look at things, there are just some things that are simply beyond your control no matter how much fretting and cursing and stewing you may be doing over them.

The key here is to recognize things that are beyond your control and to LET THEM GO. There are other things in your life that you CAN control. The truth is, when all is said and done, 20 years from now the concerns you have today will seem a mere blip on life's radar. Remember the quote: To Everything There is a Season. Learn to distinguish those things in your life that you can control and those that you can't. There is no point in making yourself sick, or destroying your teeth and jaws, over things that are beyond your ability to control.

Simplify

Another easy concept to understand, but difficult to employ, is the concept of simplification. Often our lives become "out of control" and subsequently stressful because we make things complicated. Some of us revel in confusion and chaos. We lose track of who we are and what we really need. Instead, we dash about fretting about things that ultimately are quite irrelevant. I NEED I NEED I NEED, is a continuous whine by so many. "I need a new car; I need a bigger house; I need to fly first class; I need a mink coat; I need to send my kids to private school; I need a private airplane; I need a facelift; I need I need I need."

Again, this obsession with our needs (superficial needs at that) can create a tremendous amount of stress as we gnash our teeth trying to figure out how we can afford a bigger car payment or house payment.

In the long run, this obsession with "needs" creates a very unhealthy lifestyle as we work longer and longer hours to make more and more money, which usually ends up simply creating more and more problems causing (you got it) stress...and there we have the gnashing and grinding of teeth again.

Exercise, Sleep and Good Nutrition...Meditation Too

Instead of having two or three drinks to dilute the stress stirring in your guts and causing you to clench and grind at night (alcohol contributes to clenching and grinding, by the way) try a new approach. Exercise to help ease stress. Sleep at least 8 hours a night. Eat healthfully...cut the booze, soda, donuts and fast food. Meditate. Learn to calm your thoughts. For many, your teeth and jaws will thank you.

Clenching, Grinding and TMJ Disorder

2009-01-31T19:23:00.000-08:00

It would be lovely indeed if one could solve TMJ Disorder by determining why people clench and grind. Ironically, while many people who clench and grind do develop TMJD, some people who clench and grind never develop this disorder. And, wouldn't you know, some people get TMJD who don't clench and grind at all...ever.

Still, the clenching and grinding of teeth is almost always a contributing factor to the development of TMJD. Since this activity is usually done at night while one is sleeping and unaware of what one is doing, it becomes somewhat of a challenge to break this habit. Additionally, the habit is likely a life-long one.

Childhood Clenching and Grinding

This particularly bad habit almost always begins in childhood, as it is quite common for very young children to clench and grind their teeth while sleeping. There are a lot of speculations as to why children develop this habit, and these range from the proverbial stress explanation, to genetics, to diet. For whatever reason children experience nocturnal clenching and grinding of their teeth, however, the habit seems to stop on its own...for most.

Unfortunately, a good many people continue this habit into adulthood. After a decade or two of nocturnal clenching and grinding, it doesn't take much imagination for one to understand why the jaw joints begin to ache, pop, crackle, lock up and in general stage a mutiny.

Diet and Genetics

Increasingly people are looking at diet and genetics as possible causes of this habit. It appears that most clencher/grinders have at least one parent who also does so. But then, one must ask why the parent(s) clench/grind.

Surprisingly, the answer to this question may relate back to the basic diet. Since TMJD is a relatively "modern" disorder, is there something in the diet that makes a person prone to this problem? Weston A. Price, author of Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, would say yes, quite resoundingly. The addition of sugar to our diet has introduced a plethora of modern ailments and debilitating diseases - so why not TMJD? In fact, I once heard a dietician state that had there been an FDA around in the days that sugar was "developed," it would never have been approved, so damaging and addictive is it to the human body. In today's market there is not only the disastrous effects of sugar per se to deal with, but almost all processed foods have high fructose corn syrup added to them.

Will eliminating sugar from one's diet help stop TMJD and nocturnal clenching and grinding? There's only one way to find out, isn't there?

Got TMJD? Don't Eat These Foods

2009-01-19T20:50:00.000-08:00

If you have a really bad case of TMJ Disorder, you may be having difficulty eating much at all. Don't feel relegated to just milkshakes and margaritas though. There are lots of healthful things you can eat, and I'll address some of these things in more detail in another blog.

For now, let's assume you have a painful case of TMJ Disorder, but you are still able to chew food...if you're careful. Or maybe you're not too bad, but after 150 chips with salsa you're in pain. Either way, the following is a list of food you should avoid altogether if you have TMJD.

Raw, crispy vegetables

Chips

Crunchy cereal

sub sandwiches

crunch peanut butter

sports bars

corn on the cob

steak, prime rib, pork chops (basically, all chewy meats)

tacos

whole apples (cut apple into very thin slices)

most nuts

popcorn

licorice

candy bars

bacon

hamburgers (as in hamburger sandwiches)

crackers

pizza

french bread

granola bars

most fast food

This may seem like a formidable list, but if you look at it very closely, you'll see that many of these foods aren't very good for you anyway. Many are loaded with preservatives, chemicals and high fructose corn syrup...or just plain sugar. Eliminating a lot of these foods (except for the vegetables) will actually be good for you.

The following is a list of foods you probably CAN eat:

fish (all kinds, just not fried)

cheeses

beans

lentils

rice

cottage cheese

oatmeal type cereals

most vegetables (cooked)

many fruits

eggs

pastas

soups galore

olives

raisins (cooked)

pancakes, crepes

muffins

yogurt

ground meats

creamy peanut butter/nut butters

ice cream!!

desserts :)

almost all meats slow-cooked in a crockpot

Now, not all of these items are healthful if eaten in large quantities, I'll admit. But most of them are healthful. Even the high carb items, like pancakes, aren't too bad if you don't drown them in syrup and eat a gigantic stack. Even pasta, a high carb food, is okay. Just don't eat a plateful.

Remember that most, not all, but most cases of TMJD will resolve given time and a softer diet. For good ideas on easy-to-cook, easy-to-chew recipes, check out You Can Conquer TMJ:Ideas and Recipes or One Pot Galley Gourmet, both available at amazon.com or http://www.rlcoffield.com/.

Death in the Desert Deals with Illegal Immigration and Terrorism Issues

2009-01-16T19:30:00.000-08:00

Death in the Desert (Moonlight Mesa Associates, 2008) may be more nonfiction than fiction as it portrays Arab-sponsored Mexican drug cartels bent on bringing economic and moral ruin to the United States. Ultimately the goal is to see a Mexican flag waving at the White House, while Americans are on their knees begging for mercy...in Spanish.

Although the book is a distant sequel to Northern Escape, the award-winning suspense novel published by Helm Publishing in 2006, Death in the Desert easily stands alone. Interestingly, the book introduces Jake Starr, an engagingly flawed U.S. Marshal with his own personal agenda for revenge. For those who may wonder, there is no comparison intended between Starr and real life Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio. Many have already asked if there will be a Jake Starr follow-up. For now, the answer is no.

The fact remains, and the book succinctly makes this point, this country is grossly vulnerable to illegal immigration with its thousands of miles of shoreline, its hundreds of ports of entry, and its 2000 miles of southern border. Increasing evidence points to the fact that criminals and terrorists of the worst sort are now illegally crossing this border daily.

An unpopular fact is that the flow of narcotics into this country is a consumer-driven problem. No demand...no business. This may seem a hard line approach to a complex problem, but the fact remains, if people did not buy and use illegal chemicals, the entrpreneurial Mexican drug smuggler would earn his wages doing something altogether different. Thousands of lives would not be lost in the drug wars, and despair would not descend on quite so many.

Death in the Desert is available at amazon.com, http://www.rlcoffield.com/ and http://www.moonlightmesaassociates.com/. This book is not for the queasy - but the truth rarely is.

TMJD Cookbook Helps Many

2009-01-12T19:56:00.000-08:00

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!

Unusual Causes of TMJ Disorder

2009-01-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons TMJ Disorder is such a difficult condition to pinpoint, is that its causes are far ranging and sometimes very odd.

Talking, a lot of it, may cause jaw discomfort if you're suffering from TMJ Disorder. If you're a teacher or in a profession where talking is a large part of your job, you may qualify for disability if the TMJ condition interferes with your ability to earn your livelihood. Talking will not cause TMJ Disorder, but it can certainly exacerbate the condition. TMJ Disorder that is irritated by talking is discussed in You Can Conquer TMJ:Ideas and Recipes.

Phone Use and TMJD

How do you hold the phone? Are you a person who cradles the phone on one side of your head more than the other? Cradling the phone between your ear and your shoulder can cause stress on the neck and jaw and lead to TMJ Disorder.

Computer Posture and TMJD

How's your posture at the computer? There's growing evidence that one's posture while at the computer can have long ranging effects. Most people don't connect this to the jaw and to TMJ Disorder, but the connection is there. Often times the jaw ends up being bothered because of stress on the shoulders, neck or upper back. This particular cause is one that may be corrected by massage or chiropractic care. There are chiropractors who insist that spinal/neck manipulation alone will cure TMJ Disorder. This may work for some people, but there is no one cure-all for this condition.

Are you straining your neck during exercise routines? Neck muscles can impact the TMJ joint.

Stress and TMJD

There is little doubt that stress often affects people in negative ways, and TMJ Disorder can result from excessive stress. Interestingly, people often insist that they aren't stressed, so stress cannot possibly be the cause of their TMD. Stress, however, manifests itself differently in different people. For example, some people are pacers, fingernail chewers, worriers, so their stress is obvious. Usually this type of stress is emotional, but it has physical manifestations. Sufferers may get upset stomachs, headaches, migraines, depression.

Sometimes, however, the body may be experiencing stress that a person is unaware of. Physical conditions create stress that can manifest in problems like TMJ Disorder. Basically, anything that stresses the body - diet, fatigue, illness, drugs, prescription medication, injury, toxins of any kind, excess caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, even amalgam fillings - can potentially contribute to a person developing TMJ Disorder.

Age and Overuse of the Jaw

Arthritis is another cause of TMJ Disorder.

Hyper-extension of the jaw, usually occuring during prolonged dental procedures, can also cause TMJ Disorder.

Excessive gum chewing, fingernail biting, chewing on objects like plastic straws, pens, pencils, and other hard objects can also bring this disorder on.

Whiplash and TMJD

Of growing interest is the speculation that some cases of TMJ Disorder may be caused by whiplash injuries, often not manifesting until years after the whiplash occurred. Could having been shaken as a child not also result in a whiplash type injury which might not be apparent until TMJ Disorder develops years later?

Fortunately, most cases (certainly not all) of TMJ Disorder will self-resolve given time and a softer diet. You Can Conquer TMJ:Ideas and Recipes includes over 75 easy-to-cook, easy-to-chew recipes designed for the TMJD sufferer.

TMJ Disorder and Exercise

2008-12-21T20:58:00.000-08:00

If you have TMJ Disorder, you've probably had to curtail some of your activities. It's amazing how much the jaw muscles/joints are involved in so many activities! If you're a non-exerciser, this is a mute point, but if you are a go-getter, exercising can present problems with TMJ Disorder.

AB Exercises

You've probably discovered that doing crunches can be quite painful to your jaw. Does this mean you get out of doing abs? Only if you want to. There are abs you can do that don't hurt your jaw, they just aren't crunches or sit-ups. Who likes doing those, anyway? Even doing The Plank can hurt your jaw due to gravitational pull.

One gimmicky piece of equipment, The Abdominizer (it looks a bit like a lounge chair) does allow for ab exercises that don't hurt the jaw. This is probably because your head is totally supported.

Weights

If lifting weights, BE SURE to hold your mouth OPEN and breathe. Closing your mouth while doing weight training can lead to clenching. The same holds true if using stretch bands instead of weights.

Watch Out for Jarring Activities

Horseback riding only has one drawback...if you get jarred, your two jaws may smack together.

Hiking is fine. Watch the weight of your backpack, however. Too much weight may cause you to clench while struggling uphill.

Biking? Watch the jarring. Same with jogging or running. The treadmill is a good friend for you, especially if it has a shock absorber.

Water sports like swimming are fine, but be careful if you water ski.

Aerobics classes are fine if the jarring does not bother you.

Yoga and Tai Chi are wonderful, but not the moves where you must be inverted.

You should have no trouble with bowling, golfing, rowing, tennis, softball, badminton, ice skating (unless you fall on your behind and jar yourself!).

NO NO Exercises

I would not encourage you to play football, rugby, soccer, boxing or take up wrestling or contact sports in general. Really, most of this is up to the individual and the degree of TMJD one has. As your jaw improves, you can easily resume activities you may have had to give up.

In general, having TMJD is not an excuse for not working out in some way.

For more ideas on dealing with TMJ Disorder, see You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes, (Moonlight Mesa Associates, 2006) available at amazon.com or www.rlcoffield.com

The Loneliness of TMJ Disorder

2008-12-15T20:31:00.000-08:00

There is a terrible loneliness that often accompanies TMJ Disorder. Not being able to chew/eat is alien to the vast majority of people. There is little understanding of the dynamics of this condition. Chewing. It's so basic. So simple. So everyday. Yet TMJD sufferers often can only sip through a straw. There is no camaraderie at mealtime. You watch as others nonchalantly chew, talk and swallow without a thought. Pain may be your constant companion...it may be your only companion.

Not Well Understood

Despite the "experts" in this condition, this is really not a well understood ailment. Its causes are as diverse as the people who suffer from it. Its cures are even more uncertain. Too often sufferers are subjected to criminal, nonreversible procedures because of their desperate attempt to get pain free and be able to eat and enjoy food again. The result is that frequently sufferers are left worse off, physically and financially, after a treatment than they were before the treatment. There's no "TMJD Certification." It's Buyer Beware!

The condition seems to be most often brought on by injury, hyper-extension of the jaw (during lengthy dental procedures) and clenching and grinding of teeth, most often at night.

Amazingly, a large percentage of people who have this condition do recover without medical intervention given TIME and a SOFTER DIET. A few do require the services of a surgeon, and a the lucky ones actually get better.

Chiropractors often insist that they have the solution to the condition through spinal manipulation, and for some this may work. Hypnotism may work - for all I know, voodoo works. For me, time and a softer diet worked. Icing the jaw helped also. It was a long, slow, painful recovery, however, made worse by the plastic mouthguard a dentist insisted would help, but which only cost me $250 and more pain. This is often the case with mouthguards. People either swear by them or abhor them.

Probably one of the worst things about this condition is the sinking feeling that it will never go away, that this is the rest of your life: soup, oatmeal, pureed slop. There are actually many, many edible recipes for the TMJD sufferer, however. A bunch are in "You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes."

Recovery is Tentative

Once a person's had a bad bout of TMJ Disorder and "recovered," there remains an underlying fear of contracting the condition again. As a result, most people who've recovered remain very careful about what they eat. The first sign of discomfort finds the food item laying on the plate untouched. People greatly fear a relapse of TMJD. It's almost an obsessive fear with some primarily because those who've never had the disorder, JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND the pain, the depression, the alienation, the loneliness of the TMJD sufferer.

TMJ Disorder and Trips to the Dentist

2008-12-12T20:19:00.000-08:00

In all fairness, a trip to the dentist is sheer hell…for both the TMJD sufferer AND the dentist. Be happy he/she doesn’t charge you extra!

Because most TMJ Disorder suffers may not only have a limited mouth opening, but also may be unable to hold the mouth open for long periods of time, dental work can become traumatic for everyone involved.

More Frequent Cleanings

Despite the discomfort, it is extremely important that one continue to see a dentist on a regular basis. Since you are probably not able to floss your teeth as recommended (due to mouth positions) you may want to schedule cleanings every three or four months instead of every six. You will have less plaque if you have your teeth cleaned more regularly. This means that during the cleaning procedure you’ll have to hold your mouth open for less time. Be extra nice to your hygienist!

Water Pics are Helpful

Since you probably cannot floss regularly, if at all, I do recommend getting a water pic. These are supposedly not as effective as flossing, but it does get extra particles from between your teeth, and the process does not hurt your jaw. If nothing else, it will make you feel pro-active.

Rest, Ice and Pain Relief

Ask your dentist or hygienist to give you plenty of rest times during your dental procedures. If really needed, take an Advil or Aleve for the occasion. Ice your jaw after your appointment (make sure the Novocain is worn off before icing). Eat a liquid diet if needed for the rest of the day and maybe even the next day.

I don’t recommend using one of those blocks the dentist may offer you to rest your jaw on. Holding your mouth open for an extended time is going to cause havoc for you even if it’s being propped open.

Remember, most cases of TMJ Disorder will resolve given TIME and a SOFTER DIET. For helpful hints and pages of nutritious, delicious easy-to-cook, easy-to-chew recipes, see You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes.

TMJ Disorder and Sleep Disturbance

2008-12-04T10:38:00.000-08:00

Sleeping can be extremely difficult if one is having a painful episode (or ongoing episode) of TMJ Disorder. In fact, for some, sleep may not even be possible without the aide of pain medication or sleeping potions. Try to avoid both of these remedies. Perhaps the following ideas, taken from You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes, may help.

Avoid Side Sleeping

Maybe it's not even possible, but try not to sleep on the TMJD side of your face. If you are a person who sleeps on your back, rejoice. Sleeping on the side where you have the sore jaw does not help the situation one bit, which you probably already know. Most of the time, as you are aware, you will wake up in pain. Unfortunately, there are no clever tricks for managing the sleep issue, but here are a few ideas.

Try cradling your head, or putting your arm under it so the pressure is not on the jaw joint. (However, just gravity alone can cause the joint to ache.)

Tom McDannold, fellow TMJ sufferer, recommends sleeping with the bottom of the pillow at eye level, so the lower half of one's face is off the pillow. Again, gravity may cause pain.

Start on the Back

For starters, lay on your back, focus on your breathing and relaxing your jaw. Concentrate on making sure the lower jaw is relaxed. Place the tip of your tongue gently behind the front teeth. Some people find it helpful to start off in this position. If one places large pillows or cushions along both sides of one's head, that may help keep one from rolling over to one's side.

Even before one retires for the night, a teaspoon of "Natural Calm Plus Calcium" (a magnesium-calcium formulation) in a glass of warm water can help one relax naturally. Follow directions on the container. Eventually the dosage may be upped to four teaspoons for maximum calming. The product contains magnesium, calcium potassium, vitamin C, vitamin D3 and Boron.

No Alcohol or Stimulants

Avoid alcohol and stimulants of any kind in the hours before bed. It has been shown that alcohol and stimulant usage may exacerbate TMJ grinding and clenching.

A good night's sleep is essential for health and well-being. TMJ Disorder can be extremely disruptive to one's sleep, so it is critical that one find a way to relieve jaw pressure at bedtime.

TMJ Disorder and Fast Food Eating

2008-11-06T07:58:00.000-08:00

In general, forget about stopping for fast food if you're suffering from TMJ Disorder. These are not healthful places to eat anyway, and it's not going to happen unless you want to subsist on a diet of milkshakes. There are only a few fast food restaurants that offer choices you will be able to comfortably eat.

Fast Foods for TMJ Disorder Sufferers

Wendy's does offer baked potatoes and chili. Currently a lot of people are down on potatoes, saything they are too high on the glycemic index. If diabetes is an issue for you, then this should be taken into consideration. Many others still believe potatoes to be quite healthful if eaten in moderation. (The Irish ate them by the bushel.) Just avoid french fires and too much tasty goop on your bakers. Also, if you're going to eat that tasty stuff, eat the real thing and enjoy every tiny bite. Avoid the imitation. Have you ever read the ingredients on the containers of that stuff?? If it can't be pronounced, it shouldn't be eaten!!

Quizons has a small selection of soups, as does Schlotsky's. Some Subways also offer soup. Many small cafes and diners also offer tasty, "homemade" soups.

Grocery Store Deli's

Grocery store delis also provide a nice selection of pastas and soups. You can also buy cheeses and order very thinly sliced turkey. If the store has a microwave, they usually let you buy and cook a t.v. dinner in it, although t.v. dinners and microwave cooking in general are not very healthful. While you're roaming the aisles desperate for something satisfying and chewable, grab some milk, fruit or some kind of yogurt or juice to go with your meal. No sodas.

Breakfast on the Road

When you get sick of restaurant breakfast menu items, an easy breakfast on the road is to stop at a grocery store bakery and buy fruit, some kind of fresh baked bran muffins (well, they at least SOUND healthful) and orange juice. Unfortunately, muffins are loaded with "bad" ingredients, but there must be some redeeming quality to them. Although this breakfast is very high in carbohydrates and little to no protein, it's chewable.

Some people do very well with drinks like Ensure and Slim Fast on car trips. Don't read the labels too closely, however, or you may pass on these also.

Pack Food

Probably the best resource for TMJ Disorder sufferers is to pack their own foods for a road trip. A small ice chest can carry a lot of goods. Thinly sliced apples, oranges, grapes, kiwis and other types of fruit placed in baggies in the ice chest will last a long time. Pack plenty of water. Cheese slices and thinly sliced turkey or roast beef will help provide protein. Hard boiled eggs travel well, as do cans of tuna and chicken. Small containers of cottage cheese and yogurt also travel well if kept near the ice. Try to look on the bright side and think of all the nasty chips and sugary snacks you're not eating. Keeping your stomach satisfied and drinking lots of water will keep you in better spirits as you deal with this disorder.

Dining Out with TMJ Disorder

2008-10-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

Eating out is perhaps one of the more difficult situations to contend with if you have a severe case of TMJ. It can be depressing as hell, as most restaurants do not seem to cater to this particular ailment. Few restaurants offer many items that can be chewed easily.

Forget These Places

Forget about steak houses. Forget about pizza. These types of restaurants will probably not work and will only serve to make you depressed about your condition. This does not mean that you cannot eat out, however. You’ll just have to use some creativity and select your restaurants carefully. This can be difficult if you are dating, if you are part of a group, or if you are participating in a group gathering where the choice of where to eat is made by others.

Remember What You Can Eat

Remember the things you CAN eat: pasta, soups, fish (not fried) rice, cheese, and most ground meats (depending on your TMJ condition). Obviously, Italian restaurants will work well for you, and surprisingly, many Mexican dishes will work, particularly cheese or ground beef enchiladas, although some may not regard this as particularly healthful fare. But it’s not like you’re eating this every day! Burritos can be doable if they are not dry. Avoid the chips and salsa.

Fish is a safe choice, but only if it is grilled, baked, or poached, and please do not eat farmed salmon as it has received a great deal of bad press, is potentially full of dioxins and PCB’s, and is not nearly as full of Omega 3 fatty acids as wild salmon. In general, be careful about consuming any farmed fish. Also, fish can be too chewy for you if it is not cooked correctly or if it’s been frozen.

Breakfast restaurants are a no-brainer with their multiple egg and pancake offerings.

The soups in many restaurants are very high in fat and salt, but they are tasty, and what the heck, at least you’re not eating meat containing hormones and antibiotics, and you’re not wolfing down bread lathered with butter, or appetizers that are deep fat fried. Splurge.

Sometimes buffets offer edible choices, and remember there are always side dishes. I once had a tiny spinach soufflé and a baked sweet potato for dinner, both of which had been offered as side dishes. My meal was incredibly filling and delicious.

Chinese food is not particularly easy to eat. Finding edible food at Grills and Sports Bars is also next to impossible.

Try to think of all the money you’ll save by not eating out so much. And, remember, most sufferers of TMJD do improve.

These and other tips for dealing with TMJ Disorder are available in "You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes." Available at http://www.rlcoffield.com/ and amazon.com

Not Everyone Will Recover from TMJ Disorder

2008-10-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

Recently I was abruptly reminded, by two long term TMJ Disorder sufferers, that not all cases of TMJ Disorder will self-resolve. These ladies were incensed at my book title, "You Can Conquer TMJ." And I do agree with them. This is a sad fact of this disorder: For a multitude of reasons, some cases are never going to be “cured.”

For Some, Surgery May Be Necessary

I do know that some cases of TMJD may require irreversible procedures performed, like surgery. Unfortunately, all too often sufferers are worse off after surgery than they were before the procedure. I have had contact with far too many individuals who’ve paid thousands of dollars for irreversible procedures and not been left better off. I still say that surgery should be done only as a last case resort, and one should be prepared to suffer the unforeseen consequence that perhaps, just perhaps, they will not be better off for the experience. For some, however, surgery IS the solution.

Book Title

In fact, were I to re-title my book, I would not use the current title ( You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes ) because it is, I now see, misleading. This was completely unintentional on my part given that, statistically, most cases of TMJD do resolve with a SOFTER DIET and TIME. For those who have shaken their fists in anger at this Pollyanna approach to TMJD, I apologize sincerely. It has totally never been my intention to belittle or diminish the extent of a person’s suffering from this disorder. I’ve had this disorder. It was not only excruciatingly painful, it was extremely, totally depressing.

Pain Free, but Cautious

In point of fact, can I truly state I am completely recovered from my case of TMJD? No. Even though I am pain free, I am very cautious about what I eat. If anything is the least chewy or tough, I take an immediate pass on that item. I cannot eat apples on the core; I cannot eat corn on the cob; I seldom attempt to chew gum; no jaw breakers; sandwiches can sometimes be difficult; the list can go on. At best I can state I am now pain free and able to eat most foods, even crunchy items like carrot sticks. I cherish this because I know it can take only one careless moment, one thoughtless bite on something, and I could be back at square one.

Many Treatment Options Available

TMJD sufferers have a plethora of options they can now explore before they go the surgical or “irreversible procedure” route. Some steadfastly claim that chiropractic intervention cures their sporadic attacks of TMJD. Some cling to their use of mouthguards at night. Others resort to acupuncture. I, and others, believe that time and a softer diet alleviate the problem (along with stopping nocturnal clenching and grinding). There are, basically, many paths one can take to find relief from this malady. Not every path is right for every person. And for a few individuals, there may be no paths. Pain management may be the only option left.

So, for those who have been offended at the title of my book because time and a softer diet did not work for them, I apologize. It was never my intention to mislead anyone. Despite the fact that many dentists and health practitioners agree with me, I do recognize that my path may not be everyone's path.

I wish you well and a speedy recovery.

TMJ Disorder and Women

2008-09-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

One cannot help but wonder why women are twice, even three times, as likely as men to develop TMJ Disorder. This is a statistic that is generally glibly passed over with explanations that have virtually no valid scientific basis, such as “women’s jaws deteriorate from the age of 30 on.” If that’s so, then WHY?

What is it about the composition or structure of a woman’s mouth/jaw that predisposes her to this disorder? Besides being structurally smaller, there’s no other feature that differs so much from a man’s jaw/mouth as to contribute or cause this problem.

There are too many unanswered questions.
• Statistically, women do seek dental care more frequently and regularly than men. Is it possible that repeated jaw extensions cause damage?
• Is it hormonally driven?
• Could jaw irregularity be an early indicator of osteoporosis?
• How often does TMJ Disorder precede arthritis of the jaw?
• Is there a genetic connection?
• Is the stess that women nowadays must deal with just proving to be too much what with juggling jobs, kids, households and often caring for aging parents all at the same time?
• What about stressors that are beyond our control, such as long term exposure to VLF and ELF electromagnetic fields, or exposure to environmental toxins?

Until scientists can explain WHY women suffer from this malady far more than men, I think the remedy for TMJ Disorder for all may elude us. But will the largely male population of scientists give this problem the attention it requires?

Perhaps the answer is as simple as Weston A. Price proposed 70 years ago in “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration.” Perhaps our modern diet and addiction to refined white flours and sugar is ultimately the culprit. What do we do now if our dental arches are already malformed?

I know a simple, nutritious, softer diet helped me. Maybe it can help you too.

TMJ Disorder May Be Inevitable

2008-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

It's possible that TMJ Disorder may be an inevitable outcome from our modernized diet consisting of so much white flour and sugar. Weston Price, DDS, warned of this over 70 years ago, yet we continue down the path of dietary suicide.

Studies Show Facial and Dental Changes

In his landmark text, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, Price discusses the change in native people's dental arches, dental health and facial changes at great length. No matter if the people studied were from remote Swiss villages or from South Sea Islands, all people who adhered to their native diets were almost 100% cavity free, but those who came under the influence of the modern commodities of white flour and sugar quickly succumbed to runaway dental caries, and within one generation showed marked changes in dental and facial formation.

More than a Generation from Health

Despite Price's highly detailed studies, most modern medical practitioners continue to blithely ignore the tremendous amount of information that Price offered through his careful analysis of diet on dental caries and general health. At this stage, most people who suffer from TMJ Disorder are well beyond the one generational change that occurred with the advent of white flour and sugar.

Diet and TMJ Disorder

It may be a distinct possibility that many cases of TMJ Disorder are inevitable given the malformation of dental arches from several generations of eating a diet based on white flour and sugar. This may seem like a hopeless situation for those with TMJ Disorder if this is indeed the case. Don't go and rage against your parents for their poor dietary choices, however. Most people are completely unaware that our modern diet is greatly lacking in nourishment and overladen with additives and other chemical components.

Salvage What You Can

While you may have TMJ Disorder, most sufferers can do some things to help turn their lives and their disorder around. First, be informed about what you are eating. Personally, I try very hard not to eat anything that has ingredients listed that I can't pronounce, or has three letter abbreviations in the ingredients. That eliminates all processed foods, including store bought bread! Secondly, try to buy organic. You're worth the extra price! Third, concentrate on eating "easy-to-chew" nutritious foods. You can find recipes designed for TMJ sufferers in "You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes."

Depend on Yourself

Ultimately you'll need to depend on yourself. No one is going to save you with irreversible jaw procedures. Salvage what you can of your life and your jaws. Eat healthfully. Eat a soft, nutritious diet. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and drugs, even over-the-counter ones as much as possible. If you are of child bearing age, you may want to consider eliminating white flour products and sugar from your diet to help protect your unborn.

TMJ Disorder and Alcohol

2008-09-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

At the risk of raining on anyone's parade or being a party-pooper, I have to raise the fact that, if you are a drinker - even a light drinker, there is a strong possibility that your TMJ problems may stem from, or be increased by, alcohol use. And not just alcohol use, even caffeine and nicotine can exacerbate your grinding and clenching problems.

Alcohol's Effect on TMJ Disorder

There is a great deal of speculation that alcohol affects one's tendency to grind and clench because, in general, alcohol interferes with one's sleep patterns. Regardless of how deeply you think you are sleeping after imbibing, studies indicate that alcohol only acts as a sedative in the early hours of sleep. Later, in the sleep cycle, sleep can be disturbed.

Anyone who has tippled before bed knows that they often feel fatigued upon awakening, despite how many hours they may have "slept." This is because the deep cycles of sleep are shortened - or missed altogether - when one drinks in the hours before bed.

Numerous studies indicate that grinding intensifies and that people clench more after alcohol consumption.

Nicotine and Caffeine

Smokers, soda drinkers and coffee drinkers also have a tendency to clench and grind more than their non-smoking, drinking counterparts. Nicotine and caffeine act as stimulants to the nervous system. Over stimulation during the day may give one a sense of energy and alertness, sometimes even anxiety. Indeed, often one's blood pressure surges with even these mild stimulants. When one is sleeping, however, this excess nervous energy may be released in undesirable ways...such as clenching and grinding. Sleep itself may be disturbed and agitated, with deep cycles being shortened. This in turn contributes to clenching and grinding.

Other Drug Effects

Drugs, prescription and otherwise, can affect people in unanticipated ways. For example, prescription drugs for depression can cause clenching/grinding, as can over-the-counter products that treat cold symptoms. Read labels carefully. If the product raises blood pressure, causes dizziness, nervousness, sleeplessness etc. as a side effect, it may well contribute to nocturnal clenching and grinding.

Be kind to yourself. Skip the vino and after dinner coffee and cigarette and instead take a walk, focus on your breathing while walking and have a small glass of (ice) water when finished.

For more information regarding TMJ Disorder, check out You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes and/or One Pot Galley Gourmet for a plethora of easy-to-cook, eash-to-chew, nutritious, delicious recipes.

The Mysterious TMJ(D)

2008-09-05T20:29:00.000-07:00

Mention “TMJ” to people, and almost to a person everyone either knows someone who has this disorder, or they have it themselves. Despite the millions of people who suffer from TMJD (Temporo Mandibular Jaw Disorder) there is mostly just educated speculation as to the possible causes of this disorder. Even less is certain about its cure.

Temporo Mandibular Joints

The temporo mandibular joints are small ball-and-socket hinge like structures on each side of your head that essentially connect your lower jaw to your skull. The lower jaw has rounded ends (condyles) that smoothly move in and out of this socket when one eats, speaks, yawns, etc. The surfaces of these bones are covered with cartilage, so bone is not grinding on bone, and the surfaces are also separated by a small disk which acts as a shock absorber. Sixty-eight pairs of muscles in your face and jaw area work to help stabilize this joint so that it moves smoothly to ensure speaking, swallowing, chewing, breathing, and even keeping your head on your shoulders! For the person with TMJD, however, any or all of these movements can become extremely painful as the condyles become dislocated or the cartilage excessively worn or overly stretched.

Categories of TMJ Disorder

Researches now divide the disorders of the temporomandibular joint into three categories: one is myofascial pain, and it is the most common. This pain is characterized by discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function and the neck and shoulder muscles. Then there is of the internal derangement of the joint, which means the jaw is dislocated, the disc is displaced, or the condyle is injured. The last category is degenerative joint disease, such as arthritis in the jaw joint.

This much science knows, but the certainty seems to stop here.

Causes of TMJ Disorder

The causes of TMJD seem to be as variable as the people who have it. Actual numbers of people experiencing TMJ disorders fluctuate widely, ranging from five to fifteen percent of the population of the United States to more than thirty-five percent of people. Women are more likely to develop this condition than men…and no, excessive talking is not to blame, although talking can cause pain if one has this disorder!

Amazingly, many suffering from a TMJ ailment seem to know the exact cause of his/her disorder. Some develop this condition due to facial or head injuries because of blows to the head, jaw or face, or from whiplash A great many sufferers indicate that they developed TMJ pain after prolonged dental procedures. Could it be your bite? Maybe your spine is misaligned. Do you need orthotics in your shoes? Perhaps there is a genetic connection.

NIDCR is conducting a study to identify biological or genetic factors that may contribute to this disorder. Another recent study suggests there is a link to serotonin levels. While it would seem very reasonable to blame grinding and clenching of teeth for TMJD, ironically many people who grind and clench never experience TMJ pain. Arthritis can certainly be a cause, as can simply having tight jaw muscles due to stress.

Overuse of the jaw is another possible cause. Excessive gum chewing, nail biting and gnawing on items like plastic straws can overtax the muscles of this joint.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

You may be experiencing TMJ problems if your jaw clicks, pops, catches, or locks when you open your mouth, Frequent headaches, neck-aches and ear pain and ear infections are other indicators of TMJ joint disorder. When TMJ affects the ear, one may then experience dizziness, lightheadedness, ringing in the ears, and a fullness or pressure on the ear drum. (Perhaps you don’t need those antihistamines after all.)

Pain from the jaw can also radiate down your shoulders into your arms. Your teeth may not line up when you close your mouth, and you may not be able to open your mouth fully. In fact, the old song about the leg bone being connected to the hip bone, being connected to the back bone is an entirely appropriate analogy of TMJ pain. You may experience aches and pains throughout your body as your jaw struggles to align itself.

Treatment for TMJ Disorder

Fortunately, most people suffering from TMJ disorder will recover without medical intervention. Others will recover but will continue to have periodic bouts of the condition. Sadly, there are those for whom the pain of this disorder will become an indelible black mark on the fabric of their lives. Those with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint may not experience total recovery either. Whether your case of TMJD is fleeting or permanent, experts agree that one of the most important things you can do is to ease the stress on the jaw joint, and this can be done through dietary changes. This does not mean one must subsist on oatmeal, soup, or pureed foods for six months to a year, and that is how long (or longer) it may take for your jaw to fully recover. It does mean, however, that a diet that is easy to chew will be most helpful for your condition.

Other possible courses of action for improvement involve physical therapy, chiropractic work, applying heat or ice packs, massage therapy, hypnotism, and avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as wide yawning, singing, gum chewing, screaming, etc.) Learning stress reduction techniques is another possible course of action, as well as short-term use of pain relievers.

Mouth guards are widely prescribed by many dentists, but one must remember that mouth guards are not a cure for TMJ disorder. Mouth guards will help prevent damage to one’s teeth if one is grinding and clenching excessively, especially at night. Mouth guards, however, do not address the fundamental issue of WHY one is clenching and grinding. For some people, wearing a foreign object in one’s mouth can cause an increase in clenching and grinding and resulting pain.

Be Cautious with Medical Treatment

Be cautious with this disorder. More medical treatment is not necessarily better. Some dental experts urge that TMJD treatment be conservative and reversible. “Conservative treatments do not invade the tissues of the face, jaw or joint. Reversible treatments do not cause permanent, or irreversible, changes in the structure or position of the jaw or teeth.” (ibid). Always seek a second opinion if you are advised to have orthodontics to change the bite, or crowns, bridge work or grinding the teeth down to balance the bite. “Scientists have learned that certain irreversible treatments, such as surgical replacement of jaw joints with artificial implants, may cause severe pain and permanent jaw damage. Some of these devices may fail to function properly or may break apart in the jaw over time.” (ibid).

TMJ disorder can be an extremely painful condition that can affect every moment of your life, not just when you’re eating. Sleep can be disturbed, work can be compromised, activities are affected (whether they be sports, exercise, singing, or playing wind instruments) participation in group outings can be affected, and your dental health as well as your overall health and well being can suffer.

Remember the old expression, “patience is a virtue, possess it if you can...” Most of us are sadly lacking in this virtue and want a quick fix, but patience, time, a softer diet and stress management will go a long way in easing the pain of this disorder for the majority of people who suffer from it.

Try “Easy to Cook…Easy to Chew” meals from You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes, now available at Amazon.com or http://www.youcanconquertmj.com/.

Easy-to-Cook and Easy-to-Chew

2008-08-31T12:09:00.000-07:00

Here's a great way to start September off! A free, nutritious recipe that's guaranteed easy-to-cook, easy-to-chew for people suffering from TMJ Disorder, myofacial pain and swallowing disorders. This is a meal, in fact, that everyone will enjoy!

Yvonne's Mexican Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:

1 can chicken broth

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

1 1/2 cups chopped green bell pepper

3/4 cup uncooked, non-instant brown rice

1 can kidney beans

1 can (10 ounce) chicken, drained and broken up with a fork

1 small can (2 1/4 oz) sliced black olives

In a saucepan combine the broth, cumin, pepper, onion and bell pepper
Heat this to boiling
Stir in the rice and reduce heat
Cover and simmer on low until rice is at desired doneness
Add the beans and chicken. Heat completely.
Stir in the black olives and serve

This is fabulous topped with sour cream. Eat the real stuff...not that pretend goop.

Remember that most cases of TMJD will resolve by themselves give time and a softer diet.

This is one of many healthful recipes that are easy-to-cook and easy-to-chew that can be found in You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes and One Pot Galley Gourmet. Both books can be found on amazon.com and at www.rlcoffield.com.

Is There a Relationship Between Amalgams and TMJ Disorder?

2008-08-27T08:30:00.001-07:00

Is there a link between amalgam (dental "silver" fillings) and TMJ Disorder? The possibility is there.

While not everyone who has TMJ Disorder has amalgam fillings, many people do, so amalgam fillings cannot bear the total blame for all cases of TMJ Disorder. We already know that facial/jaw injuries account for many cases of TMJD. Grinding and clenching account for almost all of the other cases of TMJ Disorder. Could it be that grinding and clenching are caused by the toxins in one's mouth?

Mercury is TOXIC

Despite the fact that most people refer to amalgam fillings as "silver" fillings, the fact is that one of the main ingredients of amalgam is MERCURY. Mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to man. There have been many studies showing the deleterious effects of mercury on people, yet fillings containing mercury have been permitted in people's mouths of all places. Small amounts of mercury may be leaked, through sensitive, delicate tissue in the mouth, or through swallowing, into one's system. It is known that mercury affects the nervous system. It seems possible that this continuous attack on one's nervous system could result in stress to the body. We know that stress is a major contributor and/or result of TMJ Disorder.

We are continuously forewarned not to consume many species of fish because of the levels of mercury in them, yet mercury is placed in people's mouths!

Removal

An increasing number of people are opting to have their amalgams removed and replaced by fillings composed of other, nontoxic, material. Will this solve one's TMJ Disorder though? This is not certain since no studies, to date, have been done on this. It may certainly improve one's health, however, although one must remember that mercury does not readily leave one's body, but "stockpiles" in one's liver, kidneys and brain. The mercury that does leave the body may be contributing to the poisonous waters on our planet as it is flushed down the toilet.

Many dentists are now opting not to use amalgams on their patients. Unfortunately, there are those who will argue that amalgam fillings are safe, and they will repeat studies done on sheep who had teeth filled. Sheep exert 500 times more pressure on their teeth when they chew, yet they showed no sign of mercury toxins. Sheep, however, do not eat the variety of foods that people eat, nor do they place items in their mouths which could stimulate the mercury to release vapors.

Treatment

Each person must ultimately decide for himself/herself on this issue. Many people who have their amalgams replaced with other dental materials express an overall improved state of well-being. It is important, however, in considering the causes of one's TMJ Disorder, that one might give the use of amalgams strong consideration as a possible source of bodily stress that can exacerbate or cause TMJD, despite the current lack of scientific studies on amalgam and TMJD.

It is vital, when dealing with TMJ Disorder, that one proceed cautiously and not make rash decisions that may have permanent, devastating consequences. Removing amalgams is not a procedure that should cause irreversible damage, but rather may contribute to one's health and well being.

Is Your Case of TMJD Caused by Another Problem?

2008-08-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

The more medical professionals wrangle over the cause of TMJ Disorder, the more puzzling this disorder becomes. While facial/jaw injury, hyperextension of the jaw, clenching and grinding tend to be the leading culprits causing this malady, other research suggests that, at least in some cases, TMJ Disorder may be a byproduct of stress and/or other physical ailments. In some instances, one might wonder what comes first: Does TMJD cause stress...or... Does stress cause TMJD? Both questions can be answered with a resounding YES. However, numerous other conditions can contribute to the development of TMJD.

Many chiropractors blame spinal misalignments for causing TMJD. Indeed, some INSIST that spinal/neck problems are the only cause of TMJD. And many TMJD sufferers have commented that their chiropractor rights the problem for them when their jaws begin creaking, popping, crackling and aching. Unfortunately, the answer to this condition is just not this simple since many have tried chiropractic help to no avail.

Basically, any condition that causes the body stress can exacerbate TMJD. This can be something as serious as a malignancy, to a simple reaction to a vaccination, to allergies. A blood test can also show one's degree of internal inflammation.

Even exposure to electro-magnetic waves causes bodily harm and stress which can manifest itself in many ways, some even fatal. Are you wearing a cell phone glued to your ear? Do you work long hours on a computer? Is your home situated near a transformer or other high electro-magnetic producing machinery?

Before spending inordinate amounts of time and money trying to cure this condition, one might first consider attempting to find out WHY the condition developed. Once the underlying cause itself is addressed, the TMJD may readily resolve itself with time and a softer diet. Ideas for dealing with TMJD can be found in You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes.

High Gas Prices Are Here to STAY

2008-05-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

I'm not an economist by a long stretch. I'm not savvy to the corporate world or in with the in-crowd of shakers and movers. By comparison, I'm a grain of sand on the beach. But even this grain of sand gets it...high gas prices are here to stay. The sooner you get that through your sandy hair, the easier it will be to reorganize your life.

Why does this grain of sand believe this? It seems pretty obvious I think. First, the fact is oil is a finite resource. Second, there is a growing demand for it from emerging countries, like China and India. These countries are growing in their demands because we are enabling their economies to rapidly expand. QUIT BUYING THINGS MADE OVERSEAS! (And we need to stop outsourcing jobs and industries. This is so basic I can't believe we continue to buy Chinese products and send industry to places like Mexico and S.E. Asia. Anyway...)

So, as the demand for this product increases, the price goes up. The Saudis are, after all, besides being xenophobes and haters of westerners, shrewd businessmen. It's called the Law of Supply and Demand.

Cashing in on this are the U.S. oil companies. They can boo-hoo and make all the lame excuses they want, but I have no pity on people who make billions in profits and then act helpless.

What will happen is that ultimately the U.S. will break down and start drilling in places that environmentalists are trying to safeguard. However, just because there will be more oil, don't expect prices to come down. Why should they? The oil industry will keep them elevated since they know we, as consumers, will continue to pay at the pump. They'll come up with all the lame excuses about costs for drilling and blah blah blah. They are only waiting until we are screaming and rioting before they begin drilling here. Perhaps they'll lower costs a token just to appease us, but probably not.

A way of life is ending. Pure and simple. Sadly, as a country we have done nothing to prepare. We still drive gas-guzzling vehicles. There's still a dearth of public transportation such as trains, subways, etc. etc., particularly in the West. What is there...a subway in San Francisco and a monorail in Seattle? Maybe a trolley here and there, but public transportation is absolutely pathetic compared to that which is available in European nations.

So, what can you do besides buy a fuel efficient car? Here's what I've gleaned on this topic. First, slow down. Second, use your cruise control when possible. Third, accelerate and brake SLOWLY. Fourth, try to live closer to your job so you can bike, walk or take a city bus. Fifth, if you must drive to town, be organized and make all your stops in one trip rather than driving in every day for an item or two. Ever thought of driving a motorcycle or motorscooter?

This does not touch on heating fuel. People who live in the north should get ready to wear lots of sweaters! Maybe move to Panama...Peru...pick your equatorial spot. Sick of high food prices brought on by the cost of fuel? Try gardening...even container pots can produce a lot of food. Keep a chicken as a pet! Eat meat less. Milk's not all it's cracked up to be anyway, so I've been told. Learn to eat beans. Vacation at home and do house projects or explore the city where you live instead of driving or flying to Disneyland, Hawaii or Orlando. Forget Europe! Download Google Earth and visit all those places vicariously.

All of this debacle over fuel is going to affect every aspect of our lives. It's not going to be at all nice. People are already literally starving to death in poorer countries because of the high fuel prices. It's going to be a third class world...except for the Middle East and the new nation of Exxon-Mobil.

Food is More than just Food

2008-05-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

Food...we have an unavoidable relationship and interest in food. It sustains us, nourishes us, intrigues us, and sometimes kills us. We all must eat, plain and simple. Yet there is a plethora of psychological and physical factors that affect our choices in what we eat. Do our food choices define us?

I'm not a food specialist. I'm not a dietician...did I even spell that correctly? I am, however, a consumer and the author of two cookbooks, which in many ways is very strange and bizarre.

Here's my basic philosophy: I eat when I'm hungry and I sleep when I'm tired. Now, that sounds simple enough...but the fact is most people don't do these things. Most Americans, it turns out, are sleep deprived. Most Americans are obese or overweight. Why?

There are two attitudes towards food: Those who live to eat, and those who eat to live. The latter are rarely obese or overweight unless they make consistently poor food choices. I am one who eats to live.

I suppose you could say I'm a fussy eater. I don't think of myself as one, but I am a person who simply will not eat food that does not appeal to me. If that means I'm fussy, then so be it. Is it visual? A bit. It's also knowing, or not knowing, what the contents are in the recipe. I can be starving, but if the food is not appealing, I'll just pass on it and wait. (I'm sure if I was literally starving, I'd eat anything.)

So, how did I come to write two cookbooks? Me, someone who doesn't really think about food until it's time to eat? Someone who doesn't salivate all day waiting for a succulent dinner on Thanksgiving Day? Someone who refuses to spend all damn day preparing a meal?

TMJ Disorder. That was the start. It took me a long time to figure out that my jaw would get better if I just ate a softer diet. Ah. That's tougher than it sounds. It definitely eliminates most restaurant meals (and I dislike eating out anyway). Soup and oatmeal rapidly grew boring, which prompted me to start making lists of all the meals I could eat that would be tasty yet easy-to-chew...and even better, easy-to-prepare. Thus, "You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes" was born. My TMJD slowly resolved, but I still use these great recipes most of the time. Many of these recipes were given to me by friends, so I can't claim any great creativity here, although I did make up a few menus - and they're darn delicious!

In fact, I sold more copies of this book to people who DIDN'T have TMJD than to those who did. People loved the easy-to-prepare nutritious recipes, so I reorganized the book, added desserts and bread recipes (mainly for boaters who often are far from bakeries) and published it as "One Pot Galley Gourmet," since most of these meals can be prepared using only one pot or pan.

In writing these books I found that food tells a lot about who you are. This sounds overly simplistic, but what you choose to eat speaks volumes about you. Based on my recipes, I'm pretty simple and straightforward. No fuss, little muss. I use lots of onions, garlic and organic items including organically raised meats/poultry, etc. I enjoy eating healthfully, but I refuse to spend all day fiddling around in the kitchen. Do I eat junk food? Sure. I love chocolate milkshakes, and I'll even eat a Whopper Jr. once or twice a year. Part of one anyway, until I start thinking about the cows and the slaughterhouses. Then I lose my appetite.

Writing these books and talking with groups made me start examining my relationship to food. Some of it is not pretty. As a child I was definitely finnicky, skinny and rickety. I cried at almost every meal which drove my family to exasperation and anger. I did not look upon sitting down to dinner as a good experience (yet when I had children of my own, we always ate dinner together and had a good time talking, laughing and sharing). As a child, however, sitting down to dinner was terrifying and awful. It was not a good feeling at all. I think there was a lot of hostility at that table, to be honest. I suspect I perceived that as a child but didn't know how to deal with it. For many years, eating was more of a burden than a pleasure.

I've had a considerable number of issues with "epiglotis hysteria," and I have my share of choking phobias. I suspect I am easily influenced by traumatic events, and seeing someone choke is my version of terror. I even quit smoking after looking at photos of charcoal, crispy looking lungs, so obviously I am easily motivated!

Anyway, did my childhood phobias and fears ultimately result in my TMJ Disorder? My penchant for wanting to spend as little time as possible preparing meals? My choking fears? Probably. Maybe.

What I have discovered, however, is that in writing my cookbooks I have solved not only my TMJ Disorder, but also come to terms with my eating habits, likes and dislikes. My recipes are absolutely inspired by my listening to what my body truly wants.

Have you thought of what your real attitudes are about food? It's very complicated - especially if you have "issues."

Channeling, Vibrational Harmony and other exciting ideas.

2008-05-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

What do you think about all of this? No, I'm not talking about the McCain-Obama-Clinton melodrama unfolding on CNN daily. I am talking about a new, interesting, and revolutionary way of looking at life. I feel like a kid in a candy store.

It all started when I somehow stumbeld across Esther Hicks and her "Ask and It is Given." I'm not sure why I even bought this book...oh, I remember. It goes back to buying "The Secret." But Esther's book is even more interesting as she talks about being in vibrational harmony with the universe. That just sounds so fascinating. And when I started looking back on my life (which has been fairly long now) I realized that when I was actually in harmony, things just had a way of turning out SO WELL. When I was stressing or putting too much energy and emphasis on thoughts or problems, life became much more difficult. Unfortunately, it's easy to be put off with this book as it is poorly written and too...too first grade-ish. It has wonderful ideas, however, and is uplifting and motivational. It can be summed up as: the power of positive thinking.

Well, if that was not enough, then "The Intention Factor" was brought to my attention - almost as if by fate or divine influence, whatever. OH MY GOSH. That book just set my head to reeling and it really opened my eyes to things that I kind of intuitively knew, but had never had anybody really endorse or support before. I was so taken with Lynne McTaggart's book that I bought "The Field," and was again just blown away with the human possibilites that we are so blind to. Both books are superbly written.

Now, how did I wander into the "Seth" books? I'm not sure, but again, it's just reinforcement over and over again that basically, we are more than we think...our nature is just so grand, our potential so vast, yet we spin our wheels over the most mundane concepts, fears and worries.

Anyway, all of this has set me on my ear... or ass...I don't even know one end from the other. I'm fascinated by these people who channel...that is very strange, but believable. Either that, or these people are charlatans of the highest order. I know most scientists would scoff at the whole notion, but there are things that are stranger than we will ever figure out. Science is not the god we have made it to be.

I really love the idea of being one with the world and with nature. I like the whole quantum interpretation and ideas about our "light" and our electromagnetic waves. Somehow, we have all become very, very lost. Either I'm finally finding my way, or I am in the thicket of confusion!

New Book on the Horizon: "Death in the Desert" Coming Soon

2008-05-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

After a lot of hedging and stalling, "Death in the Desert," (formerly "The Cactus Murders") will debut sometime this fall. The book, too controversial and defamatory for most publishers and agents, will be, alas, self-published. The book deals with reality, folks. The reality is that there is a RIVER of narcotics flowing into this country from south of the border. The reality is that there are closer to 100,000,000 illegal aliens in this country than the paltry 12,000,000 claimed by the government. The reality is that we could see a Mexican flag waving at the White House if we do not get this situation under control.

For those who loved "Northern Escape," you'll find the same Detective Ben Thomas and State Trooper Chloe Littlebird. Both characters come to terms with their private life decisions in this book (the final Ben Thomas novel) and both make dramatic changes that will shock and surprise the reader. New to the story is Arizona Marshal Jake Starr, a man who straddles the law but steals your heart and your sympathies in the process.

You'll also meet the tragic AND heroic Juana Salcedo, and the spoiled, determined Stephanie
Thomas (yes, Ben's ex.)

If you'd like to be put on the mailing list to be notified when this book is available, contact me via my website: http://www.rlcoffield.com/.

Don't be a Galley (Kitchen) Slave

2008-05-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Hey! The following is a review of my newest cookbook, "One Pot Galley Gourmet," that was written by Tom Jerome, at Moonlight Mesa Associates। Personally,I LOVE this book and its recipes. I know, I know, you're thinking I should like it since I wrote it. You'll like it too! Guaranteed! There are some killer recipes in this book, and they are ALL easy-to-prepare and mostly one pot/pan meals. Nutritious and delicious to boot. Read on.

"One Pot Galley Gourmet," by Becky Coffield, is an irresistible cookbook specializing in easy-to-prepare, nutritious and delicious one pot meals। The book is intended for those who don’t have the time, or the inclination, to spend all day in the kitchen (or galley) preparing a meal.

The book offers informative, and often humorous, tidbits of information generously sprinkled throughout, as well as an engaging account of the origins of Mud Bottom Cake, a tantalizing chocolaty treat. Coffield also strongly encourages the use of natural/organic products. Valuable tips on canning fish and making soup stock from scratch are also included.

This collection contains an excellent selection of beef, fowl, fish, vegetarian and pork recipes। These meals range from the hearty yet simple, like Beef and Barley Mix and Burgundy Beans, to the elegant Lemon Chicken Linguini and (my personal favorite) Salmon Linguini. The ample recipes are easily halved or quartered for fewer servings. The book is not slanted towards fad diets or eating (low carb, low fat, high carb, etc.) Rather "One Pot Galley Gourmet" embraces healthful, wholesome, nutritional meals that are, by and large, EASY TO PREPARE.

For boaters, each recipe carries a notation as to whether the recipe is a STOVE TOP, OVEN, BARBECUE, or SHOREPOWER meal. In addition, most of the ingredients used store well with little or no refrigeration and are usually accessible in most ports in the world. Also, a collection of bread recipes are included for those who venture far from stores and bakeries.

Drawing largely on the author’s first cookbook, "You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes," which spent time considerable time addressing the issues of TMJD (temporomandibular jaw disorder) "One Pot Galley Gourmet" is a happy, fun read with more recipes, a half dozen or more bread baking recipes and easily concocted desserts. Coffield’s creations will not come close to the likes of t.v.’s popular personalities and their haute cuisine, but you won’t find an easier, more nutritious, entertaining cookbook on the market than "One Pot Galley Gourmet."

"One Pot Galley Gourmet" is distributed by Robert Hale & Co., and is currently available at Captain’s Nautical Supply, Amazon.com, and by mail order from www.rlcoffield.com/_wsn/page10.html.

Stop That Clenching and Grinding

2008-05-16T09:30:00.001-07:00

One of the leading causes of TMJ Disorder is the propensity for sufferers to be nocturnal clenchers and grinders. Some even find themselves desperately clenching during the day when they are in stressful situations. Traffic jams, personal confrontations, medical concerns and unexpected bad news are just a few examples of what can lead one to clenching while fully conscious.

Nocturnal clenching and grinding can be a particular damaging habit, particularly as the person doing it rarely realizes that this is what they are doing. A sore jaw, aching teeth, headaches, ear pain, tinnitus and many other symptoms can be one’s only indication that something is terribly amiss as one sleeps.

The reasons for clenching and grinding are mysterious and as varied as the large percentage of people who do so. Besides stress, there may be other factors that mitigate this problem. Some scientists are exploring a genetic cause. It seems that many clenchers/grinders also have at least one parent who also does this. Or, since clenching and grinding is a common childhood practice, but one that most (not all) people outgrow, clenching and grinding could be a habit that one just never broke. It’s hard to break a habit that one doesn’t know one has. In fact, it can be hard to break the habit even if one DOES KNOW.

I’ve been a lifelong clencher, with some grinding. I actually lasted many years before problems arose, but when they finally did rear their ugly little heads, I was far down the path of TMJ pain and extreme discomfort. Incredibly, it was a medical doctor who gave me advice on how to stop this nocturnal habit. It worked for me, and it has worked for almost everyone that I’ve shared this with. As odd as this may sound, it’s worth trying. It costs nothing and takes a minimum amount of time.

Ready? This is an exercise using the power of your subconscious. The same subconscious that people tap into to cure cancer and other ailments and diseases. It can cure your grinding habits too. I know...at first I laughed about this too, until I tried it and it worked!

When you go to bed at night, repeat to yourself at least three times, “I will not grind or clench my teeth tonight, and if I do I will wake up immediately and stop.” Remember, say this at least three times and really focus on what you’re saying. When you crawl into bed, place your tongue behind your front teeth. Relax your jaw. The lower teeth should not be touching the teeth above. Repeat your mantra: “I will not grind or clench my teeth tonight, and if I do I will wake up immediately and stop.” This whole process only takes a minute or two. It can make a difference. In addition, many people write this out on a note card or piece of paper and lay it on their nightstand.

The first week I tried this I woke up five to ten times a night as I was starting to clench or grind. Soon, however, the number of times I awoke dropped off dramatically. I no longer clench or grind, and when I start to, I automatically wake up and stop.

It’s worth a try. It’s FREE, and it's worked for me and for many others. Believe in yourself and the power of your subconscious.

You might also want to consider "You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes." This book is filled with helpful ideas for TMJD sufferers as well as a large selection of easy-too-cook, easy-to-chew, nutritious, delicious recipes the entire family will enjoy. The book is available at amazon.com and http://www.youcanconquertmj.com/.

A Medical Mess: TMJ Disorder

2008-05-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

TMJ Disorder, a complicated, difficult-to-diagnosis condition which is even more difficult to treat, is extraordinarily troublesome for doctors and patients alike. The condition comes with a plethora of symptoms, and no two cases ever seem to be exactly alike. Some sufferers experience only a mild and/or annoying popping in the jaws. Others experience jaw dislocations, severe pain in the jaw, headaches, dizziness, ear pain, tinnitus, even back, neck and arm discomfort.

The causes of the disorder are as multifarious as the symptoms. Many report that their problems began after extensive dental work. Most of these cases seem to self-resolve given time and a softer diet. Others experience the onset of pain after accidents or blows to the head or jaw. Often, however, the problem arises because of clenching or grinding of the teeth, most often done while one is asleep. The condition may take years to fully develop, but once it does, it most often never completely resolves, although one may become pain free. Even then, one may always have to be careful about one eats…no apples on the core, corn on the cob, or chewy cuts of meat, and even nuts and crunchy items may be verboten.

Unfortunately, there is no dental or medical certification for treating this disease. Essentially, any dentist can claim to be a specialist in TMJ. This is, sadly, where the real problems may begin for someone suffering from TMJ Disorder. For example, one method of treatment that may work for some, but may actually exasperate the problem for others, is the recommendation to use mouth guards. Recent studies from Wayne State University claim that mouth guards ARE NOT helpful in treating this condition. This is because after a short time the wearer becomes accustomed to the mouth guard and then just begins grinding away on it. Some people, however, insist the mouth guard is a helpful appliance. For others, the mouth guard makes the problem worse.

Tragically, some dentists and doctors prescribe irreversible treatment, such as grinding teeth down to even a bite; pulling teeth and then suggesting expensive bridge and crown work; even surgery. This is done despite the fact that most cases of TMJ will resolve given TIME and a SOFTER DIET.

We are an impatient lot, however, and don’t like leaving the body to its own devices to heal, and when we are talking about TMJ, we are often talking a year or more for the condition to correct, and that is with careful attention to one’s diet. It is also imperative that one stop grinding and clenching if this is the root cause of the TMJD problem. There are various methods for doing this, and one must essentially sort through the literature to find the method that will work for them.

It is critical, however, that one not allow irreversible procedures to be done. The success rate from jaw surgery is miniscule. Most surgeries leave the patient worse off than they were before. We want relief from the pain, but don’t look for relief at any cost. Be wary of taking pain medication also. With the pain medication, one continues to injure the jaw but doesn’t feel the pain! It may be necessary to take medication sporadically, but by all means make sure your diet is soft and easy to chew to avoid making the condition worse. You can find helpful recipes and ideas in "You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes," available at amazon.com or at http://www.youcanconquertmj.com/.