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Yummy Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pizza for People with Parkinson’s
Oh my goodness! I finally found a way to eat yummy pizza AND stay clear of my food allergies, which are ironically some of the same foods to avoid if you have Parkinson’s. This recipe does have potato starch (on the Keto “avoid” list), but for the rest of you with PD who are steering away from gluten and dairy, this is the best recipe I’ve found.
This easy-to-make gluten-free pizza crust is perfectly crisp on the edges and tender in the center. The author is the Minimalist Baker*, although I have modified it to make it easier for people with PD.
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Memorial Day Message to my Readers
To my dear Parkinson’s community of readers,
Memorial Day has special meaning to me since my own father served in WW2, lost both legs, and eventually died of service-related complications. His and my mother’s lives were changed forever when he was sent home from the Aleutians gravely ill. He spent his first years of marriage in Military hospitals and suffered the rest of his life as a result.
Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. In the past it was called Decoration Day, and people used to spend the day placing flowers and flags on the graves of fallen soldiers.
How to Keep Traveling When You Have Parkinson’s
One of my favorite things about my Parkinson’s bootcamps and boxing classes is knowing that my fighters are maintaining their fullest life with Parkinson’s. This includes travel. Families want to travel while the person with Parkinson’s can still get around well. Navigating cobblestone walkways, narrow, steep stairs, and ungroomed trails are always a concern for people with balance issues.
I was so pleased when my fighter Wayne came to class and told me a great story about a trip he took. He said that they were walking in a group of people without Parkinson’s. Some of the people fell, but he didn’t, because of the balance training we do in class! I asked Wayne to put it in writing and send me some pictures so that I could share it.
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Have You Ever Thought of Yourself As An Action Figure?
Years ago, while I was working in a health club, these two little kids (a brother and sister) were convinced that I was Kimberly, the Pink Power Ranger. They thought I fought crime at night and worked as a personal trainer by day. Knowing very little about the Power Rangers, I had to brush up on the characters to answer their questions about Tommy, the other Rangers, and what criminals we took down. All of this was very exciting to them. After all, they were talking to a super-hero! And for me, well, how often do we get to play a super-hero?
The answer is EVERY DAY! We are all super-hero action figures. It’s true! Each of us is born with jointed limbs and superpowers. We are not stick figures.
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When Should I Start Taking Parkinson’s Medications?
I am often asked by my fighters who have not started Parkinson’s medications, “When do you think I should start taking (PD) medications? Do you think I need them?” I’m their coach and confidant, and I see them several times a week before and after exercise. It is understandable that they would seek my opinion. Usually the medications they are referring to are carbidopa/levodopa. These medications can help people with Parkinson’s by treating tremor, stiffness and difficulty moving, but they may come with side effects from long-term use. It is a big question, and I always proceed with caution. Why? I’m not their doctor or pharmacist. And I’m not them, but information gathering is important.
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