I've suffered from year-round allergies -- indoor and outdoor -- for over 20 years. For 20 of those years I made the mistake of using over-the-counter nasal decongestants, and sadly I got seriously addicted to them.

I began using them when I was a teenager because, at that time, when I developed my allergies and as they got steadily worse year after year, it seemed like nothing else could give me the relief I needed. At night was the worst because I couldn't sleep when my head was plugged up, and sometimes even the Benedryl I took didn't work, so I resorted to the nasal decongestants.

It wasn't long before I was using a nasal decongestant on a daily basis.

Back then, people didn't really know how dangerous over-the-counter nasal decongestants could be, or how they could cause rebound nasal congestion, as well as mess up the inner lining of your nose.

It wasn't until 2 years ago and after doing a ton of research online that I decided to go cold turkey off my nasal decongestant -- and believe me, that was a real eye opener!  Fortunately, I'd begun working from home at the time so if I couldn't sleep because of my allergies I'd just get up and work until I was too tired to care and then I'd go to sleep.

Finally, I was off the nasal decongestant for good, but it took months before my nose felt normal again.

During all that research I did, one of the things I discovered was a neti pot to help eliminate sinus and head colds.

For the life of me, I can never remember which to use when.

Is it ice on sore muscles and heat to relax pinched nerves? Or vice versa?

Once and for all, I'm putting it someplace in writing, so I'll have it as an easy reminder.

Here's the scoop...

I live in Tennessee. I was recently diagnosed with Lyme Disease. (In some parts of the country, they call it Lymes Disease, but technically, it's Lyme Disease.)

With approximately 20,000 new cases reported each year, Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States... Lyme disease became nationally notifiable in 1991." Source

It was after a month of "weird" symptoms, several trips to the doctor, and several rounds of tests, that they finally realized that Lyme Disease was the reason for all of my recent ailments. Lyme Disease was actually the last thing they tested for.

But... I'm one of the lucky ones. Typically people go through upwards of 20 doctors and years of wrong diagnoses and treatments before they are accurately diagnosed with Lyme Disease.

This morning on NBC's Today Show, they were talking about all of the controversy surrounding the numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles. There is a new government report regarding the safety of plastic bottles.

Supposedly, if there's a 3, 6, or 7 inside that little triangle on the bottom of the bottle, then it's not the best kind of plastic that you'd want to be eating or drinking from.

For example, some plastic bottles contain Bisphenol A, a chemical that has been linked to reproductive and fertility problems. Turns out, this may just be the tip of the iceberg...

As much as I wish I could speak for Shelby (my niece who has Autism, age 6)... I can't.

And as much I wish I could scream and shout for all of the injustices that she and her parents have had to deal with on a daily basis... that wouldn't do any good either.

So, from my faraway corner of the world (Jim and I don't live anywhere near Shelby's family), I seem to find some peace and satisfaction when I can share some of the specific things that have helped to clarify things for me a bit. Or have helped me find an even greater sense of hope for Shelby's future.

A new thing I'm trying this year to tame my allergies is: HONEY!

But not just any honey... it has to be local honey made right where you live.

Here's how it works...

 Plants are pollinated by both insects and by the wind.

Honeybees will collect pollen from each of these species and it will be present in small amounts in honey that was gathered by bees that were working areas where these species are growing. When people living in these same areas eat honey that was produced in that environment, the honey will often act as an immune booster. The good effects of this local honey are best when the honey is taken a little bit (a couple of teaspoons-full) a day for several months prior to the pollen season. Source

I just saw a report on the CBS Early Show about how 'green' can mean big money for small businesses, fun products, and new careers.

My favorite part:
How big mega businesses gobbled up some smaller (but very popular) household brands.

Here they are...