Elixicure Pain Relief

For those of you who have followed my army experience blog, you've seen my progression through the army starting out as an old guy in the army through basic, AIT, Korea, Germany and finally the medboard process. By the time I got out I was in constant daily pain. Those of you with chronic pain know what I'm talking about, it changes your life. There were a number of days where I couldn’t leave the house. I am not active anymore, I cannot play basketball, no impact workouts, even stress is a killer! I have been prescribed opioids and had to take them on almost a daily basis. The problem with that is that the effect weakens the more you take them, so it’s not a great long term solution.

I have since started my own business after the army. With the CBD craze going on some friends and I started a distribution company. We started off selling Kona Gold hemp energy drinks, then added their HIGHDrate CBD flavored waters. We have slowly added more and more stores and added another product from a company called Elev8. They have a great tasting lemon iced tea infused with CBD. All these products are great and CBD is good for many things, but none of these did much to take away my chronic pain.

Then came along Elixicure pain relief products. These organic plant based products include CBD, so they were a natural fit to our current product line. I was happy to give them a try personally, but to be honest I wasn’t expecting much. I’ve tried several topicals with CBD in them and nothing even comes close to comparing to Elixicure! There is more to it than just the CBD and they are just amazing!

I now use Elixicure when I first start feeling the pain set on and for the most part that is all I’ve needed. There are some days when I do have to take the prescription pain killers, but now that I don’t take them on an almost daily basis they actually work much better! I also use Elixicure as a preventative maintenance solution for times when I go to a concert. In the past I would have to put several pain killers in my pocket and head to the show, but now I use the Elixicure roll-on before the concert and I’m good to go for the entire show. This has really been a life changer for me. While I still can’t play basketball or go back to my active lifestyle I had before, I do not have to live in constant pain every single day!

Check out our website for more information. If you live in Washington State you can look for product locations in local stores, or you can order it directly from our website.

Raindrop Distributors

Kona Gold and health benefits of Hemp & CBD

 The current lineup of Kona Gold Energy Drinks

With hemp and CBD gaining popularity across the U.S. I've decided to throw my hat in. I'm now part owner in a distribution company (Raindrop Distributors). We've done a lot of research in various companies and decided to distribute products from Kona Gold. They currently have two lines of products. One is a hemp energy drink and the other is flavored water with CBD. Check out the following benefits of hemp:


If you’re looking to improve digestion, balance hormones and improve metabolism, then hemp seeds may just be the superfood you’re looking for.


For a long time, hemp seeds we’re ignored for their nutritional benefits because it’s botanical relationship to drug/medicinal varieties of Cannabis.


However, hempseeds do NOT cause any psychotropic reaction and instead may provide significant health benefits with it’s unique nutritional profile.

Hemp Seed Nutrition Profile

Here is what we know about the therapeutic benefits of hemp.


Excellent 3:1 balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which promote cardiovascular health.
High in gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an essential omega-6 fatty acid found in borage oil and egg yolks that has been proven to naturally balance hormones.
“Perfect protein” not only containing all 20 amino acids, but also each of the 9 essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce.
Rich in soluble and un-soluble fiber which naturally cleanses the colon and reduces sugar cravings
Hemp seeds are also a rich source of phytonutrients including:


Minerals
·      Calcium (145mg per 100 grams)
·      Iron (14mg per 100 grams)
·      Magnesium (483mg per 100 grams)
·      Manganese (7mg per 100 grams)
·      Phosphorus (1160mg per 100 grams)
·      Potassium (859mg per 100 grams)
·      Zinc  (7mg per 100 grams)


Vitamins
·      Vitamin A (3800 IU mg per 100 grams)
·      Vitamin B1 (0.4mg per 100 grams)
·      Vitamin B2 (0.11 mg per 100 grams)
·      Vitamin B3(2.8 mg per 100 grams)
·      Vitamin B6 (0.12 mg per 100 grams)
·      Vitamin D (22.77.5 IU mg per 100 grams)
·      Vitamin E (90 mg IU mg per 100 grams)



Uniqueness of GLA in Hemp Seeds

Also found in evening primrose oil, borage seed oil and black currant oil, gamma linolenic acid is one of the more confusing anti-cancer compounds being promoted by the American Cancer Society and natural healthy enthusiasts today.


Because it’s an omega-6 fatty acid, people get tripped up because we’ve been told ad nauseam that omega-6 fatty acids are bad for us and that an imbalanced omega-3/6 ratio is one of leading causes of disease in America today. Granted, most people don’t consume enough omega-3’s, but that’s not because naturally occurring omega-6s are bad for you.


The problem is that Americans rely too heavily on processed and fast foods made with commercial vegetable oils, which are high in omega-6’s. If everyone only ate fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds no one would ever have an omega-3/6 ratio out of whack and we wouldn’t even be having this discussion!


What’s the bottom line? You should boost your natural omega-3 intake, limit your vegetable oil consumption and enhance your omega-6’s with GLA-rich foods like hemp seeds!


According to the American Cancer Society, some researchers are providing evidence that many people with cancer, diabetes and skin allergies do not make enough GLA and could benefit from supplementation.


In addition to helping cancer drugs work better, studies have actually shown that GLA can slow or stop cancer as a standalone treatment!


GLA and GLA-rich foods like hemp seeds have also been observed to help people with:


ADHD
Breast pain
Diabetes and diabetic neuropathy
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Multiple sclerosis
Obesity
Premenstrual syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Skin allergies



7 Major Hemp Seed Benefits

 1. Hormones (GLA)
Research in the 1980s observed that hormone-like substances called prostaglandins play a key role in helping the body function smoothly. It was discovered that prostaglandins help smooth muscles contract, control inflammation and body temperature, and are vital to other body functions.


Hemp seed-rich GLA is known to be a necessary building block for some prostaglandins, and researchers have surmised that GLA supplementation is necessary for proper hormone health, which is probably why many women suffering from PMS have been helped by it.


2. Arthritis and Joint Pain
A 6 month study published in the journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism found that consuming the stand alone GLA found in hemp seeds reduced arthritis symptoms by 25% compared to the placebo at only 4%.  This along with the fact that hemp seeds have an ideal ratio of omega-3/6 fats along with it’s other minerals help naturally reduce inflammation.


For treatment take 1 tbsp of hemp seed oil daily along with aquality fish oil.


3. Weight Loss
Hemp is known as a natural appetite suppressant and can help you feel full longer and reduce sugar cravings. Some experts recommend that adding 4 tablespoons of the seeds to your breakfast will help curb excess hunger the entire day.


4. Digestive Health
High in insoluble and soluble fiber, hemp seeds provide more than enough bulk to keep your gastrointestinal system regular. Additionally, this healthy mixture of roughage feeds the probiotics in your gut and helps secure a robust immune system.


5. Hair/Skin/Nails
Hemp seed benefits for skin and hair go a long way at improving dry, red, flaking skin. Mostly used in high-end cosmetic products, hemp oil is oftentimes included in lip balms, lotions and soaps. The oil in the hemp seeds is known to penetrate the inner layers of the skin and promote healthy cell growth; the recipe for smooth, soft skin.


Since hempseed oil is also good for skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema, it is a good idea to eat at least a couple tablespoons of hemp seed every day to maximize these benefits as well and then create a homemade skin cream combining hemp seed oil, shea butter and essential oils like lavende.


6. Cancer
Because of it’s perfect fatty-acid profile of omega-3 fats and GLA, this helps naturally balance inflammation levels and strengthen the immune system.


The British Journal of Cancer reports that the THC in hemp seeds can stop and possibly reverse glioblastoma multiforme (a deadly form of brain cancer). The journal of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment confirmed the THC in hemp seeds improved advanced stage breast cancer. Researchers from the University of Rostock, Germany discovered the same hemp seed benefits for lung cancer.
After evaluating the research consuming hemp seeds could be part of a healthy anti-cancer diet and natural treatment plan.


7. Heart Health
Some of the key ingredients in building a healthy heart include fiber, plant-based protein, healthy fats and eating less sugar.  And hemp seeds help in doing all of those things.


I recommend adding 2 tbsp of hemp seeds to a morning smoothie to naturally lower blood pressure, reduce LDL cholesterol, raise HDL cholesterol and improve triglycerides.


Other Hempseed Uses
Hemp is, in fact, one of the most widely utilized and diverse industrial crops in the world. Its fibers are considered the longest and most durable of all natural fibers and it can even be grown without deadly herbicides and pesticides! Some of the more commercial uses include:


·      Body care products
·      Building materials
·      Cleaning products
·      Health foods
·      Plastics
·      Textiles



Hemp vs. Marijuana

You all know what marijuana is, so I won’t talk much about that. Industrial hemp, on the other hand, is confusing to some people because it comes from the same plant (Cannabis Sativa L.).


Being a variety of the cannabis plant, hemp actually has a long history of use in the United States. Unfortunately, since the 1950s it has been lumped into the same category as marijuana because it contains a small amount of naturally occurring tetrahydrocannabinoids (THC), and its use has been marginalized to a great extent.


THC has been researched extensively and science has shown us that when it’s not smoked, it has substantial health benefits with veritably no side effects. We’re talking about improving everything from asthma to cancer!


Not as powerful as marijuana, industrial hemp contains about 0.3% – 1.5% THC whereas marijuana contains about 5% – 10% or more THC. This means two things:


1.  Eating hemp seeds are extremely beneficial for you and your family.


2.  Eating hemp seeds and hemp products will not get you high like smoking a joint so they are completely safe, healthy and legal.



The current HIGHDrate line of flavored water with CBD

7 Health Benefits of CBD

    •    CBD can help manage pain. ...
    •    CBD promotes bone health. ...
    •    CBD can improve quality of sleep. ...
    •    CBD can combat addiction. ...
    •    CBD can improve heart health. ...
    •    CBD can deter neurodegenerative diseases. ...
    •    CBD can improve mood and alleviate mood-related disorders.

You can check out our website for product locations and more information: https://raindropdistributors.com/

The Frying of the Nerves

 A picture of the needles in my neck 

during the last procedure

A long while back I stopped seeing the VA clinic for all my health issues. I forget if I mentioned this before, but here's a quick rundown of events that led to my decision. The local VA clinic as I'm sure all of them are, is very busy. Every time I had an appointment I felt like I was just a number that the doctor was trying to get through so he could get to the next patient. The pros of the clinic are that everything is free, but the cons were enough to make me look elsewhere for treatment. I felt like my doctor (who could barely speak English), would never listen to me and the solution was just more pills. I had a drawer full of various prescriptions I was on. The only ones that really helped temporarily was the narcotics. With all these prescriptions in my body I could literally feel my brain start to fade away. I felt like I was getting premature Alzheimer's or Dementia, and I'm not even kidding! It was getting pretty scary, it was hard to do simple math...remember people's names etc. 

Luckily for me, the place that I currently work has a good health plan and even has a clinic on site that we can go to. I started seeing the doctor at the clinic and it made a world of difference. She had me start reducing my current intake of prescriptions. I wanted to stop everything cold turkey, but I'm no doctor. When I was finally off of everything, the only pills I was taking were vitamins and
Percocet for the chronic pain. The doctor also had me try a number of different ideas such as physical therapy, massage therapy, and so on. The physical therapy made the pain much much worse, the massage therapy was awesome, but gave me only temporary relief. 

Finally the doc gave me a referral to the pain clinic. This is where the fried nerves comes into play. After consulting with the pain management doctor, we decided on trying a procedure which is technically called a "medial branch block". The procedure consisted of 2 diagnostic shots and then the actual "frying of the nerves in my neck". 

The first diagnostic shot had me go in and get an anesthetic shot into 4 different locations between the vertebrae in my neck. Getting the shots was a bit uncomfortable. I had to lay on my side while the doctor injected some numbing agent (for the shots), then put in the diagnostic anesthetic into the nerves. The whole time I had to lay still and listen to him tell the nurse constantly to take another X-Ray so he could make sure he was putting the needle into the correct place. I had this procedure done on a Monday and for the first time since around 2013 I actually felt like a normal human being. I could run around, jump, do all the things that used to put me out of commission. During this time I had to keep a pain diary. The pain was minimal at first, kind of like a stiff neck from the shots. Once that wore off I felt normal. I can't put into words how awesome this felt. For so long I've dealt with the chronic pain every moment of every day pretty much. Imagine having a headache anywhere on the pain scale of 2-10 (out of 10) every day of your life. It can really make life just suck constantly. There have been a number of times where I just don't do stuff because I'm in too much pain. This first diagnostic procedure lasted from Monday until Saturday, then of course the pain came back and hit me like a truck! All that running around and jumping caught up to me. 

The second diagnostic shot was similar to the first one, except the pain came back on Thursday. A couple days shorter, but the doc told me it wouldn't last as long.

Finally the third visit I had the actual procedure done. They had me take a Valium before the procedure and also had me lay on my stomach this time (much more comfortable). This time the procedure took a bit longer and was more uncomfortable than the first two. There was pain, but not unbearable. I just kept still and knew that it was going to help me in the long run. When finished they said it may take two weeks for the effects to kick in. The lasting effects should go for about a year, then the nerves will grow back and I will have to have it done again. A year without the chronic pain will be so worth it! I had my right side done, depending on the results I may have to go in and have my left side done as well. 

Currently it's the day after the final injection and I'm feeling good. I'm super optimistic about the coming year. I should be able to work out, maybe even play some basketball, and who knows what else. One thing is for certain...I will be doing a lot more than I have been for so long!!

Tinnitus & Lipo-Flavonoid Plus

I saw an ad for this on TV a couple months ago and thought I'd give it a try. I figured the worst thing that can happen is that I'm out some money, but according to the ad and the packaging on the box it could actually help my tinnitus! Why am I writing about this on my Miscellaneous Army Info and Posts blog? When I was medically retired from the army, I did receive a VA rating of 10% for my tinnitus. 10% is not much, and doesn't compensate for the annoying ringing I will have forever now.

What is tinnitus? According to the American Tinnitus Association "Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no actual external noise is present. While it is commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears,” tinnitus can manifest many different perceptions of sound, including buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, and clicking. In some rare cases, tinnitus patients report hearing music. Tinnitus can be both an acute (temporary) condition or a chronic (ongoing) health malady".

My condition doesn't include music lol, but I do hear a constant (and I mean constant) ringing in my ears. Sometimes it's really loud and other times it's softer, kind of like the high pitched tones you hear when taking a hearing test. During the hearing tests in the army half the time I didn't know if the tone I was hearing was from the tester or just the ringing in my ears. It's an annoyance for sure, but I can complete most tasks. During my last hearing exam the doctor said I may have issues hearing women and children. I told my wife this and she didn't believe me, I should have had the Doc write that down on a note for me...lol.

So I tried this over the counter Lipo-Flavanoid Plus (Official Website Here) and took the recommended dose of 2 pills 3 times a day for two months. I'm a pessimist, so I wasn't expecting a miracle or anything. I did have a little hope deep down that it may at least help out a little.

The results...nothing changed. Nothing at all (except my pee was a brighter shade of yellow while I was taking the pills). The two months have passed and I still have the same amount of ringing in my ears...all the time...forever. So if you're thinking about giving this product a try, I would suggest don't waste your money!

Government Waste - The Joint Strike Fighter Jet

(from the article linked below)

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in its natural habitat: on the ground

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for having a strong military. It seems like my days in the army saw waste on a daily basis, but nothing compares to the article I just read. I've read tidbits here and there before about the Joint Strike Fighter and it's enormous price tag and delays, but like most Americans I never really paid attention to it. This high tech jet fighter was supposed to be the greatest thing since sliced bread man!

The article I just read was shared on Facebook from a friend and is from a website called thinkprogress.org. Never heard of the website before, but the headline drew me in "Americans Have Spent Enough Money On A Broken Plane To Buy Every Homeless Person A Mansion"It's truly amazing that this project has been able to survive this long! A comment from the article stands out though "The political armor of the F-35 is as thick as the heads of the people who designed the airplane and its acquisition plan,” Winslow Wheeler, a former congressional staffer and outspoken critic of the F-35" I swear politicians and special interests are going to ruin America. I've become so fed up with it all that I usually just tune out and try to live in my ignorant bliss. That's what I'm sure the politicians and special interests want all of America to do.

What makes this "awesome" jet fighter even worse is another related article that I just read about it. "The F-35 Can't Beat The Plan It's Replacing In A Dogfight: Report" All this is pretty depressing, but I did find a bit of humor in a statement from this article..."At one point, the pilot’s helmet was so big he couldn’t even turn his head inside the cockpit". I of course pictured something from the movie "Spaceballs"

"Dark Helmet" from Spaceballs

The article continues to state just how bad the jet performs in real world scenarios. What a joke...but nobody's laughing!

Why John Burk Got Out

Watched an interesting video today on Facebook. A guy I never heard of named John Burk had his video shared by U.S. Army W.T.F! moments. I watched the video and saw a guy who was an NCO bitch about the toxic leadership and all the stupid training that soldiers have to do instead of just learning and doing their jobs. He made a lot of great points and pretty much summed up a lot of the same reasons I decided not to reenlist. The army has become so politically correct, it's having a hard time keeping good soldiers in.

Check out the video here:

https://www.facebook.com/Soldierofsteel1984/videos/1542223529439361/

Military Memes

I've come across quite a few funny military themed memes and I figured I'd start collecting them all in one place for all to enjoy.

 We'll start with this one, I'll be adding more later as I come across them...

So true!

LOL!

This is so True!

So many mornings! There were times when

soldiers in formation were shivering

out of control...lol

 Sounds about right

Almost every time!