Hello Readers!

It has been a while since MyAuraBorealis has posted – there have been many changes going on around here and I am very excited to share them all with you in the near future!

But, today is a special day! Today, MyAuraBorealis is featured in the 2017 Epilepsy Blog Relay! This relay runs from Nov 1^st – Nov 30^th, 2017 and will feature a different Epilepsy blog each day!

Why November? Because it’s Epilepsy Awareness Month! So put on your purple gear, grab your laptop, and get ready to hear from some amazing bloggers!

As you know, our post today covers Exercise and Epilepsy – Gaining Independence While Maintaining Your Safety. Although exercise can be a drag sometimes, it is an essential part of keeping our bodies in balance, and staying as healthy as possible while living with Epilepsy!

Now, I know I am not alone in saying that sometimes I really just want to do something without being “babysat” or “monitored” or “kept an eye on”. Don’t get me wrong here, because I absolutely LOVE how devoted my family is to keeping me safe! They make me feel very cherished and loved every single day. But, every once in a while I just want to do something…. Anything… without having to tell someone where I’m going.

For some of us, this may be possible in small doses, and we may find little ways to indulge in our independence! For others however, independence is just not going to happen.

So, how does this tie in with exercise? How can I want to exercise but still be independent at the same time? I personally love to dance, take classes, and do other group fitness activities. These are fantastic because you not only get a workout, but you have people around you that will see if you have an episode. But recently, I set a goal for myself:

I am going to run a marathon!

It is a lofty goal as I am starting with absolutely no running skills. And I mean none. Sure, I’ve run a few 5k’s, but that was more for fun than anything, and I always had someone right by my side while I was running. Training for a marathon however, is a solo sport. I don’t expect my fiancé or my mom to run the marathon with me just so that I can feel safe. So, I had to find other ways to still feel free and independent, but stay safe at the same time.

My ultimate “someday” goal is to run a full marathon: 26.2 miles.

My “hopeful” goal is to run a half marathon: 13.1 miles in May of 2018.

My “contingent” goal is to run a 10k: 6.2 miles in May of 2018.

I know that if I put too much pressure on myself, it won’t be fun anymore and I’ll lose sight of the independence that I’m gaining by making this goal. So, I’m taking it one day at a time, one run at a time. And even if it takes me a very long time, I WILL run a marathon someday!

So, how am I staying safe while still jumping into this solo sport?

I’ve been microchipped.

Just kidding! But I did find an amazing GPS running watch that has honestly blown me away with its capabilities! My three main requirements with using any type of running accessory were:

1. I want it to be waterproof
2. I want to see a live feed display of how far I’ve run
3. I want my fiancé Andy to be able to see me on GPS in live time. So that if I stop moving, he knows to come get me.

And the Garmin Forerunner 35 has all of those capabilities and more! I found mine at REI. And yes, it’s a little spendy. But, to me I’m not only paying for the watch, I’m also paying for the experience! So not only am I gaining freedom and having fun, I’m also maintaining my safety, giving my loved ones peace of mind, and getting a workout too!

If the Garmin isn’t quite your cup of tea, no problem! There are SO many GPS varieties out there; some of them are even so small they are designed to loop through your keys or your shoelace. There truly is something for everyone.

Do you have a GPS or monitoring system that works well for you and your family? We would love to hear about it! Be sure to comment below to share your info and be featured in our blog!

That’s all for today readers, and as always, thanks again for tuning in! Have a wonderful weekend and don’t forget to Seize The Day!!

**For the full schedule of bloggers participating in the Epilepsy Blog Relay visit livingwellwithepilepsy.com

Hello again readers and happy Sunday!

We had some wild spring storms here in MN this weekend… I hope you all stayed safe!

Today’s blog post is pretty cool; I recently did an experiment on vegetarianism and was actually quite surprised by the results of it!

I have always rolled my eyes a little when I hear the words “vegetarian” or “vegan”. But truthfully, I was just really uneducated about all the health benefits that can be gained from these two lifestyles.

Lifestyles? Aren’t they just fad diets that hipsters and people in California subscribe to?

Honestly, no. A diet brings to mind ultimate restriction for the purpose of weight loss. Vegetarian and Vegan lifestyles can be motivated by a more positive body image; but also they can be motivated by a passion towards animals, a medical necessity, or a drive to use the food taken in as fuel/medicine.

Vegetarianism has some wonderful benefits, including but not restricted to:

• higher intake of folic acid, magnesium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C
• lower cholesterol
• lower blood pressure
• lower risk of heart disease
• clearer skin
• more energy
• potential for weight loss

So, I tried being a vegetarian for two weeks. I set the goal of two weeks at the very beginning. I didn’t want to say “ok I’ll do this for one day” because I thought that I wouldn’t get a very good idea of the benefits that may occur from the lifestyle change.

I’ll admit, I went in as a bit of a skeptic. I was thinking that I’d just be hungry every day for two weeks and would be thinking about pizza, burgers, and other meaty foods the entire time.

I was SO wrong!

I was able to eat things like yogurt, legumes, pasta, eggs, carbs, cheese, veggies, fruits, olives… the list goes on! Yes, it took a little extra brain power to stop & think about what to eat for supper, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing! It made me more aware of what I was putting into my body; something I’m not always that cognizant of.

By the end of week 1 I started to notice some pretty cool changes in myself:

• I felt more rested, even while getting the same amount of sleep
• My mood was better overall
• My skin looked great
• I was having less food cravings than prior to the experiment
• I didn’t feel hungry
• I was excited! I felt like I was doing something good for my body and I felt great about that!

At the end of two weeks, I decided to stop being vegetarian but continued to be more aware of what I was eating and when. One reason that I decided not to continue vegetarianism is that I was feeling a little more dizzy than usual. I take a pretty hefty dose of Lamotrigine each day for my Epilepsy and over time my body has acclimated to it. When I first started taking it I would feel pretty dizzy and my eyes had trouble focusing. Over time these side effects went away and I am able to operate just fine on my medication. My conclusion is that I didn’t get enough protein and other essentials during my experiment to balance out the equilibrium my body is so used to with my medication. So, ultimately, being a long term vegetarian is not for me.

However, I truly feel that this lifestyle change could be very beneficial to a lot of people! Depending on the medication you take, this type of meal plan could really help level out your emotions, blood sugar, and more. Even if you decide not to be a full-blown vegetarian, things like black bean burgers, hard boiled eggs, and greek yogurt can be awesome sources of nutrients to add into your diet!

You never know, you may love it!

Have you tried vegetarianism or other lifestyle changes while living with Epilepsy? If so, contact us and share your story! We would love to hear about your experience(s) so that we can all learn from each other to help promote a healthy lifestyle with Epilepsy.

Thank you for tuning in once again! Have a wonderful night and don’t forget to…

Seize The Day!

Hello Everyone and Happy Saturday!

Registration for the 2017 Rise Above Seizures Walk is now open!

This annual event is hosted by the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, and takes place throughout the year at 5 different MN locations.

My Aura Borealis has their own team this year and would LOVE for you to join us! We will all be wearing purple of some sort… hats, bandanas, t-shirts, shoes, wigs… so feel free to bring your purple gear to come walk with us! We would love to get to know you and learn the story of your Epilepsy journey!

If you are unable to join us in person, we would greatly appreciate a donation made to our team. These donations go directly to the Epilepsy Foundation of MN and are used to promote Epilepsy Awareness and research!

To join our team and/or donate to the cause, just click here!

We can’t wait to see you all there! If you have further questions regarding our team or the walk in general, feel free to contact My Aura Borealis on our Contact page.

Have a fantastic weekend and don’t forget to Seize The Day!

Good Morning, everyone! The sun is out, the birds are singing, and it’s time to grab those sunglasses because summer will be here before we know it!

But did you know that in addition to be stylish, your sunglasses can also help with seizure management? For those of you that suffer from seizures caused by strobing (flashing) lights, like myself, you may find this tip especially helpful.

Flashing lights are everywhere these days:

• in store displays (I think every single Bed Bath & Beyond has a strobing globe light inside their front door)
• police and other emergency vehicles
• garbage trucks
• sunlights glittering on car windshields between train cars (dangerous when you are stopped at a train track in your car)
• fire drills at work
• movies
• concerts, church services, etc
• restaurants (such as Rainforest Cafe)
• bowling alleys
• weddings (Andy and I have been to 7 weddings in the past 3 years and I think only one of them didn’t have strobe lights going on)

The list goes on and on!

Luckily, finding a high quality pair of sunglasses can make a monumental change in how much these strobing lights affect you! Keep in mind that high quality doesn’t always mean high price! Essentially there are 4 things that you need to keep in mind when finding a pair of sunglasses that will block the light properly for you:

• Polarized: sunglasses labeled as polarized cut down on glare and help you see more clearly in bright lights
• Wrap Arounds: These help reduce the amount of strobing lights that you see out of your peripheral vision
• Light blocking: Put the sunglasses on and look in the mirror. If you can see your eyes in the mirror through the sunglasses, they are not dark enough to block out strobing lights
• Style: Make sure you actually like the sunglasses that you are purchasing! If you feel good in them, you’ll be more likely to wear them in public.

I currently have two pairs of sunglasses that work wonders in blocking out strobing lights. I wear them in restaurants, in movies, outside, at wedding receptions… pretty much anywhere that there will be flashing lights! It may feel a little silly at first, putting on your sunglasses when no one else is wearing them, but trust me it really does make a difference!

One pair that I own is Victory Brand. They are solid black and have a slight wrap around to help block out light that I might see from my periphery.

The second pair that I own is from Lillians Anoka. They aren’t a particular brand, but they are very dark and block out a lot of light! Remember, high quality doesn’t mean you have to spend a bundle! These glasses were free after spending a certain amount in store!

Do you have a special pair of sunglasses that help you in this way? I’d love to hear what brand they are so that we can all start adding to our collections! Remember, if wearing your sunglasses indoors helps with seizure management, then it’s not silly or embarrassing; its absolutely necessary. And you won’t be alone wearing your sunglasses, I’ll be out there somewhere, wearing mine too!

Thanks again for stopping by and have a wonderful Friday!

And don’t forget…

Seize The Day!

Hello Everyone and Happy Sunday! Spring is in the air and it’s time for fresh starts and positive new beginnings! Coming out of the slump of winter is always one of my favorite times of year; the spring cleaning, the birds chirping, the flowers blooming, and…..

the ORGANIZING!

My mom lovingly calls me “The Most Organized Person On The Planet!”

I think most others would call it annoyingly OCD, but my mom is biased (Thanks mom!)

But this over-organization does have a good side – it helps me remember to take my AED’s (Anti Epileptic Drugs). Truthfully, even after 11 years with seizures, I still find myself spacing out the fact that I need to take my meds. Life gets busy, I get tired, and I forget. After dealing with a number of breakthrough seizures due to forgetting my medication, I started using a planner app to set alarms for taking my meds. This honestly works like a CHARM! The app is on my phone, which I always have with me, and I keep my meds both in my nightstand drawer and in my purse. That way I can’t say “oh yea, I’ll take them in a few minutes when I run upstairs”… because that never ever ever works for me. I have a terrible memory so I need to take my meds as soon as my alarm goes off.

The planner app that I use is Pocket Informant Pro and I absolutely love it! You can set your alarm to vibrate when your phone is on silent, so that you get the notification but you’re not announcing to everyone in the room that it’s time for your meds. I’m pretty introverted so I like to be discrete about taking medication; especially in public. Even though I initially downloaded this app to keep my meds organized, it has so many great features that I now use it to keep my entire life on schedule. Some of my favorite features are:

• setting alerts for tasks that need to be completed
• the ability to color-code different calendar items (Andy’s schedule, my schedule, our dog’s schedule, dance, work, school, family events, doctor’s appointments, medication times, pay day, etc…)
• the ability to sync your calendar to different devices (if you frequently use an iPad, laptop, or desktop in addition to your phone. The app is accessible to all iOS devices).
• the ability to choose your own theme. (Part of finding a planner that works for you is finding one that you actually LIKE! You’re going to be looking at it a lot so make sure it makes you feel good when you use it).
• Syncing ability with other programs (Pocket Informant can sync with Google Calendar, Tasks, Toodledoo, Evernote, and more!).

I would highly recommend using this app to anyone that currently struggles with your medication regiment. It’s extremely user friendly and their website has a great FAQ section. So go download it right now!

Did you do it?

Hop to it! And play around with it for a while… change the color scheme, add some emoji icons to your agenda items, make it YOURS! If you’re OCD like me, I know you’ll love it!

~

The other planner that I’d like to talk about today is the Happy Planner! These are ADORABLE and completely customizable Since I rely heavily on my electronic planner app for scheduling, I do not use Happy Planner as a scheduler. I use mine for To-Do lists, prayers, Bible study, and journaling.

However, the great thing about this planner is that they are DIY. I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby and there I immersed myself in a beautiful aisle full of Happy Planner accessories.

• Step 1: Choose what size you’d like, there are 3 different sizes to choose from. Mine is roughly 8″x10″.
• Step 2: Choose your front & back covers.There are quite a few different cover designs to choose from and they come in packs with 2 different covers and 2 different backs. So essentially, you could make a planner for yourself and one for someone else (hint hint Mothers Day is coming up quickly!).
• Step 3: Choose your spine color. The spine rings come in a variety of different sizes and colors, so you simply choose which one will work best for you!
• Step 4: Choose your pages. This is the best part… there are graph paper pages, lined journal pages, phone book pages, recipe pages, planner pages, and many many more! They come in packs of 40 sheets, so to give you a good idea of size I used 1 1/2 packs of paper (so 60 sheets each) for both me and my mom’s planners. You can always add more pages in later if you’d like to.
• Step 5: Assemble your planner! The covers and all the pages click very easily into the binder rings. An entire planner only takes about 3-5 total minutes to assemble. There are also add-ons like stickers, post-its, stamps, and more that can be purchased to make your planner even more snazzy.
• Step 6: Make it your own and Enjoy!

If digital planners just aren’t your thing, or if you are accustomed to using a paper planner, I would highly recommend this brand! It’s very fun to use, the products are excellent quality, and all the designs are fresh and new!

Thank you for once again tuning in to my blog! If you have any organizational tips that help you stay on track with Epilepsy, feel free to contact me! I hope today’s information was helpful and I can’t wait to hear how these products work for you!

Have a fantastic evening and don’t forget to Seize The Day!