Bizi

I would suggest seeing the doctor. Even your primary can tell if its
Acne/Rosecea.

I have a cream that I use. Its cleared my face up lots.

Donna

seeing doc
i agree with Donna about that, for dx of possible rosacea (and treatment)

cosmetics
i agree with you about stopping cosmetics - whatever the cause, cosmetics do not improve facial conditions (i'm assuming you mean foundation, blush, eyeshadow etc.)

pillowcases
may i suggest you get 100% cotton ones they are the softest and most breathable. these typically need ironing but it's a quick job. if you don't want them unironed, and don't want to iron, then go for a percale/poly mix with at least 50% cotton in it. in either case, the weave needs to be a good 200+ thread count (smooth). lower than that (eg 180 thread count) gives a rougher feel.

i only have/need a couple extras coz if i do need to change them before the sheets, then, when i do change the sheets, the clean set will have their own cases. i didn't understand how you matched pillow/case/sheets ... if you need to buy a few, just decide before hand on a color/colors that will go with your sheets - or maybe more than one sheet set.

cleansing
i agree about eliminating the soaps dets and other fancy things. they can aggravate anything if not right for your skin type.

but at this point might i mention rosewater (distilled water tinged with of rose essences and traces of other essential oils)? it is so gentle that it is one of very few products safe for the eye area

it has mild cleansing and antiseptic properties too, so after rinsing with warm water and patting dry, you might consider passing a (cotton - not synthetic!) cosmetic pad soaked in this over your face.

there is also witch hazel - an excellent cleanser but a much stronger astringent - and i'm not sure about safety in the eye area.

good luck!

~ waves ~

I missed the part about NO GRAINS!

Wow, that seems like a very restricted diet! I wish you well with it. You have been very determined and successful at making healthy lifestyle changes, so I have no doubt that you can stick to this if you want to. Please don't deprive yourself of too much, though!

I went to the Weightloss area looking for info about the paleo diet (silly me!) LOLOL!
Congrats Bizi...you look GREAT!
I have a similar problem re: the acne and we are similar in age. UGH!
The doc gave me Benzaclin to use when I have an actual pimple. It works like a charm for me. It is an RX. I also use gentle cleansers AND I wash and dry my face with clean towels...changing the towels daily. I change my pillow cases often.
I'm intriqued by this paleo diet Bizi. My doc put me on something very similar to it. (Did NOT call it paleo diet though). No sugar, dairy or grains.
And the weight is FINALLY coming off and I feel a bit better...more energetic.
Was that your experience?
Sweet potatos are ok, correct?
Do you eat any starches at all?
You look FABULOUS!
Oh....and do you like the cookbook? Have you made anything from it yet?????

My father has rosacea. He was getting a lot of pimples and the usual redness. He takes minocycline daily, and it helps.

I forgot to mention that right before I went on this diet, I had slight redness in my face.
Just started the diet and the sensitive skin facial wash.
The redness has improved.
I had gone to the derm (for another health concern) and was told I had mild roceasa and given an RX for a gel.(haven't filled the rx yet). Didn't know I had mild roceasea....
This (slight redness) popped out of no where about a month ago.
However, I have been under a lot of stress lately. I think this is why I've had sooo much trouble losing weight, etc. It's all inter-related.
I'm hopeful that the new diet will bring good things...so far it is looking very good...many very hopeful/nice/positive signs.

Dear Vowel Lady,

Your doc has you on a good diet. I'm glad that it is working for you.

Sleep helps. When we get enough sleep, our hormones and blood sugar work better . . . . everything works better. . .


Sleep at night helps with weight loss.

See the book called "Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar" and Survival by T. S. Wiley and Bent Formby.

Mari

congratulations vowel lady on your sticking to this new diet and for your weight loss.
yes it soulnds like paleo diet to me. but need to emphacise that we should avoid processed foods.
I went to subway today for lunch and ate a spinach buffalo chicken salad with lots of veggies. I know the chicken is processed but I avoided all of the unhealthy white flour carbs completely!
I went to mcdonalds the other day and had their new fruit oatmeal.
they are touting that it is healthy.
after eating it...which was delicious I have to say. I compared nutrition guides....guess what had fewer sugars than what I jsut ate?
a chocolate sunday!
and the oatmeal had saturated fat????
in oatmeal?????
bizi

well, oatmeal does have a small amount of saturated fat, along with unsaturated.

the sugar is mostly courtesy of Mickey D's once you've subtracted the cereal value of the oatmeal.

transfats are really the toxic ones... it's not the odd half gram of sat fat you get here and there.

could you try and eat more at home - can you pack lunch when you will be out for the day? or eat at a "real" restaurant/cafe that could work? there are some great ones in california... maybe look around...

i'm just saying i'd probably avoid fast food places altogether if i were embarking on your venture there... at least for a "detox" period - unless you plan on eating plain salad bar - without ANY dressing ... and even then you gotta figure if you put corn or green beans on it that came out of a can... preservatives.... so that basically leaves (hehe) you with lettuce and carrots. yummm.

Dear Bizi,
I guess the oatmeal has butter or milk.
Calories-wize it is a weird menu item.
The oatmeal has 290 calories while the egg mcmuffin has 300 calories.
Maybe try Starbucks oatmeal?

This is from Waves on the other thread:
Bizi, you can probably get rose water from Mexican or Asian stores near you. I wonder if the rosewater I see in local stores is the same as what Waves mentions.

M.