Chronic Bits 

A few weeks ago, the nice people at Tree Huggin' Treats sent Editrix Jenni a few of their Crispy Cat candy bars to sample. They're gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher - basically, good for almost anyone. While we don't normally review individual products, Editrix Jenni just had to give them a shout-out because these candy bars are darn tasty! Her favorite is the mint coconut. Hunt them down and enjoy!

We heart Change of Shift, a nursing blog carnival with great writing. The new edition is live at creator Emergiblog. Enjoy!

This web site is awesome! A bunch of cool babes hunt down supercool fashions, accessories, music, housewares and more. Sure, it's off-topic, but you know you're curious...

Editrix Jenni's been tested for celiac disease, and although the results came back negative (that's a good thing) she's going to try going gluten-free for a month anyway, to see if the change lessens her asthma and fibromyalgia symptoms. It will be an experiment - and documented, at Gluten-Free Babe, a very low-fi blog. So swing on by and please comment with your advice and tips. Thanks!

Grand Rounds is fresh at From Meedskool, and ChronicBabe is featured. A very nice edition with tons of great posts. Happy reading!

Goodie Bags were handed out today, and Editrix Jenni was thrilled to see that almost 1,000 folks got them. We're watching the numbers climb and had an idea: Why not give a nice prize pack to the 1,000th subscriber? Here's how it will work: Sign up today for the Goodie Bag and if you're subscriber 1,000, you'll receive: a ChronicBabe t-shirt, tank top or b-ball cap of your choice from our CafePress shop; a ChronicBabe mug; a set of three cute ChronicBabe buttons, and a handmade (by Editrix Jenni) beaded bookmark in our signature colors. That's a prize pack worth almost $50! And even if you don't win it, you'll still get cool tips and deals every two weeks, plus our free eBook, How to Be a ChronicBabe: A Beginner's Toolkit. What are you waiting for? Sign up today!

I know, I know - we're obsessed. So sue us! We're jazzed about Michael Moore's new movie, which got rave reviews at Cannes this week. Check out the Sicko! trailer right now at Ain't It Cool News. (Pssstt... by the way, Editrix Jenni's hubbie writes for the site... as "Capone.")

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease has released a petition aimed at 2008 presidential candidates. In short: "We ask that you, as a national leader and possibly the next President of the United States, join us in supporting health care and other public policies that proactively address this crisis." Who wouldn't want to sign this petition?!

Oh my goodness, not THAT kind of p*o*r*n. Porn for Women is a new book offering up the kind of sultry images women really want: a gorgeous man doing the vacuuming, another hunk offering a piece of cake with the caption, "Have another piece of cake. I don't like you looking so thin." Seriously funny, oddly poignant, and chock full of hunks. We LOVE this new book! (It's on the Editrix's Amazon wish list.)

We just can't wait to see Michael Moore's new film, Sicko!, which is premiering at Cannes. Until it's released here in the U.S., get a sneak peek from Ain't It Cool News. For more scoop, head to Michael Moore's site.

impactEDnurse.com hosts Grand Rounds today, and does a darn fine job of it. In a twist on the usual approach, our host asked for writers' best posts ever, and offers up each bloggers's explanation of why they love their piece. It's fantastic, and we at ChronicBabe are proud to be included.

Through May 31, in honor of mother's day, The Heart Truth campaign is offering a discount on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) Healthy Heart Handbook for Women 20th Anniversary Edition. The book is packed with the latest information on preventing and controlling the risk factors for heart disease – the #1 killer of women. The 122-page full-color booklet offers practical suggestions for reducing the risk of heart-related problems as well as describes the warning signs of heart attack and how to get help quickly.

Whew! It's been a busy few days on the web for Editrix Jenni. She was interviewed today for About.com's freelance writing site, and she answers questions about building a freelance writing career for folks who live with chronic illness and disability. From one who knows: it can be done!

I know, sounds wacky. But our pal Loolwa Khazzoom has created a program, Dancing With Pain, where she helps chronic pain patients and the folks who treat them learn to navigate all the ins and outs of their illness - with dance. We LOVE this concept! (Long-time readers will remember the wonderful story Loolwa let us reprint, Heck on Wheels.)

Change of Shift, one of our favorite blog carnivals, is fresh at Nurse Ratched's Place. Love the pics of old medical TV show characters! Oh, and love all the great health writing, too.

As summer draws near, Babe Shannon points us to a valuable tips list on "Traveling Safely with Medications" from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. A must-read for every Babe!

This month, Editrix Jenni is a guest blogger at the Young People For (YP4) Blog, a creation of the People For the American Way Foundation. Her second post, which went live today: "It's the first annual Freedom From Self-Improvement Day. How will you spend it?" She wonders aloud what would happen if we took time every month to consider the possibility that we're ok just the way we are right now. Hmm....

Jennifer Louden has declared May 15 "Freedom from Self-Improvement Day" and Editrix Jenni's going to enjoy it by putting aside her big stack of self-help books and inspirational CDs and such, and just enjoying a big heaping pile of Arrested Development and maybe some Chipotle chow. Woo hoo! Get out there and enjoy yourself!

PANDORA (Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research and Advocacy) has announced the winners of its advocacy video contest. "Monkeys With Wings" and "Living With Fibromyalgia - Holly Fraser's Story" were both winners, and you can watch them on PANDORA's video contest page. Congrats, budding filmmakers!

One of our favorite blog carnivals, Grand Rounds is fresh at Medical Humanities, and it's full of tasty health blogging treats, including a little something from ChronicBabe. Newbies: check out the Grand Rounds archives and schedule.

Editrix Jenni was interviewed recently by Kerri Morrone of Six Until Me, and after reading the result, she's blushing. Read on...

PANDORA (Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research and Advocacy) is holding a video contest, and votes will be tallied tomorrow - as part of National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Check out the videos and cast your vote for your favorite today.

Hey Babes, I'm writing an article on celiac disease and searching for a couple CeliacBabes to interview. If you have celiac disease and would like to spend 10 minutes on the phone with me, shoot me an email as soon as possible - my deadline's coming up fast! Thanks much - Jenni the Editrix.

Young People For (YP4), a program of the People For the American Way Foundation, aims to invest in the next generation of leaders and build a long-term national network for young progressives. This month, Editrix Jenni is a guest blogger at the YP4 Blog - so head over and check it out! The first post: When it Comes to Your Health, Speak Up! She looks at the power of telling the truth—informing people even if they're doubtful—and the potential positive long-term impact on our health care system if more people get vocal.

CNN reports that Michael Moore might be in trouble for some work he's done for his upcoming documentary, Sicko, which will examine (ahem, "rip to shreds" is more likely) the American health care system. The act in question: a trip he took to Cuba in February, bringing along sick Ground Zero workers. Details are still sketchy, but CNN gets us a lot of info. Michael's site offers his perspective on the whole debacle (and the upcoming film).

Grand Rounds is fresh at The Blog That Ate Manhattan, this week's in tribute to Barbados Butterfly - one of our favorite health bloggers, whose site was recently shut down. Chock full of health writing goodness, and ChronicBabe is featured! Newbies: check out the Grand Rounds archives.

Babe Amy of Diabetes Mine recently wrote about The Five Gifts of Illness: A Reconsideration by Jill Sklar, and we think the result is pretty interesting. Check out her overview here and this more in-depth look at dLife.

Babe Brenda points us to the Med eMonitor System, "a combined medication and care plan adherence solution" (according to its web site). It can be programmed and updated over the Internet and a phone line, and can help you track up to 25 medications. (It also makes a sound to remind you when to take your meds.) Awesome!

Rest Ministries is holding a chronic illness book sale, with dozens of items on sale - some at a markdown of nearly 75%! It's for a limited time only, so don't delay. Happy shopping!

This might be the site for you. Oh, and you'll want t check out Just Got Diagnosed as well - it has some great tips.

The Food & Drug Association today announced two new ways to help consumers: a web page, Consumer Health Information for You and Your Family, and a free monthly eNewsletter, FDA Consumer Health Information. Cool!

Ugh. We hate this news: "Young teenagers with chronic daily headache (CDH), particularly migraine with aura, have a six times greater risk of suicide than teens without headache disorders." Kerrie goes on to explain CDH and offer some resources.

See that little orange tab up there that says "Get the eNewsletter"? If you're not a subscriber yet, you're missing out on free goodies that other Babes are getting every other week. We're at 899 subscribers today - help us hit the 900 mark and get an immediate free treat! Thanks, the Editrix.

For those of us with iPods, and those of us who like to...ahem...love the one we're with, the OhMiBod is a great gadget for Babes. Just plug it in to your iPod and it vibrates to the beat of the music. We can just see the playlist names now...

Across the pond, a Babe is making a statement about accessibility: On May 11, Sharon Enav, a student from Camden, will be walking from one end of London to the other in order to raise awareness of accessibility problems around the UK's capital city. She is also being sponsored to raise money for the non-profit Fibromyalgia Association UK. (BTW, Sharon's partner, Naomi, has fibromyalgia, and uses a wheelchair to travel around.) Babe Sharon needs help raising funds, so why not donate a couple bucks (or pounds) to the cause?

We've already heard this news about kids, but now the Food & Drug Administration is saying that antidepressants may also raise the suicide risk in people age 18-24. Read on for coverage from WebMD. Ugh.

Check out one of our fave blog carnivals, Change of Shift, fresh today - hosted by its creator, Emergiblog. Good reading, Babes!

ImmuneSupport.com is offering free shipping until May 6 on DVDs of "I Remember Me," a documentary by Kim Snyder about the often-misunderstood chronic fatigue syndrome. The film was chosen "Best Documentary" Peoples' Choice Award at the Denver International Film Festival. Sounds worth checking out!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has just launched a new campaign designed to get patients more involved in their health care. Basically, it tells us to ask more questions of our docs - something we here at ChronicBabe HQ always encourage! They've created a musical number to teach us how...

Thirteen-year-old ChronicDude Kamaal Washington has created his own comic book all about diabetes to help kids with the disease feel empowered. What an awesome little guy!

Grand Rounds is fresh at Shrink Rap, with a TON of links to interesting, informative, and unique health care blogging. Newbies: check out the Grand Rounds archives.