Chronic Bits 

Looking for a plain language medical encyclopedia? Medpedia promises to be just that. It's a growing project in progress...

We luv you, dear readers! That's why we bring you this gorgeous heart, courtesy of Knitty.

Chicago Public Radio's Eight Forty-Eight commentator Jessica Young is allergic to gluten, and she looks at what it means to be African-American with an illness mostly attributed to white chicks. Thoughtful, funny and informative. Worth a listen, Babes!

ChronicPal Kirsten Borrink is featured at OnlineShoes.tv talking about roomy tow boxes. Sexy! ;) We're big fans, so please check out her tips and get acquainted with her awesome site, BarkingDogShoes.

It's common for ChronicBabes to experience anger regarding their illnesses. (Heck, who DOESN'T feel angry at least once in a while?) Check out these Buddhist resources on anger management, something new to try.

ChronicPal Kerrie pointed us to this shot of cookies shaped like organs. It's a sweet (ha ha) sentiment for Valentine's Day, no?

Mental Health America will launch realLives on February 19, an online community where "mental health consumers" can share their stories of living with mental health conditions. This one-of-a-kind anthology of original writings, artwork and poetry connects people facing similar struggles and helps break the silence that shrouds mental illness in America.

At least, that's how the doctor diagnosed her in the E.R. this past Sunday. Editrix Jenni fall down go boom in her parking lot (thanks, lingering icy spot!) and sprained her LEFT wrist. For those keeping track, that's the second wrist injury in four months. Commence mocking. (And patience, as she's taking most of this week off to mend. Thanks!)

Grand Rounds is fresh at The Health Care Blog, with tons of interesting posts—including our perspective on the Wellsphere debacle (we're happy to be called "geeks!"). Happy reading, Babes!

Mashable alerts us this morning that Google has launched its much-anticipated Health site, which can measure and track your vitals via tools like digital scales, blood sugar monitors, etc. Cool? Creepy? Let us know what you think.

Thanks, Chicago Tribune, for naming ChronicBabe one of Chicago's Best Blogs!

If not, you're probably not a subscriber. It's free, and fun. Don't miss out, Babes!

Just found the piece Colin Son did on ChronicBabe at MedScape. It's a cute little write-up you can share with friends who don't know about Chronicbabe, its mission and message. (The site does require a login, but it's free and well worth it to get access to the rest of its valuable info!)

Traditional Valentine's Day candies are often gluten-free, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, making the holiday extra-sweet for celiacs. They are writing about kids, but the same principles apply to grown-ups. ;)

Jane Brody writes about the potential health benefit of being infected with worms, especially folks with autoimmune disease, in the New York Times. It's a fresh take on the value of a little dirt in our lives. Fascinating!

Health bloggers from around the globe talk about cool or important things they've learned in the past year in this edition of Grand Rounds, hosted by the Samurai Radiologist, and ChronicBabe is included. Yay!

Editrix Jenni will be presenting this Saturday at Empowering Lupus Patients in Chicago. (If you don't live in the Windy City, you can hear the same presentation, which she gave last year as part of Invisible Illness Awareness Week.) Hope to see you this Saturday!

...the Bird Brain t-shirt from Threadless (via Street Anatomy). She's building her anatomical fashion collection one t-shirt at a time, Babes.