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Greetings!
Because of the importance of the contents, this is sort
of an abbreviated newsletter this month. As many of
you know, two years ago I was diagnosed with
Parkinsons Disease. I was 47 at the time, with no
family history. Parkinsons is a degenerative disease
that causes tremors and muscle rigidity. For me, the
symptoms affect my dominant right side. My arm no
longer swings freely when I walk, and doing certain
activities can be challenging. Reaching into my pocket
for my car keys, signing my name and the PD has
robbed me of the one talent that came naturally for
me -- playing the drums To combat these physical
challenges I workout almost every day, plus I take a
few medications that I hope can delay the
progression. I have never felt sorry for myself, I
consider myself a lucky person and have too much in
my life to be grateful for. So I will fight this setback as
best as I can, and hopefully contribute something of
value that can help find a cure, if not for myself then
others.
Parkinsons is a disease that can be cured. Michael J.
Fox and his foundation have done an incredible job
organizing researchers to focus on the medical
science that makes a difference.
Since my own diagnosis, I have asked myself what I
can do to help. Writing books is a time-consuming
labor, plus I spend time visiting schools, plus I have a
family plus I need to work out or my muscles stiffen
up. Oh yeah, every day I answer 100 e-mails from
fans. It's a labor of love, as an author, my most valued
asset is YOU, my readers. Over the last 13 years, I
have worked hard to earn your trust. All of you who
have ever e-mailed me know I ALWAYS RESPOND
PERSONALLY. Students know I am always honored to
answer their Q & A assignments for school.
Thousands of teachers in the Adopt-An-Author
program know I am always there to speak with their
students via phone, e-mails, or personal visits.
Times are tight for many of us, and so many
organizations need money - I know because many of
you contact me asking for donations on their behalf. I
never say no. Over the years, I have also sent boxes of
signed books to our soldiers overseas in appreciation
for their sacrifice. But I need to do something to
support the Michael J. Fox foundation, not because I
have Parkinsons, but because I am convinced they
are doing valuable work that can help all of us.
I thought about offering free posters to anyone making
a $50 donation, I thought about sending out signed
books for donations. All of these ideas cost money I
do not have (my meds alone cost $500 a month).
What can I do to help Michael J. Fox? I do not know
any celebrities, I am not in a position to host huge
functions, but I have something far more valuable, I
have readers who care and know that I care about
them.
ONE REQUEST - SIMPLE, PAINLESS, QUICK & A
BLESSING:
I am asking each person reading this newsletter to
click on this link
and make a one-time donation of $10 dollars to the
Michael J. Fox Foundation. Please, only ten dollars.
Because ten dollars from ten thousand Steve Alten
readers CAN make a serious difference in the fight
against a disease that affects millions of Americans
including this humble author.
I've included some very cool never-before-seen MEG
& LOCH images at the bottom of the linked page.
Please feel
free to send this message and link to other friends
and readers.
In return, I offer my blessings and heartfelt thanks.
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Living Tips: PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS MUST READ:
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Sent in by a parent, verified by SNOPES:
Yesterday, my youngest daughter, Halle who is just 4
years old, was rushed to the ER by her father for being
severely lethargic and incoherent in her classroom.
He was called to her school by the school secretary
who said that she was 'VERY VERY SICK'! He told me
that when he arrived at her classroom, Halle was
barely sitting in the chair. She couldn't hold her own
head up and when he looked into her eyes, she
couldn't focus them. He immediately scooped her up
and rushed her to the closest ER, and
then called me. When he got there, they ran blood test
after blood test and did x-rays, every test imaginable.
Her white blood cell count was normal, nothing was
out of the ordinary. When I arrived at the ER, the doctor
there told us that he had done everything that he could
do so he was transferring her to Saint Francis
Hospital for further tests. As we were leaving in the
ambulance, her teacher arrived at the ER and told us
that after questioning Halle 's classmates, she had
found out that our little girl had LICKED LIQUID
SANITIZER OFF HER HANDS. When we arrived at the
Saint Francis' Hospital ER, we told the ER Doctor
there to check her blood alcohol level, and yes we did
get weird looks, but they did it. The results showed her
blood alcohol level was 85% -- six hours after we first
took her.There's no telling what it would have been if
we would have requested it at the first ER. Since
then, her school and a few surrounding schools have
taken the liquid hand sanitizers out of all the lower
grade classes, but what's to stop middle and high
schoolers from ingesting this stuff? After doing
research on the Internet, we found out that it only takes
about 3 squirts of the stuff ingested to be fatal to a
toddler. For her blood alcohol level to be so high, it
would be like someone her size drinking120 proof
liquor.
*IF YOU HAVE A LIVING TIP YOU WOULD LIKE TO
SHARE, please e-mail to me at [email protected]
Put LIVING TIP in the subject line.
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RECIPE of the Month: Tracy's No Bake Sugar-Free Cheesecake
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Having had gastric bypass surgery, and many friends
with diabetes, it is hard to find desserts that we can
eat. This one has been a lifesaver as long as you only
have one serving.
INGREDIENTS
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2
teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 (.6 ounce) package
sugar free lemon flavored gelatin (or flavor of your
choice), 1 cup boiling water, 1 (8 ounce) package
reduced fat cream cheese, 2 teaspoons vanilla
extract, 1 cup frozen light whipped topping, thawed (fat
free whipped topping if you can find it is better), cut
fruit (optional).
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a
medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs,
butter and cinnamon. Mix well and press into the
bottom of a 9 inch square pan. Bake in preheated
oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow
to cool. Dissolve lemon gelatin in boiling water. Let
cool until thickened, but not set. In a large bowl, beat
cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. Blend in
lemon gelatin. Fold in whipped topping. Add fruit
matching the flavor of you gelatin if you so desire. Pour
filling into crust. Sprinkle top with graham cracker
crumbs and some of the fruit. Refrigerate over night.
Cut into 16 pieces.
Nutritional Information: Servings Per Recipe: 16
Calories: 103 Total Fat: 6g Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 166mg Total Carbs: 8.5g Dietary Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 3g
*IF YOU HAVE A RECIPE YOU WOULD LIKE TO
SHARE, please e-mail to me at [email protected]
Put RECIPE in the subject line.
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