http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Lisa+Copen Family Concerns Lisa Copen Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=54256&ca=Family+Concerns Mommy moments come in all forms: days at the park, backyard barbeques, or meetings at the pool. They are a great time to get to know other mothers and share activities as well as compare notes on child-raising. But as the number of women who live with chronic illness continues to grow, so does the i... Religion Lisa Copen Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=54255&ca=Religion 1 in 3 people in the U.S. have a chronic condition. If it’s not you, it’s someone near you. Too often, a chronic illness, such as fibromyalgia, or a chronic condition like back pain from a car accident, is invisible. Those who live with chronic illnesses do everything they can to look presentable, g... Wellness, Fitness and Diet Lisa Copen Wed, 14 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=54258&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet Losing weight doesn't have to be miserable. A few simple changes may kick-start you into feeling great! [1] Switch to Sugar-Free Sodas According to the American Dietetic Association, eliminating soda alone could help you lose 11 pounds per year and the less you drink the less you will crave it. Cons... Etiquette Lisa Copen Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=54253&ca=Etiquette As pastoral staff, most of us have had the opportunity to go and visit someone in the hospital. It can be a pleasant experience as they welcome you with a smile, or they may cry as you offer prayer and comfort. It can also be awkward. For those members in your church, all of these situations can be... Cancer Survival Lisa Copen Thu, 18 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=54525&ca=Cancer+Survival [1] Recognize that the illness is chronic You will swim through the phases of grief for the rest of your life, because with a chronic condition comes new limitations as the illness progresses. Don’t be too hard on yourself; reach out to others, build up friendships with those that understand, pursue... Self Help Lisa Copen Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=41012&ca=Self+Help A friend of mine is fond of saying, “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.” This quaint little saying seems to be not only an outline of the recent turn of events in my life, but also words of wisdom. How much I like a plan, a clear set of expectations, something solid that I can look... Self Help Lisa Copen Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=41014&ca=Self+Help I couldn’t think of anything to make for dinner. I stood in front of the freezer until I became cold and then I walked away for a few minutes, hoping that something appetizing and easy to make would magically appear by the time I returned and opened the freezer door again. Finally, I decided on a me... Wellness, Fitness and Diet Lisa Copen Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=41016&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet [1] How do you avoid a cold? Keep your hands away from your face and wash them often. Avoid people with colds, and ask your doctor if vitamin C may be helpful and safe for you. [2] Although depression can easily be assumed to be a result of your chronic illness, you could be someone who has Seasonal... Self Help Lisa Copen Sat, 18 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=41015&ca=Self+Help I had just received the third pink slip in two weeks from the lab that said my payment was passed due. Over three times I had called and my insurance company had assured me that the lab work was covered and that they would mail out a check that afternoon. This time, when I finally got a representati... Religion Lisa Copen Fri, 17 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=41018&ca=Religion We may want to reach out, but when we don’t know the answers, how do we pass on comfort? ~~~~~ “If God would just explain this all to me, maybe I would be able to live with it,” shared Cindy over a cup of tea. “It’s so frustrating to have to go through all of this pain, but even more frustrating to...