Research on lupus is still ongoing, and there is much about the disease that is still unknown and unverified by scientific evidence. For this reason, there are a number of traditional and alternative treatments that might help reduce your lupus flares, even if they are not yet widely adopted. However, you should discuss these treatments with your physician before beginning any of them.  Your physician will need to be informed about all treatments you are using, so that he or she can provide you the most effective care plan. Your physician can also tell you about potential side effects or complications of using an alternative treatment method, based on your particular case and symptoms. This type of medication, a weakly androgenetic steroid, can stabilize the symptoms of lupus, as studies have shown an inverse relationship between the levels of androgen in the body and the progression of lupus. Ask your physician if this treatment is right for your case, and about potential side effects (such as acne-like skin eruptions). Flaxseed is a substance thought to lessen inflammation. There is some indication that it may help kidney function in some lupus patients (kidneys are some of the organs most affected by lupus).  Try adding flaxseeds to cereal or to tomato or orange juice. Flaxseeds can also be taken in the form of flaxseed oil. The recommended daily dose (usually only a teaspoon or two) can be taken with water or mixed with salad. Fish oil can also be used to handle lupus flares. Recent studies have shown a potential decrease in lupus flares among people taking fish oil regularly. Fish oil contains omega-3 which can help decrease inflammation.  Fish oil is usually taken in the form of oral capsules. Talk with your physician about the amount of fish oil you should take each day, based on  your health condition. .  Because lupus is an inflammatory disease, eating a diet that reduces inflammation is important.  Stick to fruits, vegetables, proteins, and other foods that do not promote inflammation and avoid foods that are known to cause inflammation. Avoid the nightshade vegetables, which include peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and white potatoes.  These foods contain solanine that contributes to inflammation and pain. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is an herb that can be taken to reduce an overactive immune system in lupus patients. Astragalus root is boiled in water for a few minutes to make a brewed tea.

Summary: Consult your physician before beginning any alternative treatments. Take dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplements. Introduce flaxseed to your diet. Consume fish oil. Follow an anti-inflammatory diet Experiment with an herb called astragalus.


Now that you've designed a distinctive alter ego, it's time to walk a mile in their shoes! Practice speaking, acting, and/or writing like your character. Scrutinize your actions and your "voice" - for instance, think about whether your character would walk or talk in a certain way based on their backstory and personality. Gather materials or clothing and make a costume for your alter ego (thrift stores can be a good choice for their low prices and out-of-style clothing).  Only you can decide how far to take your alter ego - with luck, your character may even become more well-known than you! Consider showing your character off at the next costume party or fan convention you attend! Your alter ego will seem more "real" and authentic if you commit to your performance. If you flip-flop between your new identity and your old one, people will see you as a person in a costume, not as an entirely new person. Resist any urges to act like you normally do. This is easier to do if you get in character hours (or even days) before you need to - simply hang around the house or running errands in-character as your alter ego. You'll ease into your new character as you complete simple tasks. More difficult performances will, in turn, feel more natural. Try modifying your daily habits and routines to match your alter ego's. If your character grooms him or herself differently than you do, for instance, make these changes in your own life.  Respected method actors like Daniel Day Lewis are famous for adopting the habits of their character. To prepare for his role in  The Age of Innocence,  Lewis bathed himself in cologne and donned 1870s clothing as he ran his daily errands! Hundreds of figures throughout history have adopted alter egos. If you're lacking for inspiration, look to history books for plenty of examples of how to immerse yourself in your new identity. Many alter egos, like musician David Bowie's famous "Ziggy Stardust" character, have become cultural touchstones for music, fashion, and other forms of art. Others, like actor Sacha Baron Cohen's characters (Borat, Bruno, etc.) have eclipsed their creator in terms of fame and recognition. Understand your historical context - your alter ego is, knowingly or unknowingly, probably influenced by past alter egos.  Feel free to pay loving homage to past alter egos through small references, details, etc., but, as with any work of art, don't plagiarize wholesale from other peoples' creations. It's also useful to look for examples of alter egos that didn't work out. For instance, 90's country star Garth Brooks was widely ridiculed for his darker "Chris Gaines" persona. His alter ego's serious, angsty alt-rock image appeared ridiculous and forced in comparison to his relatively earnest country work up to that point. Try to compile lists of what, historically, has and hasn't worked in terms of alter egos in your field - writing, music, etc.

Summary: Put your alter ego into practice. Stay in character. Seek inspiration from famous alter egos.


Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water, and place a heat-safe bowl on top. Make sure that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the surface of the water. Turn the heat on to low, and bring the water to a simmer. Add the chocolate and wait for it to melt. This will take about 4 minutes. Do not stir the chocolate as it melts. Let the butter and syrup sit in the chocolate for about a minute or two before folding it in with a rubber spatula. Keep folding with your rubber spatula until everything is evenly combined. You can use plain rice crispy cereal for this, or cocoa-flavored rice crispy cereal. The best size to work with is something around 9 by 13 inches (22.86 by 33.02 centimeters) although a 9-inch (22.86 centimeters) square-shaped pan will also work. If you are in a hurry, you can chill them in the freezer for about 20 minutes, or until they turn firm. Cut them in the pan first, then scoop them out using a spatula. If you try to remove the entire rice crispy out of the pan, it may break. You have enough to make 16 to 24 servings.
Summary: Assemble a double boiler. Melt the chocolate over low heat in the double boiler. Add the butter and syrup into the chocolate. Remove the bowl from the saucepan, then fold in the rice crispy cereal. Pour the mixture into a greased baking pan. Chill the rice crispy treats in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. Cut the rice crispy treats into squares, then serve them.