I have been eliminating eggs for at least 2-3 weeks now (or more, I can't remember). I decided to have two eggs for breakfast this morning. Within 10 minutes I felt a little nauseated and dizzy. I DON'T WANT EGGS TO BE A PROBLEM! I love eggs. I have a great source for farm fresh eggs and they have always been my easy meal or snack.
I am going to eliminate them again for a few weeks and then try again just to be sure. My mantra for the next few weeks shall be "Let eggs work for my body."
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Good-bye Gluten Free Muffin
I have been gluten free/coffee free for almost five years now. However, I still hang out often at Starbucks with my husband or with homeschooling friends. I always get tea and if I am hungry, bring my own snack. So, when Starbucks started offering the gluten free Orange Valencia Cake Muffin, I was thrilled. It was a little pricey to buy every time, but such a treat to have when out. I guess the sales were low and it was decided it was too much of a sweet treat and is being replaced by a nut bar. My husband said the bars are good, but honestly, when I go out and spend money on something I haven't made myself, I want it to be sweet. When our electricity went out a week or so ago, the kids and I headed to Starbucks for a drink and muffin. It was a treat we don't usually give ourselves and it felt nice to know we could go somewhere other than a health food store to buy a treat. So, for me, I am disappointed that Starbucks will be eliminating the gluten free muffin. I am sure the bar is good, but I put enough of the nuts and berries together at home and will most likely just throw my own homemade snack in my purse before heading out.
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To read more, click here.
Hey, I Don't Need to Use Caution with this Knee!
A funny thing about feeling better. After a year and a half with a swollen knee, I now instinctively start to move it with caution and then realize that it isn't necessary. It is moving with ease and without pain!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Gaming Talk
Alexander is a gamer. He loves his XBOX 360 and that he can play games online with close friends. I like it too. There are many times I will hear him cracking up at a joke one of his friends has made. I like that they can connect that way.
Alexander also has a friend that doesn't have XBOX so they play games online together. When they are playing the games, they also talk on the phone so they can discuss their strategy. It cracked me up last time Alexander was playing. He said his friend told him he would be right back and in the background he could hear his friend telling his mom all about the game. Alexander told me later that he liked that this friend also likes to tell his mom all about the games he plays.
Alexander gives me play by play details of the games he plays. I don't always understand everything he is talking about, but I am glad he likes to share this information with me. Without it, I would not get a complete feel for what the games he plays are about. But, by him explaining to me the details (there are lots) and occasionally sitting down with him and attempting to play a game, I am able to get a feel for what the games are really about and most importantly to me, how they affect him.
We always read the reviews to games together before he buys a new one. We discuss the pros and cons and he always wants my opinion on the game. I am not a gamer but what I like about Alexander is that he wants me to feel comfortable with the games he plays. There has only been one game that I was hesitant about and we waited. But, after reading more, the game seemed so perfect for Alexander and he bought it. I am glad he did.
I tend to believe there is a lot of educational value in "non educational" games. We have had numerous conversations based on video games. A few months back he was trying to decide if he wanted to buy property in one of his games. We discussed what the economy was like in the area and the similarities between our economy now. Events in his video games have sparked questions that required us to do more research where we both learned a lot of interesting information.
By telling me every detail of the games he plays (by choice of course!) I am given a wonderful gift. I am able to peek into my child's daily life and see what clicks for him. I feel honored that he wants to include me in this part of his life and hope that by listening I am letting him know that I hope this pattern always continues.
Alexander also has a friend that doesn't have XBOX so they play games online together. When they are playing the games, they also talk on the phone so they can discuss their strategy. It cracked me up last time Alexander was playing. He said his friend told him he would be right back and in the background he could hear his friend telling his mom all about the game. Alexander told me later that he liked that this friend also likes to tell his mom all about the games he plays.
Alexander gives me play by play details of the games he plays. I don't always understand everything he is talking about, but I am glad he likes to share this information with me. Without it, I would not get a complete feel for what the games he plays are about. But, by him explaining to me the details (there are lots) and occasionally sitting down with him and attempting to play a game, I am able to get a feel for what the games are really about and most importantly to me, how they affect him.
We always read the reviews to games together before he buys a new one. We discuss the pros and cons and he always wants my opinion on the game. I am not a gamer but what I like about Alexander is that he wants me to feel comfortable with the games he plays. There has only been one game that I was hesitant about and we waited. But, after reading more, the game seemed so perfect for Alexander and he bought it. I am glad he did.
I tend to believe there is a lot of educational value in "non educational" games. We have had numerous conversations based on video games. A few months back he was trying to decide if he wanted to buy property in one of his games. We discussed what the economy was like in the area and the similarities between our economy now. Events in his video games have sparked questions that required us to do more research where we both learned a lot of interesting information.
By telling me every detail of the games he plays (by choice of course!) I am given a wonderful gift. I am able to peek into my child's daily life and see what clicks for him. I feel honored that he wants to include me in this part of his life and hope that by listening I am letting him know that I hope this pattern always continues.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Accupuncture Week #4
My acupuncture treatment was good today. As of Friday night the swelling in my knee was down again and I was able to move around pretty easily. Today Jim continued to work on my left knee and also focused some attention on my left shoulder which went into a flare last night. The flare ups in my shoulders are always extremely painful but also very temporary. Generally within 24 hours they are gone. So besides the acupuncture, Jim massaged/manipulated the shoulder area before I left. OMG! It felt good. Also, I brought all my supplements in and had him muscle test them to make sure they are still a good match for me. We were able to combine a few into a new supplement and eliminate one. Overall, a good visit. If this week is good, then we will start spreading out the treatments!
My instructions for today are to make sure I use my knee. That shouldn't be difficult. We are going grocery shopping, taking Izzy to a vet appointment, taking a long walk with Izzy and a few other things. Then to make sure I have some down time I have a new book I am going to start reading to the kids today. Maybe I can even sneak in a nap. I love afternoon naps!
Sending healing thoughts to each of you today.
My instructions for today are to make sure I use my knee. That shouldn't be difficult. We are going grocery shopping, taking Izzy to a vet appointment, taking a long walk with Izzy and a few other things. Then to make sure I have some down time I have a new book I am going to start reading to the kids today. Maybe I can even sneak in a nap. I love afternoon naps!
Sending healing thoughts to each of you today.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Simplest Things
"I find relaxation, enjoyment, and healing in the simplest things in life."
- Louise Hay
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last night Sophia and I had a "Practically Perfect" evening. We were dropped off at the door by Steve and Alexander for an evening of Mary Poppins. During the show Sophia would lean over and whisper, "This is so good." And it was. The show was unbelievable.
On Friday night Steve and I found ourselves without any kids. We went out for dinner and then I was able to go to his gig with him and hang out for a little while before picking up kids. Steve ended up playing longer than planned because he was having so much fun. I love that he is doing this. We all need time to do the things we truly love.
My weekend is turning out quite nicely. Not only have I been able to enjoy doing things with my family, but the swelling in my knee is down again. Not gone, but back down to where I am not limping and moving around is pretty easy. I call that a successful weekend. I hope you are enjoying your weekend too.Friday, July 10, 2009
The Rest of the Story
In my last few posts I received comments from an anonymous person. Since his/her identity is a mystery, I don't have the luxury of responding to him/her personally to gather more information. With many people that follow my blog, I have been fortunate to have side conversations through private email where we have been able to learn from each other. Unfortunately I don't know this mystery person (or maybe I do) but I have appreciated that they seem to be on the same page as me. I too believe that in order to heal you have to release your "emotional baggage".
I share much on this blog about the feelings I experience with rheumatoid arthritis, but there is much that I keep private. I have had many experiences and changes that I share with only those close to me. That isn't going to change. However, I will say that the beginning of letting my emotional baggage go was also the beginning of my rheumatoid arthritis. My RA began when I was going through some very personal changes and lots of emotional baggage needed to be released. (Thank goodness for a supportive husband during this time!) For the last five and half years each of my treatments with alternative practitioners has also revolved around the emotional aspect of how this disease affects me. I have come a long ways in the last five years in this area and I am proud of myself. I have also accepted that the changes will only happen as quickly as the last change has had time to absorb and be truly realized.
I feel like I have been given a gift in life and that gift is that I can see life through "sunny glasses". I hope this never leaves me. I believe that you can work towards releasing the baggage while also seeing life in a positive light.
Thank you "anonymous" commenter for making me think the past few days. For giving me comments that have made me consider how much further I need to move forward and also how far I have come. As I shared these comments with a good friend, I was reminded of how many changes I have made over the years. Are all these changes and all the digging things I want to share on my blog? No. I share a lot, but a girl does have to have some of her own secrets.
I share much on this blog about the feelings I experience with rheumatoid arthritis, but there is much that I keep private. I have had many experiences and changes that I share with only those close to me. That isn't going to change. However, I will say that the beginning of letting my emotional baggage go was also the beginning of my rheumatoid arthritis. My RA began when I was going through some very personal changes and lots of emotional baggage needed to be released. (Thank goodness for a supportive husband during this time!) For the last five and half years each of my treatments with alternative practitioners has also revolved around the emotional aspect of how this disease affects me. I have come a long ways in the last five years in this area and I am proud of myself. I have also accepted that the changes will only happen as quickly as the last change has had time to absorb and be truly realized.
I feel like I have been given a gift in life and that gift is that I can see life through "sunny glasses". I hope this never leaves me. I believe that you can work towards releasing the baggage while also seeing life in a positive light.
Thank you "anonymous" commenter for making me think the past few days. For giving me comments that have made me consider how much further I need to move forward and also how far I have come. As I shared these comments with a good friend, I was reminded of how many changes I have made over the years. Are all these changes and all the digging things I want to share on my blog? No. I share a lot, but a girl does have to have some of her own secrets.
This is a new day!
This is a new day!
-Louise Hay Daily Affirmation
After a week of some financial setbacks and a stubborn knee that decided to do some work in the reverse, I think I am almost back to feeling myself again. Thanks to everyone for your positive thoughts and words. They helped a lot.
Over the years of dealing with RA I have learned much about myself. Often when I am in the mist of a flare-up I will say to myself, "You haven't learned everything you need from this disease yet." I have it in my head that when I have learned all I need to learn from this experience, the pain and swelling will disappear and I will move on to a new learning experience. So, when I have several days of feeling good, I start believing I have learned everything I need from this disease. But, not yet. I have more to learn, more to do.
So, today is a new day! One thing I do know about myself is that I like to see life through sunny glasses and today will be no different. I need not think about the days that have passed but look forward to this new day and all that it has to bring me!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Acupuncture Week #3
My visit was without tears today. In fact, it was all about smiles today. Right off Jim noticed the swelling was down in my knee and I was walking with more ease. Yippee!!!!
He ran his machine again and found some large intestine imbalances which he contributed to my sore shoulders. He did his magic with the needles and I left feeling pretty good!
He ran his machine again and found some large intestine imbalances which he contributed to my sore shoulders. He did his magic with the needles and I left feeling pretty good!
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