I have lots of scars. Some hidden, some visible. They look like small fault lines running here and there. Most came from when I was very young, so they have healed nicely. I did have three that were exceptionally gnarly. One in particular resided two inches to the northwest of…
Lemon Water Simplified
There has been lots of talk recently about the benefits of lemon water. Lemon is an alkalizing food which means that it can reduce levels of acidity in the body to keep everything in balance. High levels of acidity have been linked to increased risk of illness. Here’s a great…
Living Without a Plan
Life is very up in the air for me and Phillip right now. Everything from where we will be in two months, to our careers, to my health, to our finances is unsettled. Normally this would really freak me out. I love, love, love to plan. I’ve been writing affirmations…
What is the average length of a doctor’s appointment in the United States?
Hint, it is longer than 3! Doctor’s appointments are important, especially when you are coping with a chronic health condition. These days they seem to be getting shorter and shorter. I’ve had a few that lasted barely over five minutes. The brevity of these appointments almost assures that you are…
The Zen of Procrastination
Yes, I procrastinate. At least a little bit every single day. I let the laundry pile up. I haven’t washed the windows in goodness knows how long. I’ve got a huge to-do list and nothing is getting done. Well, except for writing about nothing getting done. Procrastination is a flaw…
How to Not Freak Yourself Out with Medical Research
At 10PM I opened my internet browser. I guess I was bored. I remembered something my doctor had said and I wanted to investigate. We were discussing kidney disease research and diet. He mentioned that because my kidney issues came from a congenital disorder my case was unique and that…
How to Deal With Stress
Stress is annoying. It’s this crazy automatic human ancestral thing that messes with our minds and bodies. Something happens and suddenly your body reacts as if it is under attack, fight or flight. We don’t have the same dangers as when we were hunting or gathering, but our physiology assumes…
How to Stop Drinking Coffee
Ahh coffee, let me count the ways… You warm me through and through You wake me up You bring together friends You are there for the good conversations You helped me meet that deadline You got me though that meeting We celebrate holidays together You greet me first thing in…
Grateful for The Rose: Planting Something Positive
I was back in the hospital with pneumonia, somewhere between seven and nine years old. This was a fairly regular occurrence during my childhood. Kids that have TEF (tracheoesophageal fistula, an abnormal connection between the trachea and esophagus) can have lasting pulmonary complications. I’m sure I felt pretty crappy. I…
The Broccoli Mac
The broccoli mac is a creation from my childhood. We were a hippie veggie family which meant that I didn’t try meat until I was seven at a friend’s house. Side note, meatloaf should not be the first thing a kiddo tries, it turned me off for a good long…