I have been eating a LOT of oatmeal in recent weeks. So much that it got old. I know I’ll do the hearty oats again very soon, but I wanted to venture out and expand my breakfast selection. In the spirit of my earlier post on vegan snacks, I’ve compiled…
I recently read Bossypants by Tina Fay. It is a really funny book. Toward the end of the book she has two chapters titled: Remembrances of Being Very Very Skinny Remembrances of Being a Little Bit Fat Both are less than two full pages. Mainly a list of things she…
It has been one delicious year since Phillip and I made the decision to be 100% full-time vegans. We first toyed with the idea after a coworker lent me the book Skinny Bitch. Yes, Phillip got curious and ended up reading it too (it’s what prompted him to become vegetarian).…
Stress causes a physiological reaction similar to what would happen if we were under attack. Our blood pressure increases, our heart rate becomes more rapid and our focus narrows. The body is concentrating on survival. Fight or flight. In practical terms, this stress reaction limits your options. It is hard…
It is easy to overlook unconditional supporters who cope with your illness right along with you. They too feel stressed, shed tears, ask questions and advocate for your health. This is an especially heartfelt job for a mom. I have no clue how my mom managed the medical intricacies and…
Affirmations were introduced by French therapist Emile Coué who recommended his patients repeat the phrase, “Every day in every way, I’m getting better and better” (English translation). The practice was to repeat the phrase 20 times each morning and evening. The frequent repetition, called “conscious autosuggestion,” was thought to change…
A quick check of any news site’s lifestyle headings will include at least three posts about how you can improve your health. If you did everything suggested at any given time, your life would be exclusively dedicated to your diet, exercise routines and stress management practices. Some of these things…
Next week I’ll be back to stress-free, chronic illness lifestyle blogging, and I’ve got some great posts brewing… 5 Ways to Make Healthy Living Simpler (who couldn’t use a few time-savers) –and– What We Can Learn about Affirmations from the Placebo Effect This week’s posts were taken up by doctor’s…
Phillip and I met with the transplant nephrologist (kidney specialist) on Monday afternoon. We came armed with a huge list of questions. I haven’t been to the transplant center as a patient since my evaluation back in the summer of 2011. This meeting was to re-establish care and get informed…
Years ago, I got the low-sodium spiel from my doctor. Blood pressure, as it relates to your kidney is circular. Your kidney regulates the amount of sodium, and hence water, in your system; this regulates your blood pressure. As your kidney function declines, your blood pressure increases. From the other…