health

The Charleston County Library Rocks!

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Do you go to the library often?  I go at least monthly and am amazed by the wealth of goodness every time.  There are movies, music, magazines, art, and of course books of all topics just ready and waiting for me.  I mean, everyone.

I'll hit the library more often than the bookstore for new inspiration.

This is just a sample of the plant-based selection.  If your location doesn’t have what you want, reserve it and have it brought there.

Healthy lifestyle topics are available, too.

Healthy lifestyle topics are available, too.

I’m on my way over now to return and pick up more reading material.   And I’ll drop a few more entries in the Adult Summer Reading Contest.  Maybe I’ll catch you there.  

Reading helps me relax, and relaxation is required on my wellness journey.   Nice, eh?

What are you reading?

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My name is Sherrie and I have a book problem.  Am I the only one?  I can’t be.

Worthy Evans is a College of Charleston alum and brilliant writer.

Worthy Evans is a College of Charleston alum and brilliant writer.

My problem started years ago and only became worse after a few months of library work followed by bookstore work.  I loved every second of shelving and discovering new titles and topics.  I love it when I get lost in a story or can almost taste the recipe by reading the ingredients.   When I drop by the library I can’t seem to help myself.  I walk in to return the stack I spent a month pouring through and leave with more.

Taking time for myself is a necessity.   Reading for pleasure reduces stress and helps me relax.  Even if the story has me wound up and jumping at the slightest sound, I’m more relaxed than if I’m working all day.  Do you take time to read?  What are you reading now?

Raw or cooked, plant-based comfort food rules!

Raw or cooked, plant-based comfort food rules!

This is perfect reading when I need a laugh.

This is perfect reading when I need a laugh.

I’ll catch you later.   It’s time to curl up with a good book.

June already? What’s your plan?

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Can you believe 2014 is already six months old?  June is already 11 days old?  Where did the time go?  Are you on track?  Anywhere close to where you wanted to be?  I’ll admit it,  I’m not.   And I won’t let it throw me much.  I’ll tweak my plans and go month to month.

My plan was in part inspired by a dream.  I’ve been back and forth to the doc and specialists (yes, plural) trying to finally figure out what all ails me.   It’s exhausting and frustrating and frightening if I K et my mind wander too much.  More so if I consult Dr. Google instead of waiting to for a specific diagnosis.   According to Google,  cold symptoms could be anything from a cold to a rare syndrome that would put someone just outside death’s door.  No one needs that kind of stress or fear without knowing what’s going on inside them.

So, back to this dream.  Of course I dreamed about a doctor visit.  I mean, it’s been at least 33% of my focus for a while now.  So, I’m waiting for the doc to walk in, and it’s Kris Carr!   You know, the woman behind Crazy, Sexy Cancer.  Her.

I was so in awe and blown away.  I think seeing her was a sign.  Not that a cancer diagnosis is looming, but that I’m doing the right thing by following up with the docs and working on healing.  Another round of physical therapy starts next today   My diet is cleaning up and even more greens are coming in.  My healthier cookbooks are my main kitchen inspiration and I’m eating to live.

There they are, two of my inspirations!

There they are, two of my inspirations!

One of my go-to's for healthy vegan eats.

One of my go-to’s for healthy vegan eats. Lindsay Nixon photo.

A fav dish from Crazy Sexy Kitchen. Sherrie Thompson photo.

A fav dish from Crazy Sexy Kitchen.  This and the tahini dressing that is.

I'll hit the library more often than the bookstore for new inspiration.

I’ll hit the library more often than the bookstore for new inspiration.

I don’t want to just survive anymore.  I want to thrive, glow, and kick ass.

So, what’s happening with you?  Have any good dreams lately?

Mesothelioma

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This is National Women’s Health Week (May 11-17).  I spent it learning more about health issues that other women face.  Out of all the stories I heard, Heather’s Mesothelioma battle stood out.  I had to share.    

Mesothelioma.  Have you heard of it?  There is a late night ad running encouraging people to call a specific law firm if a loved one has it.  Have you seen the ad?  While I’m not fond of this kind of client recruitment, if it helps raise awareness, I can get past the money-hungry reason behind it.

Malignant Mesothelioma was once considered a man’s disease, but this form of cancer affects women as well.  Asbestos exposure, first or second-hand, is a primary risk factor of this disease.  Do you remember hearing the panic about asbestos in buildings and blowing it off as no big deal?  Many did, including me.  Many years ago, there were many meetings at my my school about student, staff, and teacher asbestos exposure.  I didn’t know what it meant and couldn’t be bothered back then.  I was more interested in when the construction workers would finish the work and move on.  The extra noise made me a little crazy while trying to concentrate on Algebra and Trig.  It took years before I realized what we were exposed to and what could happen.

Heather Von St. James knows all too well what Mesothelioma can do.  She’s an eight year survivor and spreads the word as a blogger with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.  This organization has resources for patients and their families such as detailed information about the types of Mesothelioma, treatment, access to legal assistance, support, and straight talk from survivors  like Heather.    Thanks to her, I learned more about this disease than I’d previously known.

There are three known types of Malignant Mesothelioma.   The form Heather survived, Pleural Mesothelioma, is the most common form and occurs in the lung.  Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs in the peritoneum , the lining of the abdominal cavity.  Pericardial Mesothelioma affects the lining of the heart.  Symptoms are diverse and common.  Anemia, chest or back pain, difficulty swallowing, nausea, fluid buildup, and others are reported.  If you experience the symptoms, go see your doctor.  The sooner a diagnosis is made – or ruled out – the better.

Emily Walsh, another blogger with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, shared facts that terrify me.  Asbestos exposure is responsible for the majority of occupational cancer cases in the United States.  Asbestos can be found in houses, schools, and other buildings built before the 1970’s, and the substance is still not banned!  How can that be?  Even though warnings are issued about exposure – and no amount of exposure is safe.  What will it take for a ban to occur?

Know your risks.  Know that if you or a loved one is diagnosed, you are not alone.  Heather, Emily, and the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance are there for you.   Find them on Facebook, Twitter, and G+ to see the resources available to those who need it.  Or go learn about the disease for yourself.

Until next time, share what you’ve learned and be safe.  Take care, all.

 

Looking back and forward

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Howdy, all.  Your friendly neighborhood Sherrie here.

I struggle with my weight.  You know this because I’ve shared before.  I’ll lose, then regain, then plateau for months at a time.  I’ve done fasts, extreme diets, and taken supplements.  I’ve eliminated entire food groups just to see if it would work for me.  I’ve been stuck on meds for one ailment or another and tried working around the weight gain side effects.  I’ve nearly starved myself following super low calorie plans in hopes of jump-starting my weight loss.

Bah!  I’ve messed up my metabolism and irritated my already aggravated system.  I’ve made weight the central issue instead of my overall health and that had to change. The end of extreme is here and now.  Out are all of the crazy things I’ve tried in the past.  In come common sense and real food.

Real food from plant sources first are foremost.  I won’t tell you that you have to eat like I do, but I will tell you what works and doesn’t work for me.  I operate better on plants.  Beans, greens, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic, berries, apples, mangoes, avocados, and the rest.  Seeds and nuts are good, too, just not too many.  Olives make me smile and give me a little salty, fatty goodness in a small serving.  And I love my rice, oatmeal, and quinoa.  I just can’t have huge plates of those alone.

Am I giving up all the sugar?  Not 100%; at least not yet.  I’ve cut back a lot over the years and even more over the past few months.  And it feels good. I get more than enough sugar from fruit 98% of the time. That other 1-2% percent? A cookie or something like that.  Or raw vegan cheesecake.  

So, that’s my plan in a nutshell.  Not just my plan, but my new and much improved way of life. Are you making any changes?  Tell me about it.  You’re not alone.  Not now or ever.

Happy 2014!

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So, what are your health and fitness goals for the new year?

I’ll keep on keeping on, even more determined to fix what ails me.  I’m not afraid to speak up or seek additional resources if I don’t get the answers I need.  I spent too many years unsure and floundering.  No more!

I’m also done with worrying about how I’m not keeping up with so-and-so. I only need to compete with myself on my fitness journey.  It’s mine.  My progress and results are mine.  It’s liberating!  Try it!  Just do you!

So in 2014, expect more inspiration for people on all fitness levels, more meal plans, recipes, and general musings here.

Bye for now.  Time for a little snuggling with the dogs as they freak a little at the fireworks outside.  :sigh:

TV, weigh in, and injury report

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Yes, another fracking injury report.  I know how many steps I have, but every once in a while I’ll miss one.  Yesterday afternoon I missed one and felt something crack.  Nothing’s broken, but it’s swollen and oh man does it hurt!  On the bright side, I get to sit with my foot up a lot and hobble oh so sexily around the house.  Fun.

The thing that annoys me most about it is the timing.  I exercised five of seven days last week and lost a pound.  If I can’t exercise anymore this week, will I gain?  I hope not.  I can still get in some Pilates and Yoga, but cardio is out. Unless throwing the ball for the dogs counts.

Anyone watching Psych Week?  I am.  I was a psychology major briefly and continue to be fascinated with the human mind.  So far this week I’ve been heartbroken and disturbed.

Born Schizophrenic tells the story of a beautiful little girl and her family.  She was diagnosed at age five.  Five!  I hurt for the parents and little brother who love and fear her.  I hurt for January.  She can’t control what’s happening to her and I cried through most of the hour.  I’m getting teary just thinking about it.I can’t write about this anymore.  Sorry.  You should watch for yourself.  I dare you not to  be touched.

I was disturbed by Enraged.  Two people, a man and woman, discussed their anger issues while their families discussed their feelings about their loved ones.  The man flat out pissed me off.  He was completely disrespectful to his wife and sons.  He definitely had issues and anger was just one of them.  The woman’s story hit close to home.  She was angry, but I agreed with some of the things she was angry about.  Do mom’s get angry about our kids’ trashed bedrooms?  Yes.  The repeated questions?  Yes. She did go overboard, but I honestly did not see her as having anger issues.  I saw her as stressed out and  in need of a break.

Getting healthier is not just about physical health.  Becoming mentally strong is just as if not more important.  You have to deal with stress, fear, anger, excitement, and sadness in a positive way.  I’m not saying live in a world of cotton candy and rainbows, but in one grounded in reality. Learn to pick your battles.  For me, as long as the kids don’t have trash on their bedroom floors, and no food or wet towels in their rooms, I’m good.  I do expect them (and hubby) to clean up after themselves.  I’m here full time, but not the housekeeper.

Excuse the semi-ramble.  Pain meds fog is making this a little difficult.

For now, I’m out.  See you again soon.

Long time no update.

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I don’t have much playtime these days, but that will change somewhat after finals next week.

We closed on the house & have started on the makeover. I’ll share pics soon. We’ve picked our paint colors, have kick butt hardwoods that need just a little love (30+ years under a carpet will keep ’em pretty). DD wants a black carpet and lavender walls – we can do that. DS wants royal blue & an area rug. Hubster & I are going with cafe a lait and a reddish accent wall.

We’re packing and cleaning, all excited and just plain happy. I’m fighting through a flareup from hell. ON Tuesday and Wednesday I repeatedly lost my balance while standing still. Joyous. It’s a sign that I need to go back in for another evaluation. Last time I was told that if things didn’t improve that surgery was my only option.

Oh f*ckity f*ck f*ck.

The family knows I’m having a flareup, but don’t know how bad it is yet. I know I should tell them, but summer is almost over, we’re starting a new chapter of our lives, and I don’t want to deal with the same questions and odd behavior thrown my way right after my diagnosis. What I really want is them happy until things slow down a bit.

If there was a time for comfort food, it’s now. I’ve been pretty good about that this past week. We had coconut cake and I didn’t have more the one slice a day and I didn’t have a slice every day. I made a wicked vegetable stew for dinner the other night and wallowed in it’s almost fat free, decadent, old school goodness. I followed the recipe from the winter 2007 issue of Don’t Eat Off the Sidewalk and added celery and green peas. The dumplings I didn’t like much (never have) so I only had the one (about the size of a half dollar coin).

As much as food could be used to comfort me, I won’t use it that way. I’m going to be on crutches soon enough at this rate – I don’t need to use food as one. Or alcohol. I’m so tempted.

I’m probably going to disappear for a day or two while I complete assignments and get more moving stuff out of the way.

Until next time.

Man it’s been a long Monday!

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But I had a Doctor Who marathon on Sci-Fi today to help pass the time while I typed, cleaned, and worked on school projects.

As far as food it wasn’t a bad day. I responded to my craving to sweets with a cinnamon roll and was thoroughly disappointed in it. It wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be. I’m glad I didn’t go over in points to have it. I came in at 26 points and 1 activity point – not too shabby, especially since I get 26.

I’ve decided to follow the old point rules that gave me 26 daily points instead of the 27 under the newer rules. I tried going with 27 for a while and made sure I got in that point most days…and went over more often than not. I love those 35 flex points, and used to allow myself to go over 5 points every day just because I could. I didn’t gain anything back while OP (on plan), but I think I could have lost more weight by staying closer to my daily points alone.

This isn’t about how I did before. This is about how I’m doing now and will be in the near future. I need to keep that in mind so I don’t slip into a negative state.

I’m going to hit the sack in a few. Yep, me. I’m going to bed at a decent hour. Bout time, eh?

Here’s to Tuesday!