New York City

Hello Wonderful Healers!

I am back from my wonderful trip to the Big Apple. My mom, sister, niece, and I went for four days, Saturday through Tuesday. We primarly went for the Achilles Hope and Possibility Walk but also went to enjoy the sites of New York.

I am going to blog more on my amazing experience more in depth in another blog. Right now I am unpacking and Im recoving from the trip for the next couple days. I do want to share about the Achilles Hope and Possibility Walk experience.

Sending Healing Thoughts To All of You!

Friends, Food, and NYC

Hello Welness Lovers!


Ive have a great couple days with my friends. We decided to go out to dinner on Monday. Since all three of us are Vegan one of the girls found a restraunt that had not only food for those who ate meat but also accomidated Vegeterians and Vegans. We were suprised at the selection of food that was avaliable and how nice the place was. After each one of us kept debating over what we wanted we ordered since everything sounded wonderful, we got caught up with each other's busy lives. I ended up getting the Tamale Platter with Black Bean Chili on top. M got a Greek Salad with tofu crumbles to replace the cheese. K got a sample platter with various items like a spinach pie and hummus with pita bread. We all loved the food are were trying each other's meals. At the end of the meal we each got a Chocolate Milkshake for dessert. The milkshake was made out of Ricemilk and was more than one person could drink.

Tommy's Website: http://www.tommyscoventry.com/index2.php?section=WhatsOnMenu&page=TheMenu&menu=LunchDinner&menusection=Salads

On Saturday morning my mom, sister, and niece will be heading to NYC. I am more than excited not see one of the most magnificent cities but to see friends that Ive made since Ive been diagnosed with RSD. There are many aspects to having RSD that people look at as negative, but the people you meet is one of the positive things to this syndrome. Without the friends Ive made who have RSD and the support they give I probably would have fallen into a depression. My mom and dad as well as friends have helped so much but having someone who can understand means a lot.

My sister will be running the 5 mile course during the Achilles Hope and Possibility Walk. I am really proud of her as she has been training for a couple months now. My mom, niece and I will be walking the 2 mile course for those who have RSD. The last time we were in NYC I walk the first mile and then had to be pushed in a wheelchair the last mile. I am so happy Ive came so far in the last 3 years that I will be able to do this unassisted. It helps remind me that Im fighting this RSD everytime I get out of bed or everytime I walk my dog. I refuse to let this take a hold of my life and participate in things like this to help others who have RSD. Hopefully one day there will be a cure found from the money raised from an event like this!


Achilles Hope and Possibility Website: http://www.nyrr.org/races/2010/r0627x00.asp

RSDSA Achilles Hope and Possibility: http://www.nyrr.org/races/2010/r0627x00.asp

My Firstgiving Page: http://www.firstgiving.com/erikkafightingagainstrsd

** All donations are tax deductable



Healing Thoughts!!

Happy Father's Day

Hello Healers!

Hope you are all doing well and enjoying spending Fathers Day with your Father whether biological, the male role models in our lives who are there for us, and our Father in Heaven (Spiritual Father).

Over the last week I've been spending a great deal of time with God the Father. Ive came to discover how much He loves us. He loves us so much that He gave His only son to die for us. I doubt that human would willingly give up their son or daughter to help save millions of people's souls. Yet we have an amazing God who would and because of that we are free of the sin we are not only born with (because of Adam and Eve) but also have since we have since we have a free will.

My Pastor is helping me study the Bible this summer. I am going to be reading the Torah, the first 5 books of the Old Testament. Understanding the Old Testament helps us understand the prediction and the coming of Christ.

On Friday my mom and I went to visit another college. It was a Transfer Student Open House where we were able to tour the campus, talk about what credit would transfer and the most important financial aid. I really liked the college and have a big decision to make. Ive been praying about it for a long time and believe I have my answer, Ill let you all know soon.

Its pretty warm here today. I'm about to go enjoy some time on our hammock and a nice big salad later on. My dad and I washed his car earlier and spent time outside playing with my dog Holly.

In one week I will be in NYC with my mom, sister, and niece. I'm excited to spend sometime with my good friend who also has RSD. Her and I haven't seen each other in three years but stay in constant contact. We are leaving for NYC on Saturday and will be there till Tuesday. The Achilles Hope for Possibility is on Sunday June 27, one week from today. I am so ready to kick RSD's butt! I have looked up and have a list of vegan restaurants and I'm excited to try them out.

I hope you are all having a great evening and great Father's Day.

Healing Thoughts To All!

Articles on Headaches and How to Deal with Pain

Hello All!

Today I opened my email and found some great articles that I thought that all of you may enjoy.

Managing Headaches Without Pain Medication: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainManagement/managing-headaches-pain-medication/story?id=10642271

Skin Color Affects Ability to Emphasize With Pain: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/27/race.empathy/

Ginger Can Help With Muscle Pain: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1280005/A-pinch-ginger-help-reduce-muscle-pain-heavy-exercise.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Hope You Enjoy!

Healing Thoughts To All :-)

Update :-)

Hello Wellness Lovers!!

Hope your all doing well, soaking up the sun shine and enjoying the beautiful weather we've been having.

I've been enjoying being filled with God's spirit and learning about Him more through His word. I love being able to connect with God more through eating whole natural foods and knowing Im treating my body as best as I can.

I got Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Cancer Documentary from our local library and spent the humid day re-learning from it. I watched it when if first came out on NBC several years ago but wanted to watch it again and get anything I could from it. It did make me crave some pasta with tomato sauce with broccoli. Don't ask me why I got this craving especially since tomato sauce is very acidic but I can say it was delicious.

I am still taking my daily walks with my dog. Around 6:30-7:00 in the evening she comes and finds me to let me know that its time for our walk. She a little dog but holds her own. When we get back I get her a fresh bowl of water and she takes a long nap. I'm blessed to have her.

Sorry for the long time between updates.
Healing Thoughts To All of You!

Good Food and Good Memories

Hello Wellness Lovers!

This week has been full of Delicious food and the memories that come with it, visiting a friend from school on the way to see my Grandma, and two Graduation Parties to end it all.

On Tuesday my mom and I went down to visit my Grandma. She is currently in a rehab facility since she just got out of the hospital. Once of my friends from school is near to where my Grandma is at. We stoped at her house and visited with her and her mom for a good hour to two hours. She lives in a rural area, more than I do. They have lots of land and many of their neighbors have farm animals. At their house they had chickens, which I loved. I don't want any but loved to watch them walk around. It also confirmed why I am vegan and why I cant eat them and their eggs, it definitely wouldn't seem right now. We then went and visited with my Grandma for a good couple hours. My Aunt (her daughter) told me her son was having a hard time eating dairy and wheat products so I let her know about the dairy alternatives to cheese (daiya) and other things that might help. It just seems more and more people are having a harder time digesting meat and dairy products.

After the visit with my Grandma my mom and I went to Whole Foods to pick some things up that we cant get at stores near us. At the store I started craving a dish that Ive had so many times when I was younger. My friends mom and her mom (friends Grandma) would make this dish and I would eat over there frequently. Recently my friends Grandmother passed away and I too thought of her as my Grandma so this dish reminded me of her. We bought some gluten free noodles for the dish and other goodies. To make the "Goolosh" we added homemade canned tomatoes, the pasta, green bell pepper, a little bit of onion, and black beans. It tasted just like Grandma Judy's and was absolutely wonderful.

Sweet Potato & Beet Chips, Gluten Free Pasta, Earth Balance Butter,

So Delicious Yogurt, and Strawberries...yummy!

"Goolosh" - Pasta with Noodles and Tomato Sauce with Black Beans

Yesterday was the Graduation of the High School I am an Alumni of. It seems so weird Ive already been out for two years already. On that note we had two Graduation parties that we got invited to. At the first party I filled up on some delicious fruit. Here in the north our fruit season isn't until mid June or so. It was nice to be able to have a fruit salad and taste all of those flavors. At the second party one of my friends also happens to be vegan so I was able to eat some of the food that her mom makes for her. I had also brought me some hummus so that I could could have a dip for fresh vegetables. At least I know what to do for the next Graduation Party. I have one more and then one is being thrown at my house for my cousin which will make it even easier.

At one of the Graduation Parties. I have been friends with these

girls for years. The girl I am sitting next to is also vegan.

Sending Healing Thoughts!