Vegetables Anyone?

The last few days have been full of healing food, time with my precious dog, and spending time with a good friend.

Ive always loved food and discovering new flavors and creations. I made a great sandwich on Friday which included cucumbers, and tomatoes that were marinated in spinach and herb and parsley herbs along with some olive oil. I grilled the cucumbers and tomatoes and put them on toasted bread with the extra marinade on the bread. It was delicious and I had it again today for lunch.

I made a vegetable pizza tonight for dinner. I love making these especially since they are simple to make. I usually add any fresh vegetables we have in our fridge which included a green bell pepper and onion this time. I added parsley for the pizza taste and added some daiya cheese. I normally don't add daiya cheese but decided to for a change.

Since I came home from college my dog Holly is supper happy that I am home. I have taken her on a few walks if my body and the weather allows. She is always willing to play with her new toy and lets me know quite a few times a day. The following is a picture of Holly and two of her toys. I believe this was taken on Friday after her and I were playing for a good half hour or so. She was out for the count.

Last but not least one of my good friends and I got to spend a good amount of time together yesterday. Her and I hardly see each other do to our schedules. She wont be here over the summer due to working at an amusement park. Her and I went to see a movie and then went out to eat. I ended up getting a Black Bean Burger with Guacamole on top...yum! I don't have any pictures of our outing but we had a great time.

Book Recommendation

I am blessed to be able to live near one of the greatest private teaching hospitals in the country. I'm not saying it is the best but one of the best (also according to U.S News and World Report). I was diagnosed with RSD by an orthopedist at the Cleveland Clinic and refereed to my current Pain Management Dr, whom I still see today.

Dr. Michael Stanton-Hicks has dedicated his life to his patients. He is constantly at conferences helping teach others about RSD and Chronic Pain, in other countries treating those with RSD, or at the Cleveland Clinic spending time with his patients (treating them). He will spend up to 20-30 minutes with each of his patients. He likes to know what is going on with us medically, if anything has changed pain wise, he also likes to know how our life's are going. My last appointment I brought my homework since I knew it would be a long appointment and he started laughing because he thought it was hilarious that my algebra book was so thick and heavy. I hope and pray ill be able to work with him after I graduate from college.


Recently my Dr. wrote a book on Pain Management, The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Pain Management. I am already done with the book and wanted to recommend it to all of you. It is a must read for everyone who has a chronic pain disorder, knows someone who has a chronic pain disorder, or just wants to learn more. Dr. Stanton-Hicks talks about the different types of chronic pain (the different types of pain), how it can be treated with conventional therapies and alternative therapies. He also talks about different syndromes / diseases that can cause chronic pain like RSD, firbromyalga, and cancer. In the back there is also a mock pain diary so you can show your Dr how much pain you feel at different types of the day. Over all its a great book. I know I posted this before but here is my Dr. talking about the book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QIc4hZlRJQ

My Avacados

Hemp Protein Shake...yum!

All the way to the top of the glass!

Today was my recovery day since my RSD is going a little out of control due to all this rain we are getting. I am trying to eat as many healing foods as I can to keep my body functioning at its best. I made some homemade guacamole today. I had some on a vegan burger and it was delicious. I am currently enjoying a hemp protein smoothie with a banana and strawberries. I use to only drink my shake every other day or so but now my body is craving them.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Healing Thoughts!!

A Day for ALL Women

First I want to say Happy Mothers Day to everyone who has raised a child, is currently or is currently raising a child if it is yours biologically or not.

I have been blessed by being surrounded by so many wonderful women who have helped raise me these last 20 yrs. These women range from my 2 grandmas (one is my great-grandma, both on Dad's side) my aunts on my Mom's Side, my friend's mom who is like a second mom to me and my mom of course. Its hard to mention all the women who have been an influence on me because I could keep going on and on. These women have also been influenced by their mom's and other women before them which simply amazes me.

Mother's Day is a day to recognize those women who have taken the time to raise a child. It is also a day to take the time to help influence the younger generation. I'm not talking about influencing them in a bad way but to show the younger generation how women come together to raise a child and how we all come together to get things done. As Pastor Mark said today; God put something in women that he didn't in men. He gave women the ability to nourish and care. My Professor last semester said that women will always feel guilty whether it having to go to work and leave her child or staying home with sick child and worrying about the person who had to take her shift at work. Women just have this guilty feeling because we care.

Pictures from Last Night:

My neice and I

My Aunt, Mom and Sister

After all these years of have RSD and after 2 years of living away from home (in a dorm) it makes me realize how much my mom cares and loves me. During two of my hospital stays my mom never left my side, she came to all of my procedures, and still comes to my Dr's Appointments to help advocate for me. I love my mom so much.

Last night my mom, sister Missy, niece Cassie, and Aunt Barb went to the Horse Racetrack. I didn't know what to expect since Ive never been there. The only think I knew about Horse races was from Pretty Woman...lol. Since I was over 18 I was allowed to gamble on the races. I just helped my mom in picking out her horses instead. The horses I picked always ended up in the top 3 except for 2 races out of 8. I had a great time with my family, we had a nice dinner and a nice evening together.

Today we had brunch for Mother's Day. I had a Tofu Scramble which was extremely good. I then helped one of our good family friends learn about veganism and introduced her to almond milk and coconut milk yogurt (my favorite). I actually just got done sending her some recipes so that she can try them out this week. She is from India where they follow a mostly Vegetarian / Vegan diet anyway. The couple became Americanised in some of their diet and she wanted to know my "secret". I hope she does well this week and I will let you all know how she does.

Sending Healing Thoughts to All!

Healing for All of Us

As I continue on this journey I my past experiences with RSD come back vividly. Since the day I was diagnosed to this present day I have prayed for a cure for RSD to be found. If a cure isn't found in my lifetime then at least in the lifetime of my future children.

During my RSD journey I have encountered the word CURE and HEALING several times. Right now I do not believe theses are possible unless God has personally healed the person Himself. Many years ago when I was new to my Church the Pastor at the time did a sermon on healing and why God only heals a few people and not everyone. I remember the Pastor saying that not everyone gets healed from their aliments due to God not trying to hurt us emotionally or physically but to see how strong we are. Also He gives us these conditions to help us find who we are and what we were put on this earth to do. I personally think since I have not been "cured" or "healed" at this point in my eight year journey that I was meant to have this for some reason. I believe this reason is to help others with RSD.

I do believe though that some of the damage done to my body by the RSD can be reversed by a whole foods plant based diet. Our body is meant to be treated with food that will benefit our bodies and not foods that will harm it.



Last night I had an opportunity to talk to my mom and aunt about why I choose to eat like I do. My aunt was floured with how this lifestyle helped and is still helping benefit Bethany and many other RSDers and even those with cancer (http://www.crazysexylife.com/). They have both seen how these foods have benefited me in the short time Ive been full vegan. I just really wish they would at least try to switch over also.


The picture above is of my little girl, Holly with her Cupcake. Yesterday I did a spring clean out of my room. I got rid of all the clothes that no longer fit me. I had gained so much weight thanks to my pills and inactivity. Last year I started loosing a significant amount of weight when I got rid of beef from my diet. Now that I am vegan I am at my healthy weight for my age and height. This makes me even happier cause it gives me an opportunity to go shopping!...lol.

My Life Over the Past Week

Hey Everyone, I'm back!!

I have had a very tough week full studying for finals to early morning hours, taking the finals, catching up with friends one last time, and packing up my room. I am more than exhausted. About half of my dorm room is still in the cars waiting to be unpacked tomorrow.

My dog was absolutely excited to see me and I was just as excited to see her. She's more like a person who can't talk than a pet. She's followed me around the house since Ive been home with her tail high in the air. She even lucked out since her Birthday was the other day, she got her Birthday present a stuffed cupcake. She was excited and immediately started playing with it.

As much as I love my school I was happy to be able to come home and make me a nutritious vegan meal. I made me a vegan burger with cauliflower and broccoli on the side. It makes me happy to know that I'm now able to focus on myself for awhile. I know especially the last two weeks or so I have been following my diet but have been neglecting how my body feels. My RSD has been hurting bad but I will now be able to rest when need to and not have to stay up to study for tests, well at least for a month anyway.

I will be updating more now that I have more time. Again sorry for my absence.

Those Who Motivate Us

Last night I was filling out a scholarship application and it got me to thinking about what actually motivates me. Each of us has something that motivates us whether it be a significant other, a goal, or even a life long dream. These motivations help us get through the everyday grind. They help us realize the bigger picture in the long run.

When I was twelve I never realized how much my life was going to change once I sprained my left wrist. My life has been blessed from the people who have been put in it, the challenges I have had to face, and the accomplishments I have made. I say that I'm blessed from my challenges because they have helped me learn about who I am this also includes getting RSD. If someone where to ask me if I could take it all back, I honestly don't know if I would.

About six months after getting RSD my Uncle got very sick and passed away. From watching the nurses taking care of him in the hospital came my desire to become a nurse. From my continuous treatments and visits to my PM's office my desire to become a nurse has grown simply from being with my Uncle the last weeks of his life. My Uncle was always supportive of me and stepped in as a substitute Grandfather he had passed away before I was born. It saddens me to know he isn't here to see me in college. I have two motivations; my Uncle and my RSD, both have helped me realize how blessed I am to be in college and be succeeding.

Refreshed

This past weekend was a great time to help me get refreshed for the upcoming week. As I mentioned before I have several tests before finals and I needed an environment to study and need to get some healing food. One of the things that helped me loose the tension this weekend was to cook.

I absolutely love putting different ingredients together and knowing something scrumptious is going to come of it. Also since becoming vegan I have become more receptive to trying new food and love to discover new flavors. On Saturday my dad and I went to the store and bought some stuff that we just generally needed. I of course brought stuff that I could bring back to school and would help me get through finals. Things like celery, strawberries, apples, ect. that are convenient yet nutritious. I also bought some vegan veggie burgers which I had one of that night. My dad made burgers on the grill and I had my own vegan version. I was happy though that he went for the vegetarian backed beans when I suggested it and he even ate them. I say this because anyone who knows him knows he is extremely picky.

I had two tests today, I started the day off with a almond milk, banana, apple and hemp protein smoothie. I defenitly see a differnce in how I feel, compared to last semester at this same time. I am still tired and hurting RSD wise ect., but I have more energy too and my stamina is up. I am always excited to discover new foods that I can eat and their "powers".

Here are two pictures of the meals I made over the weekend.

Tofu Scramble

Made Sunday Morning

Rice, Beans, and Almonds

Made on Sunday

brought the rest back to school

Sorry the pictures are dark, I took them with my phone.

Until next time!

Sending Healing Thoughts to all!