Monday, April 19, 2021
Yesterday a young, beautiful and athletic friend was telling me that what I write on the blog is not suitable for everyone. This was after she had come from the dance classes she teaches, energetic and fit, and devoured 3 dishes and a large coffee. I, after making the bed and cleaning 1kg of spinach, exhausted, ate a small piece of duck breast with lettuce, fell asleep with my head on the table for a few minutes, then replied that my blog is aimed at people with autoimmune diseases, who want to lead a normal life. What does a normal life mean for a person with autoimmune diseases? The same as for a healthy person, only the limits are narrower. Physical, mental and energy limits. I’ve long since stopped wishing I could do what my friend does, I’m content to live life like a zen snail, savoring every move I can make. In the link you have a new recipe, some wonderful flat bread. Good morning!
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Thank you for the positive feedback on yesterday’s post, and for all your interactions with me in general. Someone was saying that I probably have a hard time writing about my autoimmune condition. As a true Capricorn, I was frustrated that I couldn’t keep up with the rest of the world, that I couldn’t be perfect and on top of things, that I couldn’t do 15 things at once, that I couldn’t always be the brightest star in the galaxy. Hyperinflated ego stuff. I was asking myself, as many autoimmune people do, “why can’t I be normal too?”. Then I understood. I’m normal. We are all normal. We think of ourselves as abnormal like a fish who can’t climb a tree feels. We feel obligated to explain and re-explain why we can’t do certain things, apologize or complain about being tired all the time, feel guilty about being in pain, and unable to perform our current duties. This is our normality. We don’t compare ourselves to anyone, we don’t even compare ourselves to ourselves, those of yesterday, of a year or more ago. We do not fear the future. We are here and now, the present builds the future. If now we are at peace with ourselves, if now we love, if now we are able to notice a flower hidden in a corner of asphalt, if now we are present with our whole being, the future will be bright. No, it is not difficult for me to write about my autoimmune condition, I am present and I accept myself. Thank you! I hope I wasn’t too pathetic today. It’s still me.
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
When you are diagnosed with a chronic illness, it is helpful to go through all 5 stages of acceptance: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. It is good to know that these stages exist, to be aware of them and to go through them gradually, without skipping a single stage. Perhaps the help of a psychologist would also be welcome. I’m not getting there, I haven’t been, I don’t know. When the spondylitis symptoms started I was 18 years old. Although I could barely walk, sometimes I would hold on to the fences to walk and roll out of bed onto the floor on my knees because I couldn’t move my hips in the morning, I denied for over 2 years that I had anything. I was angry at myself for being like this and punishing myself, including not going to a doctor, because in my mind I wasn’t sick, I was defective, a reject. When my “defect” got a name, I was already 22 years old. I didn’t have much information, it was the 90s, I was young and confused, and doctors were just as tight-lipped as they are now. I oscillated between bargaining, depression and anxiety for a long time until Google came along and I could get informed. Then I empowered myself and was able to act, helped by what I gradually learned could help me. Then I found groups of people just like me who were also looking for answers. Acceptance comes from knowledge. Then you stop struggling and can see clearly inside and outside. You are not defective, no one is. You are just YOU. In the picture is me, a month and a half ago, in full flare, with multiple inflammations, leaning against a wall so I can sit on my ass. I was surrounded by good friends and I spent a wonderful evening with them. Good morning!
Thursday, April 22, 2021
When you have chosen a path in life, walk it and enjoy the choice you made and its benefits. Help others find their own path, whether it’s similar to yours or completely different. Don’t force your truths down other people’s throats, no matter how knowledgeable you are, respect others by respecting their choices and you will be rewarded with the same coin. Yesterday, the first post I saw on Facebook was from a lady doctor who has a rather large group, a post of astonishing intolerance, which struck me in an unpleasant way, to those who choose “extreme” diets, “vitamins in a blender”, some things said with maximum anger. It wasn’t the first time she had such a post, so I chose to unsubscribe from that group. It didn’t bother me when that group promoted highly processed products, full of chemicals and hallucinatory food combinations, their only “quality” being the absence of gluten. It was their choice to do so. I thought a lot about whether to write about this, but I chose to do it, because many people are influenced by such attitudes and give up searching. Until you try it on your own skin, you don’t know what works for you. Look in all directions, regardless of what one or the other says, listen to everyone with openness and understanding, and then try and choose. No matter if you make a mistake, own up to it, learn from it, and move on. Below are some intolerable carrot and sweet potato croquettes. Good morning!
Friday, April 23, 2021
I am very happy when you write to me privately and I can help with advice from my life experience or a word of encouragement. This is the purpose of my blog and this fb page. I’m going to post here some answers I gave to some readers, keeping them anonymous, maybe there are things I haven’t said publicly and I can help someone. A girl recently diagnosed with 2 autoimmune diseases wants to be tested for intolerances because she doesn’t want to eliminate certain foods, like dairy, which she really likes, and she wants to be sure in life. My answer: “Hi, thanks for following me. From my experience, the best test is the reaction of our body. Cravings go, well-being remains. I am happy like a child when I discover new tastes. The results appear, sooner or later, if we persevere. I didn’t do the tests.” Another girl, recently diagnosed with spondylitis, is demoralized by the diagnosis and is looking for answers and information. My answer: “Everything is useful, it depends on how open you are to the information. Did you read my post yesterday about the 5 stages of acceptance? We can have a beautiful life with spondylitis. Maybe differently than we and others would have wanted, but if we empower ourselves and overcome fear, you will see what beautiful people and opportunities come our way”. Another girl with severe back pain is wondering why no doctor she’s been to has urged her to get tested for gluten intolerance and if giving it up really worked for me. She also tells me that she is young and has a lot of things to do, and pain is getting in the way. My answer: “Hello. I haven’t tested myself, but when I gave up gluten, 9 years ago, the results were spectacular. The pain passed, the mind became clear in a short time. It’s just that the gluten-free diet must be strictly followed, without any deviation. There were still small pains sometimes during menstruation, it seems that the hormonal influence is very important. We all have things to do, but first of all we have to “make” ourselves optimal and fill our soul. Good health and thanks for following me!”Good morning!
Saturday, April 24, 2021
I stopped watching TV for a long time, now I use it as a monitor for online movies. Yesterday I had confirmation again that I am doing well to have chosen this way. I was in the market and a reporter from Antena 1 stopped me: “have you seen how expensive vegetables are? 35 lei a kilogram of tomatoes? What do you think that a kilo of tomatoes is more expensive than a kilo of meat? Do you think it’s good that way?” Translated: “be outraged by the greed of these speculators, throw some venom, intolerance and hatred, because it’s too beautiful outside, we don’t allow people to be kind and smiling, we don’t see that the market is full of fresh and affordable greens, worked hard by industrious hands, it doesn’t matter that the maintenance of a solar house costs a lot of money, we want gossip and hate!”. I’m sure my conciliatory answer didn’t please him and I won’t see my face on TV. Good morning!
