sustainable systems & storytelling
There is much debate over whether supplements are really necessary, especially for those who are already eating well. Some swear by their customized supplement stack, while others believe it to be a complete waste of money. I believe fully that food is medicine. And yet, I also believe that the food we eat it is... Continue Reading →
Six years ago, I was diagnosed with a condition I had never heard of, despite living in the epicenter of fungal respiratory chaos. Three years ago, I learned that the infection had disseminated to the soft tissues of my leg, hiding behind my patella, clinging to my shins, and padding the soles of my feet.... Continue Reading →
Two years ago, I underwent a battery of " I have given up on western medicine tests," one of which was allergy testing. I'm no stranger to allergies. I remember my throat swelling up in Sunday Bible school when I ate ants on a log, the fun childhood snack in which raisins lined up on... Continue Reading →
Six years ago, I was a high-functioning and successful Type A personality who had seemingly achieved success in all areas of life. I was an overpaid department head who excelled at my work. I had a fit an athletic body and loved teaching others how to achieve the most challenging poses in yoga. I had... Continue Reading →
Lately, I've been feeling a bit down. We're re-watching Seinfeld because it's the obvious choice when we can't decide what to watch. With each episode, I find myself verifying, "We've seen this before?" Several seasons in, I am realizing that I have absolutely no recollection of any of the content. It seems that I mentally... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I didn't experience any soreness in my legs all. I ascended a flight of stairs at work, as usual. I enjoyed a two mile evening walk, as usual. But one thing was notably different. I didn't stop once to rest my legs. For the first time in over 20 months, I walked further than... Continue Reading →
It's the final moments that define a journey and the first ones that make it possible. Both, we have total control over. Just over a month ago, I took my doctor's advice and made some drastic changes to my diet, in hopes of shifting my trajectory. I chose to embark on a new leg of my... Continue Reading →
On our recently trip, I felt lighter and more energized than I have in years, even though I wore huge bags under my eyes in every picture. Upon our return, the state of my health quickly returned to status quo. My boyfriend immediately suspected something environmental was to blame, hypothesizing either an allergy in our... Continue Reading →
I force a cough and it's done. The gynecologist drops a small T-shaped device on the bedside tray, its bloody tail looping into a figure eight. The petite women with blue gloves and a wide smile reminds me to call if I need anything before shutting the door behind her. I had the copper IUD... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I got an instant message from a coworker, causally asking, "Hey, can you save me?" I agreed before inquiring what, exactly, he needed saving from. "I'm trapped," he replied, "to your right." We work in an open office plan and the sliding glass door to the conference room had gotten stuck and he couldn't... Continue Reading →
Last night, my boyfriend brought up a shocking internet prank where someone finds an adversary's address through their IP address and the places a call to the police departments pretending to be said adversary. The local S.W.A.T. team swarms an innocent victim's home, led to believe that the individual is armed and dangerous. The in-game... Continue Reading →
Four years ago this month, I was forced to spend a full month in bed while assaulted by a vicious cough, painful aches and terrifying hallucinations. I lost 16% of my body weight and gained a permanent scar on my lung. I was told it sometimes takes years to fully recover, so I practiced patience... Continue Reading →
I am not a fan of fish, never have been and likely never will be. However, according to the results of my recent food allergy test, I may need to work on recalibrating my taste buds. Some results were not at all shocking. My body has been shunning cow's milk, cereals, peanuts and lima beans... Continue Reading →
After thirteen days of relief, the low-dose naltrexone seems to no longer be working. On Friday afternoon, I felt the subtle return of that all-too-familiar fatigue, debilitating muscle pain, digestive issues, brain fog and moodiness. By Sunday evening, my magical carriage had transformed back into a pumpkin. After two days of immense struggling and far... Continue Reading →
Have you seen those videos of toddlers receiving their first tiny pair of glasses or paraplegic dog receiving a set of wheels? The pure joy and enthusiasm is tangible as these previously-hindered individuals are given a new lease on life. Today marks day ten of Low-dose Naltrexone (LDN). After five days at 1.5mg followed by five... Continue Reading →
