In Search of Health

So it’s been a rather hectic life this week and I’ve kind of put this blog on the back burner but then I realised tonight that this is a good way to reflect and see how well I’m actually doing.

My main issue is lack of imagination when it comes to meals. How am I supposed to create a meal without one of the carb staples? Well… There’s this awesome thing called Google and a fantastic man called Luke (the fella) of whom is bloody brilliant in the kitchen. I can do the basics but my timings, tidiness (or lack of) and chaotic approach is hardly what you’d call le cordon bleu. However, on day two I attempted keto pancakes made from coconut flour and they were pretty good. Okay, so son no.1 said they were “delicious because they taste just like egg”, but at least they were edible.

See ⬆️ not bad! (Okay, I didn’t actually make this one. I have no pancake flippability so Luke offered to make one just so I can have a pic for this blog. But I still made the batter…)

Day three saw another culinary attempt by moi. This time in the form of cauliflower rice. It turns out cauliflower doesn’t really rice when using a hand blender, it was more cauliflower balls but still, I seasoned it well.

I’ll be honest, the best bit on the plate was the kale cooked in copious amounts of butter and the heavily olive-oiled mushrooms. 🤷🏻‍♀️

On Thursday, we discovered the Big Guys Kitchen in Wrexham. It’s essentially a take away place but they do healthier versions. After not eating for over 20 hours and NEEDING chocolate, this place saved the day (and the carbs).

Introducing Big Guys Kitchen “steak and eggs” for breakfast.

TASTE SENSATION.

Another sensation? My fella. He made me this tonight: stuffed peppers with bacon, mushrooms, spinach, cheese, cheese and cheese. The only issue? Apparently peppers have hella carbs in them. Who knew?

I’d like to say that we’re doing good but, to be honest, I accidentally ate a ginger biscuit this morning, I feel stupidly nauseous and I’m constantly dreaming about bingeing in all of the kids’ Christmas chocolates that are currently sat on top of the microwave.

I think going to sleep might be my best option.

Happy new year and all that jazz! Lots of health, love and self-belief being sent your way.

I’ve decided to try the Ketogenic diet for multiple reasons. I’ve read a lot about it and the benefits it can have on your health, especially those with chronic illnesses (check out The Magic Pill on Netflix), so I’ve got nothing to lose (other than about a stone). So my main focus is weight loss and health improvement.

If I can lose weight eating cheese, I’ll be one happy girl. I’ve read a lot about its benefits and I’m feeling HUGE so I’m willing to give it a go. I’m going to struggle though due to my love of chocolate and sweets and crisps and wine…

But I’m determined, so wish me luck!

No, it’s not Erectile Dysfunction, nor is it an Eating Disorder (just two of the incorrect health issues in which GPs have mistaken it for on meeting me).

The best place for you to learn about EDS is through the charity, Ehlers Danlos Support UK. https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/what-is-eds/

In short, it is a connective tissue disorder of which causes joint dislocations, skin problems, vein issues and organ prolapses amongst a myriad of other symptoms, complications and comorbidities (dysautonomia being a big pain in the ass). However, there are 14 types of the syndrome. There was 13 but now they’ve found another one. I have type 3 with a type 1 crossover. It’s genetic but some types can’t be screened for through genealogy. It flares. It hides. It’s shit.

There’s a saying that doctors use, “when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras”, which encourages medic professionals to look for the most simplest of diagnoses. The EDS community call themselves zebras as we are the anomaly to this rule. The zebra is our mascot, if you will.

We also use the ‘spoon theory’, like many other chronic illnesses, but EDS is enough of a brain fry for one day, I think…

I’m not going to be cliché in saying the ‘new year, new me’ bullshit but this is essentially that. Here is a little bit about me and how I came to this decision to document my health, diet and lifestyle.

The realisation to become healthier and more aware of my mind and body came way back in April when I suffered from a suspected stroke at work, whilst 12 weeks pregnant and at the mere age of 30 years old. From then on, I suffered multiple non-epileptic seizures, both tonic-clonic and absent, on a daily basis. I was told by my consultants that I would not return to work (an English lecturer at college) during my pregnancy as I was too high of a risk. My health deteriorated further, so much so that my (awesome) boyfriend had to leave his job and become my carer in an official capacity.

As each week came, the seizures became more frequent and more violent, resulting in preterm labour at 24 weeks, 28 weeks and 32 weeks. Luckily, the visits to various antenatal wards at multiple hospitals worked and the preterm labour was stopped each time. Although by the end of the pregnancy, we calculated that I had spent more time as an inpatient than I had at our own house.

These seizures were brand new to me. I have never experienced anything of the sort. I do, however, have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and the autoimmune disease, Coeliac disease, so I was already health compromised, for want of a better description.

In addition to the above health ‘complications’, I do have some positive qualities. I am a qualified dance teacher, English lecturer, a mother to a wild 6 year old boy and docile 7 week old girl, and step-mother to another cheeky boy of 3. I have a wonderful boyfriend (who is yet to put a ring on it) who continues to support me and my defective body.

So here is to the start of my journey where I shall document diet changes, fitness challenges, and medication troubles. I promise to try and keep this updated as much as possible!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton