Am I Alkaline Yet?

Patience, self-control, and denying appetites are apparently the lessons for the month. Anyone want to join the class? Great fun- truly...

Last month I has the pleasure of being sick for 10 days and in bed for 8 of them. My uncle (a PA) upon hearing my story said it sounded like I was one stage away from a coma. I really didn't feel that sick and am not sure how true that is... but I was- really sick. Once I was back on my feet and eating again a terrible thing happened- I couldn't eat some of my favorite things- most fruit (and a few other things). With Oranges being the worst. Ahhh!!! This was not acceptable.

So now what? Well after some investigative work a hypothesis was formed. I am caustic. Or at least- from being so pleasantly sick my pH balance became too low- creating an acidic environment- causing a number of complications. So the solution is simple- become basic. How hard can that be? Famous last words.

All I have to do is follow a simple candida diet (google it and be amazed at how much info there is on it) and take a natural supplement 2x a day. Spit in a cup to test your progress. (You don't really want to know about the spit test...) Sure no problem, I can do anything for a week... 2nd set of famous last words.

It will be 2 weeks on Friday- lifestyle change sums up this experience. I can eat only a handful of things- vegetables, oatmeal (plain and no milk), brown rice (no soy sauce), almonds, goat products, non-marinated grilled chicken and fish.

No sugar period that means no fruit, honey, etc. No vinegar, wheat products, processed food... Easier to focus on what I can eat. The real kicker- 30 days typical minimum. You know you have been off sugar when you taste the juice from kidney beans and think- wait a minute that is sweet. Only to look at the can find it was canned with sugar and not be able to eat it. I will say it has been a great weight loss program. No fat, carbs or sugar.

But as with most trials there are hidden blessings. I am creating great habits. Preparing (very healthy) meals and planning ahead. Not that I eat unhealthy- just not this healthy. When I comes to cooking, I am notoriously lazy. I have cooked more these last two weeks than perhaps all year. In the beginning, I could not create anything appetizing. All of my favorite seasoning/flavoring choices were taken from me. But the only thing I learned in my dance improv class in college has proved to be true again. Creativity flourishes with restrictions- not limitless possibilities. This week I have found great joy and excitement in new creations I never would have found otherwise. I am reminded that there really is a part of me that gets excited and enjoys cooking. (Amazing)

And just in case you were wondering-

goat cheese goes with everything...

I'll be honest 2 more weeks is daunting- I'm hoping to beat the odds and start adding more foods in sooner. But if I can eat whatever I want in the end, it will have been worth it. (We won't think about the possibility of all this work to have no change in the end.) Until then I am dreaming of a fruit salad, whole wheat toast with butter and honey, whole wheat pancakes with syrup and fruit on top, curry, taco salad, and maybe even a bite of chocolate.

Freedom

Freedom is

expanding and contracting through space

movement expressing emotion and life

challenge drawing forth sweat and breath

present only to the moment of motion

Freedom is dancing

East Meets West

I am a physical therapist. As such, I am very much schooled in the Western thought and philosophy of medicine. I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for my graduate degree in PT. Carolina is one of the top medical schools in the country. The PT school was rated 3rd in the country at the time I attended. (I’ll be honest, after attending the PT school I may have a differing opinion, but that is a subject for later). Research, best evidence, and science was engrained into our open minds as we honestly sought how to best help people heal. In school we were informed of "alternative" health options patients may seek. The purpose behind these lectures was to inform us of the "non-research", "non-science", and "other" options patients may seek and to be non-condemning of their choices. We were informed these options generally will do no harm and if they believe that x, y, or z is helping them, why deny then of it. (Placebo’s work) I left school with "sure knowledge". Believe it or not, August marks my 5th anniversary graduating from PT school. In the short span of 5 years my "sure knowledge" has become- a good place to start. Research, best evidence, and science are integral to my practice- but as the years and patients have passed the more I have witnessed they are tools and do not explain, guide, or help everyone. People are more complex and respond in multiple ways depending on past, present, and future. I have witnessed the overlapping effects of mind, body, and spirit. Truly, you cannot do anything to one and have it not effect the others. Through my own experiences seeking medical help and attempting to help my patients negotiate through our Western medicine, I have frequently pondered that there has to be more...
I often marvel at the hand of the Lord in my life. He has and continues to lead me in paths and directions I doubt I would take if left to myself. As with any health practitioner there are good ones and bad ones. Careful choice must be made when entrusting your health to others. From working in the system, I tell you there are surgeons I wouldn’t let near me with a spoon and yet they perform surgeries everyday. Last year, through what I felt was inspiration and guidance of the Lord, I started to see an Acupuncturist. Now I joke that I have a testimony of two things- the temple and acupuncture because they are the two things that have changed my life. My health- mind, body, and spirit are in a state I hardly dared believe was possible. I have since discovered even more homeopathic avenues to health. This has not been without opposition- my own traditions of learning, family and friends counsel me against these "alternative" methods. But I have found a part of the "more" I am seeking. I am not saying that acupuncture, homeopathic or Eastern medicine are the cure alls to everything. I am saying that knowledge and wisdom is not the sole possession of Western medicine. "Science" doesn’t know everything. East and West each have something the other does not. I can only imagine the freedom and healing that could occur if east were to meet west in our quest to heal.

Honorable Mentions

Emily reminded me of other names that deserve to be memorialized. This list is not complete- either from the past or to what the future may hold. These names bring many smiles and memories- as I am sure you may only imagine.
Long Hair Boy Bless His Heart
The Polygamist
Frying Pan Guy
Conference Girl
Ballerina Girl
Bruce Jr

AKA

The Girls!!!

Anya Bybee, Heather McOmber, Kristin Yee, Emily Utt

In our house, we have a fondness for nicknames and acronyms. Usually, it is a compliment to be deemed other than your given name. For whatever the reason, certain names have passed the test of time and stuck.

It all started with fast and testimony meeting... Isn't that how all good stories start? Alex Boye gave one of the most memorable testimonies I have ever heard. Admittedly, it wasn't for the profound spirit of conversion that filled the room. He did speak truth, it just wasn't your typical pulpit topic. It was all about the illusive BBD. Bigger Better Deal. Long story short- don't get caught up with the idea of a BBD and lose sight that you may already have it. (specifically on dating). Anya stands over 6 feet tall and is a natural beautiful blond. I turned to her and whispered "you are the bigger, better, deal". Immediately after that Emily sitting on the other side of Anya leaned over and whispered the same thing. All that can be said about that is... done and done. She has been the BBD or bigger better deal ever since.

The BBD

That started the revolution. My "alternate form of identification" came rather easily. Previous to the beginning of the BBD, there was an apartment joke about me that stemmed from a fortune cookie I opened. And I Quote " You shall soon achieve perfection". It was common for a comment to come out like- well it is Heather and she is nearing perfection... to explain any numerous things. As a result I am NP- or nearing perfection. I admit it is a little awkward to explain when the history behind it isn't known. But I think Mary Poppins is great company. She was practically perfect you know.

NP

The sparkling princess or SP took a little more time to unravel but once found- it was obvious and we were left wondering- what took so long? Kristin is Disney. She also has special powers. She meets people everywhere she goes- as if people are compelled to talk to her. And everyone feels like meeting her is a gift. Like the beloved princess in olden days. What is even more fascinating about this story is her work also deemed her the sparkling princess completely separate from us. Coincidence? Not when you are the sparkling princess.

Front and center- The SP

(also shown is the QB, Jordan, and a sliver of Dawn)

Finally the conundrum of Emily. Emily took time and a few failures along the way till we hit Eureka. Attempted- the JMG but it just didn't do her justice (and Anya could never get it straight. GMJ or MJG, or what was it again?) Criteria for a name included putting us in a more positive light than we otherwise would do for ourselves. At last- QB! She is the queen bee. Partially inspired by her insatiable thirst for books and the amazing speed which she can read. Who can deny that Emily is a queen? Although it must be known, she also enjoys the claiming to be the quarterback as well.

None other than the QB

Finally- there are a couple of names that are in house only... The true identity of Hans, Frans, and Fuego are to remain confidential. (don't worry, they don't know who they are either.)

That about does it... except a fun picture of the BBD and QB that I couldn't really make fit with the story but wanted to post anyway. =)

The Skinny Odds

I have a superpower. When my body gets stressed I drop weight like no ones business. Interestingly enough, my superpower to lose weight doesn't work when I am trying. Recently due to illness, stress, and complications from my illness- resulting in an obnoxious restricted diet- I have begun to disappear. People give me a lot of mixed reactions to my weight loss. I admit I have my own mixed feeling regarding the matter. It is frustrating when nothing fits. But the point behind this blog is not a psychoanalysis of my body image. --- I was discussing with Anya that I need to give in and buy some new pants. I may be on this diet longer than I expected- meaning- I won't be gaining any weight back soon. She said " Then what are you going to do? Put them in your closest for the next time you are skinny? Well some people have fat clothes, you just have skinny clothes. What are the odds?". I was so excited. It may not be the most profound "odds" moment but it still made me happy.

Prose- 2006

To Be Like A Tree

I Want my Life to be Like a Tree
Strong
Rooted
Grounded
Sure
Able to Withstand Powerful Storms with Grace
Growing
Reaching
Climbing
Striving
Opening
Expanding
Widening
Always Toward the Light
Giving
Protecting
Providing
Safe to Land, Lean, or Climb
Bear Good Fruit
Rings of Growth for Every Year
Withstand Seasons of Change with Ease
Work Through and Around Obstacles
Individual
True to Nature
Able to Stand Alone or in Community
Giving Even in Death-
Testimony
Legacy