Just Some of My Symptoms Amongst Other Stuff

So, not sure if I did this out of boredom or insanity but this is a list of just a few of the things associated with Dercum's. I was telling someone what I was doing and they asked me if many children get Dercum's.  I laughed realizing that my graphics seem they are geared towards kids but if I learned anything from social networking, the cuter the more people like it no matter what age. Enjoy!

 



My Top 5 Finds So Far

One of the reasons I resisted going organic for so long was I really did not think there was food out there that I could and/or would eat (I cannot eat many raw veggies as I do not digest them well) but there are plenty of great options and the food for the most part tastes better so I am not feeling like I am missing anything.

Here are just a few of the items I have found to get me over my cravings (in no particular order):

Trader Joe's Organic Popcorn with Olive Oil

You will not even miss the butter and it is 130 calories for 2 cups.  I have been having this for a snack at night at least 3 times a week.

Amy's Tamale Verde Cheese

I do like Mexican cuisine so it is not too hard for me selecting an Amy's frozen meal but this one is my favorite and though the rice side is spicy (for those of you who do not like spice) the Tamale is sweet and savory.

Cascadian Farms Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

These are chewy and very satisfying.  If I am on the go, I'll eat them as a snack or even as part of my breakfast with a fruit.  I have one of these on me at all times now and not just in the Chocolate Chip flavor.  I really like the peanut butter ones as well and have more to try.

Organic Shredded Coconut

When I want to sweeten something up like some trail mix I add a little coconut to it.  This can also be used to coat shrimp and chicken dishes and no bread crumbs are needed.  One of my favorite candy bars is an Almond Joy so I have taken the coconut and a few almonds and eat them with a small block of dark chocolate.  There are also many recipes I want to try and will report back if they are worth it or not.

 Trader Joe's Organic Silver Dollar Pancakes

OK, so I know I am bias putting another item from TJ's on my first list but man these are good.  I do a half of serving which is 6 pancakes with a small veggie omelet and that whole meal is under 300 calories, 

Please forward me any suggestions you have and I'll post them up.

Thanks!

Janet

GOING ORGANIC

So, I have finally got there.  I have gone Organic.  It wasn't easy to start.  I felt like a chicken with my head cut off trying to find only organic foods in the grocery stores but I am on track and though I have not lost a lot of weight in the last 2 weeks (only 1.5 lbs) I actually feel better.

Now I am not saying it is taking away any of my pain (if you have DD you probably know the cold weather brings it on big time) but I am more with it and have much more energy.  There will be slips especially when eating out and traveling but they are small and I try harder at those times to choice right.  I spent an hour searching over a menu for Potbelly's before heading to Chicago (actual final destination to my client's in Lisle, IL) and chose a grilled chicken sandwich on wheat flat bread as opposed to a salad which had much more calories.  I bulked it up with lots of veggies and though they are not organic I at least stuck to my guns.  That night I had salmon and broccoli at the White Chocolate Grill and only two bites of dessert. 

Since then I have not had any processed sugar in 2 weeks but have found alternatives to help that craving.  In fact I have found wonderful options for all my cravings.  Late July makes great organic mini cheese crackers and Trader Joe's has Organic Popcorn that was tossed with Olive Oil and Sea Salt.  I have got a few different dark chocolates that are organic and I eat fruit when I really need something sweet.

I am planning on using this blog for my Organic Diet tracker as well as posting info on Dercum's.  I will also help out more on Cure Dercum's now that my work life and free time are getting sorted out.

Here's hoping for a much better year in 2013.

Sudden Swelling

I was feeling pretty good the last few days while following the diet. Yesterday was my neice's graduation party and I was freeling fine up until about 1.5 hours prior to the party. My calves and feet did a sudden swelling on me for no reason. Yes, the weather is warmer but it was cool and comfortable in the house. I didn't over do anything either.

I could barely stand on my puffed out feet. I got to the grocery store and went in just to get stuff for a caesar salad. I was so tired after that. My sister told me I should have stayed home but I toughed it out for a few hours.

Another thing I noticed was that I was in a bad brain fog as well. I could not remember people's names that i have known for over 20 years (my brother-in-law's family) and just in speaking a word would completely leave my brain.

Then, at about 2 o'clock in the morning I woke up and felt that i had a full out cold. Now not so much. I am achey and sore but the sinus issues are not there. No headache either.

With this happening for no reason, it is frustrating. This disease is just nuts. Not only day to day canit change but minute to minute. I was actually eating right with no dairy, processed, gluten and I was eating organic when possible. I was taking my medicine correctly and I wish I could pinpoint something I did wrong.

Well, I'll just have to keep going. There is nothing else for me to do.

Getting Back on Track: My 2011 Resolution

Last year I went through months of being really good on my diet and even did as much exercise that I felt I could (normally about 3-4 days a week for about 20-30 minutes at a time). Keeping in mind that after years of being undiagnosed, I was a newbie to this disease (was just diagnosed April 2010 and only knew about Dercum's for about a year before that). So, I was very dismayed that my weight was not changing except for the 10 pound fluctuation that happens with the swelling on a day to day basis.

With my fists clenched and me pumping both back and forth in the air at the whole miserable fate of this disease, I gave up. Why should I care if I eat right and exercise if my weight is going to remain at the same point? Why not gorge on ice cream sundae dinners and Dunkin' Donuts' coffee rolls? Extra cheese and sausage and/or pepperoni pizza five times a week with out a care in the world? Don't mind if I do. Don't feel like cooking dinner? Well, HELLO Micky D's!

And it wasn't only my diet that went to Hell. Even with the pool opened at my parent's house all last summer, I went in the pool twice. I had so many excuses as to why I should not exercise, I started to believe I really was not supposed to do exercise at all with Dercum's because it would just make it worse.

Well, I can tell you that convincing myself diet and exercise did not matter took a toll on me not just physically but emotionally as well. Having a chronic illness does not mean one should lay down and just give up. Life is what you make of it and I choose not to be a victim but a fighter.

Being good to your body does not mean you need to give everything up. The old adage "everything in moderation" is key to living a better life. One just needs to figure out just what their own moderation level is. For me, it is definitely a once a week rule. I will try for 2 weeks to be very good and detoxify my system and then I will allow myself a once a week cheat treat. If I don't mentally plan for this, I can easily fall back to my old ways.

I have been given the gifts of wisdom and the need to help others but now I am changing how I disperse these on others. Whether it is the people I train at work or the advice I am giving at Cure Dercum's and before that at MD Junction, I always tell people to do as I say not as I do. Well, for my late but very much needed resolution for 2011, I will lead by doing not just in words. I even started getting organized at work which is just a huge step. My desk is no longer considered in the top 3 messiest at work. I am not perfect but every positive step I take will not only help me but every other person in my life.

I hope this inspires others to do the same.

Day 3 of Diet

Yes, I decided to go back onto my diet. I following most of the RAD guidelines but mix it up with the Alkaline/Acid diet and TCM's cold/damp condition diet. I have to say, I am feeling better in just the short three days.

My favorite thing that I did to treat myself was taking a trip to a local grower, Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon, Massachusetts, and bought some freshly picked, very delicious strawberries. I also picked up some organic veggies that I grilled and added to some quinoa (a gluten-free grain). I love having the grill back up and running. I don't know why I waited so long to get propane. I usually grill all year round but last winter was a tough one for me.

Since starting the diet, I am not feeling hungry between meals and no heartburn at night.

So, what does all this mean? Basically, I am eating organic/natural when possible. For protein I am consuming cage-free, natural eggs, chicken and lots of fish. I am avoiding dairy and red meat though I'll be able to have some every once in a while. I am staying away from gluten products and anything processed. Nuts and a piece of 72% cacoa dark chocolate for dessert. YUM!

A Very Tiring Week

It was a tough week. Just tired and sore. My allergies are kicking in but made it to work everyday (thought about calling in a few times - OK at least a few times every morning). I just find if I let the fatigue and pain get to me, it will win. Got to keep going.

I hope to get housework and the Cure Dercums blog up and running. Already threw it out there on Facebook and got a few bites. Kind of exciting. I really think we can make the site something everybody can turn to. So, no rest for me. I'll hit the hay acter watching a bit of the game (Go B's) and then get my sorry butt out of bed in the morning. Got a lot to do!