Oh man, it's 11am and I'm exhausted... partially because it's a Monday, partially because the soap holder in the bathroom fell off the shower wall in the middle of the night and startled me enough to completely wake me up and make it hard for me to fall back asleep quickly, and partially because I biked to work this morning. Oh yes, that is correct. I biked just under 10 miles to work today on my COMFORT BIKE. Now I get why they make commuter bikes... with more gears. I LOVE my bike, but I highly doubt I will be making this a regular routine. I might just ride to the MAX station and take the train, but unless I have a bike built more for long rides, I will happily just use mine to run quick errands and visit friends. What a workout, and I still have to bike home at the end of the day. I might make a few stops...
This week is supposed to be gorgeous! I'm very excited because the rain last week killed me just a tiny bit; I am excited that Fall is on it's way, though. Mr made it through his first week of school last week with minimal drama so that is always good and I'm just plugging away at work as per usual. I did just complete my second month of being gluten and wheat free and I feel amazing! I didn't make this change very willingly at first, but realizing you are putting something in your body that your body doesn't react well to is a huge motivator. And now that I'm saying this I realize that I haven't brought this up at all in any post, so I guess now's a good time to tell all.
It all started last winter (and if I really think about it, it started WAY before that) when I was traveling a bunch for work meetings and I started experiencing some not so fun GI issues. I asked my doctor about it and and she said it sounded like I had some mild IBS symptoms, which made sense to me at the time because my mom has a history with IBS. I avoided "trigger" foods for a few weeks and really didn't feel any better, but I was told that with diligence, time, and a diet change things would get better. Well they didn't, and my allergies were getting out of control bad. The last few years I'd been getting a rash on my hands and feet (and sometimes on my elbows and knees) in the spring and summer when my allergies to pollen would get bad- or so I thought. We always thought it was a reaction to touching grasses and green things (most of which I'm also allergic to) since I didn't have it or I had a very mild rash in the fall and winter. This year, I got the rashes so bad I couldn't wear regular shoes because it was so painful, so I was relegated to 1 pair of super-soft flip flops that didn't rub anywhere that was rashy. I was talking to a few friends that have Celiac's and/or gluten and wheat sensitivities and over time they told me that my symptoms all sounded like they had something to do with wheat or gluten. I looked it up online (because I'm sometimes skeptical of other people's ideas about medical issues) and found that my symptoms did closely match someone with a wheat or gluten sensitivity, so maybe they were on to something.
I called the advice nurse and told her what I thought and about my symptoms that I didn't think were connected before. She suggested I try an elimination diet (and gave me some good resources for that) to test myself- eat the basics, no processed foods and sugars and eliminate gluten and wheat. I did days and days of research before deciding on a good diet for me and then implemented my plan to take out wheat and gluten. After a few weeks of eating without those, I noticed my face was clearer (unexpected awesome effect!), my rashes were almost completely gone and my regular allergy symptoms were way more manageable than they had been for years. I also noticed that I felt much less bloated than usual and didn't really have any GI issues that had continued. I was supposed to "test" the elimination by eating wheat/gluten and then noting how I felt and if any symptoms returned, so I did and found that I felt bloated, tired and had some mild GI issues later that day. I was also supposed to get some bloodwork done after eating wheat/gluten, but it's spendy and by the time I got around to "testing" the elimination and adding wheat/gluten back in, I knew pretty immediately that it didn't matter because I felt so much better without them that I didn't need a concrete diagnosis. I did accidentally eat some wheat/gluten filled food last week at a dinner with family and didn't know it until 30 minutes after dinner when my stomach got super bloated and I got headachey... then we realized that the steak marinade that was used for dinner was not wheat/gluten free. Crazy how quickly your body reacts to things!
I really do need to go in and get an official "diagnosis", but I think that I have non-Celiac's gluten sensitivity and possibly some form of wheat allergy (but that is harder to find out about because apparently there are 27 different things in wheat that a person can have an allergic reaction to). That is just my speculation based off the research I've done and reading after the fact on symptoms/issues that I used to think were random, but now look like they actually were all connected. I really don't want to go back to eating wheat/gluten if I can help it but I feel like my Dr will order the bloodwork and I will feel icky for a few days. Oh well! I probably should be an adult and just go in.
So anyway, I've been experimenting with new foods which has been expanding Mr's diet to new things as well. It's been interesting, but also super frustrating. Sometimes I just want a quick snack, but I cannot just pick up any-old-thing. I have to seriously read labels at the store (which I think you should do anyway) but I have now realized how much we use wheat in our foods! I've increased my fresh fruit and vegetable intake substantially which feels pretty good. And by default, Mr is eating pretty much what I eat. He's also now reading some Michael Pollan books (ones that I was totally into about 1.5 year ago which got me into the whole food, organic kick in the first place). Now we are a little more aligned with our food strategy.
So that is what's new with us- what's new with you?
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Valuable Lessons Learned While Adventuring
Hey Guys! So Mr and I completed our first backpacking trip together and it was amazing! We drove up to the Mt Jefferson wilderness on a Sunday morning and boy was it pouring. Once we got to the Pamelia Lake trailhead, we decided to eat lunch in the dry car first, hoping that the rain would clear up by the time we were done and it was! We headed down the trail expecting a 5 mile hike, but only 2 miles in we were surprised to find the approved camp spaces and the lake. The hike in wasn't too strenuous either as it was a pretty gradual slope up and we didn't gain a ton of elevation. A great choice for a first time trip.
We looked at the camping spots and chose one we thought would work well and started unpacking the tent. I had just gotten everything laid out on the ground when we heard the thunder and looked across the lake at the quickly approaching thunder storm. About 30 seconds later we also heard a funny buzzing noise, and Mr looked around the camp and found a GIGANTIC wasp nest in a tree a few feet from where we were going to pitch our tent. With the impending storm we quickly grabbed our stuff and ran to the next site so we could set up before the rain started. We successfully got the tent and rainfly up and staked in and felt our first rain drop. We spent pretty much the rest of the first evening and night in the tent while it poured and thundered. It was actually really cool and we were nice and dry. Oddly, we were the only people camping there!
The second day we had a quick sprinkle after breakfast, but it cleared up very quickly and Mr and I decided to hike the trail around the lake and head towards Hunt's Creek. It was an easy beautiful hike with lots of little creeks to cross. The rest of our time at Pamelia Lake was fantastic as we just hung out by the lake or explored the woods around us. Our hike out was cake and we stopped in Detroit at a little diner for lunch. We are looking at planning a second trip soon! And we will continue our weekend day-hikes until the rain stops us.
While getting out and about more, Mr and I have learned a few fun things about what to bring, what not to bring, etc.
Things I've learned during our various hiking/backpacking adventures:
1. Bring Your Inhaler. This only applies to folks that have one and sometimes need to use it. I've been on two hikes recently where, for whatever reason, I completely spaced out and didn't grab my asthma inhaler. I don't have traditional asthma, my symptoms are largely related to allergy issues and I really only have troubles breathing when my allergies have been extremely bad (spring is when it's the worst). I think because I don't have to regularly use my inhaler the thought to bring it along just gets lost in my head. It's not until we are climbing a steep mountain on a humid day and my allergies start acting up and I get winded taking 25 steps that I stop and realize I don't have the darn thing to help me out. Then poor Mr has to stop and let me catch my breath every few minutes and our mountain hike takes way longer than it should and I feel like and out-of-shape idiot.
2. Bring a Hair Tie. We've talked about this before. If you've got long hair, remember to bring something (rubber band, hair clip, headband, bandana) you can use to get it out of your face. There is nothing more uncomfortable than constantly trying to keep the sweaty hair off of your sweaty face when you are hiking. There is also nothing more silly looking than using your button up shirt as a turban to keep your hair out of your face.
3. Bring your Trekking Poles! Or a walking stick or whathaveyou. Those babies really help to stabilize on uneven terrain and help take the strain off of your knees and other joints, especially going downhill. Someone once explained it to me like this: it's like having 4-wheel drive for your body. Now instead of 2 points of contact, you have 4.
4. Sometimes the extra weight is worth it. I know it sucks to have to carry everything you are going to need for a few days in 1 backpack and then hike with that loaded pack up into the mountains. But sometimes I am so glad I packed that extra packet of hot chocolate or the inflatable seat pad so I'm not sitting on cold, damp ground. I'm not saying pack everything and the kitchen sink, but pick a comfort or extra item that will make a difference to you. Mr says we need lightweight packable chairs because we are getting too old to sit on the ground. I think he's right.
5. Research EVERYTHING! If you don't know much about where you are going, look it up, buy a map, Google it, whatever. If you don't know how to backpack, look it up- there are so many resources out there and how-to's you could spend days reading it all. Knowledge costs nothing, weighs nothing and can save your life!
And now for some pics...
We looked at the camping spots and chose one we thought would work well and started unpacking the tent. I had just gotten everything laid out on the ground when we heard the thunder and looked across the lake at the quickly approaching thunder storm. About 30 seconds later we also heard a funny buzzing noise, and Mr looked around the camp and found a GIGANTIC wasp nest in a tree a few feet from where we were going to pitch our tent. With the impending storm we quickly grabbed our stuff and ran to the next site so we could set up before the rain started. We successfully got the tent and rainfly up and staked in and felt our first rain drop. We spent pretty much the rest of the first evening and night in the tent while it poured and thundered. It was actually really cool and we were nice and dry. Oddly, we were the only people camping there!
The second day we had a quick sprinkle after breakfast, but it cleared up very quickly and Mr and I decided to hike the trail around the lake and head towards Hunt's Creek. It was an easy beautiful hike with lots of little creeks to cross. The rest of our time at Pamelia Lake was fantastic as we just hung out by the lake or explored the woods around us. Our hike out was cake and we stopped in Detroit at a little diner for lunch. We are looking at planning a second trip soon! And we will continue our weekend day-hikes until the rain stops us.
While getting out and about more, Mr and I have learned a few fun things about what to bring, what not to bring, etc.
Things I've learned during our various hiking/backpacking adventures:
1. Bring Your Inhaler. This only applies to folks that have one and sometimes need to use it. I've been on two hikes recently where, for whatever reason, I completely spaced out and didn't grab my asthma inhaler. I don't have traditional asthma, my symptoms are largely related to allergy issues and I really only have troubles breathing when my allergies have been extremely bad (spring is when it's the worst). I think because I don't have to regularly use my inhaler the thought to bring it along just gets lost in my head. It's not until we are climbing a steep mountain on a humid day and my allergies start acting up and I get winded taking 25 steps that I stop and realize I don't have the darn thing to help me out. Then poor Mr has to stop and let me catch my breath every few minutes and our mountain hike takes way longer than it should and I feel like and out-of-shape idiot.
2. Bring a Hair Tie. We've talked about this before. If you've got long hair, remember to bring something (rubber band, hair clip, headband, bandana) you can use to get it out of your face. There is nothing more uncomfortable than constantly trying to keep the sweaty hair off of your sweaty face when you are hiking. There is also nothing more silly looking than using your button up shirt as a turban to keep your hair out of your face.
3. Bring your Trekking Poles! Or a walking stick or whathaveyou. Those babies really help to stabilize on uneven terrain and help take the strain off of your knees and other joints, especially going downhill. Someone once explained it to me like this: it's like having 4-wheel drive for your body. Now instead of 2 points of contact, you have 4.
4. Sometimes the extra weight is worth it. I know it sucks to have to carry everything you are going to need for a few days in 1 backpack and then hike with that loaded pack up into the mountains. But sometimes I am so glad I packed that extra packet of hot chocolate or the inflatable seat pad so I'm not sitting on cold, damp ground. I'm not saying pack everything and the kitchen sink, but pick a comfort or extra item that will make a difference to you. Mr says we need lightweight packable chairs because we are getting too old to sit on the ground. I think he's right.
5. Research EVERYTHING! If you don't know much about where you are going, look it up, buy a map, Google it, whatever. If you don't know how to backpack, look it up- there are so many resources out there and how-to's you could spend days reading it all. Knowledge costs nothing, weighs nothing and can save your life!
And now for some pics...
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