Grace in this Journey: The Don'ts

There are a list of do's and don'ts

associated with this diet.

Things that you should eat,

and should not eat.

And I set about making a list 

of both.

I keep a journal.

Well several really,

anyway.....

in this particular one

I wrote down one page of don'ts

and then facing it on opposite page

I wrote the do's.

I kept it simple.

It is great to reference these pages.

One thing that i wanted to do

was to not be focused on what I couldn't

eat, but to completely immerse myself 

in what I could eat.

It is much easier that way.

But for the sake of you knowing what to eat

and what not to eat,

I will share with you today the don'ts.

Just don't get hung up on them.

It seems like you can't eat anything.

NOT TRUE.

Its just different things,

that is all.

Still good.

Just different.

Don'ts:

1).  Fried and Processed Foods

(I know.  There went the typical American diet.

Right out the window.

Just kick it to the curb).

2).  Nothing cooked on a grill,

high heat,

fried or pasteurized.

(There went whatever was left of the American diet.

I'm telling you people,

the curb,

kick it)! 

3).  Sugars and refined carbs

4).  Dairy Products

5).  Alcohol and Tobacco

(No problem for me, since I am not a partaker of either).

6).  Salt and preservatives

(Really on the salt?  UGHHH!!!)

7).  Corn oil

8).  Night Shade family of veggies:

Potatoes, Tomatoes, Peppers & Eggplant

(Don't even get me started!)

9).  And Gluten.

I know this list seems quite exhaustive.

It isn't.

Just kinda read over it if you'd like to follow along with me on the diet,

just don't obsess over it.

Just be familiar with it.

Focus on the do's people.

The do's.

Which are coming up next!

Stay tuned.....

(The DO's post in two hours)
=)

Grace in this Journey: Beginning

For those of you that 

have known me here for a long time,

or who know me outside of

this beautiful blog world,

You know that I deal with chronic pain

brought on by arthritis 

I have had since I was a child.

It is rare.

Childhood arthritis.

My doctor said that he had never

seen knee surgery in such a young girl.

I was seven.

That is young.

And I underwent traction first.

Excruciating.

And then big needles in my knee.

Scary.

It turned orange 

and swelled to unreal heights.

That was cool.

And then it was determined that my knee

would have to be operated on

so I could straighten it out again.

It was locked.

I was seven.

And so it began.

The arthritis has now become much more systemic.

I deal with pain, stiffness and pain

on a daily basis.

This summer it has gotten much worse,

and I got sad.

And mad.

And did I mention there is pain involved?

So.....

I decided to do something about it.

I went to the doctor to get on 

Arthritis meds.

If you know me,

or have read my blog for very long,

you know that is a big step

as I DON'T LIKE MEDICINE.

But I went hoping for relief.

My doc ran tests and gave me some 

meds.

The meds work BTW.  

I don't like taking them,

but I like taking them.

I can at least sleep without being

woke up in pain every night.  

And they are not narcotic.

I like that too.

But the swelling has gotten crazy in my left knee,

and the pain has gotten more intense,

so the doc did some X-rays and 

it showed that there have been

changes in my knee.

Enthesopathic changes.

It involves the point at

which the ligaments meet

at the Patella.  

It kind of acts like tendonitis.

Yes indeed.

This knee is a hot mess!

So my doc suggested that I contact

Mayo Clinic and be seen by

my doctor there again.

The thought of that long drive,

and then possibly surgery again

and so forth,

I just couldn't hardly stomach it.

So, I got busy.

Well, google and I did.

And I started researching out

the Arthritis diet once again.

I have looked at it before,

but never wanted to do it

because it cuts out the entire nightshade

family of veggies.

I like them.

I have never wanted to give them up.

Until now.

If it will help,

I'm in.

And also as a part of this diet,

I am doing something I said I would

never do.

(Note to self: STOP SAYING THAT!)

I am going gluten free.

Yep.  At least for a month,

and then will evaluate how things are going.

People with arthritis can have a sensitivity

to gluten.

Not everybody does,

but if you have a lot of swelling in your joints,

and I do,

then it is suggested that you go gluten free as well.

So I am.

Gluten is in a lot of stuff.

I thought it was just bread.

Boy was I wrong.

I am learning.

A lot.

And not just about bread,

but also about Grace.

Grace in this journey through life.

I am a pilgrim ya know.

Just passing through.

Wanting to be pleasing to the Father

as i sojourn.

Even if that sojourning brings pain,

there is Grace.

And I am okay.

Holding the hand of my Father all the way.

So would you like to follow me on this journey of Grace?

If you would,

just pop over here for the next month.

I'll be sharing things that are helping.

Things that are not.

Recipes.

Funny anecdotes.

Grace.

And baby steps.

I love you so!!

And so it begins.....

Day 15 ~~ Days of Thankfulness ~~ Pain

Today, I am so thankful for pain.

Weird huh?

But I truly mean that.

Pain has been a blessing in my life.

Especially arthritic pain.

It is constant a lot of days.....

It is generally hard.....

But the lessons it has taught me:  priceless.

I know what it is to move through it.....

I know what it is to have pain and smile and no one even know that I am in

excruiating pain.

Seriously, some days you would never know,

unless you are my husband.

He knows me.

Knows me well.

He knows when I hurt.

He feels my pain.

Sometimes I think literally.

He is such a tremendous Blessing to me.

Lately, pain is been pretty constant.

I am back to trying to control it with ibuprofen,

which is pretty much a no-no for me because of my ulcer issue,

but right now, it is knocking the edge off.

I don't tell you this, so you will feel sorry for me,

or even wish it different.

I tell you because I want you to know

GOD IS ABLE!!!

HE IS ALL I NEED!!!!!

HE IS THE SUSTAINER!!!!!!!

HE IS THE HEALER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HE IS MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND I AM HIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Through pain, I learn to be steadfast (my word for this year).....

I learn to be constant in my walk with Abba.....

I learn to be content.....

I learn to be peaceful in the storm.....

I learn He is ALWAYS present.....

ALWAYS.

So today, I am thankful.

I am Blessed.

Even in pain.

***********************

Here is a video I did yesterday.

WOW I wish I could control what picture they put up.

I look sick.

I'm not.

But I'm not wearing much make-up here either.

Okay.

Enjoy.

I love you ~~

Have a Super Blessed Day ~~