Posts from — May 2010

photo by gibson claire mcguire regester

You think you can do whatever to your brain and it’ll just take it. You’d be wrong. I found out the hard way.

I’m no stranger to headaches. I get my constant brain tremors from my mother (thanks, mom) who is also dear, close friends with Excedrin. And yes I called them brain tremors. It’s the most honest description I’ve got, mkay?

But on Wednesday I was assaulted somewhere between my hypothalamus and medulla oblongata. (And, yes, I did just want to write medulla oblongata. It’s got to the best body part.) My brain was revolting. Bigtime.

To be honest, I kind of deserved it. I have been staring at a lit-up screen for 11 hours a day—long enough for my ears to forget the machine even made a hum. It was like air: unnoticeable until it was gone.

So my brain put it’s metaphorical foot down. Though it didn’t feel metaphorical. It felt like it stomped its foot right into my grey matter. I could barely open my eyes, but if I did—to, you know, avoid walking into walls—I was pierced with a million little knives. Straight through the eyes.

I’m not sure if it was a normal migraine (mine are usually more like mini strokes) or just a massive, awful, killer headache, but it was bad. And it hung on Thursday, too.

Then I did something so unlike me. I took a sick day. I never take a sick day. I’ll pretty much go to work no matter how deathly I feel because of the massive guilt I get from taking a sick day. (I did, however, take off back in 2008 when I puked in a box in The Man’s car on the way to work. Sorry for that image.)

You know what? It’s just what I needed: A day away from the computer and the eye strain that comes with it. A day to sleep in and let my eyes rest. A day to force my head to stop pounding and pounding and pounding.

Which leads me to a Yoda-like tip as you head out on your weekend:

Overloaded, most of our brains are.

May you enjoy a weekend of brain rest and relaxation. Do something outside. Read a book. Visit with friends. We spend so much of our lives perched in front of the computer, why not take a break?

I’m doing just that. The Man and I have a fun weekend planned. Expect a recap next week. Until then, over and out.

What are your weekend plans?

photo by stefanvds

There once was a study on food,
Whose findings quite changed my mood.
It said organics are nice,
But not worth the price,
Especially since research is skewed.

In case you’re confused, that’s a limerick about a new study. Wei-Wei got me rhyming yesterday and, well, I took I this far. Yes I did.

If you didn’t learn everything you ever wanted to know about the study (and more) from those five lines, then what kind of leprechaun are you? Seriously.

Here are more details: Researchers looked at studies on organic versus conventional foods and found out that there’s not much difference when it comes to health.

Before you get all crazy and start screaming “Pesticides!” from the rooftop—or out your window, or out your door—know that these studies were measuring whether the nutrients in organics are more powerful than those in conventionally grown foods. Some of the trials they looked at measured a organic versus non-organic food’s antioxidant activity. Another looked at the link between eczema and organic food consumption. Ya know, stuff like that.

The bottom line: If you’re buying organics to get more vitamins and nutrients, you’re wasting your money. (These researchers came to the same conclusion last year when they analyzed the research.) Fact is, there are too few well-done studies to prove organics are healthier than nonorganics.

Case closed.

Kidding.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t eat organic foods because they have more nutrients. I eat them because they’re pesticide free. Sure, you might not get more antioxidants by buying organics, but you can avoid feeling like you licked a crop duster.

And, folks, that’s where this analysis of 12 published studied stopped, mainly because there aren’t many long-term studies on organic foods and our health.

Think they’re outrageously priced? Me too. (The Man saw a .79 cent cucumber at the same Whole Foods that was selling a $2.50 organic cucumber. The world is mad, I’m telling you.) I try to buy organic as often as I can, but most of the time I stick to this list, which explains which foods you should definitely eat organic and which you can risk your life on. Or something like that.

Do you eat organic all the time? Bonus points for rhyming comments.

Edited to add: And check out that fantastic sonnet Wei-Wei left in the comments. My readers rock.

Only I …

Could hurt my foot …

photo by genewolf

Make a speedy appointment with the podiatrist …

photo by clintjcl

Get a list of physical therapy exercises …

photo by ex-smith

Do them with care …

photo by twenty_questions

And end up hurting*

photo by oakleyoriginals

Only me.

*In case you’re wondering, toe raises can cause massive, painful shin splints if you have weak chicken legs.

photo by sarahfelicity

Hmm, life apparently goes on after Lost. Go figure.

Aside from feeling exhausted after my Lost marathon last night, today was pretty good. It was the first day in almost a week that I didn’t have a mind-blowing headache. And I use that word negatively. As in I was two seconds from blowing my mind to smithereens.

(On Friday, I know I made it home from work but I’m ashamed to say I drove with that headache. I think it would have been safer to drive with a few beers and six shots of vodka in me. I was so out of my mind from the pain, I had an entire conversation with my mother but can’t remember anything. Except that she thanked me for something.)

Whew. Thank goodness for Monday. I should tag this post Things I Never Thought I’d Say.

So, in honor of my head pain–free day, I wanted to share a stretch that is so awesome you’ll wish I wrote about this years ago. (That wouldn’t have been possible, of course, because I just learned about it a week ago. And because I wasn’t blogging years ago. But you get the point.) [Read more →]

photo by fabio hofnik

You know you’re an addict when…

… Friday and Saturday are just there to get you to Sunday.

… You hear about a four-hour season finale and don’t roll your eyes.

… You hear about a four-hour season finale and say, “That’s it?”

… You talk about Sun, Jin, Charlie, and Sayid like they’re family. RIP.

photo from izqrdo

… Your Lost finale party is like the Super Bowl. Times two.

… You start calling everyone brotha.

… You consider playing 4 8 15 16 23 42 in the lottery just ’cause.

… You start getting ready for the Lost finale at 5. The show starts at 7.

… You contemplate making “Don’t tell me what I can’t do” your new motto.

photo from etna’s chamber
Disregard those turquoise dolls. I do the best I can with photos; we’ll deal with some doctoring.

… Your husband met someone who went to school with Hurley. And you think that’s really cool.

… You finish the finale and want to watch the series all over again.

… You consider taking Monday off because a) Lost goes till 11:30 and b) you’ll be in mourning.

… You cried.

To all my readers who aren’t Lost fans: Sorry for this. And would you rent the series already?

To all my readers who love Lost: Mourn the end with me in the comments.

photo by stuartpilbrow

Honestly, I didn’t think Friday would ever come. Some time around Tuesday afternoon I started calling for it, and guess what? No answer. I feel like I’ve been waiting a month for Friday. Has it really only been four days?

Aside from conducting one interview, I have a strict goal for this weekend: Do nothing. No visiting with people. No work (other than said interview). No errands. No cleaning. OK, maybe a little cleaning. I can never help myself.

My goal is to read and enjoy the fact that the sun resurfaced. (Good thing, by Wednesday I was starting to wonder if it had imploded.) Oh, and maybe go see Robin Hood.

Those are my goals, folks. And speaking of goals, I read something interesting today. [Read more →]

photo by fotoosvanrobin

Well, I’m finally wrapping my head around having another injury. Sure, it’s not cartilage damage. But isn’t a paper cut either, folks. The bad news is that my foot hurts. The good news is I’m not even close to being depressed about this. The way I see it, the pain doesn’t touch what I go through with my knees. And I’ve only had foot pain for a couple of weeks. I guess I’ll start to get bummed when I go on a year. Or, oh, six. (Evil stare at knees.)

So I’m hopefully optimistic (I said that in a really chipper voice that sounds just like everyone else who uses that phrase) I’ll be able to overcome this injury with physical therapy. It seems from what you all said, I’m not likely to be in pain for years. From there, it will be all about prevention. Because if there’s anything I’ve learned from my knee pain, it’s that an injury never goes away. (No, it comes back with a wild vengeance and then taunts you for years and years and years.)

For the record, I’m the only non-athlete I know with this many sports injuries. I’m not sure how I get them all what with the lack of running, jumping, walking, and general fitness in my life.

If any of you real athletes would like to take ‘em off my hands, let me know. I hear runners are prone to Runner’s Knee (go figure) and I have two up for grabs. I’m also giving away the left and right foot, each with their own injury for added fun. All I ask in return is for your uninjured body parts. And a signature next to “No Returns.”

So, to be kind to all my non-injured readers (and to prove I’m not jealous of you at all) I’m going tell you about an article I read today. And, no, it doesn’t say people who are injured all the time live longer muwahahaha. Ahem.

The article reported on a study from University of Georgia researchers who found that eating ginger daily can reduce the muscle pain you feel after exercise. If you hate ginger, here’s the good new: The study was done with ginger supplements. I’m sure you can eat it, too, but it’s not a prerequisite to feeling like a million bucks the day after a workout.

I feel only so-so about ginger, but I do have a strangely intense desire to try ginger tea. I’d grate some ginger and boil it like tea leaves in water. Then I’d strain the ginger and add lemon and honey. Or maybe I’d leave the grated ginger in the cup so my abs don’t hurt from tonight’s crunches.

Are you a ginger fan? How do you like it? (Like most foods, I prefer this candied.)

photo by emanuela franchini
Searching for foot photos was possibly the most disturbing thing I’ve done all day. Fetishist I am not.

Yesterday, The Man’s heart sent him a nice but stern letter. I understand that the heart’s the heart, and everything about it is all lovey-dovey. But you know what? My body could learn a thing or two from it. Case in point, the nasty letter I received from my foot a couple weeks ago:

Dear Girl Up There,

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

See ya,
Your Left Foot

Naturally, I had to respond to find out what was so funny. And here’s the letter I received today:

Dear Girl Up There,

I was just laughing at how pathetic you are. So pathetic. Righty here was telling me about the Achilles tendonitis he gave you a few months ago. How’s that rehab going for you? Bwahahaha. I guess you’ve noticed, but I’ve decided to hurt you, too. What? You think only Knees want to be featured on your blog? That they’re the only body part that deserves to be coddled and fawned over day in and day out? You think I’ll just put myself up on a chair and let you get away with that? Ha! You’re even dumber than I thought!

No way, lady. From now on, I deserve attention, too. So I see your knee pain and Achilles tendonitis and I raise you plantar fasciitis. Take that! See how you like it when your arch aches and your heel feels bruised.

I hope your suffering teaches you to appreciate me. Don’t ever take me for granted again.

See ya,
Your Left Foot

So, yeah, that about sums it up. And the podiatrist confirmed today: My left foot has plantar fasciitis. As soon as she flexed my foot and saw the bulging tendon, she knew the cause. She thinks I got it from building up my scrawny calf muscles. The result was tightening of the Achilles tendon and tension in the plantar fasciitis. Sweet. So now in addition to physical therapy for my knees and Achilles tendonitis in my right foot, I’ll be doing exercises for this. I might be at the gym for two hours a day.

Don’t tell my left foot, but there’s some good news. I have a very mild case of plantar fasciitis. (I don’t even feel extra pain when I step out of bed in the morning, a telltale sign of plantar fasciitis.) So, um, yay for positives!

Anyone else had this injury? How long was your recovery? Anyone else have a body that loves getting injured? If not, how do you prevent?

photo by archaeology and anthropology

To: The Man

We’ve been through a lot together. Remember that time we fell in love with the girl at the restaurant? Remember your wedding day? Ah, good times.

But there were also some not-so-good times. Remember when I used to feel fluttery for no reason at all? That wasn’t so fun. It was weird and painful and freaky. Remember?

Things have been good since you started eating healthier. The fluttery feeling inside of me has stopped. (Thank goodness. I was getting motion sickness.) But just to make sure we keep on good terms, I thought I’d pass along a piece of news.

A new study, published in the journal Circulation, found that eating processed meats is associated with an upped risk of diabetes and heart disease. Eating just one serving of the meats per day was linked to a 42 percent increased risk for heart disease and a 19 percent greater risk for diabetes. (And heart disease leads to some bad things, like a heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest.)

When I heard this, I thought, “Well, duh.” But then I realized this might come as a shocker to you. So let me put this lightly. Those cheese dogs you love? You’re gonna have to deal without them. Same with bacon. And sausage. And cold cuts, like the balogna you like. (On a side note, I’m pretty shocked you still like that stuff after you and your wife watched it being made on the Food Network. It gave me palpitations.)

I don’t mean to ruin your lunch. But the fact is, I’m the one who’s going to suffer. Do it for me, buddy.

Here’s to many more good times.

Love,
Your Heart

Tracey here. Question for you: Do you eat processed meats? I gave ’em up when I realized the nitrates in them gave me wicked headaches. Bacon still is my weakness.

photo by evil erin
Yup, that’s what my hair looks like always.

Confession: I’ve been swamped with work this weekend.

Reality: This post is much lamer than it should be.

Hope: You’ll forgive and forget.

Because I’m still in a mad dash to complete work that needs to get done right now, I’m leaving you with some interesting reads.

The New York Times ran an interview with Dr. Vijay Vad, who just wrote a book about easing chronic pain without meds. As you can imagine, this captured my attention because a) I’m blessed with chronic pain, and b) meds have failed me. It also piggybacks on our discussion of alternative meds last week.

This Fit Sugar roundup of celebrity trainer tweets is worth reading for all the wrong reasons. You probably won’t walk away with any valuable knowledge, but you’ll see why celeb trainers are worth following on Twitter. And the reason is: So you don’t miss jems like this: “Take a long deep breath. Let it go. Take another. Repeat all day.” So that’s why I’ve been passing out…

I like the idea of helping charities, but as you all know, 5Ks aren’t my thing. Neither are 1Ks in case you’re interested. I blame the knees. Anyhow, I had to laugh at this article on sleeping for charity. Do you know how much money I could raise if I were paid by the hour of sleep? A lot.

Whatdya think … wanna donate to the Tracey Sleeps for (fill in charity)? If you’re on Twitter, do you follow any celeb trainers that give good tips?