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Showing posts from May 1, 2017

Ulcerative Colitis + Entyvio Update

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I’ve partnered with VSL#3 to bring you this post. As always, the opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting CNC!  A bunch of you guys have asked how things are going on the Ulcerative Colitis front. I’ve actually debated writing this post for several weeks now because pretty much every time I write an update, things fall apart. (I even hesitate to tell friends and family when they ask!) I feel like I always jinx myself when I share good news, but *hopefully* it’s not the case this time. Ok, so a quick recap for those of you who are new to my journey with Ulcerative Colitis : June 2011 : First diagnosed with UC after a bad flare. Get better. Stop taking meds. February 2012 : Second flare. Get better. Stop taking meds. (Clearly, I don’t learn.) July 2012 : Third flare. Stay on meds this time, but I become steroid-dependent. Go on and off steroids to control flare symptoms for the next 14 months. During this time, I try all sorts of things to fix myself with no luck.

Sunday + Beyond

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^^Pre soccer pancake breakfast! Fueling up! I had an 11 am game yesterday and played another half with the team after us, all in 90-ish degrees. It was super hot, and I ran about 8 miles during the two games. Taking a rest day today! I drank a bottle of water enhanced with Vega Hydration followed by a Hydroflask of ice water, and then came home to enjoy this cold, refreshing smoothie bowl around 2 pm. It included banana, milk, yogurt, frozen berries and Vega Coconut Almond. My bum foot was on fire and throbbing after all the soccer on a bumpy, poorly kept field, so I iced it in the hammock later that afternoon and again that evening. Not a bad view! It was such a gorgeous evening that T and I enjoyed cocktail hour on the deck with some cheese and crackers (because I was too hungry to make it to dinner!) and reading material : ) And for dinner we made Blue Apron Spiced Beef Pitas with arugula salad . We are still working our way through Westworld, although it’s getting quite

Dear Mark: Superfoods, Plants for Pollution, Raw Liver Danger, and Irradiated ‘tsticles

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For today’s edition of Dear Mark , I’m addressing four questions and comments from readers. First up, do I subscribe to the idea of superfoods? If so, what do I like? If no, what do I consider “super”? Next, we know that plants—house plants, garden plants, trees—can absorb pollution and release stress-lowering odors. Is there an optimal arrangement of flora to achieve these goals? After that, I address a reader comment about the dangers of eating raw liver, followed by an intrepid reader who found the reference for the sunbathing testicle study from last week . Let’s go: I would like to know what you think about super foods and/ or your favorite superfoods you use? I don’t generally go for “superfoods.” The goji berries hand-picked by Tibetan lamas and placed in their armpits to salt-cure on a sweaty mountain ascent. The 110%-cacao cacao nibs, the raw maca root you gnaw and try to convince yourself is delicious , the heritage chia seeds cultivated from Moctezuma’s own personal st

Weekend: Friday + Saturday

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^^another cool face!!! How was your weekend?! We had perfect weather and lots of chill downtime at home. Friday night T, M and I walked downtown for dinner. We have a new playroom in Cville called Little Planets and they were hosting a drop-off date-night event, so Mazen and Sylvia set up a date there for the evening. The playroom has both open play and drop-off sessions during the day and select evenings. I love that you can drop off for an hour while you run some errands or get a drink for up to 3 hours. The space is beautiful, and Mazen and Sylvia had a great time! T and I went to Hamilton’s for its people-watching patio. I had the Leese-Fitch Chardonnay and we shared the shrimp and grits and the crabcakes. Both were sooo good!! This is how I wake up every morning – lots of snuggling! We didn’t have much time for breakfast because we had to get to soccer by 9, so I had an oatmeal bar and a Siggi’s to get me going. The shirt dress!! After soccer we came home and play