Obsession with Berries. Be Kind to your Body.

A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?
Albert Einstein

                   

     Ever since childhood I have been extremely obsessed with fruits and vegetables. My family always thought I was a strange kid because while others were begging for ice cream and Dunkeroos, I was overly excited about raspberries, blueberries, etc. As a child, I didn't even consider the health benefits of berries. They were pretty and tasted good. That's all I cared about. As a child, I never made choices based on health...I merely cared about immediate satisfaction: This tastes good. I want it. The End. Due to the fact that I love these foods so much, I look back wondering if some of us have the innate desire to be healthy, without even realizing it. 

I could talk about berries forever. But here are my favorites and their benefits. 

Blueberries: 

Antioxidants

Vitamins A B and C

Immune system boosters

Prevents infections

Slows down the affects of aging 

Reduces belly fat

Urinary tract health

Preserves vision

Brain health

...etc!

Pomegranate seeds (not a berry): (Ruby of the Earth)

Fights breast cancer

Lung cancer prevention

Protects the arteries                                                   

Alzheimer's Disease prevention

Lowers cholesterol 

Lowers blood pressure

Dental protection

....there's more-do the research..otherwise I'd be typing for days (which I wouldn't mind).

Strawberries: 

Boost Immunity

Promote eye health

Fight Cancer

Younger, glowing skin! (wahooo)

Fight bad cholesterol

Boost fibre

Aid in weight management

Promote pre-natal health

...etc.

     There are more berries that I am obsessed with, but you get the point. If not, contact me and I will ramble for hours. 

     Don't have time to add these jewels of the Earth to your diet? Make smoothies...Make large portions of salads that last a week..add berries to your cereal, etc. The decisions we make today impact us in the future. Eat berries. They are pretty...they taste good..oh yeah, and they do cool things to your body...if you know what I mean. K bye!

Yum, just bought these.

Shop for free and donate simultaneously. Happy Earth Day!

"The earth is what we all have in common"- Wendell Berry

      Happy Earth Day!!! Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. And have fun! Warm weather is here...well, there is torrential downpour outside as I type this...so inconsistent warm weather is here- yay! 

   I have a new favorite summer activity. It involves shopping for free and donating clothes simultaneously. Clothing Swap party! How appropriate for Earth Day. I experienced my first clothing swap party last year with my Ricciuti's ladies. 

     We spread all of the clothes on the lawn and "shopped" away. Not only were we finding amazing outfits for free, but we were able to enjoy each other's  company for free. We enjoyed the beautiful weather while sipping mimosas and eating a fruit crumble. I feel at times that we run out of ideas when it involves hanging out with our friends, so we decide to go to the bar. First of all, it's super expensive...second of all,  let's be more creative! I know, I sound like a granny...my friends call me that for a reason. 

                                      

     After hours of digging through adorable clothing...six trash bags filled with clothes remained. We donated them. I want to do this once or twice a year. It's a great way to empty your closet with stuff that just sits there. I'm a clothing and shoe hoarder. So clothing swap parties are super fun for me.  

Recycle and Donate. Oh yeah, and drink mimosas. K bye!

Visual Snow

      I have visual snow-also referred to as Migraine Aura. I didn't always have it. What am I talking about when I say visual snow? It's basically static vision in my entire visual field. I have it at all times...I can even see it when my eyes are closed. Do you think I'm crazy yet? Don't worry, a lot of doctors felt the same way. 

      It all started about 5 years ago. I was a freshman in college. I started seeing small white dots in my visual field and it would gradually get worse week by week. It happened that fast. So of course...I used Google. Big mistake, it merely creates paranoia.     

      I decided to go to the doctor because it got to the point where I couldn't even recognize faces at night, and I could barely handle being in a bright room. Ehem, all college classrooms use florescent lighting..so going to class wasn't my favorite activity. I still complain about going to Walmart because the lighting makes me feel like a vampire as I cringe entering the building. 

Simulation of Visual Snow- in case you're curious.

      I went to see doctor...after doctor...I took test after test...this lasted about 3 years. By the way...most doctors laughed at me...to my face. Seriously, they could have at least called me crazy behind my back. That would have been nice. Because after a while..I started to agree with them, maybe I was going crazy. I'm a psychology major..I studied crazy people every day..so what made me so immune to insanity? 

      Not only was I experiencing visual disturbances 24/7 (literally)..I was extremely fatigue...my memory retention was declining...and I was experiencing horrible headaches. There's more symptoms, but this isn't a pity party-it's a discovery!

     I was about to leave for Ireland in about 3 weeks and I was feeling the most horrible I had ever felt. All of my symptoms had worsened. So I decided to see another doctor...and was preparing to be laughed at again. This time I felt genuine concern and curiosity from my doctor. I felt relief. After a few tests I finally got an answer! Lyme Disease.

    Lyme Disease? But I never had the "bull's eye" rash. Only 20% of carriers get the rash. Don't use that as your identifier. As soon as you experience any symptoms...go to the doctor immediately. Because if you catch it too late....the damage to your body is permanent. It will effect you neurologically when being left untreated.  

Lyme Disease Info

      I still experience my symptoms on a daily basis. However, I feel at peace because I finally know that I wasn't going crazy. I felt these things for a reason. Don't ever allow a doctor to laugh at you. 

      There is no cure for visual snow...trust me, I've done the research. One day. Until then...I'll deal with it. We all have our challenges, and I feel blessed that this is my challenge....along with many in the future!