INFLAMMATION ✨ I often find that it’s really difficult to describe to other people what it feels like to have a full body inflammatory flare up, but this week I’ve had to try to put it into words with different friends, co-workers, and loved ones, so I thought I’d try to articulate it here as well. It feels like you are moving in slow motion, with both your brain and your physical body. My hips, knees, and other major joints hurt on a normal day but when I’m in a flare up my fingers, ankles, elbows, and wrists radiate pain and make me feel so weak. I have zero energy, no matter how much sleep I’ve gotten. I experience brain fog (super freaky) and struggle to articulate myself and find certain words. My stomach often hurts and feels inflamed as well, my sinuses are super inflamed, and I tend to get at least one major headache that lasts for 12+ hours. Sometimes a flare up is only for a few days, and sometimes (like this most recent one) it goes on for close to two weeks. This totally unpredictable body of mine has taught me so much about patience, the value of rest, and just how much I have to prioritize my wellbeing, even when I have other shit to do! 🙏🏻💆🏼♀️|| this week I made the easiest curried sweet potato soup and loaded it up with anti-inflammatory turmeric and ginger and it was the perfect thing for my stressed out body! 🍠🥄
Okay, so, this @beyondmeat sausage is legit. I’m normally not a fan of anything that tastes meaty (haven’t had meat in 13 years I think? 🤔) and much prefer whole food alternatives to meat (lentil walnut taco meat, crispy cauliflower, etc.) BUT this stuff is sooooo tasty! 🎉|| last night I made a sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich for dinner 🤤 I made a chickpea flour egg patty, sautéed some of the sausage, and toasted a @purelovebakery #glutenfree English muffin. I melted some @followyourheart smoked gouda and added spinach and sriracha! Such a nice break from all the rice and veggies I eat 😂🤷🏼♀️
Meal prep. 🍽📝Kinda sounds boring, right? It’s not the most appealing thing to do on a Sunday morning when I’m still trying to hold onto the weekend and relax from an exhausting work week but I have learned just how important it is for me to stock my fridge with food over the weekend. This sets me up for less stress and anxiety during the week, more time to relax on weekday nights after being on my feet all day each day, and gives me tons of healthy food options that I know are going to make my body feel good || today I made black bean brownies (my absolute favorite recipe is from @detoxinista), banana bread bites, Asian slaw, roasted beets and sweet potatoes, baked falafel, and sautéed green beans. All vegan, all gluten-free, using a lot of my produce from @misfitsmarket! I also have fresh greens in the fridge, brown rice and lentils in the freezer, and chickpeas in my pantry which means I can throw things together in different ways so I’m not bored with what I’m eating 👍🏻
