Yay health!

So here's what health month has had in store for me so far.

1) I started using my new cooking tools to make raw vegan gluten-free meals. Here's the first one I tried.

Sweet Potato and Zucchini Mac 'n Cheese

Once I figured out how to use the Spirooli, it was magical. And though I was skeptical about liking the taste of raw sweet potato and zucchini as noodles, it was actually very good. And I didn't even mind it being cold. However, I made enough 'Parmesan cheese' to last me two lifetimes. I'm going to have to cut the size of the recipes in half.

I'm going to try to work my way through the entire 400 recipes from the book! Big challenge, but I'm ready!

2) I've started incorporating 'brain power' supplements into my morning smoothies. I use a spoonful of lecithin granules and a tsp of coconut oil to give my brain a little boost.

So far, lack of sleep has diminished any advantage I may be gaining from it, but hopefully I can rectify that.

3) I started a dance class last night! I took Beginning Modern. It started out with a lot of yoga and then moved into some simple combinations. Afterward I signed up for several more. My mom would be so proud :)

Brain Health

I've recently started openly admitting to myself and my friends that I have a seriously terrible memory.

I think it got to the point where I couldn't ignore it anymore because people around me kept mentioning it; co-workers, friends, etc. It's such a horrible feeling, to be smart enough to realize how dumb you appear because your brain is so foggy all of the time.  It's like trying to wade through thick mud sometimes. And it's also awful because of the way people speak to you and treat you once they realize your memory is not the greatest. People seem to react in a way that suggests that it is your fault that you don't remember something. They start to treat you like you are stupid. They start to make demeaning comments about your ability to function.

Well, I finally got fed up with it. I started taking Ginkgo biloba pills, but after a few weeks and not seeing any changes what-so-ever, I started looking around on the internet for an answer. Here is what I discovered memory loss could be attributed to:

• On-going stress hormone production caused by
√ Depression
√ Job Dissatisfaction
√ Loneliness

• Blood related issues
-Anaemia
-Blood pressure
-Oxygen levels
-Hypoglycaemia

• Iodine deficiency

• Wheat allergy

As you may remember, I stumbled upon Veganism without seeking it out.  I had started out a cynic, even mocking the lifestyle because I didn't understand it. But then coming upon the nutritional values to the diet when doing completely separate research for my health, my view was changed. I think a similar thing is happening for me with gluten free diets today.  After looking up information on poor memory and finding what I've listed above, I began to take Celiac Disease more seriously, and am now even considering it a possibility for my mud-brain, as I'm deeming it.

Exhibit A: Mud-brain.

I've decided to give a gluten-free diet a shot and see how it affects me. Just as when I was deciding to switch to being a Vegan, I have the same daunting thoughts going through my head; "what will I eat?" "how am I going to do this?" "Can I do this?" "Can I still eat chocolate?"

Well, it's going to take a lot of research and careful balance to make sure I'm still getting all the nutrition I need, but I'm ready to give it a try. My biggest fear, actually, (just like when becoming a vegan) is "Oh great, now I'm gonna be THAT girl." I know people will roll their eyes when/if they find out. But as I tell myself for the vegan lifestyle as well, this is for my health, not for them. People will either accept me or give me a hard time, but it doesn't matter. I'm determined to be the best me.
Here is a helpful link to know what to avoid when going gluten-free.
 
As for the other possible factors, I've made a doctors appointment for next week and I plan to have some blood tests run to check for any other possible deficiencies.

Then I just need to work on getting myself in a job that makes me happy and I should be well on my way to my smartest self.

Month 5- Health

This month, my plans are to:
• Get a medical check-up. The last time I saw a doctor, the stress in my life had given me shingles! And my blood pressure was higher than it should have been. I'm hoping with my new diet this has righted itself.
• Reexamine my contact prescription with the optometrist.
• Because a lot of my food goals have also been for health, this month will be about renewing that commitment and culminating that with working out more regularly. This also means dropping the vegan fast food that I've started to pick up (goodbye vegan pizza!)
• Paying closer attention to my nutrient intake through tracking my food.
• Commit to making sure I'm getting enough sleep.

Month 4 wrap up

Besides the haircut and the new products I've mentioned in earlier posts, I also revisited threading for my eyebrows for hair month. It had been such a painful experience in the past that I'd all but written it off, but I went with my friend this weekend and realized that, done properly, it's actually not as painful as waxing (and supposedly causes less wrinkling). Unfortunately, I had this great experience while on vacation in Colorado, so my next goal is to find a good place in LA. Also while in CO, my friend told me about Biotin and I decided to purchase some. It is a supplement that is suppose to be good for healthy hair and nail growth. As I've started to see thinning along my hairline, I've decided I'd better start taking this now.
Because of this month, I will definitely be using deep conditioner once a week from now on and most likely getting threading done on a more regular basis. I'm going to try to wash my hair less often and brush it out more often. I'll also probably go for the slightly shorter layers that I got in this last hair cut. 
Overall, some good lessons taken away from this month, but nothing too unexpected.