It is true that I have had some positive changes in my health since eating a plant-based diet over the last weeks. However I am still suffering from medically verified chronic illnesses. They range from the tragically common to the annoyingly rare.
I still get my butt kicked by them especially if I forget myself and become too active… Like having the audacity to go along for errands and using my scooter instead of walking, or walking across a small restaurant floor to sit at a table.
This is when, the busy world be damned, I double down in taking the best care of myself possible.
In bed I go. It can be days, weeks, months. Even in bed or wheelchair there’s no escaping the pain or the long list of other issues that come with it.. I’m rarely on my feat. It’s been years since I haven’t been in significant pain. Movement builds up lactic acid in my muscles which just makes it worse so bed rest is the best I can do.
There was a time that my poor husband would throw together something for me to eat or go through a drive-thru. The fat, sodium, and inflammatory qualities of red meat wood just make me sicker.
Over time I’ve gotten very good at predicting when I’m going to be bed bound. When I have one or few good days in a row I’m really bad about overdoing it because I want to make hay while the sun shines. It’s an easy trap to fall into.
If I focus on plant-based nutrition, I find I recover a little quicker and have more emotional energy to stay positive during these times.
We keep our weekly shopping list to what will be the highest nutrition and easiest to manage regardless of my being in bed or sofa bound.
We do buy a limited amount of processed plant-based foods like pre-made veggie burgers and crumbles, canned beans and frozen vegetables for cases of emergency.
It’s important to make and freeze some meals in advance. Tonight we made sure he put 18 homemade spicy black bean burgers in the fridge that in the morning my husband will grill up and toss in the freezer.
I give myself permission to heal any way needed. It’s ok to find joy as I do so. Joy is healing.
Because of the plant-based diet my frame of mind is more positive and my body is changing in positive ways. I know I’m also doing everything I can to have a quality life. Going to a plant-based diet has been the most positive medical experience I’ve ever had.
There is so much about having chronic illnesses that have no cure and few treatments that makes you feel out of control. Seeing positive results on blood sugars, hypertension,weight and swelling, from the foods you put in your mouth is empowering.
