Week 6, Day 2: "Don't Ever Get Old...?"

My Dad, for a long time now, has said to me "Don't ever get old."
Um... OK. when should I jump off a bridge. Now? ... how 'bout now?

And this was back when his problems were bunions, thinning hair, stuff like that.
Not the big problems he has now, like Alzheimer's, kidney failure and cancer. Yeah, the trifecta.

So I wrote a rap song to answer my Dad of 15 years ago, who was actually in pretty great shape back then and just didn't realize it. He sailed in regattas, mowed the grass, was still doing scientific research papers, and was fully mentally present. My heart goes out to my Dad of today. This rap goes out to my Dad of 15 years ago.

http://youtu.be/3EK7kQC0GpU



Carla Ulbrich
The Singing Patient
http://www.thesingingpatient.com

Day 17 vlog: Farts and dealing with doctors

Carla

Day 13: Minor Breakthrough?

I felt good today! I mean, actually good.
I woke up rested.
I got a lot done.
I was in a good mood.
I went for a brisk walk!
Who is this person?!
Let's hope there are more days like this to come!

Meanwhile, someone somewhere could find a reason to write a blues song about this, so here it is (after a bit of rambling of course, and my showing you my giant tub of unfinished song ideas):

Carla
http://www.thesingingpatient.com
http://www.facebook.com/carla

Days 8: ADD kinda day, but stayed on the plan

Day 8:

I woke up feeling NOT tired for the first time in a very long time!
Still not in pain, as well!

Had a really long lunch with a new linkedin acquaintance, then sort of scattered my energy in somewhat useless directions. Just very ADD. It's rare to have energy so I'm sad I squandered it.
I didn't even manage to do a vlog, though I had a parody in mind:
A beatles song:
"it's day 8
 and I ate
 just what I'm s'posed to so let's talk of something else besides the things I'm eating..."

If you know the beatles well, you can tell me what the title of the original song is. I can't seem to dredge it from memory.

Memory... I remember when I had a useful memory. Actually, no I don't.
I recently read that congition is impaired when you have lupus (or any active autoimmune disease). My reaction was "uh, DUH, everything's impaired. The body has to use whatever resources is has to keep vital organs running while simultaneously attacking them. It's hard work. Just ask our government about Iraq. Destroy, rebuild, repeat.

One of my favorite things about this plan is that is is kind of a no-brainer. It doesn't matter if I have a crap memory, or ADD, or both. I posted the daily plan on the fridge, and now I just go see what the next snack/ meal/ supplement is and have it.

2 of my 3 meals per day for the first 30 days are shakes. Meaning I just pour some vegan protein powder in my magic bullet blender with water and ice, and that's my meal. No big decision making, no real prep time, and almost no dishes (1 plastic cup- I clean the base right after I finish blending).

I've never been much of a cook, and not even a fan of food. Unless it's junk (chips, candy, soda- none of which are actually food. I call them "anti-foods" because they take more from your body than they give it. So I don't mind not cooking. The 3rd meal could be cooked but for now I'm just making a big salad and putting snoked salmon or something like that on top.

I have to say though, once you wean your taste buds off the overstimulation of too much salt/ sugar/ additives/ artificial sweeteners, simple foods and healthy foods taste better. I'm starting to really enjoy the berry-flavored shakes (made of actual berry powders).

See you next post!

Carla
http://www.thesingingpatient.com