Category Archives: health

blueberries!

03 Thursday Aug 2023

Posted by in casa azahar, food & drink, health

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blueberries

I love blueberries. In fact, they are one of the few fruits I could actually eat on a daily basis. Plus they are a “super food” when it comes to inflammation issues. Except, they are only around for a brief season. And so! Since I am embarking on this new chapter of making changes, blueberries and lemon water have become a part of my morning routine lately (before I do chair yoga!) as well as taking the fish oil capsules after lunch (those fuckers are actually hard to swallow). All of this in preparation for my appointment with the endocrinologist/nutritionist tomorrow.

But back to blueberries. As they are in abundance right now I’ve found some from Segovia that only cost 4€ for half a kilo (which I think is great, they usually cost double that out of season and come from Peru) and so I have decided to stock up while I can and freeze them. I have never frozen blueberries before. But it seems you should wash them lightly and dry them thoroughly before laying them flat in a tray to freeze for about an hour. Then you put them into plastic bags (also laid out flat) to finish freezing. We shall see.
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rhinosinusitis?

02 Wednesday Aug 2023

Posted by in covid, health

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rhinosinusitis

Well hey maybe. Remember last week when one side of my face went all drippy? Well that only lasted about 24 hours (thanks to Rhinomer) but suddenly it’s back with a vengeance and is now full frontal. Yesterday I tested negative (Covid rapid test) and have had the new Hepa filter going full blast, in the middle of the living room/office during the day, in my bedroom at night. This morning I also tested negative. But I continue very sneezy and drippy with painful blocked sinuses (eyeballs feel too tight in their sockets). Since so far it’s “all in my head”, so to speak, I’m assuming it’s my old nemesis rhinosinusitus. I mean, I have never had this properly diagnosed and so maybe it’s another thing to add to my massive list for the nutritionist/endocrinologist on Friday. I just hope she wants to listen to me and not just hand me a one-size-fits-all diet plan.

Meanwhile, I’m staying at home just in case and Peter and I are keeping to our rooms as much as possible. Had to cancel lunch with an old friend yesterday (haven’t seen him in a couple of years), and also Pablo coming over today to install a new plug socket in the kitchen. I still have a meeting with my landlord tomorrow (my new contract!) but we’ve agreed to meet somewhere outdoors just in case. And then Friday morning I’ll do another rapid test before going to the doctor. I have a tapas tour on Friday too but Peter can step in if I happen to test positive (hope not!).

Reading everywhere about Covid cases rising, wastewater samples almost everywhere showing high levels, and yet people are still cramming (maskless) onto cheap flight planes for a few days in the sun in drought and wildfire afflicted destinations. I made the choice to do a bare minimum of tours this month, peak summer, for that very reason, though I can ill afford it. I just don’t feel safe being out and about.

summer sick

26 Wednesday Jul 2023

Posted by in coronavirus, covid, health

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summer sick

Yep, getting annoyed with people (yet again), in this case those who are posting on their social media that they are sick with a cold, the flu,  a mystery virus (maybe a norovirus!), brand new allergies they’ve never had before, unexplained fever, gastroenteritis, well heck you name it. They are “summer sick” with ANYTHING BUT COVID. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FUCKING TESTING FOR COVID.

And why would that be? Other than the mass global denial that is going on everywhere. Covid is over! Omg we can all go back to NORMAL.

We all know Covid is not over, it’s simply permutating and getting smarter thanks to us. I really hesitate to start spouting what may sound like conspiracy theories but I mean… where has all the Covid data gone since about a year ago? No testing, no nothing, and even possibly no new vaccines this autumn…

Meanwhile, yesterday evening my right nostril suddenly started STREAMING… got all itchy and sneezy. Basically became a one-nostril mucus factory (you can imagine). Left one is fine. And so okay, I have had sinus issues all my life, cannot leave the house without a whack of tissues (either kleenex or paper towels) in my bag, but my nose ALWAYS RUNS. All my life with this. But last night was different. Itching, sneezing, pressure below my eye… something wasn’t right.

And so this morning I did a Covid rapid test – because WHY WOULDN’T I? – and it was negative. But I’ll be testing daily until the symptoms subside simply because it might be Covid. For everyone who thinks Covid is behind us (usually a line of thinking to justify them not giving a shit about anyone else) you may find out sooner than later that you too are “vulnerable”.

I have been accused of being JUDGEMENTAL, and all kinds of other things, because I still take Covid seriously, test every week, stay home if I have any “just a cold” symptoms, etc… And when I’ve had to travel for work I always test that morning. Because what if I was Covid positive? Yes, I would have to abort my plans, it would fuck everything up, it would end up costing me money… but what is the option? Getting on a plane or train knowing you have a highly transmittable air-born disease and you could infect almost everyone. Just because you put yourself first.

Well, that’s just not me. If it’s you, maybe take a good look at your life priorities and then hopefully come to the realisation that this world we share isn’t just about you.

blocked af

14 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in change, health, health & happiness

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block

So this popped up in my Instagram feed and I thought it was pretty timely as I had just received the notice that my appointment with the nutritionist/endocrinologist will be on August 4th (three weeks from today). Not bad as my GP just sent out the request last week. Anyhow, I have always felt “blocked” when it came to losing weight, pretty much all my life, but things got a lot more difficult after cancer/chemo, menopause and, well, getting older. As my friend Kate @sledpress wisely says, it’s not a simple binary about what goes in or doesn’t, which is something I have also noticed all my life.

The hope is that new doc won’t just put me “on a diet” but will address the various issues and help me find a more balanced and intelligent way of living with everything, without having to take more drugs. Though I think she has her work cut out for her because when I saw this pic I realised that I have ALL THE BLOCKS. In spades. Wish me luck!