An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctors Away....?

Am wondering if the old adage is true. An apple a day keeps the doctor's away. I think it's worth a shot(no pun intended, I loathe needles!). Those close to me know that the last month has been one of the most traumatic, hellacious, and turbulant times of my life, not sure how many adjectives I could to describe it, but with two trips to the E.R., one misdiagnosis, one severe allergic reaction to medication prescribed from misdiagnosis, I have definitely felt that my health needs a closer inspection.

Most of us think nothing of eating junk food here and there . I definitely don't have the worst diet in the world, but I eat my fair share of junk-food, that's for sure. Can I use the excuse that being a young, single woman is partially to blame? For I must concede, when I am dating someone, I am not as consumed with sweet foods, because I feel like I'm getting sugar from somewhere else. Haha, okay, that sounded strange (don't misinterpret it : P) But it's true, with the distractions of a man in my life, I'm definitely not spending Friday nights with a McDonald's chocolate fudge sundae in my hands (yes, 'cause you know they're only $1, too good a bargain to pass up when you're feeling emotionally vulnerable)

But McDonald's sundaes only keep you so so happy (that means, partly satisfied, partly disgusted with your perpetual weakness for them, haha) After my two E.R. experiences I began to examine my habits more closely, because I've been feeling poorly for far too long. How do I get myself back? How do I regain that spirit, zest of youth that so many people my age still have? "To truly find the answers of the universe, one must look closer, to the eye of the beholder"- Confucius says (just kidding, I just made that up, lol) But really, looking closer, Confucius-like closer, I reflect... How much water do I really drink, how many fresh fruits/vegetables do I eat, and how much of my diet is processed/ chemically enhanced food? I think it's really easy to eat crap, let's be honest. America consumerism is based on fast and easy, so when it takes longer to cook something, or go out of your way to buy fresh, sometimes we just forego the nutricious stuff for a quick fix.

So we come to my epiphany, or perhaps maybe just my resolution. I will prevail to eat better! My deep desire is to feel good, truly good, and recapture the essence and beauty of my life again. I still have some doctor's appointments to look further into a diagnosis (upon research my sis Cindy and I are thinking my symptoms might be gallbladder/liver related) but there is so much I can do at home to try and fix this issue. And I will do my best. I've done a great deal of research, and there is a new diet I am trying to stick by, not forever, but slowly, I am trying to reduce the poor food choices and replace them with the good. Which means less dairy, more salad, carrots, beets (haha, all my life I have said, mom, why can't we eat beets for dinner? j/k) On the no no list.... Beans are genuinely a no-no, but that's fine because it reduces the Los Angeles pollution factor (forgive my crudeness, it slips from time to time). And of course apples, grapes, melons, strawberries are allowed (thankfully).

Now, I apologize if some of this blog seemed boring, or a bit of a downer. Just call it the once-a-month 'Health Devotion' issue. And as one knows, sometimes life throws you curveballs. Sometimes you catch them, and sometimes you get your nose broken. And no, Confucius did not say that, that's just random profundity from yours truly (just kidding!!) I can say that I have been through a lot, and I know that some friends/relatives are probably wondering why I never return phone calls or have been M.I.A. but it's not out of mean spirited-ness. I just tend to become a bit of a hermit when something traumatic happens. And I am trying to recover from the experience, re-adjust, and change my life. Everything's not perfect, of course, but I am doing my best.

Upon reflection I know I have a lot to be truly grateful for, and with that in mind I wanted to extend that feeling of gratitude to all of you, thanks for your love and prayers. Without further ado, here's my gratitude list to end this blog on a positive note. I try to read it aloud every night before I go to bed.

JESSIE'S GRATITUDE LIST TO GOD

Thank you for my family
Thank you for my friends
Thank you for the food and shelter that I have.
Thank you for this beautiful planet you've created for us
Thank you my physical body and my health
Thank you for music and art, which gives me great joy to create and appreciate in others
Thank you for all the lessons, great and small, which help me become the strong, beautiful, and resolute Woman I am today
Thank you for the wisdom to allow me to realize not to settle for all the wrong men and wait for the right one.

And Thank you for the sense of humor to get through all of the above (just kidding, I didn't put that, although laughter is a great tonic for life's trials)

I hope we can all love and accept each other more. And maybe eat healthier, too. Love, Jess the Blog Authoress