Incurable
  • Home
  • About
  • Downloads
  • Find Me
  • Home
  • About
  • Downloads
  • Find Me

My First Food Sensitivity Test

8/12/2021

0 Comments

 
In June, I had my second surgery for endometriosis. Afterwards, my doctor recommended I consider taking an at-home food sensitivity test to see if diet changes could help reduce some of my inflammation and symptoms. I ordered the Everlywell food sensitivity test, which measures your immune system’s IgG antibody reactivity to 96 common foods. While the test doesn’t determine food allergies, lactose intolerance or celiac disease, it does identify foods with a higher-than-normal reactivity level that could be good candidates for an elimination diet. 
Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test
For almost a month, the test kit sat untouched on my kitchen counter. I couldn’t imagine life without cheese or pasta. What if dairy products were the root of my 30+ years of health issues? Would I even have the will to live without ice cream?
When I finally found the courage to open the box and read the instructions, the next obstacle was the mental hurdle of poking myself and collecting enough blood for the sample. Of course, the whole process is actually quite simple if you can avoid the mental anguish I put myself through. 

​After I filled the sample card with droplets of blood, it was ready to send off in a little biohazard bag to the lab. Three days later, I received an email with my test results.

What I Learned from my Food Sensitivity Test

Despite all the stress this process caused me, I couldn’t be more glad that I bit the bullet and took the test. To my great relief, I scored fairly low on sensitivity to all dairy products. And I was surprised to learn that I didn’t show a high reactivity to any of the foods that were tested. 

In addition to a printable PDF that can be given to your doctor or added to your medical documents, Everlywell provides an easy-to-navigate online breakdown of the foods identified as high, moderate and mild reactivity on a scale of 0-255. The description of each food even includes a list of hidden sources that you may not be aware of and potential substitutes for a modified diet. For example, my test results showed a mild sensitivity to almonds; Everlywell suggests pumpkin seeds as a substitute and warns me about gluten-free products, which often contain almond flour. 
Some of the foods that showed moderate reactivity included cashews, peanuts, yeast and wheat. My gluten reactivity was fairly low – suggesting that I’m more sensitive to the other proteins found in wheat. Another fun fact I learned from Everlywell: many vegan cheeses are made with cashews. So I’ll be sticking to my beloved dairy products for the time being!
Picture
Everlywell offers a variety of at-home tests for everything from food sensitivity and metabolism to fertility, allergy and even Lyme disease tests. Learn more and get 15% off any test at https://refer.everlywell.com/s/morehartm.
Incurable Readers Get 15% Off Any Everlywell At-Home Test
0 Comments

Healing with Crystals

8/20/2020

0 Comments

 
I'm excited to share this guest post by Elise Burrows of Kraken Crystals. Elise recently launched her online crystal shop with a mission to spread inclusive positivity. You can shop her Instagram for beautiful stones, jewelry and more - and every purchase includes pollinator wildflower seeds!

For thousands of years, people have used crystals. From wearing them as jewelry and decorating their homes to using their properties to aid emotional and physical ailments, these practices still continue today. In this post, I'll share some information about the physical science and the metaphysical studies to give you a basic understanding of why crystals are still a useful tool all these years later.
Through scientific study, we now understand that all physical matter, including our human bodies, is made up of vibrating particles which are arranged into different molecular structures. Just as each molecular structure differs (for example, the molecular structure of your hand differs from that of your cell phone), so does the frequency at which their particles vibrate. This is where the term "good vibrations" comes from. We are all individually vibrating while completely surrounded by the vibrations of life around us.
View this post on Instagram

â–¡â–¡Final logo is heeeeere! â–¡â–¡ special thanks to @ashleycanz for designing this, her work is FANTASTIC! . . . . #kraken #crystals #crystalhealing #graphicdesign #blackownedbusiness #supportblackbusiness #supportsmallbusiness #shopsmall #crystal #crystaldecor #peaceandpositivity #loveandlight

A post shared by â–¡ Kraken Crystals (@kraken.crystals) on Aug 3, 2020 at 3:17pm PDT

When we hold a crystal a transfer of energy occurs, causing the vibrational frequencies in our bodies to change. This explains the physical and emotional sensations we can experience when interacting with different crystals. Just as each of us vibrates at a different frequency, so does each different type of crystal. This exchange of energy between a person and a crystal can be used to change and balance unhelpful physical and emotional states. For centuries, healers around the world have used this knowledge to heal ailments within their communities. This understanding has been passed through generations and combined with physical science to give us the expansive knowledge that we have today. 

Because of their ability to absorb the energy around them, crystals need to be cleansed from time to time, and there are several great ways to do this. Sunlight can benefit crystals by charging them and resetting their energy (interactions with different spaces and people can change a crystal's energetic frequency). It is recommended to research your crystal before placing it in the sun, because some stones - like amethyst and fluorite - can lose their vibrancy when exposed to too much sunlight.  Stones that are light sensitive can be cleansed under the energy of a full moon. You can also cleanse your stones by burning sage or Palo Santo above them.
With so many different types of crystals available, it may be overwhelming for beginners to know where to start. If you're just starting your journey with crystal healing, here are a few stones I find the most helpful for beginners:

Amethyst

This stone promotes calmness and protects against negativity. Its calming properties balance the emotional highs and lows and are especially helpful during grief or loss. Amethyst can be kept on a bedside table or under a pillow to help insomnia and can also be carried to ease headaches.
Amethyst

Citrine

This crystal promotes prosperity, abundance and good luck! It's a stone of happiness, and it harnesses the energy of the sun to bring you sunny and bright energy. Citrine is filled with positive energy that helps to connect you with your inner light.
Citrine

Clear Quartz

One of the world's most diverse stones, clear quartz amplifies the effects of whatever stone it is near. As a high vibrational stone, it clears the mind, body and spirit of clutter, which helps to align with your highest self.
Clear Quartz

Fluorite

Fluorite is a colorful crystal that absorbs and neutralizes negative energy and stress. It's a great stone for students, because it increases concentration and self-confidence while helping with decision-making.
Fluorite

Labradorite

This is the stone of transformation! Keep labradorite with you as you experience change to bring strength and perseverance. It's also known for relieving anxiety and stress while also balancing and protecting the aura.
Labradorite

Selenite

Selenite is a translucent stone that has the ability to cleanse other crystals when placed next to them. It's a calming stone that brings deep peace and helps with judgment and insight. It clears confusion and aids in seeing the bigger picture.
Selenite

Since beginning to work with crystals, I've gained clarity and calmness that I hadn't experienced before. Because of the positive impact crystal healing has brought to my life, I'm on a mission to share that positivity with those around me by promoting crystal education and supplying affordable, meaningful crystals to those who wish to add this practice into their lives. There's never been a better time to delve into the world of crystal healing. Even if you're skeptical of their healing powers (I was at first), what do you have to lose? At worst, you'll have some beautiful stones to decorate your space with!
0 Comments

Spoonie Maker Spotlight: Abi Stevens

7/28/2020

0 Comments

 
In this follow-up to my first Q&A with artist Abi Stevens, she shares the story behind some of her new enamel pin designs. Abi funded her first collection of spoonie pins through Kickstarter, and her second campaign is wrapping up now. She also sells her work on Etsy. Read on to find out what Abi’s been up to and learn more about her new creations.  

Q: What inspired you to create your newest designs?

Picture
A: I wanted to represent a wider range of people from the Spoonie community through my work, and expanding my collection of pins and stickers seemed the best way to do that. Enamel pins are little pieces of wearable art. They're an easy visual reference to remind their owner of their own strength and that they're not alone in their struggles. I'd also like them to serve as a bit of everyday advocacy, a reminder that people with invisible illnesses exist, and a conversation starter.

Q: How has the pandemic affected you and your art?

A: It's definitely increased my stress levels, and at various points this has made it difficult to engage with creative work. I was lucky in that I didn't lose any scheduled work due to lockdown, and having external deadlines to work to made it easier to keep creating. Finding inspiration and motivation for my personal work has been more difficult though. I've focused on simpler, quicker pieces that are easier to work on when I'm struggling.

​I only went full-time freelance with my illustration and online shop late last year so it's been interesting trying to grow a business during such unstable times, especially as my business was too new to qualify me for government assistance! 

Q: ​Can you describe your creative process?

A: ​I start by researching the topic I'm illustrating and looking for interesting details that jump out. I like to reference historical aesthetics, so elements of my work are often inspired by stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, and historical architecture.

I'll do scrappy little thumbnail drawings in a sketchbook and make notes, then when I have an idea of the direction I'm going in, I'll reference the thumbnails to make digital sketches in Photoshop. If I'm working for a client, this is when I'll take feedback and adjust the sketches accordingly, but if it's personal work I usually have a pretty clear idea of where I'm going with it and sometimes I'll skip straight to outlines.
Abi's new Chronic Warrior pin design
Abi's new Chronic Warrior pin design
With these pins I already had a style in mind from previous designs, so I looked up various weapons I was interested in including for reference photos, then went straight into Photoshop. My research phase was mostly deciding which conditions I wanted to represent at this stage and discussing the choices and phrases with other Spoonies.

Q: Do you follow a self-care routine?

A: I try to but I have ADHD so I have trouble developing and sticking to routines. A big priority is to make sure I drink enough during the day (which I used to forget to do all the time), so I keep a water bottle at my desk. I have an app on my computer which reminds me to take screen breaks and this helps me remember to eat regularly and get up and stretch too.

When I'm doing better with routines (the lockdown threw my previous self-care routine out the window) I take yoga classes, go to the gym, take hot baths/showers and massage sessions, which help me reduce severe muscle tension which is both caused by and triggers my Migraine attacks. I also do my best to regulate my sleep by going to bed around the same time each night.

My biggest challenges right now are cooking proper meals and sticking to defined work/rest times. I have a habit of letting work bleed into my evenings and weekends.

Q: What advice would you give other creative spoonies who want to share their talents and experience?

A: The most important advice I have is to remember not to compromise your health for the sake of work. When I first went freelance, I set up a timetable that kept my hours to a limit I knew I could manage, but I frequently found myself working into the evenings to 'get more done'. This was almost always followed by a Migraine flare-up that prevented me from working at all for several days.
Abi's holographic Spoonie stickers
Abi's holographic Spoonie stickers
I still do this sometimes by mistake, especially when I'm very invested in a project, but it really isn't worth it. Applying the standards of a healthy person's full-time office job to working for yourself while chronically ill is a recipe for disaster. I try to remind myself regularly that I don't have to achieve all of my goals all at once; the only timetable I'm following is my own, so I'm free to create one that doesn't compromise my physical and mental health.

If you want to share your talents and experience too, then go for it! Please be as honest as you're comfortable being, because I think it's important not to accidentally play into the erasure of our struggles, but the more of us out there sharing our stories and our creations, the more we can fight back against ableism and combat misconceptions.
0 Comments

Book & Tea Pairing: Echo Mountain

7/14/2020

0 Comments

 

The Book: Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

As a nonfiction junkie, it’s not too often that I curl up in bed with a YA novel – or any novel for that matter. But Lauren Wolk’s Echo Mountain was a welcome distraction from everything going on in our world today. 
Set in Depression-era Maine, the story echoes some of my childhood favorites: Little House on the Prairie, Where the Red Fern Grows, Shiloh… the list goes on. Wolk’s writing style is uniquely poetic and gives depth to the characters – even the protagonist Ellie’s father, who’s in a coma for most of the book. I found myself relating to Ellie, who’s clearly an empath and a natural adventurer. ​
Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk and Wild Maine Blueberry Tea
Clearly, I enjoyed the book. But why am I sharing a review of Echo Mountain on a blog about living well with chronic illness? (Besides the fact that reading YA novels is as good a way to pass the time in quarantine as anything else). At its heart, this is a story about healing, both physically and mentally. 

While twelve-year-old Ellie spends her time scavenging the mountainside for ingredients to treat the physical wounds of her father and her new friend, it’s the mental and emotional wounds that truly need healing. Ultimately, it’s a combination of time, empathy, music, honey and puppies that brings healing to the families of Echo Mountain. 

In a time of uncertainty, this story serves as a reminder of the simple joys in life – like holding a newborn puppy or savoring a fresh slice of homemade pie. I won’t give away the ending, but it’s a happy one. And I think happy endings are something we could use a lot more of these days.  ​

The Tea: Stonewall Kitchen Wild Maine Blueberry Tea with Honey

This is the perfect iced tea to enjoy with a bit of honey on a hot summer day. Be transported to a Maine mountainside with this refreshing blend of black tea and natural blueberry flavors. 

Blueberries are known to have one of the highest antioxidant levels of any fruit. Add a little honey – preferably local – and you’ll get even more health benefits. In addition to treating festering wild animal bites (don’t try this at home), honey can improve blood pressure and cholesterol.  
Wild Maine Blueberry Tea
Even though I drink loose-leaf tea almost exclusively, this delicious blend has become a summer staple in my house. Give it a try yourself and let me know what you think in the comments!  ​
0 Comments

Book & Tea Pairing: The Upside of Being Down

4/28/2020

0 Comments

 

The Book: The Upside of Being Down by Jen Gotch

​​Before the coronavirus lockdown hit, I made one final trip to the bookstore to stock up. I had a few titles in mind, but I love browsing the shelves and discovering books I may not have come across on Amazon. The Upside of Being Down is one of those books that immediately caught my eye. Sometimes it’s hard not to judge a book by its cover. Especially when that cover is bright yellow. 

I figured I’d have a lot more time to read in the coming weeks, so I threw one more book on my ever-growing pile. And I was right – I’ve already read my way through the entire stack of books I’d designated as quarantine reading. I finished this book in particular in about three days. 
The Upside of Being Down book cover
​The Upside of Being Down is part memoir, part self-help book and part business guide, written by Jen Gotch, the founder of ban.do. Jen chronicles her experience of growing up with undiagnosed bipolar disorder and anxiety, and her journey to better mental health as an adult. She recounts everything from the details of her relationship with her mom and her cross-country move to launching a business, finding a therapist and getting divorced. 

Jen describes herself as “genetically predisposed to optimism,” and as the founder of a brand that practically screams joy and optimism, that makes sense. What may surprise some readers are the struggles she’s faced on the road to success and her commitment to helping others conquer mental illness. 

While I’ve never been convinced that my skin is green or struggled with crippling anxiety, there were definitely parts of Jen’s story that I could relate to. The chapter about her relationship with her husband and subsequent divorce was so honest and accessible that I found myself reflecting on my own failed relationship with fresh eyes. 

Jen’s personality clearly shines through every page of this book, and its value lies in both the insightful reflection on her life with bipolar and anxiety and the uplifting conclusion that things can get better. She applies that philosophy to her company too. You can learn more about what she’s doing at ban.do to bring awareness to mental illness here and download free resources here. 
Orange Cream Soother tea

The Tea: Orange Cream Soother

Orange Cream Soother from Great Lakes Tea and Spice is a caffeine-free rooibos blend that’s delicious both hot and iced (and with vodka!). I’ll admit I was skeptical, wanting to believe this tea tasted like the orange creamsicle on the package, but trying not to getting my hopes up. I was surprised when I took my first sip and was transported to my childhood backyard, circa summer 1993. 

This is the perfect tea to pair with a book that’s all about optimism at its core. It’s also reminiscent of a simpler time, and who couldn’t use a little of that these days? As the days get warmer and I transition from hot tea to iced, this will be my go-to rooibos for sipping on hot afternoons. 
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture
    My name is Maggie Morehart, and I'm the creator of Incurable. Learn more.
    Subscribe

    Categories

    All
    Books
    Current Events
    Diseases
    Fitness
    Giveaway
    Inspo
    Organizations
    Products
    Quizzes

    RSS Feed

    More Places to Find Me

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    KT Tape | Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape | Train Longer. Finisher Stronger. | Shop Now
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.