Don't Eat The Green Ones

GUYS. Guys. guys.

Don't eat the green potatoes. I know. I know. You probably already knew they were full of solanine.

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Welp, I didn't and I spent half of yesterday weak in the knees/head/stomach. Even broke down and called the poison control hotline after I read that people DIE from that stuff. Gag.

Went to bed empty and with a heating pad on high to try and control the shivers. But I learnt my lesson, folks. I learnt it good.

That's what I get for trying to clean out the pantry before we head into holiday gluttony. At least I dropped those 2 lbs I was hoping to lose before turkey time.

PSA of the day brought to you by "One weird tip to lose belly fat? Food poison yourself!".

What I Learned From My Boss's Illness

I admire my boss very much. He's a respectful, funny, reasonable guy who gives me a lot of autonomy and trusts me.

So when he was faced with a big illness (the kind that makes you really question what's important in life) my first thought was, "Shit. Is he going to die?"
My second thought was , "Shit. What if he dies?!"
My third thought was, "Ok. While we're all waiting for the other shoe to drop, how do we keep going?"

It may not seem like it, but all of those questions are different.

The first one expresses uncertainty. I was concerned for his life and was trying to decide if we could anticipate a dichotomous outcome. A yes or no.

The second question was more open-ended. It was kind of a choose-your-own-nightmarish-adventure. If he did die, how do we proceed? If he doesn't die, what other obstacles aren't we thinking of that may affect him, his work, his family, etc.? As an employee, what am I supposed to be concerned about? How far does my concern go? What questions am I allowed to ask?

The third question was probably the right one to ask as an employee in my situation. The first two are sort of reactive. They bank on me not controlling the inciting action. And they require so much planning for scenarios that cannot be determined ahead of time. By asking, "how do we keep going?" I am allowed to release myself from the guilt of doing anything for his illness directly. I refocus on helping him in the best way I know how - by doing my job.

When I focus on what I can control I ease anxiety on all fronts. He can trust me to just get things done. I can keep myself busy with work that actually matters and alleviate catastrophizing.

While he's been in diagnosis and treatment processes, I've had the chance to really grow. I have made decisions, voiced concerns and gone to bat for him professionally whenever I can. Nothing fell apart while he was in surgery or at home or waiting at a doctor's office. I have had to contact him while he's been in the hospital, but only for the most urgent of things. And he, I think, likes knowing that we can't completely function without him.

Kick the Flu in 2: Update

I failed at kicking the flu in two days. I've been sick now for over a week and feel only marginally better each day.

That's what I get for thinking that I had the perfect plan to beat any winter illness.

All the water, oranges, vitamins, musinex, herbal baths and sleep in the world can't stop the hacking and eye crusties when I get up in the morning (am I a baby?! seriously. I thought only babies got eye crusties).

I may not have the sure-cure for the flu, but I have gained some humility.

What's your favorite remedy when you're sick?

How to Kick The Flu in Two

I got the flu and only needed 2 days off of work. Here's how I did it.

1) Sleep until you cannot sleep any more, then take a melatonin and go to bed at 8 PM.
2) Drink water, juice, any fluids you can stomach (not alcohol or caffeine as they interrupt your sleep)
3) Take a multivitamin with your chicken noodle soup (so as not to upset your stomach).

I'm baffled by how many adults continue to carry out their normal lives when their sick. They take some tylenol and then carry on like nothing's wrong. Meanwhile, they infect others and take 2x longer to get well.

I know taking time off of work is not possible for everyone. And I know that taking time out from life is not always possible either. Single moms with pets and full-time jobs? Hats off to you!

I'm thankful for my husband and family and flexible job that allowed me to stay in bed and eat soup and sleep 12 hours a day in order to get well. I had incredible help and options and that's really what got me well :)

For pictures, you can see my annoying instagram on the right ----->>>>

No pictures, please

My office had head shots taken a few weeks ago. This is me with a 101 temperature right before I went home sick.

Just like school picture day, but I didn't get free comb out of it. At least I won't have to use an iPhone photo on my LinkedIn profile!

(Pre)Friday Flip-It: Taco Supreme Court Ruling: Nacho Grandma's Healthcare

What do you call cheese that doesn't belong to you?

... Nacho cheese!

Heyo! (Does that give the title some context?)

I can't wait until Friday to flip-it on you guys. Tell me: What do you think about the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the new proposed healthcare law?

Comment below with:
- Your health insurance status (have vs. not-have)
- Your political views (if you're comfortable sharing them - I showed you mine, remember?)
- How you currently pay for healthcare/how much you need (i.e. Are you chronically sick?)

Aaaand to lighten it up, here's Katy Perry:

I can't say what it is. I think it's her low female voice (a contralto, Wikipedia says). I won't read Twilight, The Hunger Games or finish the Harry Potter series, but I will watch Katy on YouTube... on repeat. There you have it, I'm a book snob but a chick-pop junkie.

Also an update on the hair. Here's day 2 of the Keratin Treatment:

I wrapped it up last night to shower, but was still worried about the humidity in the shower frizzing it out. I blew it out with a hair dryer for about a minute just to make sure that it was totally dry. This morning I combed it slightly and ran out the door. 

Tipsy Tuesday: Leave Yourself Alone

I am not a doctor and my opinion is just that. Don't go off your meds on my account and certainly consult your doctor before making any drastic changes. There, I said it. Now let's move on.

As we head into winter, chances are we'll experience a series of ailments. Running noses, chapped lips, dry skin, cold sores, colds, etc. Yuck, right?

To combat all these symptoms we take pills, use creams, take vitamins, eat cough drops, slather chapstick, etc.


Mmm Chapstick

 But then we're building a tolerance to the pills, peeing neon yellow expensive pee water, getting cavities from sleeping with cough drops in, drying out nose out with allergy pills just to Vaseline it up to keep it from cracking and bleeding. Yuck, I know.

So how do we stop the cycle of self-medicating?

Just leave yourself alone.

Don't take medication to counter the side affects of your other medication. Take the smallest dose possible to cure what ails ya, which may be smaller than the recommended dose. Or find a (more) natural alternative. If you have a headache, for instance, see if you can treat the cause of the headache and not the symptom (i.e. Are you dehydrated? Are the lights - or your computer screen - too bright? Do you need more sleep? Are you under stress?)

In the winter/low humidity, your body is naturally more dehydrated. Drink lots of water, use basic moisturizers without fragrance or additives (like body oil).

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Don't scrub your skin (or your face or your hair for that matter) when you shower. You should be more scared of losing that protective layer of "schmutz" than you are of being "dirty". Some oil on your skin is necessary to protect it and why not let your body's own oil be it's own protectant. Chances are you aren't allergic to your own oil :) Apparently taking hot showers can also get rid of that protective oil. I refuse to think about that though as hot showers are my saving grace!

Vitamins may be helpful to some people (the elderly, the pregnant), but most people don't need vitamins. You are better off eating healthy foods to get your vitamins as your body can break them down and absorb them better when they are in food.

Use bar soap instead of liquid soap. Liquid soaps tend to have alcohol or another additive to keep them in their liquid state. The additives can be drying.

So, just think about getting back to basics and just leave yourself alone! So what do you do to get through the winter healthy?
Do you get a flu shot?
Do you use petroleum jelly on your lips or cracked skin? I just read this article that made me think differently about P.J.

Drink Pairing: Water, 8 glasses a day +

Sick! Advice for What to Say to a Sick Person

Saw this article from the New York Times on A Cup of Jo and thought it had some excellent points on what to say and what not to say to a sick person.

Highlight: "I SHOULD BE GOING NOW. You’ll never go wrong by uttering these five words while visiting someone who’s sick. As Ms. Pogrebin observes of such visits, don’t overstay your welcome. She recommends 20 minutes, even less if the patient is tired or in pain. And while you’re there, wash a few dishes or tidy up the room. And take out the trash when you leave."



My personal favorite thing to say in an awkward/sick/death situation is acted out in this scene from Steel Magnolias via youtube.com. Geepers I love this movie and all of the crazy southern characters! Seriously, if you have not seen this movie, you need to borrow my copy.

Ten Tips Tuesday: Beat Boredom.

Ten ways to pass the time when you're home-bound.

My husband and I are quarantined after he had a bout with a virus. We're on the mend and here's how we ticked away the holiday weekend.

1) Start a new book with a goal to finish it. I started Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point. Did not finish it, but made good headway.

2) Catch up on phone calls. I am terrible with calling people back/answering my phone in the first place. Being sequestered forces me to reach out using modern technology!

3) Take leisurely walks. For us, the issue that caused us to stay home was not pain but possible disease-spreading. We got out a bit to walk about the neighborhood and explore. We've only lived in this apartment for a few months so it was nice to just wander and get out of the house for a while.

4) Watch a documentary. Educational, interested and often-times great for loads of inspired conversation. My brother recommends The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. Wowser is it entertaining/sad/funny/shocking/stirring.

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5) Craft. I know. Normally I hate crafting, but when between a rock and a hard-candy/sewing-machine/scrap-booking place, I choose the Popsicle sticks. I got a lot of wedding photos printed and grouped to send to family this weekend. We also finally put together a little "thank you" for our neighbors for being so great through our recent illness ordeal.

6) Do a puzzle. We didn't do a puzzle, but I like them and would have done one if I were home one. more. day.

7) Window shop. I spent about 5 hours the other day just window shopping. All I came home with was some soap, a wicker basket (for which I bartered!) and a caffeine buzz. It was cheaper than any other 5 hour shopping trip I've had recently.*

8) Cook from scratch. Weeknight dinners sometimes need to be quick and easy. But, when you're home for hours at a time, why not go the whole 9 yards? My MIL, bless 'er heart, sent me some casserole recipes to make in large quantities and freeze. Great idea for the non-cooks out there, but I love to cook. I love taking the time to cut veggies, butterfly a chicken breast, roast potatoes. If you've got the time, why not!? Trust me, cutting** can be very cathartic!

9) Clean. I know what you're thinking: "She asking me to cook, clean, sew, and get my Laura Ingalls Wilder on. Tell me that's the fever talkin'!" I realize this doesn't sound fun, but don't you have to santize everything anyway? Stick with me, number 10 is fun.

10) Eat a lot and eat things you normal forbid yourself. Have that 4th Oreo or that 2nd mojito. Calories be damned! (because you already burned some by hand-mopping the floor, right? And by walking those 2 miles on Michigan Avenue window shopping, right? Good girl.) Not that eating is an activity, but you can draw it out and make an experience of it. At home cheese tasting? Yes!

* Window shopping can be done online if you are too sick/tired/sick&tired to leave home. Online stores are sooo fun and you don't have to fight the crowds!

** of vegetables, silly!