Arthritis Wisdom

Inspired tips and information elevating autoimmune living

Here’s to Keeping It Real

Here's to Keeping It Real - Arthritis Wisdom

I usually choose to walk on the “sunny side of the road”.  You know, look for the good in a situation and work from there.  When I received my definitive RA (rheumatoid arthritis) diagnosis, my reaction was to treat it aggressively and move on.  I established perspective as I remembered all I had to be thankful for.  Lots of people deal with lots of things, this is just my thing to deal with.

I took a sober look at what needed to be done, then did it.  I have a needle phobia, so I faced that fear right out of the gate.  I’m a pharmacist, so I knew about the medications and the potential side effects.  I knew there was no cure.  I was committed to learning all I could about RA, then making the necessary lifestyle changes to best manage this autoimmune disease.  Oh, and it was creepy to think about my body fighting itself.

About three months after my diagnosis, it hit me like a load of bricks that my life had changed forever.  You see, up until then, I was working toward getting back to normal.  My life turned black at that moment.  I literally saw black.  I froze in that thought.  Instinctively, I had to move beyond that black place.  I reasoned I had a choice.  Stay in the black place, or accept reality and move forward to the best of my ability.  I chose the later.

The process is not linear.  It’s a lot of trial and error.  I had to try different medications until we were satisfied with my response to them.  I had to make professional changes.  So many alterations to my day-to-day lifestyle.  Relationships would be counted as my biggest loss.  Many relationships don’t survive living side by side with RA.

The victorious autoimmune lifestyle is a process.  It involves getting to know ourselves and making changes to best manage how the disease expresses itself uniquely in each of us.  I continue to discover what works for me, and what doesn’t.  I also listen, very carefully, to what others have discovered in their own autoimmune journey.  I would absolutely LOVE to hear from you.  What are your thoughts?  Thanks for stopping by, come back soon!  **Cathy**

Photo: Mary Kennedy for Arthritis Wisdom

There’s Nothing Like a Piping Hot Bowl of Homemade Soup!

There's Nothing Like a Piping Hot Bowl of Homemade Soup! - Arthritis Wisdom

This time of the year always brings a case or two of the sniffles to our house!  I’m constantly thinking about my family’s health, so I’ve collected some healthy habits along the way since my RA (rheumatoid arthritis) diagnosis.  One of them is heeding the warning of a sniffle so it doesn’t advance to something like a sinus infection.  Staying hydrated is one way I heed that warning!  The fridge is kept stocked with bottled water and the teapot is ready for a whistle!  I also eat at least one citrus fruit daily.  But, the favorite of all times to keep a sniffle from progressing is homemade soup!   I’ve talked about the health benefits of homemade turkey broth, so I’m going to share my easy-to-put-together turkey soup recipe made with the homemade broth!  Not only does it help hydrate me, the warm liquid feels so good going down to my tummy!  That, in itself, is therapeutic!

**Turkey Vegetable Soup**

Turkey broth (preferably homemade)                       3 quarts

Turkey (roasted)                                                             3 cups

Yellow onion                                                                  1 large-diced

Carrots                                                                           5 medium-diced

Celery                                                                             5 medium-diced

Egg noodles                                                                   3 cups

Freshly ground pepper to taste

Kosher salt to taste

Olive oil                                                                           2 tablespoons

 

Saute the onion and celery in olive oil until translucent.  Add onion, celery, carrots, and noodles to broth already brought to simmer in a dutch oven.  Continue simmering uncovered for about 10 minutes, until noodles are cooked.  Add the roasted turkey, salt and pepper and heat through.  Enjoy!**Cathy**

Yum! The Wonders of Homemade Turkey Broth!

Yum! The Wonders of Homemade Turkey Broth! - Arthritis Wisdom

The Thanksgiving turkey is a gift that keeps on giving!  I’m talking about the bones and carcass.  The day after Thanksgiving, the only meal preparation done in my kitchen is crafting turkey sandwiches and reheating side dishes!  I need the day to rest so my body can refresh from all the activity and fun on Thanksgiving day!  On Saturday I get my stock pot revved up using the carcass and bones from the holiday bird.

The carcass and bones are fundamental ingredients used to create a rich, nutritious, yummy stock or broth.  I’m using the terms stock and broth interchangeably because they are the same to me.  More sophisticated chefs will distinguish between the two, but I’m not there, yet!  There is science to back-up the nutrition claims, but I think homemade bone broth is just magically good!  Even our adult son will ask for it when he has a cold!  My appreciation for the broth continues to grow as I learn more about it.  At this point, I’m satisfied knowing important nutrients are released from the bones, herbs, vegetables, and spices into the liquid I simmer them in!

My broth this year contained the carcass and bones, celery with leaves, carrots, onion, whole peppercorns, and bay leaves.  The vegetables were washed, but not peeled.  They were cut to roughly the size to fit the pot, (I cut the carrots on a diagonal to maximize the surface area exposed, therefore maximizing release of nutrients into the water).  I then added the vegetables to the stockpot containing the bones.  I added enough cold filtered water to cover, brought it to a boil, then skimmed the foam that surfaced.  I then lowered the heat and simmered it for over eight hours.  I strained the contents of the stockpot with a colander, then discarded the solids.  I cooled the broth in the refrigerator, skimmed the surface fat and proceeded to make a turkey vegetable soup, which turned out fantastic!  I’ll share that recipe in my next post, so be sure to return!!!!!

Homemade broth is one of those things I’ve talked about that just make me feel better.  As I’ve shared before, when I find things that make me feel better, I remember them for future reference. It is all a part of the process to live a victorious autoimmune lifestyle!  We are all unique, but there are some commonalities we share.  The trick is to get to know our own body and what does or does not work for us.  After all, we are all in this together!  I’m so happy you stopped by, please come back soon!  **Cathy**