Healthier Lifestyle Choices

Since having a "Lupus Flare" and having to take undesirable medications, I decided I needed to be more proactive with my health versus being reactive.  That required a lot of research.

I started with looking into food items that can cause inflammation in the body so I could immediately avoid them:

• potatoes (not sweet potatoes)
• tomatoes
• eggplant
• sweet and hot peppers (including paprika, cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce)
• ground cherries
• tomatillos and tamarillos
• garden huckleberry and naranjillas
• pepinos and pimentos
• Milk
• Refined Sugars
• Refined grain (Wheat)
• Oils like sunflower, corn, soy, safflower and peanut
• Processed foods which contain trans fat: pizzas, burgers, hotdogs, potato fries, etc.
• Red meat
• Egg yolks
• Sodas
• Artificial food coloring, preservatives, and flavors

My next step was to find foods that actually fight inflammation so I can add them to my regular diet:

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Garlic
• Spinach
• Leeks
• Green beans
• Brussels sprouts
• Bok choy
• Spring onions
• Herbal and green tea
• Anti-inflammatory herbs like ginger, holy basil, turmeric
• Hemp Oil
• Wild fresh salmon
• Soaked walnuts
• Pineapple
• Cherries

Then I realized that my flare was actually caused by my diet. The flare occurred due to the foods I was eating on my Weight Watchers program.  Not that it is a pad program; it is fabulous and helped me lose 34 pounds.  However, I needed to tweak what I was eating while on this amazing program so I could continue weight loss.

My therapist actually suggested I research the www.WheatBellyBlog.com.  Gluten Free was a foreign language to me; and, actually having to rethink cooking, you may as well discuss physics - clueless.  I began researching non-gluten cooking websites and preparing the meals at home.  This is what inspired my website www.ReflectionsWithRhonda.com.  I would prepare meals, have my family critique, and I would write about the cooking experience and post their comments. I would also post my food finds> virtually doing the homework for someone else that may be interested in a gluten free lifestyle. 

During the research of eating healthy, I came across eco-friendly pages.  Now I am looking at having a year-round garden in my home (herbs disguised as plants in planters).  Planning a family day where we can try making our own soaps, shampoos, and lotions from natural ingredients.  Drink tons of whater to flush out the Prenisone water weight and exercise daily (walking and house chores count as exercise).

My experience with Reflections with Rhonda has actually created a writing outlet for me, but quality time with my family as well.  My children have developed an interest in food and eating better, my grandkids enjoy assisting me in the kitchen, and now the whole family can come together and do something creative.

Wondering if posting these experiences on cooking and making our own products would be something the Woodbury Patch audience would enjoy? Of course, I would also post the ingredients, directions and the website where our project originated.