SHOW-grins: Living With Sjögren’s Syndrome

At the Beverly Hills location of the Organic Pharmacy, I found this line of organic nail polishes called Organic Glam. I picked up the gold and purple polishes. They’re absolutely fabulous! And a guilt-free way to keep your nails looking fresh.

For More Info: Organic Glam

To Purchase: The Organic Pharmacy

No matter what your situation in life, negativity is unhealthy and will cripple your spirit. That being said, when you’re sick and fighting a chronic illness, negativity can have serious repercussions. It can cause you to feel down and lead to depression, which has a lot of physical side effects. In addition to that, when you are feeling depressed you are less likely to be open to new possibilities.

In order to get rid of stress and negativity, you need to trim the fat. But, what does that entail exactly? Well, first of all, it means shifting your focus to the positive. The more you focus on positivity, the less you focus on negativity. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, it’s not. When you’re constantly fighting something, it can be difficult to focus on the positive.  Here are some ways to stay positive (and healthy!):

• Get Rid Of Negative People. This can seem harsh at first, but it will be worth it. Once you have freed yourself of the people who make you feel poorly, you will notice that you are being dragged down less. The people whom you surround yourself with shape your mood. The key is to surround yourself with positive people in order to keep your own spirits up.
• Spend 5 Minutes Of Each Day Thinking Of Something Positive In Your Life: At times, this can be tricky. We all have those days (or weeks) where things seem to be falling apart. Regardless of how bad things may feel, it is so important to take time to focus on at least one thing in your life that makes you happy.
• Spend Time In Nature: The great outdoors can be very theraputic and allow for you to clear your head. Try to put aside from time to go for a walk in the park or even just taking your dog for a walk around the block. It can make a big impact on your overall state of mind. It does wonders for me.
• Get Creative: This can come in any shape or form. Whether it be drawing, painting, writing, knitting, collaging, cooking or whatever else you enjoy doing, be sure to put some time aside for yourself. Creating things can be very therapeutic and also keep your spirits up.

We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we deal with it. So, I say we all stand up and take control. What have we got to lose?

Soyatoo! Rice Whip

It can be very difficult to find vegan options for dairy products that do not have soy in them. Snaps to Soyatoo! for creating this delicious rice-based vegan whipped cream. Our soy-free vegan desserts are saved!

File Under: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Dairy Free, Soy Free

More Info: Soyatoo!

To Purchase: Whole Foods, Amazon

This past month has been super hectic for me. Between turning 25, taking a hiatus from work, doctor appointments, food poisoning, and traveling across the country… I’ve been keeping busy. That being said, I’m a little late at acknowledging that it is National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month! The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) crafted a campaign that urges people to know their “AQ” (Autoimmune Quotient). The hope is to generate national awareness for autoimmune diseases and their risk factors for early disease detection.

On their website, AARDA outlines some key advice on outline your AQ:

1. Understand that autoimmune diseases constitute a major U.S. health crisis.
2. Get educated.
3. Be aware that autoimmune diseases target women.
4. Know that autoimmune diseases run in families.
5. Do your own family medical history.
6. Keep a “symptoms” list.

7. 7. Realize that getting an autoimmune disease diagnosis is often challenging.

8. Hold the power to protect your family’s future health and well-being in your hands.

For more info on AARDA or National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month, please visit AARDA’s website or watch/share the YouTube below.

Previously, I posted about some of the implications of the phrase, “But You Don’t Look Sick.” This phrase is often said by someone who does not fully understand the condition of a chronically ill person. Even if someone generally understands that someone is chronically ill, they may start making suggestions to you about your health. Here are some that I have heard:

• Have you gotten a second opinion?
• Have you tried detoxing?
• Have you thought about seeing a specialist?

And my recent favorite:

• Have you tried exercising?

The chronically ill could endlessly discuss the frustration of the questions above when they are delivered with a tone. (And when you’re chronically sick, you know the exact tone I mean).

In the past couple of months I’ve encountered this comment multiple times. In the beginning of dissecting my illness, I was casually dating someone. On multiple occasions he told me that exercising helped him when he felt spurts of depression. The first time, I appreciated that he opened up to me and offered an earnest suggestion. The third, forth, and six time… Well, not so much. It started to feel as though he thought I was lazy or unmotivated. When you’re dealing with chronic fatigue, you just don’t have the strength to do anything. That includes the basic of actives like waking up and preparing meals- and of course, exercising and socializing.

After having a better picture of my heath and taking a hiatus from working, I found the energy to be more physically active. In between my doctors appointments, I started going on hikes with my friend’s dog. Considering that I had be barely able to function, let alone exercise, I felt very proud and accomplished that I was now able to have some sort of physical activity. It was around this time when one of my friends told me multiple times (in the same conversation) that I should consider exercising. This comment frustrated me. A lot. So, I tried to clarify to my friend that I had been going for hikes. That did not seem to change their opinion as they mentioned yet again that I should consider exercising to cure my illness. It was at this moment that things could have went one of two ways: I could get upset at my friend or I could just change the conversation. Sometimes, it is just best to move on and not dwell on someone else’s ignorance. So, that’s just what I did.

In addition to our blood stream, the body has another method of circulation known as the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system silently manages the circulation of the body by removing toxins from our bodies and protecting us against infections. When the lymphatic system is running smoothly, the waste in the body is removed and the body is equipped to fight infections. In turn, if the lymphatic system is not working properly, the circulation of the lymph nodes gets backed up causing congestion amongst the waste in the body. This back up can cause chronic infections, fatigue, and even depression.

Some healing centers offer lymphatic drainage massage. This “massage” is not the typical massage. The intention of it is to drain the lymph nodes and jump start the lymphatic system. Recently, I have had two lymphatic drainage massages. After having one of these, you are suppose to drink a lot of water to help flush out the toxins in your body. Depending on how slow your lymphatic system is working, you may need more than one lymphatic drainage session to help reboot your lymphatic system.

For more information on the lymphatic system or lympathic drainage, please watch the video below or on YouTube.

KIND Bars

Both gluten-free and vegan, KIND Bars are the perfect to-go snack. These bars have been a serious life saver when I’ve been rushing between doctors appointments. I try to keep one in my car or in my purse at all times, so I never have to worry about getting hungry or fatigued when I’m on the go.

Flavors: Almond & Apricot, Apple Cinnamon & Pecan, Almond & Coconut, Walnut & Date, Macadamia & Apricot, etc.

File Under: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Peanut Free (Depending on flavor)

More Info: Kind Snacks

To Purchase: Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Amazon, Kind Snacks, etc.

Earth Balance Soy Free Natural Buttery Spread

Do you know how hard it is to find a Gluten-Free Vegan Soy Free butter spread? Nearly impossible! The people at Earth Balance are geniuses for crafting this buttery spread and making life a little easier in the kitchen.

File Under: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Peanut Free

More Info: Earth Balance

To Purchase: Whole Foods

Through the daily and long-term stress of a chronic illness, it is important to surround yourself with positive things and give yourself a break sometimes. Like I’ve previously posted, sometimes my escape involves a little Life Window Shopping, seeing movies, or in this case, listening to music. Since I was a little kid music was my secret little happy place.

Here are some albums I’ve been listening to lately:

• Bear Hands - Burning Bush Supper Club
• The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
• Cults - Cults
• Howlers - America Give Up
• Little Dragon - Ritual Union
• Porcelain Raft - Strange Weekend
• The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?

And Santigold’s new single, “Big Mouth.”

What tunes have you guys been listening to lately?

So Delicious Hazelnut Coconut Milk Creamer

These coconut milk creamers are a life saver. They make it possible to still enjoy coffee while not breaking any of my dietary restrictions. And they come in Original, Hazelnut, and French Vanilla flavors.

File Under: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Dairy Free, Soy Free

More Info: So Delicious 

To Purchase: Whole Foods