My Dimple

Almost 2 weeks ago I came home from riding my bicycle with a little anomaly. As I was getting ready to hit the showers, Nick asked me "What's is wrong with your butt?" I looked in the mirror to discover that on the axis between my hip and sacrum, there is a small crater. It is soft, as if there is no tissue there anymore. (Suggestive of a facial tear?) I have pain on and off in varied combinations. Sometimes my butt cheek burns like fire from the dimple to my isch. Sometimes it just aches all around the spot, accompanied by low back pain limited to the affected side. And then there is the the occasional iliac crest and sacral pain. I definitely feel a workout burn when I walk too much or do the stairs. There is no bite mark, redness, bruising, swelling, or discoloration. I asked 3 doctors, 1 PA, 2 PTs, my chiropractor, and my massage therapist. So far, 2/3 doctors and the PTs weren't sure what caused the dimple. The third doctor (infectious disease) knows it is for sure not an infectious process. The PA and one MD suggested I see a dermatologist.

The massage therapist believes it is a facial tear. She suggested I drink more fluids (apparently 2L is not enough for my 120lb frame), and stop working out until it heals. She has me massaging around the area, which is difficult because of reach and the angle. I am also supposted to stretch (also suggested by the PTs). Yoga was approved, but was painful after my first class.

To help stay hydrated with my required >3L/day of fluid, I have this giant water bottle I have been bringing to work. I received the bottle as a shower gift- quite useful! It holds 1656ml. To keep water interesting, I decided to add cucumber slices and mint leaves. It is surprisingly refreshing. Lemons the following day in my water bottle kept me energized. I Googled for a few more inspiring flavors to try this week:

• Cucumber & mint
• Cucumber & lemongrass
• Lemon verbena
• Lemon verbena & mint
  
• Strawberries & mint
• Orange slices & cucumber
• Lavender & blackberries
• Lime & thyme
• Fennel & raspberries
• Strawberries & orange slices & lime slices
• Blackberries & orange slices & rosemary
• Basil & cherries
• Apple slices & raspberries
• Kiwi & lime
• Pineapple & mint
  

What do the leaves do?

• Mint - aids in digestion, alleviates nausea
  
• Basil - helps with stomach cramps, gas, and vomiting (side note: also helps relieve itching with bug bites. Who knew?)
  
• Lemongrass - In a tea lemongrass can releive congestion, coughing, bladder disorders, headaches, fever, stomach ache, flu, and GI ailments
  
• Lavender - in a tea provides relaxation
  
• Thyme - in a tea helps bronchitis and GI problems
• Fennel - in a tea aids in relieving kidney stones, stop hiccups, prevent nausea, help with digestion, purify the liver, prevent gout, treat jaundice
• All info above from www.gardensablaze.com
  

What I've Been Eating Lately

I finally got my hands on a box of GF Bisquick and made some waffles. These were really the best GF waffles I've had yet, and the cheapest. Now I just have to convince my local Publix to start carry this and the cinnamon Chex cereal and all my breakfast dreams will come true. (Oh, and I hear General Mills is rocking out some GF Hamburger Helper, too.)

I fixed one of Glutino's personal pizzas in a box a few nights ago. When I was a kid my Mom loved fixing frozen pizzas. I used to hate them. They tasted like watery cardboard. This time, I chose the spinach and feta GF version. Wow, was it ever great. It made up for all of the gross frozen pizzas I've eaten in my lifetime.

Pirate Booty. Aged cheddar. Not so fattening. Delicious and crunchy, like popcorn. (Could type better if I wasn't eating some right. now.) Arrrrrrrr!

Water. I have blisters across the top of my back from sun poisoning and I don't know what to do about them. Let me know if you've got any ideas, besides walking around naked inside.

While sitting by the pool (the day I acquired Sun poisoning), us girls sipped margaritas. I promise the tequila did not keep me from putting on sunscreen. I did reapply my spf 30, multiple times. Apparently I am white enough that spf 45 and I will be tighter friends this summer. Anyway, the margaritas were a delightful way to beat the heat. We made them with Stirrings Margarita Mix. I've heard their mojito mix is also quite tasty.

For breakfast at work, I've taken to eating a Chobani yogurt with a lactaid. They are sooooooo good. I throw a little flax seed in for fiber. If you've never tried Greek style yogurt, your life is incomplete. A few of my coworkers have gotten hooked. The texture is just perfect, and they come in fun flavors like pineapple and pomegranate.

Once I've eaten something, I recycle. I revamped my pantry floor with labeled bags, so it takes less time when I go to the recycling place. Usually I have to sort the types of plastics and glasses, but this way it should be much easier.