Category Archives: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jan 10 2013
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Food/Drink Fun, Friends and Family, Fun for Couples, Nightlife, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 108: A Little Socializing

Like the old married couple that we are, the hubs and I rarely go out on a weeknight. If we do, it’s for dinner, never for an after 8pm hang out. But tonight when we got a text at 8:30pm requesting our presence at a near by watering hole, we both responded with gusto! We left our house in the pouring rain and walked a block to the bar for about an hour of relaxed conversation before heading home again.

It was delightful to go out and socialize for just a little bit. And it’s something we never would have even considered doing back when I was not well. It’s small things like this that remind me to appreciate and take advantage of my health now and every day.

Jan 08 2013
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Fitness, Food/Drink Fun, Fun for Couples, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 106: Smoothies and Resolutions

On New Years Eve the hubs and I made some resolutions, one of which involved smoothies. Since then, we bought a Vitamix and lots of spinach, fruit and yogurt.

This morning, the hubs made two smoothies. One he took to work, the other he left in the fridge for me. While quite good, we decided the recipe might need a little more fruit. I’ve heard the key to an effective smoothie–and by effective I mean one with a lot of vitamins and enough protein to be satisfying–is to have more vegetable than fruit, but enough fruit to make it taste good. We are still finding that balance, so we will see how they taste tomorrow.

Our plan is to make smoothies every night, one for each of us for the next day. At least during the work week and we will see how we feel about it on the weekend. Here’s our current recipe:

4c spinach
1.5c milk
.5c yogurt (we use Chobani Greek for the protein content)
1c berries (we use blue and raspberries)
1 banana
1 orange
A little bit of honey and maybe some nuts.

Blend the spinach and milk first to smooth out the leaves. (After this, the smoothie is Ninja Turtle green) Then add everything else. This is when the smoothie turns brown, so we bought some cute and colorful cups to keep it in.

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Jan 02 2013
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Chicago Specific Fun, Fitness, Friends and Family, Fun for Couples, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 100: 2013 Arthritis Walk on May 17

Last September, I started writing this blog and since then, I’ve received so much love and support, more than I could have ever anticipated. Back in September, I desperately needed that love and support all for myself. Now I feel strong and healthy and would like to pay it forward by uniting my family, friends and readers to walk in and donate to the 2013 Arthritis Walk in Chicago. For general information about the event, click here.

“As the Arthritis Foundation’s signature event, The Arthritis Walk® raises funds and awareness every year to fight the nation’s leading cause of disability. We aren’t just fighting arthritis and helping the millions of people who live with arthritis pain. We’re making the impact of arthritis unacceptable and taking a stand, moving together to help prevent and treat this serious and painful disease through research, education and community programs.

Participants walk for friends or family members with arthritis, and those with arthritis wear blue hats to signify their action to take control of their condition. The event features a three-mile and one-mile course, with arthritis information and activities for the entire family. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs at participating events.”

I started a team under the name Year of Fun. I’m looking for people to join my team, which means you will walk with me on May 17 and help me meet my team fundraising goal of $3,000. To join my team, click here. If you would like to donate to me and the Year of Fun team, click here. From here, you can choose to donate to me individually to help with my pledged amount for the Year of Fun team or to donate to the team as a whole.

By joining the 2013 Arthritis Walk®, you become part of Let’s Move Together, a nationwide community that encourages people to prevent or treat arthritis through movement. Start moving today for better health!

Dec 30 2012
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Around the House/DIY, Fun for Couples, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 97: Rearranging Things

As I mentioned earlier, today did not begin well. The hubs and I were meant to go to Washington, DC to ring in the New Year with friends. When I woke up this morning, I was so nauseous, sore and tired that I could not move without feeling like I was going to be ill. I was barely able to get out of bed let alone go to the airport and get on a plane. So the hubs made all the calls to get us out of our trip.

I wrote a couple of days ago that I’ve been going too much, and I think this was still the issue today. With a disease like RA, fatigue can be just as much of an obstacle as joint pain or the threat of infection. I’m finally at a place where medication really seems to be working and I do my best to protect against infections. Unfortunately, fatigue is getting the best of me now. However, because we are no longer traveling and also not working, the hubs and I can now spend these next couple days relaxing.

After sleeping for the first half of the day, I made my way to the couch in time for the very end of the Bears game. Even though the rest of the afternoon was spent on the couch, I knew I had to do something fun to save the day. The hubs and I had been talking for sometime about rearranging our living room after we acquired a few much needed furniture pieces.

So, with minimal effort on my part, Christmas decor came down, an old rug was removed and all the furniture except our large couch found a new home. Much to our delight, our small living room now feels brand new and much bigger!

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Dec 28 2012
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Rheumatoid Arthritis, Solitary Fun

Day 95: The Magic of Hot Water

Sick plus sore is an unfortunate and all-too-common part of my life. I’ve been going, going, going for the last two weeks and when that happens, even though my time with family was relaxing, I get sick. Today the best thing I did for my health was take a long hot shower.

Some days I dread “getting ready” in the morning. On a busy day, it just takes too long. But today, showering was the most active thing I did and it was just what I needed to soothe aches and clear sinuses (aside from all the rest of course). Without getting too steamy (ha ha) I took a moment to appreciate the benefits of my hot water machine.

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