Today kicks off my 40-day countdown celebration to turning 40 years old. Yes, you read that correctly; I am indeed celebrating this momentous time in my life with something special every day leading up to my birthday. I refuse to spend the last weeks of my 30s mourning my so-called youth, especially when the awe and wonder I feel toward life only grows with each passing day. Sure, it would be … [Read more...]
First, the good news: I was able to successfully get out of bed this morning! You may be wondering why I would bother to make a big deal out of this. Don’t the vast majority of humans roll out of bed every morning without a second thought? Well, on top of the pain and stiffness that often comes with dystonia, lupus and fibromyalgia upon waking, I should probably also tell you that after a marathon … [Read more...]
When it comes to our personal experience of the world around us, perception is everything. How we perceive our environment is largely influenced by the information our brains receive from our senses, which help us to determined how to behave and what to feel in a given situation. Every day, we rely on the five most recognizable senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. However, our brains … [Read more...]
Turmeric has quickly become one of my favorite spices to use in the kitchen, and it’s not just because of its cheerful color (it makes curry and mustard yellow) and earthy flavor that hints of mustard and ginger. It has also been regarded as a versatile, medicinal herb in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. The major ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has been demonstrated to have … [Read more...]
Last month, romantic love was celebrated across the nation and in other parts of the world. Today, Mind-Body Shift takes time to honor the gift of unconditional love, the expression of caring for others without the expectation of reciprocation or reward. MBS especially celebrates the people who selflessly care for others living with debilitating chronic disease, particularly the caregivers of … [Read more...]
A couple of years ago, I was so pumped up when I discovered I was able to do more than 15 pull-ups in a row, reaching all-time highs. After years of battling chronic illness, it had been quite some time since I felt quite that strong and nimble. I felt as if I were channeling the gymnast I had been as a child who broke records in school for the most pull-ups done by a girl (FYI, I could also do … [Read more...]