Why All The Anger?

                                               Photo courtesy of breathezy.com


Anyone who knows me, knows I am not an angry person. Sarcastic, jaded, optimistic, goofy, big-hearted, flighty, scattered? Sure! But Angry? Nope, not me.

So why over the past 3 days, have I felt this deep anger? I do not get it. I can speculate, but I just do not know. Is it coincidence that this feeling has escalated since my diagnosis of persistent chronic migraine? Maybe.

All I know is, I do not like this. I think I need a time out, seriously. Just some time for exploring the feelings and trying to see the root. If I cannot find that, I need to at least find my way out of this.

New Diagnosis For Unending Headaches

Yesterday, I went to my neurologist and got very surprising news. Luckily, my EEG and MRI results were normal. At first, I felt devastated by this, but you would need to understand my story to know why that was my reaction.

You see, for 16 years, I have been suffering from debilitating headaches. No one could figure them out. I have had CT Scans, MRI's, and tried more medications than I could list off the top of my head here. We tried the usual Migraine meds, the anti-seizure meds, muscle relaxants, and dietary changes (no gluten). I have been on Fiorecet for 14 years and have build quite the dependency on them. I have also, just learned the difference between dependency and addiction. In my case, thankfully, it was tolerance and dependency!

I would have a headache all day, every day. And in addition, would suffer the debilitating type at least half the month- every single month! For 16 YEARS!

Finally, I realized I could not live this way any longer and decided to see a neurologist. He, of course, ran all the tests. He also did a very thorough symptom check, med check, and medical history. He went through the timeline of my attacks and gave me a diagnosis of persistent, chronic migraine. Essentially, I have been riding the same migraine for all this time.

How on Earth did my doc miss this? Well, apparently it is very easy to miss as it is rare. About 2% of the population actually suffers from this type of migraine. Go figure!

So, the ruling is Botox treatment. I am hoping my medical will cover it. It is quite pricey! And, frankly, we can not afford it if the medical will not cover it.  It is also scary as all heck! 31 injections all around the head, face, and neck every 3 months! However, I know I must at least try.

Has anyone had any experience with Botox treatment associated with chronic migraine?

My Favorite Muffin Recipe

Don't those look yummy!

I wish I could tell you that both Jaycen and I wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed in the mornings, but that would be a lie. Neither one of us are morning people (total understatment!). And neither one of us is much for breakfast either.

I like for him to eat breakfast in the mornings, a rarity.

The problem is, unless it's something totally simple like his favorite a Pop Tart he will not eat it. Many a morning I wasted my time heating up pancakes.... Well, I learned my lesson. And on a Sunday night, it's easy enough to make a large batch of these muffins and freeze most of them. You can tailor them to your liking, add whatever you like. I did chocolate chip (I know not the healthiest) but it'll get him back in the habit of eating breakfast a little easier.

Here is a base recipe (found in The Tightwad Gazette)

- 2 Cups Flour
- 2 Cups Milk
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 Cup Oil
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1 Tbs Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp salt

That's it! Just mix it all together and bake for 20 minutes at 425. 

Ideas for add in's include:

• Raisins
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Cinammon and Walnuts
• Cranberries (or Craisins)

You can totally customize these! That is the beauty of this recipe. And there is no High Fructose Corn Syrup or artificial ingredients.

I Just Bought An Aquazinger From Zing Anything!

I am a Pinterest addict! And for months I have been seeing all kinds of pins featuring fruit infused water recipes.  Intrigued, yes? But have I MADE any? Nope not one single recipe!

Now I know the benefits and all that jazz. And I agree. It is a great way to encourage yourself to drink more water while adding some additional benefit of the fruit. All I could imagine is how, well, watered-down it would taste. I just do not do too well with that "essence" of a fruit thing.

The other day, I bit the bullet and bought an Aquazinger. I have been using it for a couple days, and yes my water intake is sooooo much better. My problem? The watered down taste, just as I suspected. 

For now, I am adding a little sugar and loving it. My goal is to be sugar free by the time Summer comes.

So far I have only used clementines and I do have a grapefruit to use.  What fruit combos are your favorites? And how do you adjust to the hint of flavor?

What I Am Loving Right Now

Wow, it has been forever and a few days since I posted! Well, hopefully, I will be more ahem regular in this in the future.

So, what has been occupying my time? What are some of the things that are making me happy lately?

Obviously, family takes a huge first place! It isn't always easy connecting with some face time when hubby and I wok different shifts and the kid is involved with all things school, friends, and computer- but we all make an effort.

Here are some things (in no order) that are on my love radar right now:

- Crocheting- I am relearning this craft and getting a bit obsessed with it. And I absolutely have the yarn to prove it :)

- Gardening- I am spending tons of time learning how to have a much better garden this year. We had some successes such as the cucumbers, radishes, and  tomatoes.  But also some huge failures like broccoli, spinach, green peppers.  Not to mentions the string beans that fried when we went on vacation during the hottest week of the year.

- Canning- Hopefully I can swing a pressure canner this year.  I am learning a bunch more on the intricacies of canning and would love to broaden my horizons!

-Pinterest- How on Earth did I ever come up with so many ideas before this!

So, what are some of your recent passions?  I only say recent, because I know with myself they can change on a whim :)