Well I'll be...

Last week I was traveling for work and was visiting a client in Northern Ontario, roughly 3 hours North of Cochrane.  When I arrived at Timmins airport and stepped outside the plane, I breathed in and my nasal hairs froze instantly.  Oh boy.  From then on I breathed through my scarf.  The outside temperature was -40C every morning, warming up to about -28C in the afternoon.  Add wind chill to that and you're at -50C.  Fun stuff.

That meant that everywhere I went there was heat blasting; in the trucks, in the buildings, in the "dorm" rooms.  Upon arrival, the ambient temperature in my room was 25C.  Holy shit.  That got lowered right away to a more comfortable 23C.

In fear of an asthma attack while up North for the week, I armed myself with a new Bricanyl inhaler, the type that I'd used for many years, but haven't had the need to use for over a year now.  I didn't need it once.  I firmly believe that eating properly has just about eliminated my asthma, though I do still experience minor wheezing at times.  It's not nearly bad enough to treat with the inhaler, anyway.

So, here I was, in awful conditions for skin and lungs.  To battle the incessant blowing/electric heat and hopefully prevent my skin from drying out, I applied some serious lotion (St. Ives Intensive Relief) to my body, morning and night.  I found it really helped and I only scratched the hell out of my skin the first night.

On the Thursday, I took my second dose of silicea as directed. Now that I'm back home in "normal" winter weather (between -3C and -10C), I've eased up on the lotion application so we'll see whether the silicea helps with skin ailments as much as it's rumoured to.  I have my hopes up! :)

I noticed yesterday that for the first time in memory I was not itchy.  Anywhere.  I've always had some spot on my being needing a scratch, like as if I had fucking fleas, but suddenly there was no itch.  Could it be??!  Will see how it goes in the next couple of days since I've virtually stopped applying the lotion.

In other good news, the corn on my left foot is gone!  The last bit of hardened skin came off during my trip and I can finally walk with a normal stride.  I'd forgotten how good that feels - why the hell did I resist this treatment so long?!  Avoiding chemicals, that's why.  At times they do good things, okay? :)

Hubby and I went for a hike through a section of our closest conservation area today, and it was so nice to walk normally, even when there were tree roots and rocks underfoot.  I gave my (left!) ankle a slight twist while jogging down a hill, but other than that it was fantastic.  Yay!!

Oh!  And, as expected, I did wheeze a bit after running up and down a couple hills in the cold air, but it wasn't severe enough to use the inhaler.  I'll always make sure I have it on me just in case anyway.

Next up, homeopathy

One day late last year was my lucky day; a new co-worker was introduced to me on her first day on the job, and she is also a Homeopathic Practitioner.  Yeehawwww!!  I bet I looked like I'd just won the jackpot! :)

Naturally, we started talking about it and covered the basics of how I'd (for the most part - I'm an addict, what can I say?) cut grains and sugar out of my diet and as a result lost some weight that has stayed off as long as I stay away from that crap.  A quick touch on candidiasis and my preference for natural personal care products and we connected.  It's not often you meet someone who understands the need to avoid the chemicals and toxic concoctions in everyday items that are EVERYWHERE.

Of course I wanted to know more and to sign my ass up for treatment.  I have quite a number of issues that I want to do something about, and last night we had my intake appointment.  She had a lot of great, probing questions about my issues, such as when did they first appear, what were the conditions then, where did you feel it at first, what did you do to treat it, then what happened, etc.  Many of my issues have been around for so long it was difficult to think back to when I was a teenager and what I was doing and feeling.  What the scenario was, even.  Holy moly.

Helen is such a kind and gentle, happy soul, though; very easy to talk to, and we had a great time.  I even showed her my ugly big toe nail.  I look forward to hearing her recommendations for treatment and seeing what is in store for me and my being this year.

Now to change the too-bright light bulbs in the dining room fixture, as they made me frown the entire time.

2013 - a year of change.

Today's post is brought to you by the number...

144.3!  Back down again from last week's reading, which I'm obviously happy about.  I've been a good girl this weekend.  I've also been using the pull-up bar to stretch against and attempt more chins/pulls a few times each day.

I'm not anxious to go back to work tomorrow (somebody please, make the stupid go away!), but I am VERY anxious to get back to my wonderful new height-adjustable desk!!  I can't wait!!

A revelation, indeed!

Last night we went grocery shopping for a few items and I practically forced myself to pick out something from the bakery section that would be that first official "oh-so-worth-it" indulgence after competing the YB program.  We brought home a Laura Secord chocolate mousse cake.  (I picked something small so that it wouldn't linger within my sight and reach for too long.)

Last night my taste buds wanted to taste it but my brain told them it was too late at night, the fast has begun, and to just shut up because they weren't getting any until tomorrow.  It actually worked!

This morning I walked (note: didn't RUN) to the fridge to have a small piece with my morning coffee.  I enjoyed eating it and did not feel the urge to have a second piece.  Holy.  Shit.

This evening, again, my taste buds are asking for something for a snack (reminding me about the cake in the fridge) but my brain has already told them to can it for the night.  Wow.  I'd say this experiment was an astounding success.  :)

Our dinner tonight was something I had intended to make for breakfast (since I worked from home today); bacon, onions, garlic and shredded sweet potato in a pan.  It was actually good!  Next time I'll cook the bacon til it's crispier, the onions until they're a little more caramelized, and the sweet potato separately so that it's more like hash browns.  Anyway, will eat again.

Winning!

GROK, I love buying new, sale-priced, smaller pants.  Looooove it!!!!