What Ails Me

I’ve suffered from migraines and serious headaches since I was about 15 years old.  They’re pretty horrible — they usually start in my right neck muscles, spasming and freaking out, and that spasm freak out moves up into the right part of my occipital nerve, and then I have a full blown don’t touch me don’t talk to me turn off the lights I’m going to puke bad headache all of the sudden.  Well - it doesn’t really happen that suddenly - I can feel it coming on, and then the dread takes over.  I’ve seen numerous doctors for these headaches, had neurological examinations, gone to chiropractors (both regular and “alternative“).  I’ve taken migraine medications, preventative medications, excedrin, advil, ibuprofen, tylenol, etc. etc. 

And then we went “whole hog” macrobiotic — and I DIDN’T GET HEADACHES!  For the full four or so months that I didn’t eat sugar, didn’t drink coffee, didn’t have dairy, I did NOT have ONE headache.  I believe that is the longest stretch I have gone without one since I was 15 years old.  It. was. amazing. 

But, of course, I gave in eventually to sugar, cheese, baked flour, etc. and they have returned.  I know that headaches suck, that I don’t want to take lots of medications to get rid of them, and that eating macro makes them go away — so WHY do I eat the stuff that makes me feel horrible!?  It is a question for the ages.  The point is — the headaches leave when I eat macrobiotically.  We’ve been doing significantly better, lately, with the macro eating, and I’ve had less of them.  Here’s to keeping it that way during one of the most challenging seasons — the holidays.

In other news — Jessica Porter has a new blog up where she writes in the way that only she can, how to make a Tofu Turkey!  And, for the first time since I stopped eating meat, it actually sounds decent when she describes how to make it!  This isn’t one of those “Tofurkeys” you buy all ready to go at the co-op, as I think those look nasty.  Nope - this one you make yourself, with your tofu, veggies, and stuffing ingredients!  I think we’ll try it, and, obviously, let you know how it goes!  She also notes that there is an article on oprah.com about macrobiotics that really highlights the Hip Chick’s Guide.  Check it out!