2017 - Page 6 of 7 - Chronically Hopeful

Housebound Lifestyle

Woman with her hands in her hair, she looks frustrated. Title reads: Our house is infested with teeny, tiny white bugs. TIny mites that look like specks of dust moving around.

What Are These Teeny, Tiny White Bugs All Over My House And How To Get Rid Of These Little Mites?

July 21, 2017
41

I was shocked to discover that my bed, which was in the house when we moved in, had some teeny, tiny white bugs! Not bedbugs thankfully, but tiny dust mites or mould mites. Teeny, tiny white specks of dust that crawl around independently. So annoying because now I cannot stop staring at every speck of dust I notice on any surface: Does it move? Is it alive? It’s quite nerve wrecking! Dust Mites or Mould Mites Those tiny white specks…

Journaling

A journal on the table, featuring a cover page for July with an under the sea theme featuring coral and seaweed. Title reads: New Month, New Schedule, New Goals. Bullet Journal.

Bullet Journal Layout, July 2017: New Month, New Schedule, New Goals!

July 1, 2017

I discovered the bullet journal craze in 2016 while I was looking for a way to track my symptoms, medications, activity levels and appointments. Brain fog makes keeping on top of things quite difficult and I’ve always enjoyed the idea of keeping a journal, in fact I collect notebooks and paper because I always imagine all the use I could get out if them. Bullet journals in particular are very versatile and personalisable which is perfect since we all have…

Journaling

Decorating My Journal Cover

June 30, 2017

I’m starting a new journal tomorrow with the start of the new month. I want to track my health: supplements, diet, symptoms, etc as well as my to do lists and blogging ideas and my schedules or routines, etc. So I spent today decorating my journal cover with a Sharpie. This is an old notebook from Poundland. I love these though, and have a few of them I have used over the years, mostly for note taking during Bible studies…

Histamine Intolerance, Personal Updates

Still Itching: Time To Find The Unknown Allergen

June 25, 2017
6

I’m still struggling with this allergic reaction that started in February. I initially thought it was the Keto rash and tried coming off the ketogenic diet to get rid of it, without success. I then thought histamine intolerance, so I went low histamine, which cut out a huge amount of staples for me, including my main fat sources. So I added dairy back in. This full body itch still persists, I’m not sure what it is and it just won’t…

Faith Notes

Took Me 30 Years To Learn This Truth About The Gospel

June 22, 2017

So many Christians live in fear and doubt these days. I know this well, I was one of them. I loved God and wanted to please Him, but I feared Him too, and His judgement. I feared angering Him and I feared death because I doubted my own salvation. I was relying on my own flawed and weak attempts to be good enough and lived in constant disappointment and frustration at my own shortcomings. I knew I could never live…

Personal Updates

It’s Been One Of Those Days, Again

June 22, 2017

Today is one of those days… I’ve overdone things this week. Went out to GP on Monday and although I was in wheelchair, it knocked me hard. As if that wasn’t enough, I then also went into Sainsbury’s afterwards to get my meds. I should have stayed in the hot car rather than going with into the busy supermarket, but the pharmacy had a delay in preparing my medication, so we thought the cooler shop would be better than the…

My Keto Story, Personal Updates

Title reads Keto for ME/cfs, How the ketogenic diet reduced my symptoms. Photo of asparagus, avocado, chia seeds, eggs and tomato on a while table top.

How The Ketogenic Diet Reduced My ME/CFS Symptoms

June 9, 2017
14

If you’ve been following my journey for a while, you’ll be aware that I use Keto for ME/cfs management. I often get asked what this ketogenic diet has done for me. What benefits have I had? Why should somebody give up those delicious carbs and starchy foods? Are the benefits really worth the sacrifice? Should you try Keto for ME/cfs too? In this post I’ll explain my journey so far. In short, in my opinion, the answer is yes –…

Starting a Ketogenic Diet

An empty plate with knife and fork. Title reads: How to get started on a ketogenic diet. Prepare for your new way of life and calculate your macros.

How To Get Started On A Ketogenic Diet, part 1

May 21, 2017

Transitioning to a ketogenic diet can be quite daunting! Not only are you changing the way you eat, but the nature of this diet requires a long-term commitment. You cannot do it half-way, you cannot mix and match it with something else. Specially not if you’re doing it for healing purposes. You have to be all in for at least a few months. I hope this post will make the whole process easier and help you get started on the…

Awareness Pictures, Life With M.E.

A bed with lots of pillows in front of a blue wall. Title reads: The Effects of M.E. awareness campaign featuring quotes from people with M.E.

M.E. Awareness Campaign: The Effects Of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

April 18, 2017

In 2017 I created the “Effects of ME” campaign for ME Awareness month in May. Quotes were collected from patients about how ME affects their daily life and I then used those quotes anonymously to create impactful graphics which the community could share during the online awareness campaigns. The campaign continues to run to this day, with new quotes trickling in all the time. The graphics have been very well received in the M.E. community and continue to be shared…

My Keto Story

Keto Rash: Relieve The Itch

April 4, 2017
3

This past week has been rather frustrating – I started itching all over my body! I had been itching previously too, but put it down to the fact that I wasn’t showering very frequently due to my CFS, but I have come to the conclusion that I might have that they call Keto Rash. With the paleo-ketogenic diet I have actually improved my condition slightly and have been able to shower every 3-4 days rather than only once a week.…