So if you know me personally, you know that I'm a bit of a cynic when it comes to food.
I'm the girl in line scoffing at your order at Starbucks if you ask for a grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte with skim milk and hold the whipped cream.
"Oh live a little," I'll moan internally.
And I've always been this way. I remember long rides (all of 10 minutes) to elementary school in the car with my mom and she'd lament about my eating preferences. "It's important to eat fruit in the morning, Tammy. You need to eat healthy." "Blech. I hate that word. Healthy."
In retrospect I realize what a pompous idiot I've been. I've taken great skin (I am Black after all) and youth that is now winding down for granted. I am at a crossroads of sustenance. My soul just wants a bag of chips but my conscience, y'all...and it's not just that.
Sometime between 2009 and now (and the two kids that have happened in between) things have taken a turn for the worse. Whereas I used to just have to worry about an extra 5-10 pounds if my snacking got out of control, I am now battling childhood illnesses (well, just one actually) that I thought was gone for good but is actually back in my a** like a horrible case of herpes. Eczema.
Our eldest son inherited his food allergies and intolerances directly from me, and though I had fooled myself into thinking that I was CURED of any real milk problems, the 80 year-old appearance of my hands tells a different story. I'm talking cracked and dry digits. Chronically. And throwin' some Aveeno on the situation isn't cuttin' it.
So we did the only thing there is to do when things get out of hand--yesterday we called Dr. Lee, our Chinese doctor and all around bad-ass. He comes to our home and we owe the health of our eldest son to him alone. When Noah was around a year and a half, his eczema was so out of control that it covered roughly 70% of his body. Whereas all of the regular doctors and specialists told us that there was nothing we could do besides waiting it out or layering on cortisone, Dr. Lee in all of his calm wisdom taught us about the Chi, the benefits of eating warm food, and the importance of the body being in balance. He cured Noah when no one else could with months and months of bitter teas and countless visits to our home. He is now our family doctor...we even call him for the common cold.
"What's in that stuff?" I'm often asked when I tell people Noah drinks Chinese teas to get over the flu or bronchitis or eczema.
My response is always the same, "I have no idea. Could be anything. I know it works."
I don't know 'cause I don't speak Chinese, and Dr. Lee's prescriptions look like this--
So as I stare my 32nd birthday in the face I'm faced with the fact that I ain't 23 anymore, and it's time for me to start making the healthiest choices possible. I have to give my own health the same care and attention that we give to our kids. To invoke the most hated word from my childhood, it's time to get healthy.
And if you know my husband Flaviano, you know that he's already on it. Instead of the seasonal favorites we'd normally be munching on daily, like pasta and fagioli and breaded pork chops with mashed potatoes sprinkled with just the right amount of salt and a drizzle of olive oil but whatever I don't want that anyway because I'm eating healthy now, right? Right? Instead of that, we're eating this kinda stuff for the time being...
I'm on Chinese herbs and Chinese food. Dr. Lee said the eczema should subside within 10 days. Hoping the healthy kick lasts longer than that.
If you want Dr. Lee's number feel free to contact us...you might as well find out about our cool English courses while you're at it.
I'm the girl in line scoffing at your order at Starbucks if you ask for a grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte with skim milk and hold the whipped cream.
"Oh live a little," I'll moan internally.
And I've always been this way. I remember long rides (all of 10 minutes) to elementary school in the car with my mom and she'd lament about my eating preferences. "It's important to eat fruit in the morning, Tammy. You need to eat healthy." "Blech. I hate that word. Healthy."
In retrospect I realize what a pompous idiot I've been. I've taken great skin (I am Black after all) and youth that is now winding down for granted. I am at a crossroads of sustenance. My soul just wants a bag of chips but my conscience, y'all...and it's not just that.
Sometime between 2009 and now (and the two kids that have happened in between) things have taken a turn for the worse. Whereas I used to just have to worry about an extra 5-10 pounds if my snacking got out of control, I am now battling childhood illnesses (well, just one actually) that I thought was gone for good but is actually back in my a** like a horrible case of herpes. Eczema.
Our eldest son inherited his food allergies and intolerances directly from me, and though I had fooled myself into thinking that I was CURED of any real milk problems, the 80 year-old appearance of my hands tells a different story. I'm talking cracked and dry digits. Chronically. And throwin' some Aveeno on the situation isn't cuttin' it.
So we did the only thing there is to do when things get out of hand--yesterday we called Dr. Lee, our Chinese doctor and all around bad-ass. He comes to our home and we owe the health of our eldest son to him alone. When Noah was around a year and a half, his eczema was so out of control that it covered roughly 70% of his body. Whereas all of the regular doctors and specialists told us that there was nothing we could do besides waiting it out or layering on cortisone, Dr. Lee in all of his calm wisdom taught us about the Chi, the benefits of eating warm food, and the importance of the body being in balance. He cured Noah when no one else could with months and months of bitter teas and countless visits to our home. He is now our family doctor...we even call him for the common cold.
"What's in that stuff?" I'm often asked when I tell people Noah drinks Chinese teas to get over the flu or bronchitis or eczema.
My response is always the same, "I have no idea. Could be anything. I know it works."
I don't know 'cause I don't speak Chinese, and Dr. Lee's prescriptions look like this--
 |
| We fill the prescriptions at the Chinese Herbal Pharmacy in Vittorio Emanuele |
And if you know my husband Flaviano, you know that he's already on it. Instead of the seasonal favorites we'd normally be munching on daily, like pasta and fagioli and breaded pork chops with mashed potatoes sprinkled with just the right amount of salt and a drizzle of olive oil but whatever I don't want that anyway because I'm eating healthy now, right? Right? Instead of that, we're eating this kinda stuff for the time being...
 |
| This was NOT what I was expecting today when he said he was making Chicken Noodle Soup |
If you want Dr. Lee's number feel free to contact us...you might as well find out about our cool English courses while you're at it.
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