trying to be healthy...

I'm still having issues with my acid reflux. I was hoping that removing the stress of my old job would help it to heal, but about one week a month, almost everything I eat ends up killing my stomach. I don't know if it's my own doing...I start feeling better, so I get a little lax about watching what I eat and drink until I start hurting again, and then I am a good girl who avoids coffee and wine because IT BURNS US!

I've decided to give up caffeine, alcohol and Facebook for Lent. I took a Lent-oriented Facebook hiatus last year, and it was kind of great. I don't know if I'll ever totally get rid of it, but not logging on for a couple of months was nice. When I came back on, I found myself wasting less time on it overall, and I started figuring out what stuff I cared about and what I didn't. I even went through a friend-purge, getting rid of 100 people who I didn't keep in touch with.

In the past, I've given up caffeine because of a need to detox. I was drinking A LOT of coffee post-college, and it got to the point where I would drink coffee all day and it wouldn't keep me awake. My coworkers always hated the first two weeks of my detox (I became a little bitchy, and I had frequent headaches), but I drank a lot more herbal tea and a ton more water. Overall, I ended up feeling better at the end.

I've never given up alcohol, though, for Lent. Maybe it's because I'm pushing 30, but I feel alright with the idea of not having a celebratory glass of wine for my birthday (always in the middle of Lent). Beer and wine certainly aggravate the reflux (especially my true love, Pinot Noir), so if I want to feel better, it would be best if I abstain.

I think Lent is more than 40 days this year...it seems like it keeps getting longer! I know Methodists don't require the sacrifice, but I never usually put myself through a battle of wills. I love love love coffee and I really enjoy beer. I waste time on Facebook. It'll be a good challenge for me, and I think I can do it. I'll probably save money, too.

Lent doesn't start until February 22, but I've already started cutting back on the coffee. Ben still makes it in the morning to take with him to work, but bless him, he doesn't make a little extra for me. I would definitely be too tempted to have a cup in the morning.

To help with the reflux, though, I've been really good with the diet. I still eat pizza, which is my one bad thing I should really not eat (stupid tomato sauce), but I'm being careful about what and how much I'm eating as to not hurt the stomach.

This morning, I made a blueberry smoothie with greek yogurt, soy milk, oatmeal, honey and frozen blueberries. I went a little too heavy on the honey, unfortunately, but it still settled well in my tummy. With that, I had a whole-wheat bagel with crunchy peanut butter and sliced bananas on top. Now, I'm having a cup of chamomile tea. As long as I'm careful with what I eat the rest of the day and drink lots of water, I shouldn't have heart burn (or it should be minimal and fleeting).

I'd like to get to the point where I don't have to take my prescription Prilosec anymore. I once tried to stop it on my own and the next day was incredibly painful. I don't know if I just have permanent damage that might eventually require surgery, but I can do all I can to make sure I'm giving my stomach a chance to heal on its own.