Category Archives: Health

Food & Drinks, Health, Jibber Jabber, Numbers

Intermittent Fasting

This morning, D and I went to the container park (recycling park) to get rid of the styrofoam that came with the new television. We also got rid of an old water filter, a broken shaver, and a bag of garden trimmings. I almost ‘recycled away’ a new LED tube. Yikes!

We then went to a local butcher to load up on our carnivorous cravings. Meat for the weeks ahead. Right now, eighty percent of this purchase is already in the freezer.

Today’s lunch was a simple home-made pizza, put together using a dough I made and froze a month ago. I do think that the yeast would have woken up more, giving me a more bread-like pizza crust, if I would have left it out longer at room temperature. An experiment worth repeating.

Now that Lent is over, I will no longer be having meatless Wednesdays and Fridays. Instead, I am going to try out a milder and adjusted form of 16:8 intermittent fasting. I do not eat breakfasts anyway. So now, I just have to stop myself from snacking after half past eight in the evening. Good protein intake is essential when practising intermittent fasting at my age, hence the visit to the butcher was sort of a win-win step?

In life’s long journey, tedious or otherwise, one needs to do the occasional and necessary course corrections.

Standard
Health

Vasovagal Syncope

Today, the medical report from the ER doctor became available online. I have had an episode of vasovagal syncope.

Thus, my main objective now is to rest and recover from my bruised scalp and mild dizziness. This is what I have found out as regards to head injuries: Mild head injuries may present with surface wounds, like shallow scalp lacerations and bruises, as well as symptoms like headache, confusion, nausea and vomiting, or dizziness that usually improve within a couple of weeks.

And from a different website, I learned about the common triggers of vasovagal syncope:

  • Sudden, severe pain
  • Having your blood drawn
  • Being exposed to a traumatic sight or event
  • High levels of stress, anxiety, or fear
  • Straining while urinating or having a bowel movement
  • A severe coughing spell
  • Hyperventilation (breathing too fast)
  • Standing still for long periods of time
  • Overexerting yourself in hot weather
  • Excessive alcohol or substance use

For now, the best thing I can do for myself is to take it easy, sleep well, eat healthy, and drink lots of water.

Standard
Health, Jibber Jabber, Numbers

All In Good Time

Yesterday, D and I did our bulk grocery shopping at two locations. Colruyt and Jumbo.

Today, we went to buy a replacement television. Our old TV lasted for thirteen years before the display died on us.

My days this past week have been filled with weird on-and-off dizzy spells and numbing headaches. But I guess that is not unexpected, considering the bad fall I had. The important thing is that I am recovering gradually. I do feel better today compared to yesterday. Fingers crossed!

All in good time…

Standard
Flashbacks, Health

Wined, Dined & Scanned

I have not blogged since last Wednesday. But I am doing so now, five days later…

The above is a photo I snapped of my lovely dinner, when D and I went out eating last Thursday evening. Shortly after I began eating, my world turned alarmingly noisy, suffocatingly warm and darker. I then made the big mistake of standing up and heading to the toilet in search for some calm.

The next thing I know, I was laying flat on the cold tiled floors in the hallway!

I vaguely remember being led out of the restaurant, sitting in an ambulance, and then ending up in the emergency room of AZ Groeninge!

A total of six people took care of me. I was kept for observation for a few hours, my blood drawn, my head scanned, and my vitals checked. In the end, I need not stay overnight at the hospital. *phew*

Right now, I am here, breathing, writing this blogpost, and determine to rest and recover.

Standard
Belgium, Health, Numbers

Dry February

Last day of Tournée Minérale today. Twenty eight days without a drop of alcohol was not difficult at all. For the entire month of February, I probably craved for a glass of cold beer once. It was a fleeting moment, which I managed to wave away instantly.

I shall continue not drinking if there is no need to do so. Good for health, good for my wallet, good for the environment. Same goes for meat… and it is Lent.

It is literally a dry February in terms of the weather as well. We have not seen much rain in this part of the world. Not good.

Standard
Food & Drinks, Health, Simplify

Banana Walnut Muffins

I made banana walnut muffins to get rid of two ripe bananas, and some walnuts I stored away last year. The decision to make the muffins has been an internal struggle and a compromise. Muffins require a simpler cooking process and contain way less calories than the coveted banana cream pie.

Brain has won the argument against stomach and heart, this time.

Standard
Health, Jibber Jabber

Not Yet!

I woke up yesterday morning with tinnitus, black out vision, and serious dizziness. Sweat was dripping from my face and neck. I thought I was having a stroke or dying! Yet, my life did not flash by during this very dramatic moment. All that went through my head was that I still have so many unfinished businesses to take care of, and for goodness sake I cannot leave D and my parents. Not now! Not yet!

I spent most of the day dazed, terrified and traumatized by my ‘near death experience’. In the evening, I beamed myself out of this uncomfortable state, and turned into a calm dinner guest at my friend’s apartment. Mind you, I told my friends that I was not feeling well, and refused to drink any alcohol. So, dinner went by peacefully.

After midnight, D and I thanked the host and hostess and bid our farewells. We then walked to a hotel bar to meet up with a DJ friend who was performing there. We did not spend a lot of time together, but it was enough to catch up a bit with each other, and enjoy the last part of the music.

It has been a freaky Saturday for me. Today, I rest.

Standard
Belgium, Health

Second Booster Shot

Yesterday, D and I went for our COVID-19 booster shots. We never had any reservation as regards to getting ourselves boostered before the autumn. Vaccination does not only protect the vaccinated, but also those they interact with.

As of now, I have had three different kinds of vaccine in me. 😛

Aside for some achy muscles and joints, this is by far the mildest side effects that I have encountered.

Standard
Belgium, Health

Preventive Screenings

On Monday, I had my OB-GYN check-up. On Tuesday, I went for a mammography. I visited the dentist March this year. Post COVID-19 medical screenings are done for now. Thank goodness!

Today, I vacuumed and tidied up the shed. And since the days are going to get cooler, D and I took down the terrace umbrella and stored it away.

Standard