I’ve been living with ulcerative colitis for four years at the time I’m writing this. These years have been a roller coaster, packed with joy, pain, hope, fear, happiness, and everything in between. So naturally, I’d like to share the top three life lessons that living with inflammatory bowel disease has taught me. 1. To […]
4 Reasons People with IBD Should Exercise (Plus My 3 All-Time Favorite Workout Videos)
Exercise is, of course, important to every person’s health. And for those with inflammatory bowel disease, working out is even more crucial. This post reviews four reasons why exercise plays a big role in managing our health, and I also share my three favorite at-home workouts you can do today. Why Is Exercise Crucial? For […]
Can’t Eat Dairy? Try This Heavenly Dairy-Free Cheesecake
Are you on a dairy-free diet to help with your IBD? My GI recommended I remove dairy from my diet to prevent intestinal inflammation. At first, I was devastated, but over the years I’ve discovered some delicious non-dairy replacements, one of which allowed me to bake this non-dairy cheesecake! Why I Avoid Dairy with My […]
How an Ulcerative Colitis Flare Actually Improved My Perspective on Life
Living with IBD or chronic illness can oftentimes make us feel trapped—especially when we’re flaring. In 2018, I was hospitalized for the worst ulcerative colitis flare of my life. However, this awful flare actually improved my perspective on life! When I was finally able to leave my house and travel, I found a new appreciation […]
Chronic Illness and Loneliness: A Poem From My Journal
Coping with loneliness is not uncommon for us spoonies in the chronic illness community. Things like declining plans to stay home and rest, being home-bound due to pain or flares, and self-quarantining can sometimes make us feel alone. When I was recovering from my hospitalization in the fall of 2018, I had to drop out […]
Book Haul: How Reading Converted Me Into a Self-Care Enthusiast
It wasn’t until December of 2018 that I fell in love with reading and fully understood the importance of self-care! In this post, I share the three books that taught me to rest—not only as I recovered from my hospitalization, but as a daily habit to integrate into my lifestyle. Let’s jump in! Self-Care and […]