Tag: wellness

  • Living with FND and ACOS: Reflecting on My Health Challenges

    Living with FND and ACOS: Reflecting on My Health Challenges

    Hi everyone,

    I find myself writing this because I am having to take some personal time. Recently, my health has declined. I’ve developed a heart rate of 114 beats per minute at rest. So I’m now undergoing various medical check ups, because I live with several chronic health conditions.

    One of which is ACOS. Asthma COPD overlap syndrome the COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which can lead to heart problems and sleep apnea as complications of the condition. As well as this I’m short sighted. I had a fall due to FND. My glasses got broken, so it’s hard to do anything.

    If you don’t know FND stands for Functional Neurological Disorder it’s basically from what I understand of it. When messages don’t get to the right place. Functional neurological disorder occurs when the brain has trouble receiving information. It struggles to send information to the rest of the body.

    So while I suffer with respiratory illnesses I also suffer three simultaneous conditions of neurological and mental health. But that won’t stop me writing or improving things for myself and family.

    When the covid immunisation was rolled out I decided to ignore my conspiracy theories side and have it. Advised by the medical professionals. Trust me, when it struck, I found a course by professionals in the field. I learned what I can about it. I turned off the scaremongering press and focused on facts as much as I can.

    But after the covid immunisation I became ill. The paramedics suspected stroke so I went into hospital. A week later discharged with a slip of paper which had a website on.

    The stroke doctor I saw said fnd and this is his words. “it’s often helpful to think of your brain as a computer. There’s no damage to the hardware, or structure, of the brain. It’s the software, or program running on the computer, that isn’t working properly.”

    A neurologist provided a diagnosis. My brain was 7-14 inches out of my skull at that time. A condition known as Cerebellar Tonsilar Ectopea (chiari malformation I understand is another name for it). On top of that Diabetic to say I was in shock over the first diagnosis would be an understatement. But the second one of FND truly scrambled my brain. Then diabetes on top.

    I had never heard of two conditions namely fnd or Cerebellar tonsillar Ectopea. In fact, I would never have dreamed that someone’s brain is out of the skull. But there i was with the diagnosis. I’ve always suffered the worst headaches imaginable ones that lay me flat for days. My hands and legs were weak. My eyes stayed closed when I was awake. I had speech problems, but I just got on with life. As I do now there’s nothing that can be done as the medical professionals don’t really understand either condition.

    Simply the funding is not there, and neither is the awareness.

    infact when I came out of hospital I received a covid test and letter. We have just received notification that you have a certain condition. If you develop covid, you can get an experimental IV infusion. My answer to that was a swift no.

    in fact when I asked the stroke doctor “alright so we know what it is what do we do!”

    “avoid stress” was his reply

    Ok I’ll leave this here I want to apologise for the rant. But if you made it this far thank you very much for reading. Infact if you have read my other posts Thank you and thank you for the likes and follows.

    further reading

    Understanding Cerebellar Tonsillar Ectopia Symptoms

  • Budget-Friendly High-Protein Recipe for Diabetics

    Budget-Friendly High-Protein Recipe for Diabetics

    Ancient Fuel for Modern Bodies Written by Emma StormborneLore

    💰 Cost per person: Approx. £1.20
    🥣 Diet: Dairy-free, High-protein, Energy-boosting
    🔥 Era: Late Neolithic to Bronze Age

    Ingredients

    Ingredient Quantity Modern Equivalent / Notes


    Barley (or pearl barley) 100g Soaked or cooked ahead
    Wild garlic or chives Handful Sub: spring onion or spinach
    Smoked dried meat 50–100g Sub: beef jerky, smoked tofu, pancetta
    Roasted root veg 1 cup Turnip, parsnip, carrot cubed and roasted
    Crushed hazelnuts 1 tbsp Sub: any ground nut for protein
    Bone broth or veg broth 300ml Strength-giving base
    Cracked black pepper Pinch Optional
    Dried berries 1 tbsp Rowan, sloe, elderberry; sub: cranberries or raisins

    Method


    Prepare barley by soaking or simmering until soft.

    In a clay or heavy-bottomed pot, warm the bone broth.

    Add barley, roasted roots, and meat. Simmer 10–15 minutes.

    Stir in hazelnuts, wild greens, and a pinch of pepper.

    Toss in berries just before serving.

    Serve in a wide wooden bowl or bark platter for an earthy, authentic presentation.

    Nutritional & Historical Notes


    Barley & roots: Long-lasting energy

    Nuts & meat: Muscle repair and stamina

    Greens & berries: Antioxidant power for healing

    Bone broth: Immune support & collagen

    Before battle, warriors ate meals like this to ground strength to spirit. Each ingredient had symbolic meaning: nuts for clarity, meat for power, berries for connection to ancestors.

    Budget-friendly alternatives:
    Hazelnuts → Sunflower seeds

    Bone broth → Stock cube in water

    Dried meat → Canned meat or lentils

    Wild greens → Frozen spinach

    Root vegetables (turnip, parsnip, carrot). Naturally higher in carbs than leafy greens. But in moderate portions they’re fine; cooking them doesn’t spike sugar as fast as refined carbs.

    Meat & nuts: Provides protein and healthy fats, which help stabilize blood sugar.

    Berries: Small amount (1 tbsp) adds flavor and antioxidants without excessive sugar.

    Bone broth & greens: Low in carbs, nutrient-dense, and diabetic-friendly.

    Tips to make it even more diabetes-conscious:

    Reduce berries to half a tablespoon if needed.

    Use more greens to increase fiber.

    Portion control
    serve with ~1 cup per meal to keep carbs count steady.

    This meal is high in protein and fiber. Which slows glucose absorption, making it a good choice for a diabetic-friendly, energy-boosting dish.

    Diabetic-Friendly Note:


    This ancient high-energy meal is naturally low-GI, high in protein, and rich in fiber. Helping to maintain steady blood sugar levels. By balancing barley, root vegetables, meat, nuts, and greens, it provides sustained energy without sharp glucose spikes. For extra caution, reduce the amount of dried berries or increase greens for more fiber.

    Ingredients to watch and more substitutions

    Dried Berries: The recipe uses a tablespoon of dried berries. The dehydration process concentrates the natural sugars in berries, and even a small amount can contribute a significant amount of carbohydrates.

    Dried fruit can be safe for diabetics in very small portions and when paired with a fat or protein, but it is important to be mindful of serving size.

    Roasted Root Vegetables: While roots like carrots and parsnips are nutrient-dense and rich in fiber.

    They are also higher in carbohydrates and natural sugars than leafy greens. When roasted, these sugars caramelize, intensifying the sweetness.

    Portion control is important with these ingredients.

    Smoked/Processed Meats: Health organizations like Diabetes UK and the NHS caution against excessive consumption of processed meats, which includes smoked meats like pancetta and jerky.

    A high intake of processed and red meat is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart problems. The recipe calls for 50–100g, which can be a substantial amount.

    Therefore choose Leaner Protein: Substitute the smoked meat with lean protein options. The recipe suggests lentils, but chicken or turkey breast are also great choices that will reduce sodium and processed-meat intake.

    Barley Variety: The type of barley used matters. Whole-grain, hulled barley is the healthiest choice, as it retains the fiber-rich bran. Pearled barley is less nutritious because the bran has been removed.

    Suggestions for a more diabetic-conscious version


    While my recipe provides some excellent alternatives, here are further modifications for better blood sugar management

    Reduce Dried Berries: Following the author’s advice, stick to half a tablespoon or even less. You could also use fresh berries, which have a lower concentration of sugar, or omit them entirely.

    Modify Root Vegetables: Consider reducing the portion of roasted root vegetables and serving the meal with more low-carb, fiber-rich vegetables, such as leafy greens or broccoli.

    Control Portion Sizes: As the recipe notes, portion control is key. Adhering to the recommended one-cup serving will help regulate the intake of carbohydrates.

    If you recreate this recipe, tag #StormborneLore so I can see your version.

    Thank you for reading please like subscribe and comment if you enjoyed this post.