A healthy (ish) take on Christmas

Some of you may or may not know that since August this year I cut out refined sugar and really took control of my diet. I have always been relatively healthy but when I got better in August, I really felt the need to do everything I could to keep it that way. My skin has generally been wonderful since then and I have felt so great that I decided to continue eating well and now I actually (on the whole) crave only good food. Seeing as it was Christmas yesterday, I didn't want to deprive myself but at the same time, I didn't really want to eat badly just for the sake of it so decided I was going to stick to eating well but treat myself at the same time. I brought home a bag of goodies for me and my mum to enjoy over the festive period (luckily my mum is also very interested in healthy eating and was extremely keen on the idea of a healthier Christmas). I had never tried any of the 'healthy' chocolate before so was very curious about it as I had seen great reviews from so many people on Instagram and online.

The food I had this Christmas turned out to be, by far, my favourite - and I am not just saying that, I mean it - and so I thought I would share some of the food that I particularly loved.

*All photos have come from my Instagram account (here).*

HOMEMADE SWEET POTATO FRIES WITH TZATZIKI

These were an experiment that turned out VERY well. My mum just thinly cut one medium-sized sweet potato, parboiled the chips before tossing them in olive oil and roasting for about 20 minutes. We added some tzatziki to dip them in which made a perfect Christmas Eve afternoon snack.

PAUL olive loaf

I do not think bread is the enemy. I believe in real food and include bread on that list. I try to keep my intake of gluten/wheat down but I definitely don't exclude it. We used this for sandwiches over a couple of days and it was just divine. It's been a firm favourite for years and it didn't let us down this Christmas either. 

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

All I can say is WOOF. Christmas lunch this year was just perfect. For drinks we had chilled San Pellegrino sparkling water. We had roast poussin, roast potatoes and onions with sprouts and carrots for lunch then Ombar chocolate buttons, clementines and brie with Peter's Yard sourdough crisp bread crackers for dessert. I have never in my life felt so satisfied after a Christmas lunch and knowing it was better for me was a fabulous bonus.

CHOCOLATE

I thought I would also talk about the 'healthy' chocolate I had too. I was pleasantly surprised by all of it and would buy any of it again but my favourite was DEFINITELY the Lovechock Almond/Fig bar. 

I really am so impressed with the healthier chocolate alternatives - it tastes the same (dare I say, better?) and doesn't leave you feeling sluggish afterwards. The one downside is the price - the Ombar milk buttons are £1.59 for a tiny packet and the Lovechock bars are £2.59. It's probably a good thing they are that expensive as it will stop me from buying them ALL DAY EVERY DAY.


I've found that the only reason I have felt like slipping from my diet recently is because of convenience over personal desire. It's just so much easier to buy stuff outside that isn't good for you and there aren't many options for people who want something healthy on the go. There is definitely a more positive change towards healthier eating generally but there is still room for improvement in options available and price.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your Christmases and whatever you do eat, don't feel guilty about it and just enjoy it!
Big hugs
Cara xxx

Just a little...

... post to wish all my fellow TSW warriors a very Merry Christmas and a 2016 full of healing!!

This time last year, my skin was terrible - I was housebound and my mum had to do pretty much everything for me as my hands were so bad. Today, my life couldn't be more different. I don't think it has really hit me yet just how much my life has changed but I am trying to appreciate every single day of good skin and just live.

The last 30+ months have been extraordinary in every sense of the word. I feel like a broken record when I say this but going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal was the best thing I have ever done.

Last Christmas, my skin may have been terrible, but it didn't stop me from having a wonderful Christmas so to anyone suffering out there, don't let it stop you either from making the most of the holidays.

Now here is my Christmas present to you: a reminder that you WILL get better. It may not be in 2016 but it will happen one day and when that time comes, you will look back on the experience and feel so immensely glad you decided to make the scary and momentous decision to quit using all topical steroids.

Time passes. Time heals. Time flies.

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Lots of love
Cara xxx

My Topical Steroid Withdrawal update – Month 30

Here are some photos from the last month of my withdrawal. The video where I talk about how it has been can be found here. I don't think photos ever properly capture what is really happening but you can still see the changes my hands have been through in the last month!

Sending you all big hugs.
Cara xxx

Don't. Give. Up.

This time last year I was practically housebound, I hadn't seen any of my friends since July 2013 and didn't have a clue what the future would hold. If I could tell the me of a year ago that by this time next year she'd be moving back to London, have seen her friends lots and have better skin than she'd ever had in her life, she would never have believed it ... but guess what? It all came true! When you are suffering, you can't imagine ever getting better and experiencing life again - but you do. Please don't give up. This is coming from someone who spent 26/27 months suffering from this debilitating condition.

I remember when I was in the hard stages of withdrawal, I was desperate to see people who had recovered telling me that it does get better. Well, I have recovered and I am telling YOU that it DOES get better. It may take longer than it took me - it may take you less, but something we all share is the fact that we ALL get there in the end. I am not telling you for a fact that I won't flare again (hello approaching winter), I'm just saying that it's all part of the process and I am going to live life to the fullest while I can. I am stronger for having gone through TSW and I have changed as a person for the better too. Thank you ITSAN and those wonderful few blogs I read that changed my life. I could not be more grateful.

Right, that's enough from me as I'M OFF TO LONDON IN A COUPLE OF HOURS!

I'll be back with another blog post soon ... FROM LONDON!!!
Cara xxx

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Puffy & swollen skin

Here is the final post in my mini series highlighting the many symptoms of withdrawal. Today I thought I'd focus on the puffy and swollen skin/oedema. My eyes really took a bashing and I thought with such severe swelling on my eyelids, they would never recover - but they did, and it's like nothing ever happened. The skin is capable of such miraculous things.

I hope you have found this series useful. I am glad to have a home for the plethora of photos I have taken over my withdrawal and it's fantastic for me to look back on this and see just how far I have come.

To anyone reading this post, remember you WILL get better.

Big hugs
Cara xxx


*No filters on any of my photos.

Other posts in the series:

Elephant skin (Before and after) - here
Hair loss (Before and after) - here
Dry & cracked skin - here

Weeping skin - here

Red skin & sleeves - here
Your mental health - here

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Red skin & sleeves

This is the penultimate post in my mini series highlighting the many symptoms of withdrawal. Today's post is all about the extraordinary red skin and sleeves we all seem to get.

*Please note, I am Caucasian and red skin of course depends on ethnicity. On darker skin tones, the colour may become darker and change during withdrawal. We are all beautifully different x

Hugs
Cara xxx


*No filters on any of my photos.

Other posts in the series:

Elephant skin (Before and after) - here
Hair loss (Before and after) - here
Dry & cracked skin - here

Weeping skin - here

Puffy & swollen skin - here
Your mental health - here

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Weeping skin

Here is part 4 of my mini series on the many symptoms of withdrawal. Today's post highlights weeping skin. Luckily weeping skin didn't last too long for me - about 3 months but in that period it was quite extreme with weeping from my ears, face, neck, arms, back, chest and torso. In the second year I also experienced it but not on such a grand scale and in more isolated areas.

Weeping skin is scary but it DOES stop and it's all part of the process.

Big hugs to you all
Cara xxx


*No filters used on my photos.

When weeping skin dries it forms a golden crust.

Weeping wound on my neck.

(Left) Weeping skin. (Right) When weeping skin dries.

Other posts in the series:

Elephant skin (Before and after) - here
Hair loss (Before and after) - here
Dry & cracked skin - here

Red skin & sleeves - here

Puffy & swollen skin - here
Your mental health - here

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Dry & cracked skin

Here is part 3 of my mini series highlighting the various symptoms of TSW. Today's post concentrates on dry & cracked skin that was for me one of the hardest parts to deal with as it affected my hands so badly at times that I couldn't move them.

It DOES get better.

Hugs
Cara xxx


*No filters on any of the photos.

Other posts in the series:

Elephant skin (Before and after) - here

Hair loss (Before and after) - here

Weeping skin - here

Red skin & sleeves - here

Puffy & swollen skin - here
Your mental health - here