Comments on: A Spoon Full of Sugar

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Tue, 22 May 2018 04:27:17 +0000

Thank you Veronica! I love your insight about the spoon drawing being “both/and,” and I certainly appreciate your well wishes and heartily agree listening to our bodies is a much needed skill worth developing. I always love to read your comments! xo

By: Veronica

Veronica — Mon, 21 May 2018 16:49:20 +0000

It’s incredible that such a small change can make such a large impact! Thank you for sharing your journey of evolving health. Your spoon picture is the perfect visualization – it’s either something that you’ve removed, or it’s showing the space for something new to be added. Your ability to listen to your body and figure out what’s going on is something we all need to be better at.
I’m glad you were able to find the small change needed to feel better! xo

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Mon, 21 May 2018 03:26:04 +0000

Thank you, Gena. It was meaningful to read how this post resonated for you based on your own journey with shifting body needs and health issues over the years. I like how you used to the word “static” as a kind of body image we often cling to without realizing how that might be working against us. And yes I very much experience the listening process as an opportunity. Thank you for all your well wishes, too, they are warmly received. And love knowing you gave Foods That Fight Pain to your Mom years ago and that you sometimes consult it for some of your clients. Yay! xoxo

By: Gena

Gena — Sun, 20 May 2018 11:30:25 +0000

Dear Maria,

First, I’m so sorry about the bouts of soreness. I’m happy that you were able to find a gentle and non-invasive way if working through them. I think I may take medications more regularly than you do, but like you, I’ve been served well by always asking whether I might first make a gentle lifestyle adjustment that would be palliative or curative first, and if I can’t, then I weigh my options.

I love the theme of the body’s needs changing with time and seasons of life. I’ve experienced this too, and it’s so powerful to be attuned to the shifts and really moving with them, rather than trying to maintain a static vision of one’s best diet. When I first was experimenting with raw food, the ample fats I was eating seemed to work wonders for my then very weak digestion (post-anorexia); five years ago, after a year of several serious viral and bacterial infections while I was living in DC, my digestion asked me loud and clear to reduce my intake of fat to a more moderate place. I’ve learned that, within a general framework of vegan eating, it really behooves me to listen closely and pay attention to what’s going on, and that I actually become a more sensitive listener with time.

Finally, I so appreciate how you frame this listening process more as an opportunity than a posing of the question “what did I do wrong?” I see a lot of self-blame with diet and health, and I do think that there is a way to be curious and receptive without being controlling.

May you continue to take care of yourself and your body gently and wisely, so that you can inhabit and experience your wild and beautiful surroundings!!

xoxo

PS I love that you mentioned Barnard’s Foods That Fight Pain! I got it for my mom many years ago when her arthritis was starting to get bad; she has never used it, but I’ve definitely consulted it for some of my clients 🙂

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Fri, 18 May 2018 15:48:21 +0000

Thanks, Lee! I really appreciate your support for how small changes can makek a big difference. It is a concept that is often foreign to people around me ensconced in conventional medical care. Either they don’t have the patience or the bandwidth to even consider it–or they admire me but don’t see it as relevant to their own situations. Still, I persist on describing that process here and I’m always glad that it resonates when I do. It isn’t easy to get older, no matter what, and I do hope my gentle approach will continue to serve me well as I also continue to age. Fingers crossed! And I really hope your toe continues to heal. I had some foot injuries, including my little toe, in Portland, and I was astounded how connected to everything its function is, and how long I had to be careful with it so it could heal. Sending your big toe lots of love!! And you too!! 🙂

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Fri, 18 May 2018 15:44:16 +0000

Hi Silvia–I’ve been in that no gluten and soy place as well, eating vegan, and it can be a challenge. I still have to watch that stuff doesn’t overtake too much of what I eat. Most of my recipes here are compliant in that way, but I know it can be hard and frustrating. Do what’s best for you. I always love hearing from you, and wish you well from across the globe! xoxo

By: Lee

Lee — Fri, 18 May 2018 10:26:27 +0000

Hi Maria, this comes to me at a time when I’m having some mobility issues of my own, in the form of issues with my big toe. I sprained it last year and never let it fully heal. I had started the healing process—I could even hike! Then i recently had a week filled with simple carbs and 2+ hours of standing on a hard floor and inadequate dress shoes. Boy did I pay! But with gentle attention to both body and diet, I’m healing.

So I’m delighted to Know that you were able to pinpoint a seemingly insignificant change in your eating pattern, and understand the importance it could have on your health overall. It really is incredible what a difference small changes can make. Thanks for the insightful, inspiring story! And glad you’re feeling better too!

By: Silvia

Silvia — Fri, 18 May 2018 07:14:27 +0000

Wonderful how you identified the food that disagrees with you!
I learned a lot from this post, especially about the gentle search.
These days I tend to be depressed because I have so many intolerances and unluckily mine seem to be there to stay: definitely gluten and soy.
I can eat eggs and fish but I prefer eating vegan for ethical reason. But I cannot deny that I find it quite hard.
Wishing you the best! Greetings from Silvia in Germany

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Thu, 17 May 2018 19:20:39 +0000

Thank you Terri! 🙂

By: Terri with EatPlant-Based

Terri with EatPlant-Based — Thu, 17 May 2018 16:23:04 +0000

Hoping you continue to find your way through the health challenges. It sounds like you have a good grip on identifying the triggers.

Wishing you the very best of health!

Blessings & Kale,
Terri