Coffee, cigarettes, and the miracle of the ankle
I got an e-mail yesterday from my brother-in-law, telling us about the miracle of the ankle. It goes something like this: a while ago his wife slipped off an icy curb and broke her ankle. I don’t even like to think about it, so let’s move on. The doctors have been trying to fix the bone in various ways, but it’s still not right.
The new surgeon suggested a radical cure: stop smoking and increase vitamin D. So it’s been two months without a cigarette for either of them (a miracle in and of itself, since they’re both lifers), and yesterday the surgeon took some new X-Rays which show there’s already been a remarkable healing of the bone. Even the surgeon didn’t expect it to happen so fast.
Which brings me to coffee. And to food in general. I’m reading this book right now called Food and Healing by Dr. Annemarie Colbin, and her premise is that what we eat can’t cure us, but what we stop eating can help us get out of the way of our body’s own perfect mechanism for healing itself. In other words, giving up meat (in some cases) and sugar (in all cases) and coffee (we’ll come back to that) and even milk can allow our bodies to return to their natural, healthy state. Dr. Colbin’s approach is pretty measured–not “you must do this” but “try it this way, see how you feel, then try this and experiment some more.” The test is always whether you feel okay or not okay, rather than what some expert tells you is the right or wrong thing to eat. One person may need lots of fish, another lots of zucchini, another a little bit of beef every now and then.
I’m convinced enough that sugar does nothing good for me that I’m willing to give that up, at least on an experimental basis. The problem with me (uh, sorry, one of the problems with me) is that I get some notion into my head and I’m all for it, 100 percent, basically psycho-gung-ho with very little room for flexibility. I recognize I need to work on this.
So yesterday I woke up with the notion that I’d give up not only sugar, but also (sniff!) coffee. And instead of sitting down in my writing chair with my lovely cup of dark roast, feet tucked under me, fleece blanket over my legs, dog moving into my position on the bed so my husband could cuddle with him instead of me (aww!)–instead of all that pleasure, I had to stand at the stove with my legs getting cold while I waited for the water to boil, then I made herbal cinnamon apple tea, which I don’t mind in the afternoon, but which was not at all what I wanted to wake up to at five in the morning.
And instead of enjoying the midmorning Starbucks run with Bear in the back seat looking out the window and barking at dogs in other cars (one of the routines of the day that make both girl and dog content with their lives), I had to talk Bear into coming with me to Barnes & Noble and Home Depot instead, which was not nearly as fun. Plus, I’m sure he really missed the smell of coffee on our way home and the way I sigh so deeply after that first delicious sip, so no wonder he was all out of sorts.
At about noon, I had to ask myself, “Why? Why are you being so strict with this girl who only asks for a cup or two of coffee every day? What’s she ever done to you? Who made you this way?” Somehow I don’t mind giving up sugar–I’ve already given up chocolate, so really, what’s the point anymore?–but giving up a little dose of hot caffeine every day just seems so . . . mean. And especially mean at the same time I’m not having my traditional holiday treat of Hello Dollies. Isn’t life too short for this kind of fanaticism? I’m all for feeling good and strong and healthy, but I do believe in enjoying my days on earth at the same time.
So my hat’s off to my sister-in-law out there who has healed her ankle by depriving herself of nicotine, and I encourage anyone who smokes to think better of it and get out of the way of their own heart and lungs and bones, but I can’t advocate giving up caffeine–at least not now. I’ll let you know how the sugar thing goes. I’ve heard the withdrawal from that can be pretty horrific, too, but only for the first few days. Just in time for Christmas morning when my mother trots out her irresistable homemade cinnamon rolls.
Maybe I’ll make an exception. Can’t a girl have sugar and coffee on Christmas morning? Isn’t that what this season of love is all about?
Technorati Tags: Food and Healing, Annemarie Colbin, Nicotine, Bone Loss, Vitamin D, Health, Healthy Eating
December 22nd, 2006 at 8:35 am
I’ve been drinking a glass of orange juice a day for several months now(my doctor wanted me to improve my potassium levels and I hate bananas)and all that extra Vitamin C has done me some good. My mother and sister went thru a nasty case of flu recently and I wasn’t affected(we all live together,so my not catching it is a true testament to the power of orange juice).
That being said,I don’t think going cold turkey is the answer. Gradually lowering your sugar intake while seeking a substitute that’s healthier will work out better in the long run. Otherwise,you’ll be more likely to cheat on your resolve and then get mad at yourself later for it. Take it from the daughter of two smokers who has never smoked herself-slow and steady wins the race.
Oh,and Merry Christmas! Santa will let you have a homemade cinnamon roll,I’m sure:)
December 22nd, 2006 at 8:54 am
Thanks, Lady T! Merry Christmas to you, too. And thanks for the interesting testimonial about orange juice. I love to hear people’s stories like that.
December 22nd, 2006 at 9:04 am
That’s so cool about your sister-in-law! (Keep in mind though, that she didn’t get this from a book, she received the information from a doctor who was trying to find a reason that the traditional treatments weren’t working.)
I think I’d have to think long and hard before I’d base my diet around what some chick in some book who has never met me nor studied my body thinks is good for me or not over, say, what my body knows is good for me and what my doctor, who has studied my body and knows my medical history, says.
I know, for instance, that when my body is craving things, like red meat, it’s doing so for a reason, especially since these cravings happen at certain times in the month. And I also know that drinking the amount of milk I do (a lot) is very healthy for me considering my family’s medical history.
That being said, I do tend to keep my caffeine intake to a minimum. I have a coke or a pot of tea every few days and I rarely drink coffee at all.
December 22nd, 2006 at 9:20 am
Diana, I completely agree with you about blindly following something in a book. I read a lot of things about health, and take the information as it seems sensible to me. I also treat myself as an ongoing experiment, and try to eat what feels right to me, rather than what someone says should feel right. As you may remember from an earlier post, I’ve been on some crazy diets in my fat days, and I think those are bad, bad, bad.
Now my sole concern is health and energy. I like feeling strong and well. So whatever I can do (naturally) to help that along, I’m all for.
But I couldn’t agree more about these books that claim to know what’s right for everyone. Supplying thoughtful information is good, bullying is not.
December 22nd, 2006 at 9:26 am
Wait… so you gave up chocolate, right? Did anything get better, or heal, or anything???
December 22nd, 2006 at 10:12 am
Christen, I believe in the healing properties of chocolate, just not for me. I can’t eat just a little, I need it ALL. So I decided after my trip to England where I was eating excellent chocolate every hour on the hour that maybe I needed to take a break. That was back in July. I don’t need it at all anymore, although I think if I started up again I’d be right back to it.
My blog banner used to say coffee and chocolate addict. At least now I’m down to one.
December 22nd, 2006 at 11:58 am
a few more vices given up and your blog banner will say “….yawwwwn, oh yeah, robin, what, who…”
December 22nd, 2006 at 11:59 am
Oh, don’t worry, there will always be something.
December 22nd, 2006 at 12:21 pm
i’m no doctor but i do know that coffee is the elixer of life.
i’m with you diana, my body is pretty good at indicating its nutritional needs, although i don’t always listen. i’ll take a look at robin’s book just for fun but must admit i’m a bit jaded because of andrew weil, md. i went on his website to see if i could find a calculation for recommended calcium
intake based upon age, gender and weight. i took the brief “nutritional test” offered on line.
what hucksterism–apparently i need limitless quantities of innumerable supplements just to get out of bed in the morning, all of which are conveniently avaivable through that very website. very disappointing experience
December 22nd, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Don’t blame you for being jaded and suspicious after that. How disappointing.
December 22nd, 2006 at 4:51 pm
I think we are on to a new smoking cure!
My dad quit smoking cold turkey after slipping on black ice and breaking his ankle.
I’m going to pose this to the lawyers and recovered lawyers - do we have a legitimate defense for breaking smoker’s ankles? It’s saving their lives!
December 22nd, 2006 at 5:32 pm
How weird!
December 22nd, 2006 at 9:23 pm
And reading further down —
Diana, are these ‘red meat cravings at certain times of the month’ coinciding with full moons by chance?
December 23rd, 2006 at 7:07 am
There’s such a thing as being WAY TOO FANATICAL about this kinda stuff. I will periodically give up coffee for a few weeks when doing an anti-candidas diet round, but sheesh, give it up completely? Why? As long as you moderate your intake there’s no need. So give up the Starbuck’s run, and just have one cup on waking. Cutting back might be enough to give you the benefit you want. And what benefit is that? Do you feel okay with coffee as part of your daily intake?
Re sugar, good luck. I’m a fanatical label reader and it’s in damn near everything in one form or another, one ‘ose or another, or some type of corn syrup. It’s awful. I cut partially hydrogenated oils out of my diet awhile back (which cuts most prepared foods out) and lost a couple pounds, though I didn’t do it for that reason. That stuff is BAD for you. Mayor Bloomburg said so, and NYC will be healthier for it. But giving up processed sugar completely? I’ve gotta wonder if that’s even possible in this day and age without becoming a hermit and growing all your own food.
Re coffee, I’ve got a read for you:
“Memoir from Antproof Case” by Mark Helprin
December 23rd, 2006 at 7:59 am
You’re right about sugar in one form or another being in everything, BJ. And you’re also right about there being such a thing as too fanatical. I’m into moderation (though I do tend to dip into psycho extremes every now and then, but that only lasts a day or two before I come back to my senses, like with the coffee thing).
The reason I like that book I’m reading right now is it gives me more to think about. I eat so many things without noticing what they do to my energy levels. I have a big year coming up, lots of travel for the book, and it’s really important to me not to bonk in the middle of an event. People tend to like their authors awake and lively. Only rock stars get to look all haggard and bloodshot in the mornings.
I like throwing these issues out there to you guys because I get responses like Lady T’s about her orange juice experience, or Diana’s about her need for meat, or Annette’s about hucksterism, or yours about your own quest to get rid of some of the junk.
In case you haven’t noticed, I’m interested in people’s experiences and opinions about all sorts of different issues. And if it means I have to expose some of the weird ways my own mind works to draw some of those stories out, well, I guess that’s the price I’m willing to pay.
So if y’all think I’m weird for these chocolate and coffee and sugar ideas I float, you’re always welcome to say so. I can take it. I view all of our lives as this one continuing experiment.
December 27th, 2006 at 8:29 am
Um, didn’t that trackback from my food article come through?
December 27th, 2006 at 8:33 am
Yeah, it did. Really good article, BJ. Everyone, take a look at http://bitchslappin.net/various-idiots/a-runaway-train-the-business-of-food-and-health-care