Little Grains and Veggie Treats
Greetings Steemian's,
One week ago, I embarked on a new life journey. A journey to live a healthier life, and a journey to break a 20 year addiction to acid reducing Pharmaceuticals. 7 days later, I'm proud to say I broke the physical addiction, and am now living 100% pharma free!
Now I will tell you the story of how I did it, and why I believe, I was dependent on it for so long.
![c8oee5or0v.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://img.esteem.ws/c8oee5or0v.jpg)
Photography/art created by @futuremind
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://img.esteem.ws/av4tt0mlsg.png)
The Pharmaceutical I was prescribed since the age of 12 is was:
Ranitidine Hcl
Growing up as a child, I was the oldest of 6, and we were of the American lower class, poverty stricken families of urban areas in New York.
We were a dysfunctional family, and both of my parents did not work. Mental health/family dysfunction/laziness were all factors to our circumstance, but the factors didn't really matter at the time, at least not for the kids.
Traditional diets in this region for the poverty stricken/minorities/homeless are high in meat, carbohydrates, sugars, and overall diet inconsistency. Education is lacking in this social class as well, but when options are limited, education becomes less important, and survival takes precedence every time.
As a child, our meals generally consisted of three different dinners, and these three would continually rotate after the third day. Usually a pasta and meat based sauced dinner, next day would be hamburger helper day, and the third day would usually be chicken, fried or otherwise, sometimes hot dogs/sausage. Lunches were generally poultry based sandwiches on white bread with processed cheese, and school meals were about the same. The trend was red meat, and poultry ever single day of the week.
Not to mention, we consumed very high amounts of sugar on a daily basis, in various different forms.
I was an intuitive child, and remember questioning my diet around 8 years of age, which is about as far as I can recall having memories of acid reflux.
Around this age I started questioning my mother, and asking her why we never consumed salads or healthier meals in general. She explained that poor people had to buy poor people food, and pretty much left it at that. I continually questioned her about it, and told her I was having some burning sensation all the time, and that it had been getting worse.
She dismissed this and said it was some minor heartburn, and was something I should get used to because it runs in the family. So she started supplying me with Rolaids. Rolaids were not enough.
I started vomiting acid in my sleep, and told her I needed to go to the hospital. This was around the age of 12, and already eating Rolaids for 4 years with an increasing problem.
The visit to the hospital resulted in the doctor telling me I have a condition brought on by heredity, nothing more, nothing less, just a simple heredity thing... And they had just the solution for me, oh yes. Instead of questioning what could have been causing Acid Reflux Disease for a 12 year old child, instead they prescribed a medication that effectively works in conjunction with causing a dependency.
In short, it doesn't fix the problem, it only masks it, and actually makes the problem worse, by creating a dependency to a Pharmaceutical. Once your body develops a dependency to this stuff, all I can tell you is you better not run out.. Prepare for some agony if you do.
So this turned into a life long addiction, something I could not physically live without. The ramifications for running out always amounted to agony, sometimes to the point of induced vomiting to force remove the acid which was overproducing. It can be ugly when you run out of this particular medication.
The side effects are not pretty either. After taking this stuff for 20 years time, I was beginning to feel sharp pains in my stomach, and feeling very feverish at random times throughout the day.
Just two months ago, I was taking around 10 of these over the counter pills a day to keep the acid at bay, and I felt ill most of the time. It wasn't something I even talked about to anyone much, because I was beginning to think I was going to die from this pill.
The doctors were ready to perform an endoscopy and had scheduled an appointment for me, but my gut intuition would not stop nagging at me, this thought that suggested, "They've ultimately done this to you, so why would you trust them to shove hoses down your throat?". The logical mind suggests that they are not to blame for my ignorance to nutrition, but another logic suggests they should have had an idea of what was causing the problem to begin with, leading to another logical thought that "maybe it's a money racket"? Enough flags suggest I shouldn't go through with it if I can find my own way.
So I felt pretty hopeless after a lifelong battle with these pills, and an increasing problem that seemed to be at critical mass in terms of the risk on my health.
While feeling hopeless, and stumbled onto a post by a good friend of mine here. This post is titled Who's Up For a Meat-Fest, Butchery and The Energies Thereof? Yum Yum Steak?? Let's go then....... This isn't something that I would consider to be "easy viewing". I do feel however, that it is something anyone who consumes meat should view. Your thoughts/views/opinions on this are your own, and you are entitled to them. I won't express my complete viewpoint regarding the topic, but this plays a critical role in my path towards recovery, so it's important for me to discuss it briefly.
While viewing these videos, a started to think deeply about the unnatural conditions these animals are placed in, and the constant fear they feel, the constant abuse they suffer. I started to think about the life I've lived, and all the negativity that's been a part of it. Then I thought about how I've consumed meat my entire life, the kind that comes from these mass slaughterhouse cattle farms, where the animals live in constant terror.
I wondered if maybe meat and poultry could be contributing to my stomach problems in any way.
I really gave it some thought...
I was eating these pills like crazy, and something needed drastic changing. Could maybe cutting these meats out of my diet be the answer?
So after a month of battling with myself (because I love the flavor of meat and poultry) I decided that I could not continue to consume meat anymore. I don't agree with the way the animals are treated, so I shouldn't support it by purchasing butchered meat from the grocery store. That is how I think anyways. And that is not to say I would never consume meat again, but it certainly will not be meat that is from an industrial slaughter farm.
So 7 days ago I went to the grocery store and bought everything organic for my shopping list. Fresh produce for salads, organic pasta and grains, peanuts for protein, and a few snack items beceause I'm still human. No red meat or poultry. It's not what you would consider a full vegan diet, but it's a meatless diet.
On the first day of the meatless diet, I decided to go cold turkey from the Ranitidine. It was a bold move, and the first few days were tough, but it's getting easier every day, and I feel much healthier already! I've even incorporated some exercise into the mix, and the stomach pains have dissipated to nonexistent currently.
It's pretty mind blowing how resilient the body can be. All the things I've put my body through, the fact that I'm still kicking, to me is a miracle.
![tpttbdiw41.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://img.esteem.ws/tpttbdiw41.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://img.esteem.ws/av4tt0mlsg.png)
![zym7f9h5fv.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://img.esteem.ws/zym7f9h5fv.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://img.esteem.ws/av4tt0mlsg.png)
The photographs were taken with a LTE Android Smartphone. This meal was a futuremind concoction with some simple ingredients. I'm not one for measuring things, but this turned out pretty good, so maybe I'll put together some recipes and share them with you guys. These Quinoa grains are pretty bangin, I've never tried them before.
Thanks for reading 😎
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They say your gut is your second brain; most of your serotonin is produced there (and lots of other important things).
I'm glad you've found something that works! This is something to celebrate!
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Thank you @wholeself-in it's always a pleasure to see you :)
Yes, I feel much better physically after embarking on this new journey, although it certainly comes with some challenges. I find myself craving meat intensely the past couple of days now, but I won't give in. All the signs are clear, that my body needed the change.
Thank you for stopping by and the kind words 😎
Yeah I think craving gets more intense after an initial honeymoon phase with any diet change.
I'm no nutritionist, but I'm very into whole foods. You might lessen the cravings if you find snacks that can feed your body what it might be missing:
Nuts and seeds for protein and oil (sunflower, pumpkin, and cashew are pretty low cost)
Oily plant foods and oil/creamy spreads made from plants (avocado, coconut, hummus, olives, olive oil)
Sea vegetables for B Vitamins (roasted seaweed chips are surprisingly cheap and good)
Hope that is helpful!
Posted using Partiko Android
@veggiemind doesn't walk on water, @veggiemind is one with the water.
hmmm 🤔
I like it 😎
Now I'm tagging nonexistent accounts..Thanks @barge 🤗
Sorry to hear that you have to go through such pain for such a long time. But glad that you have found a way out of it finally. May you continue to get well and feel better as the days go by. Cheers!
Thank you for the kind words Vince. Cheers 😎
Have a great week ahead Jake. :-)
Hopefully you can enjoy your life well
Salam success of @itikna09
Thank you! :)
This is a very inspirational story @futuremind and I applaud you for your courage and fortitude in giving up prescription pills. I understand completely what you have been going through as I became addicted to sleeping pills and anti-depressants due to chronic insomnia for decades.
What a crazy and unhealthy roller coaster that was, even though I have always had a good diet. I've done a bit of research about the acid/alkaline balance and I believe that much of our modern way of eating causes acidity, as does stress, little exercise and many other factors that we allow to creep into our lives.
I read a statement that said, 'Disease cannot exist in an alkaline body' and although that may be an over generalized view point, I believe it. I regularly take aluminum free baking soda to reduce acidity and it has made a big difference to my digestive system and over all health.
When you become accustomed to feeling better you wont want to go back to the old ways of eating. Good for you my friend! Keep up the good work! 😊 🤗
Hi @trudeehunter
It's always a pleasure to receive your presence and feedback.
Thank you for sharing this insight into your experience. I'm really happy you were able to get away from this addiction. I'm sure your body is very happy too 😊
In a short time, I feel so much better that it's hard to believe I was actually functioning in what I consider to be a sick state. I was experiencing side effects from the pills that I didn't even know were side effects of the medication until now. Feverish feelings all the time, nausea in waves that I would consider severe, and I was beginning to think it was signs of cancer.
After a couple of days, every single symptom/side effect literally disappeared!
I will keep this banking soda idea in mind. I do remember hearing a teaspoon is good for relief, so maybe incorporating a few times a week is good? I'm certainly open to trying new things.
I do find it pretty wild how balsamic vinegar reduces stomach acid as well, at least for me. The fact that it's acidic, and lowers acid production is pretty strange and awesome.
🤯
Very insightful. You might have just sent futuremind on a information seeking binge. 😎
I think you are very fortunate to have strong intuitive feelings which were evident in your younger years when you began and continued to ask your mother questions and I'm sure you will experience many more benefits as your body heals and comes into balance with your emotional and spiritual side as well.
I also strongly agree with your sentiments about how quickly and almost miraculously our bodies responds to good nutrition and care. They recuperate very quickly when given the right fuel to function properly. 😊
Thank you @trudeehunter, I will keep you in the loop :)
Now I am due for a trudeehunter daily visit in 2 minutes, so I must be off. 😉
You're so kind. Thank you my friend. 💐
Thank you for the kind words @trudeehunter 🌷
I was thinking about our conversation today, and decided to pick this up while out.
I hope it's the right kind. This says pure, and it was the only kind the grocery store had in their inventory.
I'm not sure how to use it really, other than maybe a small teaspoon for relief if I feel acid overproducing, or is it best to take it daily as a preventative measure? I would love to get your feedback so that I don't end up overdosing on baking soda. 😄 Thank you Trudeehunter.
The main thing to look for when taking baking soda for your health is to make sure it doesn't contain aluminum. There are a number of excellent articles online Re: the health benefits.
Here is one if you'd like to take a look. It's always best to do your research before accepting other peoples recommendations, so that you have confidence when introducing it into your diet. I know my grandmother used to take a tsp in water whenever she had heatburn.......which is a sign of an acidic digestive system. She generally experienced quick relief soon after drinking it.
I like to add lemon or lime juice to mine to disguise the taste of the baking soda. Just a personal preference. I'd start with half a teaspoon before breakfast but it is always best taken on an empty stomach which because it corrects the PH balance before eating.
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/02/02/11-health-benefits-baking-soda.aspx
All the very best with your health journey.
Indeed, very good point. I feel a little foolish now, as I could have just google searched this. Thank you for the link.
The baking soda doesn't contain any aluminum. At the very least, it's good to have for baking. Even though it was a rash purchase, I'm sure I will find use for it one way or another.
Have a good day @trudeehunter.
That’s quite a story, sorry to hear how much you have suffered over the years but it is incredible you have found your own solution - I hope it continues to go well for you.
Posted using Partiko iOS
Thank you Mr. @c0ff33a
I appreciate the kind words. I just try to use negative experiences as tools for learning and growth, and choose to share with everyone here, in hopes that maybe I can give someone hope/help in their own personal journey.
This isn't the easiest thing to do. My body and overall health feels so much better, but I find myself craving meat quite intensely , and realize now that meat is actually pretty addictive.. lol, but sometimes we must do things that aren't easy.
Thank you for your thoughts and generous resteem 😎
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