Blog Posts

Posted on

Margin

When I first started this blog, I knew I would eventually be writing something about margin. And here we are. And I know I won’t be doing it justice here, but it came up this week, so even though this migraine thing was definitely meant to teach me a great deal about this concept, I must not be learning the lesson. I’m a slow study.

15 minutes to be still. It’s a homework assignment. I almost laughed because around this time last year I was asking God to show me the importance of rest and it took me down some studies on a Sabbath heart and margin in our lives that truly prepared me for the sabbatical that was my migraine catastrophe. Had it not been for those studies, I wouldn’t have been ready for the spiritual growth I accomplished during that time. But I knew that with returning to work, I was in danger. I told myself that if I didn’t have time to write, I was doing too much. But I’ve been increasingly unfocused and overwhelmed. And you know what I was told—“you’ll hear God’s voice when you’re still.” Duh!! I know this. Why do I have to keep hearing this? Why do I need to keep being reminded.

So I’m here, with this very cursory introduction to margin.

Remember, that the Lord rested, not because he needed to, but because he thought it important to set the example.

And Moses, in Numbers 9:8, instructed them to wait, so that he could hear the Lord’s command. He was in no hurry, he was still.

And in Isaiah 30:15, “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling.”

I realized the moment I got my homework that even typing the blog wasn’t protecting my margin. So God sent it a different way. And boy, am I looking forward to it!

Posted on

Patience

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_E6833-1024x740.jpg
Soulful Sundays: Once a week I will have an installment that speaks to my spirituality, because, as I’ve said, to me, spiritual wellness, is essential to complete wellness. Because I am Christian, my spirituality is heavily based on my relationship with the Trinity and the Christian Bible. If reading about God, Jesus, or the Spirit will offend your sensibilities, these posts aren’t for you–be advised

“But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

Romans 8:25 ASV

A recurring theme for me this week has been patience—my need to cultivate it.

First of all, when speaking of general wellness, it serves as a great reminder that we must practice patience:

  1. Patience in our hardships. Someone described this in a non-spiritual way, and I love how science and spiritual agree: trouble will only last so long because there is always regression to the mean, and so nothing can stay horrible forever. She said this to me while rationalizing her own patience through a particularly horrible time in her life. Things can stay bad for a very long time, but as I told my son today, everything, good and bad, ends eventually.
  2. Patience with ourselves: we aren’t perfect. We can only continue to try our best. When we really mess things up, all we can do is pick ourselves up, and try again given the chance, while giving thanks for the chance. I let myself enter a major migraine episode, mainly because I wasn’t sure when the right time to take my medicine was…I don’t like medicating when I don’t have to, but I waited too long. I was kicking myself, and someone reminded me I’m still in a learning stage. Patience.
  3. Patience with those around us: we aren’t perfect, and neither are they.

There are so many other places to practice patience. I could type all evening. What I’m saying is we’d be a little more mentally well, and our relationships would be a little healthier with a bit more patience.

“Yea, and for this very cause adding to your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue, an din your virtue, knowledge; and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness; and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.”

2 Peter 1:5-7 ASV

Well, spiritually, like never before in my life, I am seeing, not academically, but with my whole spirit, the fundamental connection between trust and patience. I’ve been really praying on a situation, and telling myself that I was trusting God to handle it. Well, this week, I almost worsened the situation because I became impatient and wanted to move quickly. Interestingly, prior to the events, a friend posted and interesting twist in the fruits of the spirit, so that when I was praying on the decision, patience was very much what I was receiving back. And the self control I exercised then led me down a path of exercising…you guessed it…MORE PATIENCE. What I was ready to steam roll in weeks may take months. But it’s likely for the best.

If I’m trusting God to handle my situations, I’m also trusting his timing. So let me sit down, again.

“Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.”

James 1:2-4 ASV

Posted on

Plant-Based and Yummy!!

I can’t wait to try some of these recipes!!

I have a friend who makes some dope t-shirts who invited me to a night market his business was attending, so husband and I went out to support. There was SOOO much cool stuff, but the reason for this post…the vegan food.

So, you all know, I briefly told you about the benefits of plant-based diets before. There isn’t a single diet modification with as much evidence behind it when it comes to cardiovascular benefit and cancer prevention, and it is also excellent for weight control, preventing and reversing insulin resistance and metabolic disease, and most of my patients who suffer from inflammatory disorders generally feel better if they go plant-based.

Anyway, I met this lovely woman who apparently is already quite well-known on the vegan scene in Houston, the chef behind Tay’s Vegan Eats!. I’m super excited, though, because I got a copy of her cookbook, and I now have a resource for my patients who don’t believe plant-based can be flavorful and fun! Honestly, I can’t wait to try some of her stuff in my kitchen–one of my biggest barriers to trying vegan myself is not having a resource of go-to recipes.

My husband tried the mac and cheez and liked it—and guys—this man calls himself a carnivore (though I did correct him and tell him he was an omnivore—though not a very good one, cuz he’s a little like a toddler when it comes to veggies). I wish I’d gotten a pic of him eating it—so bad at that part. He was being stingy with it!

Anywho…check out her pages! Her food is delish!

See her Facebook and Instagram.

Posted on

Another Win for Intermittent Fasting

So intermittent fasting is easily my personal favorite diet modification. I’m not sure I should call it a diet modification, as it can be done with any diet…it’s more about timing.

For those who aren’t familiar, New England Journal of Medicine is a very respected medical journal. It recently published a review article touting the benefits of intermittent fasting as including everything from anti-aging, to weight loss, improving insulin resistance and diabetes as well as some of the complications from diabetes, to improving the body’s response to stress, to potentially reducing incidence of cancer!

More studies are being done in most areas, but it’s beginning to hold its own as something that the authors feel should be introduced at the medical school level.

I will tell you, I fell in love with this concept when I read The Obesity Code by Jason Fung, and have found it beneficial personally. I was able to lose my baby weight, and my A1c was the best it has ever looked…ever.

It’s definitely something I tend to recommend, but you definitely have to have a conversation with your physician, particularly if you are on medications.

For more information on what all intermittent fasting entails, see my previous blog post here.

Posted on

A Leap of Faith

Soulful Sundays: Once a week I will have an installment that speaks to my spirituality, because, as I’ve said, to me, spiritual wellness, is essential to complete wellness. Because I am Christian, my spirituality is heavily based on my relationship with the Trinity and the Christian Bible. If reading about God, Jesus, or the Spirit will offend your sensibilities, these posts aren’t for you–be advised

“For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.”

1 Timothy 1:7 ASV

Over Christmas, I was engulfed in unexpected quality time with my present past—family members with whom I don’t get to spend enough time and with whom I definitely don’t get to speak on the level I did this holiday. It was exactly what I needed.

One such interaction was with family, not blood—but family, indeed, who I haven’t seen in years. We were talking about…life…and how uncertain I am these days. Before this she had been speaking on how I didn’t have to necessarily overwhelm myself trying to get these experiences to set myself up for future endeavors, that God is always preparing you for exactly what He has for you, and He will use your experiences to shape you. I said something about how I’ve been praying for direction and she said something profound—at least for me. It was something to the effect of, “I think we pray wrong sometimes. We’re praying waiting for some grand sign on where to move next. God gave us free will. He’s waiting on us to move.” And here I was having something of an epiphany, because she was definitely hitting on a struggle of mine, and I said, “And trust that He’s going to be there and work it out.”

Y’all, since this conversation, some things that I was really confused about really clarified themselves for me. It was exactly what she was sent to tell me.

Sometimes, we’re sitting back, waiting. And God has completely prepared us to DECIDE the next step. And He’s waiting on us to step out on faith, ask for what we want and believe that He will do more than we could imagine for ourselves.

“Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you.”

John 15:16, ASV

I kept struggling with whether it was in His purpose. But my purpose is to glorify Him with my gifts, and there are so many different ways I can do that. Sometimes, what He wants is my show of faith; my ability to ask for what I want in accordance with that will, and trust that He can and will support me in it. I believe it’s yours too. Nothing more, nothing less. So much peace in that.

“And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28 ASV

Posted on

New Commitments to a Different Growth

So happy to be able to bring in the new year in my pink camo onesie!!!

Funny, I’ve never really been one for New Year’s resolutions. They just seem too cheesy and cliché for me. But for some reason, what I have always found is there is this natural closing at the end of the year. A natural reflection that lends itself to a reset. And this year has been no different.

The past month has been a month full of returning to relationships that had me come face to face with the old me. It reminds you of the growth that has taken place. It is also amazingly grounding. There is nothing like watching your children play with the children of your onetime best friend who you no longer really get to keep in touch with due to…life; standing there, remembering the uncertainty and anxieties you shared during adolescence and young adulthood, proud to see how far you’ve both come.

Nothing like spending one on one time with your dad and meeting one of his long-time friends; getting to see him in his professional element.

Nothing like long talks with your mom wrapping presents, on the way to a women’s book club, shopping.

Nothing like Christmas with the aunt, uncle and cousin, who are more like members of your core family, for the first time in more years than you can remember.

Nothing like sitting with your “big sister,” who apparently got on your page, read some of your posts, and came to do what she does with her wisdom in a full-on therapy session that was so needed.

Nothing like sitting up until 5am with your big-little brother—just talking.

Nothing like meshing your past and present together at a time in your life that seems so uncertain and unsettled.

It was perfect, exactly what I needed.

It’s very interesting. 2019 wasn’t all bad. I mean, I moved into my new home, traveled to some pretty cool places, and have seen some growth in some areas professionally despite my illness. My children are growing, and healthy and appear to be thriving. However, I must be honest, I can’t wait to see this year go.

It’s been hard, y’all. Professionally, physically, mentally, physically, emotionally—every way you can think. I have been tried as mother, wife, woman, human, physician and professional. I have grown. I am growing.

What am I grateful for in 2019? Lessons. Friends—finding out who the real ones were, strengthening some bonds, finishing my circle. Growth. Strength. Faith. Health. Income. Shelter. Family. Learning the meaning of Margin. Defining my struggle with perfectionism. Life.

So 2020? I will continue to grow. I feel grounded. I feel ready. I have some perspective that without this time meshing past with present, I don’t think I would have gained—so amazing how these things work out (look at God!). I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to work on protecting margin in my life, defeating perfectionism, practicing gratitude and enjoying the blessings I have right now, rather than hustling so hard for…what exactly?!

I’d like to have more peace in 2020. Here’s to true wellness. 

Posted on

Ketogenic Diet, Part 2

I was asked by a patient of mine who has had really amazing success with this lifestyle modification to do a post that has a bit more information about keto and my stance.

I had previously posted a very broad statement. As I told her, it’s hard when you’re doing a public blog to get across how open you are to whatever your patients are willing to do to get on the road to a healthier version of them.

So, she gave me permission to give you a glimpse of her story.

She approached me, wanting to lose weight, and wondering if I would oppose to her trying Keto. So many doctors immediately rebuke patients for wanting to try this lifestyle modification for differing reasons.

Some simply don’t know the data: keto has been shown to reduce insulin resistance, and if done appropriately can improve fatty liver disease, and lipid panels (cholesterol) over time. What we have seen with different diet modifications for weight loss is whatever you feel you can do consistently is something that will work for you.

Some have huge reservations about the amounts of meat: again, I say that we don’t have enough data. I do council my patient about the risk, but I also say that a patient that is going to continue to worsen their insulin resistance by continuing to eat meat AND high carb diet is likely harming themselves worse. I am willing to get behind a behavior that is an improvement in any direction. Additionally, there are ways to enter ketosis that would not necessarily be high in the animal products—in fact, you can be vegetarian or vegan, and be keto.  

So, anyway, I was completely supportive of her decision. I counseled her on the risks of eating too much bacon/butter—we know that studies show that these things are tied to heart disease, but there will also be some offset risk with significantly decreasing her intake of unhealthy carbohydrates—her body will process these fats differently, but she shouldn’t overdo it.

And SHE ROCKED IT!

She went, and she researched, and she became so much more knowledgeable than me about the lifestyle. She didn’t cheat. At 6 months, her cholesterol looked just as I expected, and it’s the other reason some docs freak out about this lifestyle—it was  WAYYYY up. But guys, this happens in weight loss outside of keto. Your body is breaking down fat, and it’s floating around, and I’m catching it before your body has had a chance to get balanced. In keto, we do see things go higher—because you’re eating way more fat than most, and your body is mobilizing fats like crazy. I expected that by 1 year, we were going to see things normalize.

And that’s exactly what happened. Her labs made my month! And her weight was down tremendously. And, of course, she was happier than I was—it was her life, her choice, her way! She hadn’t really cheated in the year, and I really do credit this to why I was seeing this level of success.

The safety of living in ketosis isn’t studied in trials long term (past 1 year) in mainstream medicine, so I always give my patients this information.  However, if a patient is willing to accept the risk for themselves, I am willing to engage in their journey in a non-judgmental way, and I get so much joy as I remove medications from medication profiles!

It has been 18 months, and she’s going strong. She’s added more unhealthy fats than I’m generally comfortable with (HELLO LARD!!), but she feels better and has more energy. Again, she’s drawing energy from fats, so this is new territory for me. And guess what!! Her cholesterol still looks amazing. Her weight is still decreasing. Her A1c looks great. She’s happy, and I’m happy.

She introduced me to a Houston Keto group on Facebook that has support and information for anyone interested in keto. Like any lifestyle modification, it requires LOTS of research. The more you know and prepare, the more likely you are to succeed. Like any lifestyle modification, it won’t be for everyone. But if you know you aren’t going to do vegan or vegetarian, moderation isn’t something you do well, and you are continuing to see your health decline, you need to do something. Keto is a reasonable option that I have seen work. Consider it!

Resources for Keto

(Disclaimer: I may or may not necessarily agree with everything that is written in these blogs or said on the videos, but these resources were recommended as helpful by people I know successful with keto)

Keto for Beginners

Keto Diet Food List

3 Keto Diets Explained

Dr. Ken Berry—What is the Ketogenic Diet

Posted on

Gratitude

Soulful Sundays: Once a week I will have an installment that speaks to my spirituality, because, as I’ve said, to me, spiritual wellness, is essential to complete wellness. Because I am Christian, my spirituality is heavily based on my relationship with the Trinity and the Christian Bible. If reading about God, Jesus, or the Spirit will offend your sensibilities, these posts aren’t for you–be advised

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

The preacher said something that struck home today. “If you are never satisfied with yourself, how can anyone else satisfy you?” Well, he said it differently—I don’t think he used you—I think he said a person who isn’t satisfied with… But I heard it the way I wrote it. Because I’m that person.

I have always had a goal. When I finished residency, I don’t remember feeling accomplished, I remember wondering what I was going to do next. Self-improvement is a core-value of mine and improving upon everything I touch kind of my mantra. At some point recently, I realized that this strength was also my biggest weakness—perfectionism. I’m still trying to fully define my particular brand of perfectionism, my motivations, but it’s what I’m struggling against, nonetheless. I had told myself that this wasn’t affecting my close relationships—I don’t hold everyone else to the impossible standards I hold myself to—but I’m pretty sure this was a huge case of denial. Of course, it affects my relationships.

I am constantly struggling between being satisfied with who I am and continuing to strive for self-improvement. After all, even the Bible says we will never achieve perfection. So where is the balance?

I’m honestly not sure. I think I may spend a lifetime trying to answer this question. But I’m coming to believe that it may just begin with gratitude—being thankful.

Don’t get me wrong. If we go back to the moment of residency completion, there isn’t a doubt in my mind that God brought me through. And of course, I did my obligatory thank you. But I mean, truly sitting in the space, appreciating what He’d brought me through. Understanding that if I didn’t do anything more, He’d done enough–I’d done enough.

I don’t list my complete resume here, partially because when it comes to blogging and social media, while you can likely figure it out, I don’t want to accidentally seem to represent any of my organizations when I am only representing myself. But let me tell you, God’s been good, and I’m not necessarily unimpressive (it’s even hard for me to type that…lol). You know what, I’ve got to do better. I’m pretty impressive—and I’ve got to say that because it’s a testimony to who God is. And it’s the beginning to what I’ve got to start doing.

Gratitude. It starts with being okay with being impressed with where God has brought me. It’s giving him credit for what I have today and being okay if I don’t achieve anything else. I don’t think that stops me from listening when He calls me to more. In fact, I think it will focus me, and help me discern when the more is mine (vs when I need to say no).

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thess 5:16-18
Posted on

Immune Support Supplements

I did not take these photos. I am not endorsing these particular products–but I do use 3/4 of them.

Elderberry

The most commonly studied are the supplements from the flowers and berries from the plant Sambucus nigra, commonly known as European elder.

I think I first heard about this supplement from my dentist. I bought some of the syrup to try for myself, thinking I was going to take it daily to prevent getting sick. Well I bought the syrup, instead of the gummies, and instead of mixing it in water, I take it to the head. It tastes like really concentrated prune juice—so daily dosing is a no for me.

I decided to take it at first sign of cold symptoms, when I could tell I was feeling run down, and I noticed, I didn’t really progress to the severe symptoms of day 3-4 if I was able to catch it early. I didn’t want to tell my patients about it yet—I mean, I try to only really speak on things as “Dr. Sims” that I can put some evidence behind. But this was AMAZING!

I did a few colds without it and—nope, it definitely worked—cuz those colds without it were awful.

And finally, I had had enough colds prevented that I felt comfortable giving the “Dr. Sims” subjective stamp of approval. But then, I looked it up. And turns out, there’s some evidence showing that my subjective findings, may not be subjective after all (YAY!!!).

This article from Cleveland Clinic highlights some studies that show that it may just boost our immunity.

This article showed that it shortened cold duration in air travelers, and this one further supports findings that it may have anti-flu activity (NOT a good reason to skip the vaccine though!).

Considerations: If buying elderberry syrup from your neighbor or friend who makes it, please be aware that consuming undercooked or under-ripe berries can result in cyanide toxicity if done in excess. This is also true for the other parts of the plant. Please consume supplements responsibly, and under the counsel of your physician.

Vitamin C and Zinc

Vitamin C and Zinc are well established for immune support. Important points to make:

  1. They are best used to shorten the course of a viral illness, and not in prevention. The best prevention is hand hygiene and a healthy lifestyle (fruits, veggies, whole grains in diet, exercise, good sleep). The evidence for zinc is stronger than that for Vitamin C.
  2. Zinc is best in lozenge form and slowly sucked. This allows it to have prolonged contact with the oropharynx, which is where the virus is multiplying.
  3. Zinc can cause nausea—you will want to have had something to eat prior to having your zinc supplement.
  4. The dosing and delivery of these is unclear. I generally dose a zinc lozenge at least twice daily and up to 3 times daily with meals, and double the supplemental dose of Vitamin C. You should discuss recommendations with your physician.

References for Vitamin C and Zinc:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273967/pdf/JFP-60-669.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5418896/pdf/10.1177_2054270417694291.pdf

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/zinc-for-colds/faq-20057769

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23440782/?i=5&from=/19432914/related

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/19432914/

Garlic

This article highlighting the benefits of garlic shows that garlic not only may help shorten the life of your viral illness, but also may be useful in helping prevent it. Main downside here is that many people find the quantities needed for efficacy very difficult to tolerate.

Posted on

It’s Likely A Virus…Or is it?

Its that season…

Pumpkin spice everything. Soup. Chili. Beans.

And, yep, germs EVERYWHERE!

In honor of my first evil toddler cold of the season (for the record it’s currently 2-1 in favor of my regimen—Daylight savings threw off my Spidey-sense), I figured I’d share some insight on how to tell when you may be dealing with influenza vs common cold, common cold vs bacterial complication—meaning now you need to see a doctor and get some of the double-edged sword that is an antibiotic, or it may be strep…which generally, adults aren’t dealing with unless they’re around germy children. Yes, children are little incubators, and I never got sick before I had them. They’re lucky they’re cute!

INFLUENZA AND STREP

COMMON COLD

SYMPTOMATIC THERAPY

VITAMINS AND HERBALS?

Free Email Updates
We respect your privacy.