ArcaMax

The Pain Highway...

I am now a believer in acupuncture. If you have pain, I suggest you check it out.

I have been plagued with bursitis in my right hip. I had no idea how debilitating that could be! My surgeon, at first, thought the pain was coming from scar tissue that had formed around my spine after my back surgery. The MRI confirmed the scar tissue was there, but it didn’t really explain the pain ratcheting up in my right leg.

I could no longer get sleep. I was not comfortable laying on either side. My back didn’t work either after awhile and my stomach was off limits. The surgeon made me promise to never sleep on my stomach. It’s really bad for your back.

So when the pain gets bad enough, the surgeons resort to steroids. They found the culprit in my right hip. The pain shooting down my leg, around my knee and into my shin was not coming from my back. It was coming from my hip. It was also shooting up into my lower back which was scaring the daylights out of me.

The steroids didn’t last long. Less than 10 days and the pain was back. I quit my physical therapy because that seemed to make it worse. I thought if I just laid low, didn’t walk far, and let it heal I’d get better. Didn’t happen.

I finally decided I had to take action. I needed to be more mobile, so I “resorted” to calling the spa where I do my Pilates and Yoga to check out the acupuncture they recently started to offer.

I signed up.

Kathleen was my acupuncturist. She’s got a Master’s Degree in Chinese medicine. She’s one smart woman. All I asked was that she explain everything she was going to do. I am an analytical and curious person who always wants to learn and I knew squat about Chinese medicine. I had seen the pictures of people with needles sticking out and I had heard it doesn’t hurt, so I was game. Needles don’t scare me. Even if they did, I could just shut my eyes.

The whole experience was really easy. Instead of putting needles in my hip she ran them down a line that followed where the pain would rear up in my leg. She used the analogy of a car accident. She said my hip socket is like the scene of the accident. Instead of running straight into the accident she said the first option is to “clear the highway”. So I had a trail of needles.

I was amazed.

I was done and out the door in about an hour. It was even a restful experience.

I was tired in the evening. She said to expect that. I felt sort of like I had been tossed in the dryer and put on tumble dry. A bit beat up. But then I fell into a deep sleep. I was astonished that I had no trouble sleeping at all. I could lay in any position I chose and no pain. Absolutely no pain.

Today I woke up and no pain. None.

I don’t know if it will last a long time. She said it might take a few sessions to really get it under long-term control. Besides that, I know darn well I need some re-hab in my hip and leg. It has gotten so weak because of the chronic pain that I will have to build it back up again. That means more Pilates and Yoga but I’m game. Those things are relatively new to me too, and I love doing it. I have a personal trainer who monitors me and coaches me as I go along so I don’t overdo.

If any of you check out acupuncture, I hope your experience is as good as mine was. Even one night of pure sleep made it all worth it.

Today’s recipe is for a peanut butter fluff. Think peanut butter chiffon pie without the crust. For a low carb diet this is perfect. I have made it for guests a few times. The servings I gave out were generous and I figured no one would finish. Ha. Everyone snarfed up every bit. Served in a pretty glass (I use antique champagne saucers) or a fun, tiny bowl, this is perfect for a party. People love the fact that it’s so light and yet decadent.

Peanut Butter Fluff
Serves 4 to 6 depending on size of serving you decide on.

Ingredients:

8 oz of cream cheese (softened)

3/4 cup of sugar substitute. I use Simple Simplicity (erythritol) or some packets of stevia. Both are natural sweeteners.

1 cup of smooth peanut butter. I use organic peanut butter that is emulsified and unsweetened.

3 cups of whipped topping (Cool Whip is one brand). Use the sugar-free stuff or you can whip your own cream and use that.

Optional topping: A light dusting of cocoa powder and when I’m really crazy I put in a small cookie like a waffle cookie or a barquillos cookie. (Same kind of cookies you see on ice cream sundaes). When I’m on a diet I just don’t serve myself the cookie.

Directions:

Load a medium bowl with the cream cheese, sugar sub, and peanut butter. Whiz until blended. Then add your whipped cream or the Cool Whip. Whip again until it’s all mixed. Put into your pretty serving dishes and put in the refrigerator covered. ( I just use little pieces of plastic wrap to cover them). Remove covers when you want to serve and dust with the cocoa powder. Pop in the cookie and you’re all set for a fancy party. It’s also great all by yourself watching TV. If you have them, you can even serve this with demitasse spoons to make the experience take longer. Small spoonfuls. Listen for the moaning at the table. You’ll hear it. I promise.

I recommend you make this the afternoon you serve it. Leftovers do well in the refrigerator for a few days. They never last long in my house.

Cheers
Enjoy,
Zola

Send email to Zola at dinnerwithzola@hotmail.com.