This picture was taken at the beginning of August and I’d like to name it Rudolf.
It’s what I affectionately call myself when my nose decides to break out like a butt head and turn itself into a freaking tomato. Â I say affectionately but we all know I’m being sarcastic right? Â Right. Â Moving on.
The thing is, my nose hasn’t actually looked like this since we first started treatments back in October last year. Â In fact it didn’t even look like this when we got back from Italy. Â So what was causing it?
I’ve been trying really hard to listen to the screams that my body is doing through my face. Â So much so that I chronicle everything that eat in my head so that if I have a flare up, I can track it back. Â It’s something that I’m so concerned about that I’ve actually even started tracking it in a journal soon so that I can have more concrete proof.
Anyway, after a lengthy discussion with my super awesome skin therapist at Skin Renewal, we decided that I needed to stop taking the zinc supplements that I was taking.
Why would we do this? Â Well, zinc is supposed to dramatically help people with problem skin, but I’ve found that it’s made my skin a lot worse. Â After our chat, I did a little research on it and found that I am actually getting enough zinc from my natural day to day diet (most meats and nuts – so basically my daily intake of food aside from veg/fruit). Â Which means that the zinc was actually working in the opposite way than it should have which is something that none of us really expected.
I stopped taking the zinc two weeks ago now and only take my probiotic and it’s made SUCH a difference (to my nose at least).
So moral of the story? Â You need to listen to your body and see what works for you individually.
And that brings me to something that I have been wondering for a little while now.
What if I remove meat from my diet.
AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!
Which immediately makes me cringe in fear because I LOVE a good piece of meat and I can’t stand vegetables (even though I force myself to eat them now). Â Just the thought of cutting it out freaks me the heck out. Â But I’m starting to wonder if it’s part of my problem. Â It may be worth checking right? Â I don’t know. Â I’m not sure I can do it. Â More importantly, I don’t think my family would forgive me if I tried.
After supper last night I briefly mentioned it to them and they had a huge uproar – literally almost ousting me from the house. Â Kyla’s like, “But Mom, I’m a meat eater. Â I love meat!”
I might just cut down my intake and see how it affects me.
Also, if you can read Afrikaans you can buy the latest Huisgenoot magazine and find my exposed face and story in its covers.
18 comments
What a journey you’ve been through, Cindy! You’ve always looked amazing, but it must be so great to be able to see such obvious improvements. You could think about reducing your meat intake. Generally, we actually require a lot less meat than we eat (about 80g/meal I think? But that might be per day) which is really a piece about the size and thickness of the palm of your hand. You could also steer closer to white meat (chicken, pork) and eat red meat less frequently (it’s also cheaper!) Anyway, well done! And good luck!
We do eat a lot of chicken – but I do LOVE a good steak. Also I tend to make sure I have some kind of meat at every meal which I know is bad but it’s the thing that I actually look forward to eating! Ugh. I’m going to have to get my head around this.
Its honestly worth a try (at least 2 weeks). My cousin is literally allergic to meat and breaks up in hives when she eats it. As someone who hasn’t eaten meat since November last year, its totally doable and your family will get used to it.
So you have no meat at all? Do you still do milk and eggs and that kind of thing?
I’m sure you’ve had 8 million suggestions, so feel free to keep scrolling if you’ve heard enough! But, have you tried Banting? I’m amazed at the incredible knock-on effects of having enough good fats and no sugar. I started it when I was diagnosed with cancer, because it’s a great way to reduce acidity. But, also, everyone I met that had tried it spoke about how much weight they lost (can I get a hell yeah?!). So, I’ve been doing it for 2.5 years and I really rate it. I actually just wrote a blog today about a simple Banting meal plan for a week and a shopping list – I’m not into baking all the fancy stuff and using all the expensive ingredients. Maybe it’s worth a try, if you haven’t already. Also, you don’t look as bad as you think you do – no Rudolphs in the house!! But, I can only imagine the frustration.
Hey Amelia I’d SO love it if banting worked, but I can definitely see negative results when I eat cheese or milk etc. Which is a shame because I do so love dairy
Hi Cindy,
Firstly gotta say I love your blog. Enjoy it so much!
I’m going through a similar situation with my face so completely understand the utter disappointment of a flare up and the almost never ending question of “what caused it this time??”
Anyway, I cut out meat and must just tell you I could quickly see a difference. Still cooking it for kids and hubby but I’m completely off and even though it was difficult for a week or so, I don’t miss it at all now.
I also found Acupuncture helped me so much! I could see a major difference after 2 sessions, and I had been struggling with my face for months!
Anyway just wanted to pop in and say hi!
Take care,
Amy
Yes, Amy! YES. That feeling of what could it be now is just the pits! What kinds of things have you been eating instead of the meat? I still haven’t been able to bring myself to do it. I’m eating less of it, but can’t cut it out just yet. Eeek. I’m such a woos
You are a brave women.
Not sure I can ever give up meat or chocolate for that matter.
Girl – let’s not even talk about chocolate!!
Cindy good for you for not giving up and persisting with this. You keep trying what works and what doesn’t work . The second pic definitely looks better than the first.
I really hope you don’t have to give up meat!!
ME TOO! But thank goodness there is a difference even with the meat so maybe it’s not necessary
We’ve been experimenting with veganism recently and I’m finding that going mostly vegan for the last few weeks has given me more energy!
If you’re thinking about it, my advice is;
1) watch Cowspiracy
2) watch What the Health
(Both of these are on netflix, I think! They really give you motivation)
3) research and prep well, and do it gradually 🙂
We first cut meat down to two to three times a week. Then once a week. Then cut it out. My kids hardly noticed because they’d gotten used to all the new veggie meals I had been making,hahaha.
I’m honestly too scared to watch those things because if I can’t actually cut out meat i’m going to feel so guilty every time I eat it! But I like those ideas. The problem is that my whole family are like, no thanks – pass the meat
Have you tried Meatless Monday?
One day won’t make a difference … but maybe it will.
My eczema cleared when I turned vegetarian as a teenager.
Oh yes good idea! That’s a nice way to ease into it!
I know you’ve probably heard 8 million suggestions, so feel free to ignore this one if it just gets too much. But, have you tried banting? I started it when I was diagnosed with cancer (no sugar, high fat is great for creating an alkaline environment and getting everything to work better) and am amazed at how broad the benefits are. I dunno, use it or not. Might be worth a try.
Hey Amelia, thank you so much for the suggestion! As a milk and dairy lover I would absolute jump at the chance for banting to work for me, but it seems that the moment I have any cheese it shows immediately on my face the next morning. It’s SO sad!