18 June 2010

Under Pressure

Today's post is dedicated to barometric pressure, weather changes, and mood.

I know there are many on you, like me, that suffer from mood changes based on weather. I'm not just talking about SADS (Seasonal Affective Disorder Syndrome)... I'm referring to atmospheric pressure highs and lows...

But first let's start with a few food pics.

Thankfully i'm off the antibiotics for my wisdom teeth infection. Even though I was only taking them for a couple of weeks, i've been flooding my body with healthy doses of probiotics :) This week was all about Kefir.


I do wish Kefir was thicker like yogurt, but I guess its the perfect consistensy for smoothies or fruit salad toppings. I chopped up bananas, frozen rasp/blueberries in a bowl and poured the Kefir ontop. A little cinnamon and stevia was added for extra flavor.

I was very impressed with the taste. Kefir has a bit of a carbonated feel/taste too which I believe is due to the living probiotics and bacteria in it. This bowl tasted like ice cream when I mixed the frozen berries in ;) Nom nom nom.

What wasen't so "Nummy?" ...

My Tempeh! It was rotten! The expiration date was fine, well within a weeks time before expiring.. yet it was absolutely discusting when I opened it.


I know that it's normal to have some little brown spots on tempeh, a sign of oxidation, but this was too much! It didn't smell too bad but a little sour. I'd rather be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to soy!

... into the trash unfortunately...

Now back to the discussion of Barometric Pressure!

Since I find analogies as a great way of understanding something scientific, here's a picture explaining the basics of barometric pressure...through sucking a straw...


Okay, so now that we understand that, how can we relate this to our moods?


Well for years we've known animals to be hyper-sensitive to weather. Maybe some of you have pets that seem to forcast storms, or rain showers? Scientists are starting to see these patterns in humans, and our sensitivity to atmospheric pressure is getting a lot more attention lately.


I've always suffered from rapid mood changes based on temperature and air pressure. One of the main reasons I am planning on moving out to California in 2011 is because the weather on Vancouver Island is extremely instable. We are extremely vulnerable to the coastal air flows that come down from the N.W. This means the weather can change on a dime, hot to cold, sunny to cloudy. It's uncommon to have a two good days in a row; most people living here know that one sunny day means one shitty one is just around the corner... how fun is that?

Anyways if you want to read more click here and here for two great little articles talking about symptoms. Basically headaches, mood changes, arthritis, joint pain, insomnia, etc. can all be signs of barometric pressure sensitivity. And if you suffer any of these, you realize there's only one option; suck it up or get out!


Question: Do you suffer from a sensitivity to
 barometric pressure and/or weather changes?

56 comments:

A Toronto girl out West said... [reply]

I've had the exact same experience with that type of tempeh! Rotten even though it was pre-expiry date.

That was months ago. And I was so disgusted I've yet to go near another piece of tempeh. In fac the thought of it grosses me out.

Megan D said... [reply]

Ew I didn't even know tempeh went bad! Maybe I should go eat mine now! I am not sensitive to weather at all but it sounds intriguing/frustrating!

Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) said... [reply]

I am very sensitive to weather and pressure changes. I get the worst headaches! We also have a kitty (Tanner) that we call "weather kitty" because she always sleeps with her facing down when it's going to rain or the pressure changes, lol.

Jenn

Monet said... [reply]

I become very moody when there is a sudden change in weather...and I have a really hard time during winter (I tend to get depressed). I'm glad that you are off those antibiotics and I hope you have a great weekend!

Heather Iacobacci-Miller said... [reply]

I agree, that tempeh looked a little too black in spots. Ick. Weather totally gets to me too. Winter is the worst. I have one dog who will let us know about an hour before it's going to storm b/c he starts to pace and pant. Poor guy.

Anonymous said... [reply]

That is one of reasons why I applied to mostly California colleges, because I cannot stand rainy days or cold weather! We can meet up if you do end up coming to Cali! :-D

claire said... [reply]

I am definitely more bummed out in the super cold months but also am not a fan of extreme heat over 90 degrees. I prefer milder climates like northern cali. Yikes to the tempeh...thats never happened to me but I've definitely had to waste some tofu before...boo!

Oh, and I have been loving the coconut milk kefir...hope the probiotics help my tummy!

Kacy said... [reply]

That's really interesting! I'm definitely affected by changing temperatures.

Sorry about the rotten tempeh :( Love Kefir!

Justine said... [reply]

I don't think that I suffer from any symptoms. I know that my hands (the tops, usually) are sensitive to the changing of the seasons, but not the general weather. I have heard of such a thing before, but it is always interesting to learn about!

Amanda @ . seek . said... [reply]

Ooo, girl you know I'm loving my kefir! It's the best with bananas, blueberries, almonds, and cinnamon.

The weather definitely affects my mood but we have pretty stable weather over here in the prairies, so I don't usually suffer rapid swings. I've heard that about Vancouver weather, though, and I'm sorry to hear that you have to deal with it so much. At least you have an escape route, though :)

Becca said... [reply]

i have SADS and it is TERRIBLE. i completely understand how you feel and i too plan to moving to cali to solve my problem! maybe we can get coffee in 5 years when i get out of college :] hehe
<3

Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen said... [reply]

Do you know the Queen song "Under Pressure", yeah, that is me! I totally suffer and am suffer now so badly! My joints are killing me and I feel heavy! I hope you feel better...under the pressure!

Unknown said... [reply]

What an educational post! Love it :) Where do you get tempeh? I want to try it so bad. I used to eat a lot of kefir, that's a good idea to put it with berries, I find it's so bitter by itself...

Kristin (Salty Tooth) said... [reply]

Haha, love that you posted the tempeh! I've never noticed any mood changes dues to barometric pressure and/or weather changes, but I've also never thought about it. Thanks for the info!

Anonymous said... [reply]

I get headaches w/ pressure changes as well. And the tempeh looked so gross. I think I have a texture issue w/ tempeh. Ick. :)

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said... [reply]

bahh I cant stand tempeh! its one of those foods, taht I have TRIED to like in all sorts of ways, but the way it smells tastes and the fact that it just LOOKS like mold, freaks me out...so yeah would have gone in the trash for me too!!!

i do tend to get moody when its cold and dreary outside!! i always smile and MUCH happier in the warmer, sunnier weather!

Anonymous said... [reply]

It's pretty scary how much of an effect the weather can have on my mood, actually! And I'm almost certain that the crazy changes we've been having lately is the culprit behind my increased migraines. Not a fan.

<3 <3

Anonymous said... [reply]

California is a hole, same with Florida...

alex said... [reply]

that tempeh looks scary nasty!!! lmao

alex said... [reply]

Seasons really affect my mood. I loathe Winter (after Christmas) It really depresses me.

Samantha said... [reply]

Wow, I learned something new today! Hey, your blog looks really good--I like it!

Ashlei said... [reply]

That's the same breakfast I've been eating :)

Hmm...don't think barometric pressure changes bother me much.

Mitri said... [reply]

Mmm kefir & tempeh! :)

I'm not affected by the weather at all; I love rainy, cloudy days as an excuse to stay inside & do cozy things. I thought I might learn what it's like to live in depressing weather when I lived in upstate NY during the winter-- icy rain, snow, gray, cold all the time... but I very much enjoyed it!

Lisa (bakebikeblog) said... [reply]

Ugh I am not a fan of tempeh AT ALL!!!!!

Anonymous said... [reply]

I've never even thought about the temperature thing. I know I get moody when it's NOT SUNNY! That's about it.

I still havent tried kefir yet. I need to give it a go though. I loooove yogurt.

Sorry to hear about your tempeh. I've never actually cooked it/prepared it myself ( I dont even know how). I've only eaten it at the Whole Foods Salad bar. Its really good though!

Kittie said... [reply]

The barometric pressure affects my jaw pain but not my mood. My jaw stiffens up and I sometimes can't even chew.

runnerforever said... [reply]

I don't think that I am sensitive to barometric pressure, but I have a friend who gets horrible migrains.
I haven't tried kefir yet, sounds good though.

Lena said... [reply]

I always get headaches when the pressure changes. The Pacific Northwest is not the ideal place to live when you're sensitive to changes in barometric pressure!

ac said... [reply]

Whoa, I have no idea what tempeh is supposed to look like. I probably would have eaten that ! Gross though. I hate throwing food into the trash--not only does it hurt my wallet but I also get somewhat ticked off. Especially if it was pre-expiry! BOOO.

I totally get affected by temperature/season changes. Mainly when the Sun is out. It gets so bad that there are some days where I just resort to overdosing on Vitamin D like it's some kind of drug.

I know I probably shouldn't write that but it's so late and I can't care to delete that.

Vitamin D addict for life,
Aletheia <3

Natalie @ cinnamonbums said... [reply]

i am SO glad you posted about this because it is a relief to find out that i am not CRAZY thinking i am super sensitive to weather changes...
i grew up in California so i was not used to huge fluctuations in weather but when i moved to Boston for college, I was not only hit majorly with seasonal affective disorder (not officially diagnosed, but i found myself often extremely irritable/depressed during the winter) - but i discovered that when there were sudden weather changes, let's say a 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) increase or decrease in temperature, the next day i would not only be EXTREMELY moody but also EXTREMELY fatigued. basically, if it went from really cold to really hot or the other way around, i would spend the ENTIRE day in bed sleeping - sometimes more than 15 hours! after that day, i would be fine, but on days when the weather changes drastically, i expect to be in bed and moody almost the entire day! it's really weird, but the weather affects me a LOT!

Anonymous said... [reply]

I LOVE that everything you have is listed in English AND French :)

Also, bummer about the wisdom teeth! I hope you're feeling better :) I had lots and lots of smoothies when mine came out.

Also, I tore a ligament in my ankle back in high school. Whenever the weather turns extremely hot/cold, it feels extremely sore. I hate it.

Anonymous said... [reply]

When I was still eating dairy (with the help of lactase enzymes), I loved mixing frozen fruit into yogurt! It definitely reminded me of a fro yo or ice cream. It was so yummy.

And that tempeh looks really scary..I know that there is normal browning sometimes, but that looks very abnormal. I wouldn't have eaten it either. Good call on throwing it out.

I am definitely sensitive to barometric pressure and weather changes. My mood is so easily influenced by this. I had no idea the weather was so crazy like that where you are. All I had heard is that it rains a lot in BC...and in Washington.
The weather in T.O can be pretty crazy too. I would love to move to California as well..not L.A but somewhere a little lower key and less pretentious. Possibly San Diego because it's beautiful with nice weather and I have family there. Not sure I would be ready to go any time soon though. Good luck with your move. I hope you get there and escape the craziness of Vic. weather.
xox

Anonymous said... [reply]

The rain and bad weather really affects my mood too, sigh! I wish I lived somewhere sunnier. Too bad about the tempeh! I keep mine in the freezer actually, I usually notice some black spots from oxidation but eat it anyway? Haha, hopefully its okay!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said... [reply]

that tempeh is nasty girl. omg that is just disgusting that companies can sell stuff that rots before it's supposed to..some people wouldnt have known and woulda eaten it anyway!

weather, yes. super affected by it. Why do you think i am in san diego...one of the most temperate, consistent places there is! yeah, i hear you on that one!

Katie in Recovery said... [reply]

I absolutely loved you diagram with the happy and sad face. I definitely notice that I am in a better mood when it's sunny. I never really though about my mood when it snows. If it's Christmas, I'm in a better mood. But I went to school in Ontario.... their winters are deadly and snow is not at all a nice thing to have around.
For me, I think its the amount of light. Blue skies make me happy!

Anonymous said... [reply]

That is some sad looking tempeh :(

I am sensitive when the seasons change and not day to day thankfully. I hate hot weather though so the Pacific NW would be idea for me since I love cooler weather and rain (I'm a weirdo I know) I've lived in FL and AZ and it gets so hot where I don't feel like doing anything and can't run in hot weather. I prefer to run when it's in the 30's or 40's.

Simply Life said... [reply]

I am always a lot happier when the sun is shining :)

Jessica (Healthy Exposures) said... [reply]

Aw, I hate opening products to find they're past date even when they're not technically! Tempeh is hard to tell, too - since they say the darker it is, the more "prime" it is, or something...
I'm not extremely affected by the barometric pressure in terms of headaches, joint aches, etc - but I am definitely WAY more upbeat when it's sunny out! I think it's so interesting how my animals react, though. My cat will be hiding under the bed an hour before a storm even comes. And you know one is on its way when they're ALL in the house!

Joanne said... [reply]

I DEFINITELY suffer from weather sensitivity. I absolutely know that I was depressed all winter because it was so gloomy. But now that the sun is back, my mood has definitely lifted.

Right now I can also feel myself changing moods because of barometric pressure. Mainly because the changes have somehow made my stress fracture hurt more. The whole I can feel it before it rains thing. Not fun.

That tempeh looks gross. I'm glad you threw it out. I've never seen tempeh that color before.

Chelsea said... [reply]

I saw that Kefir in my grocery store yesterday and I was thinking about trying it! Do you know if it comes in flavours?

I sometimes get headaches from changes in pressure. I've never taken notice of any mood changes though!

Anonymous said... [reply]

I've never tried Tempeh...I've never found it very enticing :/
Not sure about being sensitive to barometric pressure/weather changes. Strangely, my mood always seems to dip a bit when it's sunny and bright - when the sky is clear and things seem perfect. It makes me a little bit sad, oddly enough, because you'd think it would do the opposit.
Lots of love xxxx

Gina; The Candid RD said... [reply]

Interesting! I have never heard of such a thing, but I appreciate your analogy with the straw and the explanation of your mood changes that coincide with the change. I'm sorry to hear you have to go through this! It's almost like PMS every month...something you can't really control. Ugh. Cool that you are moving to California!!

Sorry about the tempeh. I never new the brown spots were from oxidation. I see those a lot.

Katie ♥ said... [reply]

Kefir is very good but yes Im like you, I wish it was thick like yogurt as well!

I cant believe the tempeh was bad : ( that has happened to me before with a muffin I got from an organic store, I came home to eat it, and there was mold on it!!!!!!!! Maybe this is why I have not had a muffin in forever, lol! I always see yours and think I need a muffin but the past haunts me, lol!!

Love you girl!!!!!!!!!!! xoxo

Trying To Heal said... [reply]

ah, sorry about the tempeh girl! what a bust with that!

i get affected by the weather...if it's dreary outside, i want to stay in and read a book. cold makes me super grumpy and irritable, but only when i have to go out in it!

sophia said... [reply]

The weather certainly affects my mood. I HATE rain. And I hate sudden changes in temperatures, too. It puts me off in an erratic mood. So DO come down to SoCal! That's where I am! :D

Tori said... [reply]

I've never tried Kefir. I know it's pretty nutritious though. I think weather affects everyone. I mean why do we get so sleepy when it rains? Or is that just me......

<3 Tori

Alex @ IEatAsphalt said... [reply]

This is kind of thought provoking. I never thought about my mood related to barometric pressure before. I definitely cannot stand winters in the Northeast. The lack of sunlight is my biggest culprit. I never want to do anything in the winter because its dark by 5. Yuck.

Anonymous said... [reply]

I think I actually have the opposite of SADS here in Phoenix. I MISS changes in weather!

Missy said... [reply]

Interesting post!
That barometric pressure effects us there is NO doubt...I live in Florida and every time there is a hurricane the ER is swamped with pregnant women...the pressure makes them go into labor.
~M

Krista said... [reply]

That's the same kefir I buy! Love it. But I do not love that tempeh of yours. Ewww! I wouldn't have eaten that either....

I don't know that I get mood swings from weather changes, but I my hubby usually gets headaches if the weather changes too rapidly.

Anonymous said... [reply]

This is the most random, but AWESOME post ever. I learned too much :)

Anonymous said... [reply]

I tried kefir once, but it upset my stomach, which seemed weird, because I love yogurt and it's always very soothing for me.

Living in New England with days and days of horrible overcast weather, I can totally relate. I'll feel really down, and then realize it's probably related to the crummy weather. (Thankfully, we're on a sunny streak right now.)

Yuki said... [reply]

What! I personally thought the weather has been fantastic for like the past week!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Mm, your bowl of kefir/fruit looks delicious!

Too bad about the tempeh. :( I've actually been having a really hard time eating tempeh lately. It just tastes gross to me now and I can't choke it down. What a pity. :(

Anonymous said... [reply]

Also, the weather does affect my mood. Particularly the rain, but I love it, so I don't mind. :)

Amy F. said... [reply]

I found this post looking up barometric pressure because I know I have a sensitivity to it. I've never been diagnosed with SADS, but I feel that too (even the spring to summer change :/)
I'm sitting here today wondering why on earth I can't think straight or function for the life of me, even though I have a ton to be excited for- and it hits me! It is so cloudy and heavy feeling today. I hear there is bad wind in a lot of places not far from here (AZ). I loathe overcast days because I just know what a rotten day it's going to be!! And I'm a massive "life is what you make it" believer.
Thanks for your helpful post!
I exercise, eat healthy (like for real), and know the impotence of goo rest. I bet my symptoms are worse today because I've been working out less due to an injury, therefore eating worse and not wanting to go to bed as early.
Lesson learned!!!

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