05 January 2011

Tea Therapy


Good morning chickens. I wish I could put emphasis on "good"... but truthfully 
I have been noticing my depression creeping up on me, and quickly
I can barely get out of bed. Although I temporarily reduced a few of my mood
 symptoms from going sugar-free, the reduction of carbs = a reduction 
of serotonin = less happy brain chemicals.


Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, is amazing for stress and anxiety


I'm coming to terms with the fact that anti-depressant medication may 
be my only way to feel motivated to enjoy my life. 2011 is not supposed to 
be the year in which I stay home with no joy or hope for anything in 
my life/future... yet even with the hundreds of herbal supplements I have 
acquired, my depression is getting worse and worse and worse.


I made a version of my Egg Scramble Wrap 
with spinach, kale, red onion and cottage cheese


Grilled on the George Foreman


Kind of a FAIL... again! ha


Ah where were we? Yes, I am certain that most (if not all) of my core 
symptoms are linked to low serotonin. Could this be the reason I eat 
so many sweet potatoes? Probably. Sweet Potatoes boost serotonin 
and i'm sure that's why I crave them so badly!


True, I hate having to take medicine, but I think I owe it to 
myself to LIVE and WANT TO LIVE.. than to try and remedy 
my diet and lifestyle with natural this/that without results.

All this was realized over Tea...
How's that for Tea Therapy!

xoxo

40 comments:

Anonymous said... [reply]

May I ask about your experience with particular anti-depressants? I've had some poor experiences. I've tried Celexa and Zoloft in the past, but the side effects are not nice - affecting digestion, sleep, bloating (more than usual if that's possible hah!).

It's nice to see someone else eat dairy! I eat a lot of it but wonder if that's my problem sometimes.

I hope you and I do find a solution soon to enjoy 2011!

Devan said... [reply]

awe hun . I do hope you feel much better soon.
have you tried Matcha? it is also a natural mood enhancer... i love putting it in my oats, or almond milk!!
Your omlet wrap scramble things looks delish!!.

stay well sweet one<3

Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free said... [reply]

Oh Kelsey, I am so sorry that you feel bad!! I'm sure just one sweet potato every once in a while is not going to hurt you! It might help! It is just when you go a little overboard with them...But Maybe just eat one when you need it??

Lots of love,
Alex

Anonymous said... [reply]

I read somewhere that tea is not good for adrenal fatigue syndrome because it is a stimulant like coffee. Also in the same article I read that we should avoid dairy and fruit for breakfast because there are too many sugars in them.

I hope I helped and above all I hope that you ll feel better

love u

Lisa Fine said... [reply]

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time again, but I think the best thing is to listen to your body and doctors to determine what the best solution is. Even though it can be frustrating to need to take medicine, do what is best for your whole health.

Anonymous said... [reply]

kelsey i feel like i am in the same boat as you. i'm actually heading to my dr this morning to see what i can do about meds... what i am taking is just not working anymore.
i hope hope hope that you will be able to find the solution so that you can fully enjoy and live 2011 and 2012 and 2013... and all the other coming years to the fullest.
all my love little squirrel,
xox

Anonymous said... [reply]

Thats an interesting thing about the low serotonin and craving sweet potatoes! You're a clever girl!! Have a good day, I hope you feel better :) :)

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

I need some tea just about right now. I think the best part of this is that you are realizing what you need and how to work with your body. That is the first step in the battle. Keep your chin up sweetie...it will get better!

Anonymous said... [reply]

i love tulsi tea + sweet potatoes too :) i hope you continue to nourish your spirit and if it means taking medicine and living your life then by all means take it! you are wayyyyy too young to live a life depressed, seize the day dear!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Aww, I'm sorry you're feeling depressed... I can definitely understand not wanting to take medication, but you need to do what's best for you so that you can live your life and enjoy it!!

How is it that I didn't know sweet potatoes boost serotonin??

<3 <3

Unknown said... [reply]

hi pretty girl,
you know sometimes we cant help how our brains function. medication doesn't make us a failure or incapable-- it enables us to be US. and like you said, you deserve to live as YOU.

<3

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

Do what you need to do to live YOUR best life possible. You owe it to yourself and these isn't any shame. We are all here for you!

Aspiring Steph said... [reply]

dear Kelsey, I personally find carbs really helpful for my moods...sometimes just forgetting about all those nutrition facts etc. but focusing on what "my" body wants is great.
I was just wondering, is your depression solely due to hormonal balances? For me, I found hypoglycemia - caused by lack of food - was the problem. I really hope you get better, cuz you are a beautiful girl.

Ilana said... [reply]

I constantly crave chocolate, and it took me a long time to make the connection between my cyclical depression and my chocolate addiction. I personally have a serious aversion to therapy and medication from traumatic experiences when I was younger but I applaud anyone who is brave enough to go for it. I also always find myself dropping deeper into lethargy and depression during the winter, and rising out of it in the spring and summer. Thank you for just being open about it - more people need to talk about it because it's nothing to be afraid or ashamed of! Anyway here's hoping you do feel better soon <3

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said... [reply]

I am sorry to hear about your depression. Do whatever you feel is best girl - hang in there.

My husband says the trick to an omelet is to cook the egg in a pan a little first, and then when it is ready to flip put the veggies on one side and fold the other side over. Who knows!!?? I can't make them stay together either.

I am thinking of you girl and wishing you a peaceful, happy 2011.

Missy said... [reply]

Ah...hang in there!
Maybe do a little fruit or like ONE sweet potato (not 8? LOL)

You can stick it out.
~Missy

Anonymous said... [reply]

I'm sorry that your depression is creeping back on you! I have never been diagnosed as depressed, but it was definitely a symptom of my hypothyroidism which was just discovered a few months ago. Medication makes the world of difference, and I also hate taking meds as well. I don't even want to think about what I would feel like if I stopped taking my medication for my thyroid every day! Hang in there!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Do whatever is right for YOU! Life is too short! :) And I didn't know about the sweet potato/serotonin connection... neat!

Red Deception said... [reply]

I am a HUGE fan of tea therapy. In fact, I will reccomend to you my favorite tea: Yogi Kombucha Green Tea. This brand tastes great AND comes with an uplifting phrase with each tea bag. It's uplifting and nourishing :)

I hate taking medications, too. There have been days that I refuse to take it because I can't handle putting one more unnatural substance into my body. However, I know I need to try to be compliant so that I can become healthier, so I take those suckers daily. Even if I don't want to.

Anonymous said... [reply]

Hey love,
Sorry to hear you're not doing well. I too have struggled with the idea of taking medications, but remember that depression is a disease, just like diabetes, or even cancer. If you had any of these illnesses, would you not take medication, even though you know it would make you feel better? I know its hard to accept, especially since there is such a stigma surrounding mental disorders, but like you said, you deserve to get out there and live your life to the fullest!

I hope you feel better soon!

<3 Meg

p.s. what a cute heart-shaped potato!

Krista said... [reply]

Although I'm sure that taking med's is no fun, living life feeling sad is worse, I think. Hope that you feel more like yourself real soon, hun!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Have you tried 5-HTP? I'm currently taking it, for about 2 weeks now. It was either that or zoloft. If it doesn't work I have to take the zoloft. I believe you are probably following the advice of your doctor or naturopath so you should stick to what ever they recommend is best for you.
I hope you feel better soon!

Anonymous said... [reply]

clicked on your blog as i'm sitting here sipping tulsi myself :) i'm so sorry your going through this. kelsey have you heard of the supplement 5HTP? ive heard only positive things from it and take it myself with noticeable improvements- email me girl, feel better

Kittie said... [reply]

Once again, I wish you could find a way to live without them simply because I want to believe I can. I know many people can't live a happy life without help. I may very well be one of them. I see what medication has done to my family members. I know that I am angled toward addiction and dependence. I want to live with the mind I was given even if it folds in on itself. I have to trick my mind, keep it going with books and essays to avoid what it want to think about. Of course, I can't do much to avoid it going at night...but I guess it's a compromise. I know all people are different. I hope you find what you are looking for. The journey never really seems to end or find a resting place. Maybe you will find that place. If you do, tell me how it is. heh.

Meri said... [reply]

Hang in there- each day is a new opportunity, and every day might feel different.
On a lighter note, I happen to think your grilled wrap turned out quite prettily!

Lisa (bakebikeblog) said... [reply]

Take care aweetie - a big cup of warm tea sounds like a great way to start the day too xx

Kelsey @ Clean Teen Kelsey said... [reply]

I love your robe! You are so dang cute. Yay for sweet potatoes. :)

Chelsea said... [reply]

Aww Kelsey I'm sorry about what you're going through. I, too, would rather not be on medication, but I'm sticking with it because I'd rather be happy than unhappy. And if you don't get any negative side effects from the medication, what's the harm, right? Keep us posted on how things go! And feel free to email me if you ever want to talk. :)

Anonymous said... [reply]

ok. i've been reading your blog for days now and love it! after reading this post (and now knowing how similiar we are) i was asking myself if you've ever tried homeopathy? and not in a "yes-i-took-homeopathic-medicine-but-it-didn't-work-out" way but in a way u tried to understand hiw homeopathy really works! I had the luck (and still do) to have a very good homeopath ( a woman btw) because I started getting depressions and a lot of self-issues 2 years ago. and .. wouh, i know how it feels when u Suddenly wake up and OMG you don't see anything great in life (I wasn't thinking about suicide or so but i just lost the feeling for life meaning I ... forgot about aaall the beauty in life and nature!! ) everything's grey. You feel ugly and alone. I went to her and the 1st question she asked me was how I felt or how I was doing and this was the first time I recognized I really had an issue with myself and I tried hard not to cry about my true answer to This simple question "how do you feel?"
You really seem to do a lot of research about things that might help you (and you're also a little "health"-obsessed but that's perfectly fine (; )so why don't you do more research on homepathy? It helped me and I still (I'm not talking bullshit) sometimes cannot believe how strong I became and I'm so thankful that I feel that way. so so much. (cause I know it's not as a matter of course!)

best wishes and let us know if you found out more about homeopathy and if you like the way homeopathy works ( err yes, I somehow seem to like saying that word ,haha)
amarylis (yes, this is really one of my names)

excuse my middle-rate english (:

Marianne (frenchfriestoflaxseeds) said... [reply]

You'll figure out the right combination of diet and meds that help you live your life as you. I'm sure it's frustrating to go through all the trial and error, but you are strong and will figure it out. And like others have said - maybe a sweet potato (not 5 - 7) here and there will go a long way to help you out?

Kenzie @ A Healthy Purpose said... [reply]

I think you;re doing a wonderful job fighting this the all-natural way.

You really do have to do what's best for YOU so that you live your best life. I'm a strong advocate for drug-less therapies, but no body knows better than you on how to best treat this. Best of luck in whatever you choose. You have all of us here routing for you to have a wonderful, satisfying life!!

Mandiee said... [reply]

Keep fighting, my dear! I know you will do what's right for your body, whatever that is (and it may change with time, too). Maybe your increased depression also has to do with the season? Many people have SAD, and I can definitely attest to feeling down in the winter, as well. Anyway, I think which ever remedy you choose, things are going to get a lot better. No matter what, you will always have me (and the other memebers of this wonderful blogshere community) to talk to if you would like. And maybe for now, you can have sweet potatoes as a treat. That might actually might make them more special, therefore making you happier. I know sweet potatoes definitely make me happy (I'm actually eating one as I type this.)

Good luck, huni! Your honesty is truly refreshing. Have a lovely day!
xox

P.S. Yoga will make you happy, too :). If I could, I would fly there right now and practice with you.

Mary said... [reply]

Sorry to hear all this, Kelsey. You're such a vibrant person! We all love you and you love yourself..happiness is bound to come from all that lovin! :) Even sweet potatoes love you- look at that heart!

Karen (Toronto Girl West) said... [reply]

I've been there and it's no way to live. :o(

This may seem wholly inappropriate and you can completely choose to ignore me. But do you adhere to any particular faith? In my darkest moments prayer was the only thing that got me through.

Natalie @ cinnamonbums said... [reply]

hey girl, i am so sorry to hear about the worsening depression. i have been dealing with some mood swing/depression-type things as well, and i totally agree with you - at some point, i'd like to just stop thinking about how i can modify food/diet/supplements etc in order to improve my mood and just get on with life... for me personally i have stopped trying to correlate my food with my mood because as much as i know a lot of that is scientifically based, i know that worrying about food in and of itself causes me stress. so i just try to eat healthily, eat what im craving (usually healthy foods), and not think so much about what i eat. have you thought about seeking out a therapist / psychotherapy? that can help a lot.

Anonymous said... [reply]

hope you feel better girl! that sweet potato picture is pretty funny :D

Jes said... [reply]

I personally think that taking medication gets a bad wrap. Sometimes I feel that it is necessary. If it helps someone get or feel better and is not hurting that person, then why not?

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be happy. (o:

Kristi said... [reply]

So sorry to hear that your going through a rough spot. That's how we learn though what our bodies need. If we need medicine to get out of bed, than that's what we have to do.
I only hope that your days get happier :)

Ana Powell said... [reply]

Hi, nice to be acquainted.
Great work and clicks, very healthy food too.
Many thanks for your visit ♥

Tatianna said... [reply]

Have you ever tried taking SAM-E? It really helps with depression, niacin does really well too.
I saw this great movie called Food Matters. It was all about how food effects our system's balance. There was one doctor in this movie who was saying that he treats depression of his patients with Niacin.

Post a Comment