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the tiny space between my ears is filled with a crushing pain. it hangs out behind one eyeball and just to the right of my left temple. it pushes its way down to the base of my skull and into my neck, taking over one half of my body and making me feel inhuman. pain management is something I’m not used to and I’m not the biggest fan of medicating. having gone to the doctor earlier this week, I do posess some rather effective migraine meds, however, I’m a bit afraid of how I’ll react to them. Of course, those rather pricey pills are sitting at home as opposed to here at my desk next to me and as this mind bending pain taking over half of my head slowly increases in intensity, I’m wondering how much longer I can sit here and wish the pain away…focus on something else…breathe deeply and slowly and hope that it causes me to be in a pain-free state of mind, if for only a few minutes.
I’ve long been the type of person who doesn’t believe in getting sick, who doesn’t believe in ailments of any sort. Broken bone, twisted ankle…sure. But aches and pains, rub some dirt on them and keep going. Suck it up.
This pain is putting me in my place…humbling me a little, I suppose. I’d rather not give into it, but it’s making it really hard not to. Giving up the exercise that I’ve been doing for well over a year isn’t really an option as far as I’m concerned. I’ll consider taking it down a notch, but I’m not going to stop moving…at least not until the pain puts me out of commission.
For now, I’ll read everything I can get my hands on. I’ll drink more water than I ever thought possible. I’ll pre-medicate on the days when I know my exercise will trigger pain just to cushion the blow a little bit (but not completely erase the pain). I’ll do everything in my power to make this as pleasant of an experience as possible.
All I want to do right now is curl up in a little ball and close my eyes. This isn’t normal. Ouch.
tilapia tacos with cabbage slaw, originally uploaded by dharmabumx.
Tacos rank pretty high among my favorite food groups…anything with that slightly tex-mex/mexican vibe to it typically starts my tastebuds craving. That delicious combination of cumin and chili powder…salt and pepper…hot, spicy and smoky savory…typically involving a tortilla or two, some form of protein and some veggies to boot. A meal so perfectly tasty, yet healthy at the same time (well, most of the time…and this definitely qualifies as tasty). I enjoyed this meal so much last night, I thought I’d share.
Easy-Peasy Tilapia Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw
(feeds 2, can EASILY be multiplied)
For Slaw
1/2 head small red cabbage, thinly sliced into shreds
2 T chopped cilantro
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/4 cup chopped tomato
1 T shredded carrot
2T Lime juice
Salt
pepper
For Tilapia
2 pieces tilapia (I’d say mine weighed about 1/2 to 3/4 lb)
Chili powder
Cumin
Garlic Powder
Salt
Pepper
Olive oil
4 small flour or corn tortillas
Optional toppings
Additional chopped cilantro
sour cream
Combine all of the slaw ingredients in a bowl and sit aside to let the flavors mingle
Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Season both sides of the tilapia with ample sprinklings of the seasonings (seriously, I used no measurements here…just seasoned away).
Place the tilapia in the pan and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove from skillet and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Heat the tortillas according to package directions. I usually throw them in the wave for about 3o seconds covered in a damp paper towel.
Top each tortilla with 1/4 of the chopped tilapia and a generous portion of the slaw. Top with additional cilantro and a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Enjoy:)
The low hanging clouds have erased the treetops and the light seems kind of generic today, bathing the world in a sort of “whatever” hue. This is the first Wednesday I’ve worked in two weeks and it feels strange. Last night felt a bit like a Friday night. After sharing an amazing bottle of wine with my husband and indulging in spaghetti and meatballs (cue images of Lady and the Tramp in my head), I neglected to drag my somewhat detached body to bed at a reasonable hour and was a bit put off when the alarm sounded (for the 2nd time) at 5:50 am. The dog was less than eager to be chaperoned around the block in the dark, drippy morning and I felt the entire time as if I wasn’t present. I was just kind of inside myself, not doing anything, my limbs functioning automatically as if I were some programmed android.
Must shake the dust off my brain and start working again. Apparently just going to the gym every morning isn’t enough to jump start my day and get the blood pumping. I’m sure the weather has a LOT to do with it. I mean, who doesn’t want to stay couch-curled with a warm dog and a good book when it’s 34 degrees and rainy? I feel kind of stuck in this groundhog day-esque mood lately and I’d love to snap out of it. The words coming out of my mouth lately seem alien and unformed…and I have little control over their tone or meaning. Just lumpy is all. Need to find substance again, meaning, definition, life.
Maybe a little sunshine will fix it. Tomorrow?
