One of the components of travel I enjoy the most is, after a day of adventure, sight-seeing, the thrill of experiencing a new place, is sitting down to an authentic meal, where ever I am. The fresh fruit and coffee of Hawaii, crocodile in Australia (it really does taste like chicken), the spicy foods of Mexico, the pasta in Italy- I could go on and on and on….
When the doc told me I had Mac D, he said, wear sun glasses, take eye vitamins, exercise and eat the greens- kale, spinach and other assorted lettuces/vegetables. I am diligent about taking my vitamins, twice a day, wear sunglasses and I don’t do too bad with the exercise- some weeks are better than others. However, being of German descent where sausage and sauerkraut was considered a healthy meal, I’ve had to work on incorporating the Greens into my diet my whole adulthood. Now, I’m not opposed to a great salad or fresh crisp vegetables the vast majority of the year, especially in the summer time. However trying to do that during the winter is not something I have embraced very well.
The struggle during the winter months has been real for me. It has been, at times, a sadness and a constant pressure to make sure I’m “eatting my veggies”. Since I still have most of my eyesight, I vacillate between being in denial about my diagnosis, feeling resigned that no matter what I do “it’s gonna happen anyway” or just feeling like a failure. At times I’m disappointed in my caving to my craving for comfort food over doing what’s in the best interest of my eyesight. In my head and on paper, that sounds like a pity party. Maybe it is, but I’m sure there are many of us that are going through this daily push/pull with needing to eat healthily for the sake of our eyesight.
On a more positive note… Mac D continues to remind me every day- take care of yourself and no one is perfect. Give myself the grace I deserve. Since being diagnosed, it’s always in the back of my mind, life is precious. Get up every day and say carpe diem, then do it.
Well, it’s time to go eat kale sausage soup during a Spring snowstorm.
Happy Travels.
What will you see today?
Janice Ekholt
Acropolis of Athens
A Traveler's Journey to Blindness 