Oh Crap: Thanks a Latte, Olive Oil and Smoothies

I am about to overshare. Whether it is a cautionary tale, an embarrassment that will come back to haunt me, or a funny tale, only time will tell. I moved across country to a place where I know no one, a little stressful, but by choice. Brought a new house that I love for more than I planned to spend, some more stress, but by choice. In the process of selling old house, let’s knock up that stress level. Enough of the stress, it’s time to manage my health. Time to resume my morning smoothie. A couple of cups of frozen kale, a handful of frozen strawberries, throw in some fresh ginger and fresh turmeric, a splash of maple syrup and blend. Drink and go for a morning walk. After a couple of weeks, yes, I will admit this as a public service announcement, I had a couple of episodes of bowel incontinence. OK, I crapped my pants and more than once. The horror!

I am barely settled in; how do you find a doctor and say, uhmmm. How do you even ask strangers for a recommendation? Then it hit me. I’d changed the recipe. Since I’d lost 5 pounds I started to add olive oil to increase my caloric intake. Not just a dash, about a third of a cup. Then, on my way to the park, to add more calories, a latte and for the 2 mile walk. Oh shidiot! What foods that act as a laxative? Olive oil, coffee, kale, strawberries, ginger and turmeric. Google told me that the recommended does of olive oil as a laxative is not more than one table spoon. There a FIVE tablespoons of olive oil in a third of a cup!

Cautionary tale, public service announcement or funny story? The point is, embarrassment and discomfort made me change. This week, consider when you make changes, particularly around health. What drives you?