Seriously!?

I'm only 34 years old. It is rather depressing to regularly recieve mail from AARP. I have been for years. It was doubly depressing when, last week, I was informed I must now start taking this:




And my trip to the grocery store entailed getting all this:


As if my body doesn't have enough issues, I now have digestion problems. I swear this is someone's cruel way of punishing me for not managing to get through two attempts each on my physiology class and anatomy class at Utah State. I am now regularly looking up what parts deal with what problems, why pain in one location may mean a problem for another part, and how what you put into your mouth affects all those bits and pieces. Anyone need a lecturer on how much fun your body can have with you?

And because I am doing my best to avoid drugs, I'm also learning about all the natural ways you can fix these problems. When I was put on a drug for high cholesterol a few years ago, it about killed me. I had cramps and pain I wouldn't wish on anyone, and I couldn't stand up. All were side affects noted on the paperwork for the drug, but the doctor insisted it couldn't be that. So I quit doing the drug and just started eating better, and low and behold, my cholestrol numbers dropped. Funny thing is, I told the doctor this, and he swore it was because of the drug. Whatever. My body does not like all these fancy "I fix one problem but cause 5 others" drugs, so I'm going the au naturale route. It takes a little effort with reading labels, and doing some research, but I'm learning. Like for instance, licorice tea helps cure ulcers. Peppermint tea helps with digestion pain. Garlic cures many things. Eating plain yogurt with blackberries and nuts provides a good portion of protein and fiber four your day. And so forth.

Now, don't take this to mean I've gone cold turkey off the good stuff. I get tempted every now and then. Like when these ended up in the same shopping cart as the above items:

I'm human, what can I say. :-)