Clean Living Archives - Pura Vida Sometimes

Lymphedema myths debunked

March 5, 2020 No Comments

The World Health Organization estimates that more 250 million people worldwide suffer from Lymphedema, yet most people know surprisingly little about the disease, and advice isn’t always good. I don’t define myself by this condition – it’s not a critical part of my identity – but on March 6, World Lymphedema Day, I try to join the effort to raise awareness and understanding for my LE brothers and sisters. I suffer from Stage 3 Lymphedema – it’s uncurable at this point but is treatable. After multiple studies, the jury’s out on whether my case is primary (hereditary) or secondary (caused […]

Clean Living, Lymphedema, Style, wellness

How to find cute shoes for wide Lymphie feet

July 31, 2019 No Comments

Cute shoes for Lymphie feet - Pura Vida Sometimes

When I was first diagnosed with Lymphedema a few years ago now, I reluctantly said adieu to some really amazing pointy-toed, strappy, cute-as-hell shoes. But I didn’t give up. No, not me – not ever. And I wasn’t about to trade in my heels for my nana‘s beige orthotics. After trial, error, and a lot of money invested, I wanted to share with my community some quick and dirty rules on how to find cute shoes for wide Lymphie feet. As context, I’m not afraid to show my compression – I’m becoming bolder by the day, but I also don’t […]

advocacy, Clean Living, Lymphedema, wellness

The hidden impact of Lymphedema

March 5, 2019 1 Comment

Sharing the mental and emotional effects of a physical disease for World Lymphedema Day 2019 It’s been two and a half years since my Lymphedema diagnosis, and I’d like to tell you I’ve adjusted and adapted and everything is hunky dory. But it isn’t. I have a good routine, my swelling is well controlled, and I look almost normal, but there are days when I feel anything but. I’m am backed by a community of “lymphies. “Some of them are far more physically affected than I, while some are triathletes and marathon runners. All deal with the mental and emotional […]

advocacy, Clean Living, health, Lymphedema, wellness

What Can Be Learned from Lymphedema Diagnosis?

September 25, 2018 5 Comments

Many health practitioners are still figuring out what Lymphedema is, let alone what to do about it. On that patient side, actual Lymphedema diagnosis can be a costly endeavor, an unnecessary formality, a step toward surgery, or a source of affirmation. For me, like most things, it became a matter of knowing the rules so I’d know how and when I could break them. Before I get started in telling you what I did and what resulted, a quick disclaimer: I’m not a health professional, nor am I the most knowledgeable when it comes to Lymphedema (LE) diagnosis, but when […]

Career, Clean Living, family, health, wellness

Super Woman Rx: Busy Women’s New Bestie

August 9, 2018 No Comments

Super Woman Rx: Busy Women's New Best Friend on Pura Vida Sometimes

I haven’t yet decided whether it was a lie when they told us we could have it all, or whether it’s true you can have it all, just not at the same time. But for those of us deeply entrenched in being everything to everyone, I have just the thing for you: Super Woman Rx. In a previous career, during the course of seven years, I had the privilege of working with some of the world’s top doctors and health experts, creating and marketing integrative medicine programs, educating medical professionals. Many of the physicians I worked with were women who rose through the ranks […]

Clean Living, health, nutrition, wellness

Brain Octane for Tired, Hungry Parents

April 12, 2018 No Comments

I am a hungry girl. Most of waking hours of my life have been spent eating and/or trying to stave off hunger. But recently, I feel like I’m getting closer to cracking the code of satiety. I have a few strong, quintessential mom issues standing in my way: sleep deprivation and limited time to exercise and consequently brain fog, hunger, and the challenge of meal prep for palate-awakening pleasures in a house of picky eaters…and me. Eating thoughtfully is a luxury. So when my friends at Bulletproof, the biohacking behemoth, approached me and asked if I wanted to try their […]