Endometriosis & Nutrition

I have stage 4 endometriosis. It's a shitty, painful condition that is invisible to strangers and generally involves lots of surgeries and crazy hormonal treatments in order to, just, keep on top of the symptoms.

If I try to explain it in my own words it'll just come out as quite a lot of swearing, so here's the official NHS line:-

Endometriosis is a common condition in which small pieces of the womb lining (the endometrium) are found outside the womb. This could be in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, bowel, vagina or rectum.

Endometriosis commonly causes pain in the lower abdomen (tummy), pelvis or lower back. It may also lead to fertility problems (see Symptoms of endometriosis for more information). However, some women have few or no symptoms.

The cause of endometriosis is uncertain, but there are several theories.

Endometriosis affects around 2 million women in the UK. Most of them are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40.

There is no known cure for endometriosis. It is a chronic (long-term) condition that can cause pain, lack of energy, depression and fertility problems. However, symptoms can be managed and fertility improved with pain medication, hormone treatment or surgery, so that the condition does not interfere with your daily life.

After years of laparoscopies, being put through an early menopause for 3 months, pills & disciplinaries for absence from work I was told it was hysterectomy time or try to get pregnant, if I could, which was doubtful.

What do you know? I got pregnant very quickly and was given nearly 3 years of respite from pain until I stopped breastfeeding and the dreaded hormones kicked in again.

I've since discovered that my adhesions are so widespread that a hysterectomy would not bring me full relief of symptoms anyway. Stage 4 is the final stage and a lot of women have it much much worse than me.

This time round it's back in my life but I'm not going down the NHS route until it's totally necessary.

Elevenses With Kirstie Allsopp

The week before last I was wrangling my toddler into the pram outside the supermarket when I received a call from a lovely girl at Persil informing me I'd won a years worth of Persil Small and Mighty and was being shortlisted to win a £1000 family holiday for 4 and could I manage down for a meet and greet with Kirstie Allsopp.

A nightmarish pose...but don't I look happy? bless.

5 mums across Britain were being chosen to win this treat for performing mini miracles every day. Some wee nominated by family and somehad entered themselves. From what I remember I'd written about how I like to have a project. That when we go out for the day  to the museum, park etc we use it as a theme back home, doing drawings, making things & singing songs.

I was so shocked, and distracted by Christopher, that I didn't have much of a chance to take it in but said yes, that would be no problem.
All weekend I couldn't relax , telling myself not to be stupid, of course I wasn't going to win.


Well, I didn't hear anything and got on with my week. This time I was trying to coax Christopher down from the top of a slide where he was refusing to move, hitting all other children who came near away! 
The call came and I was told I'd won and could I come down just a few days later.

Garofalo Pasta Challenge!

Garofalo Pasta have launched a lovely range of kids pastas and a culinary challenge on facebook to go along with this.

We emailed to have some sent to us and were delighted when it arrived because we got the classic Pazzielli (scoobidoo!) consisting of dogs faces, little vans and spooky ghosts.

Christopher enjoyed his pasta, particularly the pesto!

Christopher's birthday falls around Halloween and is the day after mine so from now on until I'm too embarrassing we're having a big joint birthday party each year.

Last year we did Mexican food but I fancy a change this year and have been looking for something affordable and tasty to make instead of chilli, especially so that the kiddies can eat it too.

I was struck by inspiration and decided to separate the 3 shapes out and make an Italian Tricolore Pasta that can be mixed together on a kids plate with colours and flavours that compliment each other.

Photos Of The New Museum

I LOVE our National Museum of Scotland!

Anyone that's thinking of visiting Edinburgh, with or without kids, must visit.

Here are a few pics of the opening ceremony.