Plantar Fasciitis: A Pain In The Heel

One thing about the Internet is it's too accessible at least it is for me. One little achy spot and I'm there trying to diagnose myself. While it's probably normal behaviour because afterall who really wants to make a trip to the doctor's office if you don't have to? I'm one of those people.

Obviously I'm NOT a doctor and I shouldn't really diagnose myself and you shouldn't either, but I also know my body. Is it a good enough excuse? Most likely not.

What I did find when I woke up one morning last week, I could barely walk because the bottom, near the heel of my right foot was hurting. I needed sponge slippers because I couldn't put any pressure on it. I wracked my brain trying to figure out what I did to it and I have absolutely no idea. The pain eased up a bit during the day, but would go back to hurting every morning I woke up and stepped out of bed.

From what I've read it's possible (strong possibility as that I have the exact same symptoms) I could have plantar fasciitis, the most common of all heel pain. (Looking at the diagram, I'm nodding and saying "YES!"). Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fibrous tissues that runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes.

What causes plantar fasciitis?
If you're overweight (that's not me)
If you're pregnant (again, that's not me)
If you're a runner (maybe...)
If you have inadequate support in your shoes (that's not me)

What causes the inflammation?
Repetitive stretching and tearing can cause the fascia (fibrous tissue from heel to toe) to become irritated and inflamed.

I'm glad there are exercises that can correct this pain in the heel. This all involves stretching the calf muscle, Achilles tendon and fascia. Applying an ice pack can also reduce the pain and inflammation. It's also good to know you can still workout, but modify your work outs with low impact exercises. Add arch supports or orthotics to give more support in your shoes.

With the foot exercises, I'm hoping this heel pain will disappear as quickly as it mysteriously appeared.

Versatile Pasta Dish with Garden Vegetables and Fresh Basil

I really like this dish. It's so versatile in that you can add as many vergetables you like or to jazz it up a bit include some protein like chicken or chorizo...maybe add some prawns or scallop or some other seafood.

It's not really for the weight conscious person because of the cream.

Rotini Pasta with Garden Vegetables and Fresh Basil

3 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 sweet onion, cut 1/2 inch chunks
1/2 each green, red, yellow pepper cut 1/2 inch chunks
2 large tomatoes cut in chunks
25 snow peas, cut in half
10 basil leaves, rolled and diced
500 ml whipping cream
White wine
*Rotini pasta or fusilli or other similar sized pasta
Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

*Depending on how you will have this, side dish or main dish you can make as little or as much pasta as you want. I used 2/3 cup dried pasta to serve three people. (There were leftovers)

Cook pasta to your liking. Microwave peppers and snow peas for about 1 minute and a half.

Saute garlic and onions, add salt. Add peppers, snow peas and tomatoes and continue to saute. Add salt and pepper to taste; add white wine. Add whipping cream and let it reduce (you may not want to add this all at once in case you reduce it too much). It will reduce fairly quickly so watch it. You want enough liquid in there so when you add the pasta and parmesan cheese it won't soak it all up and become dry.

Once reduced, add pasta, parmesan cheese and basil. Mix well until pasta is coated.

You can serve it with cracked pepper on top and/or sprinkled with more parmesan cheese.

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

I know I have been majorly neglecting this blog and I know I seriously need to do something about that.

I'm grateful for many things this Canadian Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for family and for our health.

I'm thankful to be working from home.

I'm thankful for my online business partner. Shelly is an amazing woman and with a huge heart. She's also extremely talented in writing, baking, cooking, crafting and in her home business. I couldn't have asked for a more creative and intelligent business partner, but more importantly a true friend.

I'm thankful for the people who inspire me on a daily basis: my munchkin, my husband and Shelly.

I'm thankful for the genuine friends I've met online and who are always so generous and giving.

What are you thankful for?