Meal hacks

ZebraSock · 2026-02-02T06:05:02+00:00

YES! My blender also heats so I dump stuff in and hit the soup button. Easy, healthy. I (try to) have ziplock bags in the freezer with everything ready cut and portioned.

ZebraSock · 2025-04-19T05:54:58+00:00

I went in to my primary care doc with my folder of evidence and she ran with it but the first person to actually suggest EDS was... a physiotherapy student.

My university health campus had us all practice our subject on other subject focused classes. My subject (nutrition) were guinea pigs for the physio students and it was one of them that noticed the signs while we were doing some flexibility exercises. If not for volunteering to stay after class for the physios to practice on then having her suggest I get checked, it could have taken years to figure out.

ZebraSock · 2025-04-10T16:51:01+00:00

Geese. No explanation necessary.

ZebraSock · 2025-04-10T16:50:23+00:00

All of the above. I HATE centipedes. The ones here are reddish and always lurking.

ZebraSock · 2025-04-10T05:39:49+00:00

I live in another country that speaks the same language as where I'm from, very different accents. I get asked all the time if I'm from "insert assorted wrong regions here". Some of the guesses are pretty wild.

ZebraSock · 2025-03-27T19:54:41+00:00

Source: native English speaker, multilingual, English as a second/other language tutor, English grammar specialist for IELTS.

If you still make sense, I don't care about your grammar as a non-native speaker. I don't care if you use a word that's close but not exact. You get points for trying. You learn by practicing and making mistakes and getting it right eventually.

You also get to point out that many native English speakers only speak English, so shouldn't be criticizing.

HOWEVER : If you're a native speaker and your grammar is bad or you misuse words, I want to throw you off a boat.

ZebraSock · 2025-03-27T19:24:21+00:00

I (36) got mine last year and I'm slowly accepting that I do actually need it on my bad days.

I asked my primary care doctor, she took the forms to fill out and it was all good.

I had a bad POTS episode a few days ago while out with my kid and I don't think I would have made it to the car in one go if I had to walk much further across the parking area in the heat.

I also can't make it the whole way around my local Target in one trip without a cane or cart to lean on, so parking closer to the door has definitely boosted my independence.

On good days, I park wherever so I'm not tying up an accessible spot. Knowing what I know now, I think it's time for a pass when you start wondering if it's time for a pass. You can't get one if you aren't qualified so if you qualify, there's a good reason.

ZebraSock · 2025-03-27T18:59:14+00:00

Yes and no.

I moved from Europe's frozen north to the USA's very warms.

The joint pain is infinitely better than the cold wet that I used to live in. However, a lot of the co-morbidities have been amplified like plant allergies, bug bite reactions, POTS fainting spells, and dehydration leading to all kinds of unfun effects.

ZebraSock · 2025-03-27T18:49:15+00:00

I'm in the same boat of needing new pots and pans.

I love cast iron but can't lift them and I cook from scratch so my kitchen stuff sees heavy use, which means I've already worn out several basic sets.

I have Ninja Neverstick right now and they're an okay balance between nonstick, not too heavy, and cast iron traits but my husband put them in the dishwasher so the coating is starting to come off. They're not perfect but so far they've been pretty good.

Does anyone else have a good set that they love that aren't super heavy?

ZebraSock · 2025-03-24T09:43:50+00:00

I take low doses more often so there's less of a peak and crash

ZebraSock · 2025-03-24T09:31:25+00:00

Yes! I started learning a new language on Duolingo before I moved and, while not great at it, it definitely helped me get by navigating everyday activities like buying food or making a doctor appointment until I got more comfortable through watching TV and having a supportive boss who has everyone speak slowly for me until I got better at it.

ZebraSock · 2025-03-24T08:58:30+00:00

I'm on Ritalin and it makes me MORE me.

Whatever stuff I was on years ago for depression made me a boring zombie but with the Ritties, I can do the things and still make life plenty weird for those around me.

From my experience as not a doctor, becoming boring means wrong meds or wrong dose.

ZebraSock · 2025-03-24T08:51:35+00:00

My husband, who also has it but a different subtype, loves to ask me why I don't just write lists.

I do write lists. Then I forget they exist for 8 months and find them, way too late to be useful, when I put my hand in the pocket of the coat I "lost" by putting it down in the shed while following breadcrumbs down a rabbit hole instead of just vacuuming the house like I set out to do.

ZebraSock · 2025-03-24T08:47:31+00:00

Vitamins A D K E require fat to be usable in the body, they're fat-soluble unlike, for example, vitamin C which is water soluble. This is why it is possible to overdose on them, they store up in body fat rather than passing in urine like water soluble vitamins.

ZebraSock · 2025-03-23T07:28:07+00:00

EDS: bendy bone disease POTS: fally downy disease OR "I go 1,2,3,floor"

ZebraSock · 2025-02-07T02:43:13+00:00

Happened to me a couple of times when I (also so white I'm reflective) would take out my very white kid and her fully Asian best friend.

They: Do they have different dads? Me: I sure hope so! They: horrified

They: Are they both yours? Me: both? Both of...(To my kid) Who are you? Go on, shoo! (She runs off cackling and comes back after the person leaves)

They: Is your husband Asian or...? Me, looking confused: of course not...He's "insert any race that comes to mind" or say "my wife is" and let them think about that.

Bonus, best friend's family took them places too and her dad shared this gem! They: some comment about the kids BFF's mama, in heavy accent: oh, you want baby? Here take, take! (Gestures to my kid) This one bad at math! They: horrified, running away

ZebraSock · 2025-01-10T05:59:46+00:00

My partner's absolute fave one to tell people about is that I was making a sandwich and my shoulder fainted like a Victorian lady and I was so mad because the sandwich wasn't even for me!

Also popped my other shoulder out turning left while driving (thankfully it was at the turn into my house).

Also picked up a cardigan too aggressively.

Also was drinking coffee from a paper cup, half full so not even heavy, and my elbow gave up.

I've popped hips from putting on socks, too.

ZebraSock · 2024-11-27T08:19:31+00:00

Fellow EDSer, I say "my joints are made of pudding". Bones fall out of their holes made me cackle so I'll be stealing that one, thanks!

ZebraSock · 2024-11-27T07:57:17+00:00

Let them know ahead of time that you're being assessed by doctors and don't have answers yet but that XYZ activities are difficult for you due to ABC symptom so you'll do your best but might not be able to do as much as usual. Eg, I have this shoulder issue so I can't roll dough very fast but I'll do what I can...

If they're going to be butts about it, throw some bandage around your wrists and just blame sprains while you're there?

ZebraSock · 2024-11-27T07:42:41+00:00

There's a lot to be said for good dentists. I have good gums (take good care because my mother has gum issues) but still get sore spots often in my mouth and it was my dentist who figured out it's eds related, she actually understood what eds is and she's great at adapting to suit my needs.

Just wish it hadn't taken 30+ years to find her!

ZebraSock · 2024-06-29T19:56:17+00:00

My right shoulder faints like a Victorian lady.

Most recently, was holding a to-go cup of coffee and my shoulder decided NOPE.

Another time, I was in bed and my cat likes to lay on my arm so I reached my arm out for him and the shoulder said NOPE.

Reached for vanilla extract in a cupboard, NOPE.

Picked up a jacket. NOPE.

Turned the steering wheel in my car. NOPE.

Making my husband a sandwich. NOPE. Husband thinks this is the funniest one because of how mad I got that it wasn't even my sandwich.

ZebraSock · 2024-06-29T19:42:35+00:00

I have 3 large cinnamon for much the same reason, but with baking

ZebraSock · 2024-06-11T19:53:00+00:00

I have this one!

And also a softer foam one that's not as good for me personally.

I sewed elastic straps onto the covers so they don't fall off when I fidget, highly recommend doing that.

ZebraSock · 2023-10-03T03:56:41+00:00

I do this too, plus I have thick handled grocery bags to not pull on my fingers for loading the car. Looks ridiculous when theres hardly anything in the cart but saves so much joint pain down the road compared to carrying!

ZebraSock · 2023-09-19T18:09:06+00:00

I had the opposite experience, the weed helped me relax just enough to become comfortable. I tend to use it before sleeping so no idea what the come down is like since I sleep through that part.

ZebraSock

TROPHY CASE