Food is medicine; medicine is food.

I'm not sure who said that (Hippocrates maybe?). I have been learning a lot in the past week while researching natural remedies for treating sarcoidosis. First of all, my pulmonary function test was normal. I knew that it would be. I also discovered that, although the doctor had ordered lots of tests for me, I have no way to compare them to past tests because they measure everything differently here. I only had his word on what was normal, high or low. Most things were fine, liver enzymes up a bit, cholesterol high, A1C a little high, Vitamin D normal. However, they only did ONE of the necessary vitamin D tests I needed. I can't get either of the drugs I need for the Marshall Protocol at Hamad Hospital, although I can buy one of them OTC out of pocket. I can't afford to do a summer's worth out of pocket. Ridiculous. They also would only give me two months of drugs even though the doctor wrote it for 3. So, good thing I've been able to cut back on some......what I have should last til I get back, barring any complications. I am going to have to be extremely strict with myself especially with diet to make sure I can keep the diabetes under control. Unless I get riding so much, the exercise counteracts that. :) In the fall, the plan is to get a CT scan to check my lymph nodes, liver and spleen. I may end up having to go to Al Ahli Hospital after all.....but gotta pay for THAT out of pocket, too. I'm just not sure if I'm comfortable with this guy I have....I need ONE good doctor to help me with EVERYTHING. Good thing I am proactive with my health care.

Anyway, I am completely finished now with grades, turned in my committee work, and am ready to fly home. Last week, we got together with our Kurdish friends, Shamal and Suzan, who showed us how to make yaprakh (also called dolma). It's one of our favorite dishes and not terribly difficult to make. We made our own today and it turned out great! I can't wait to make it for our friends and family in the U.S. :) We're planning to take home some spices so we can make some other dishes, too. Now, to get to my blog title....

The more I research the health benefits of different foods and spices, the more I find that all I need to do is EAT fresh foods with nature's seasonings. I ended up buying a whole box of lemons since the yaprakh requires fresh lemon and after looking it up, it has LOADS of health benefits besides having vitamin C. So, I squeezed one fresh and added some Splenda for some fresh lemonade. I added another one to a glass of karkade....mmmm, mmmmm, good! Dill is another ingredient in yaprakh, delicious and has lots of health benefits as well. I can't bring myself to eat fresh garlic cloves, or fresh spring onions raw, but so many of the foods I love are so healthy. It will be hard making do in Michigan this summer without the variety and amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that we have gotten used to having here. I'll be haunting all the farm markets and natural food stores! :) I'm hoping we can continue eating as well as we have been. I'm going to go book shopping for a book on natural remedies as soon as I get home, too! The time is fast approaching. We'll see you all soon!