This March brought about a few big milestones for the Phoo-d family. Our sweet Anna turned 1 year old, marking progress from the sleepless nights and constant feedings of a newborn to the laughing, clapping, crawling (almost walking!) antics of a soon-to-be toddler. March also ushered in the 1 year milestone of changing our lifestyle to follow a vegan and gluten free diet.

Last April, I shared with you the story of my diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis and my struggle to keep the disease under control during pregnancy and my child bearing years, when medicated options are limited. After much research and soul searching Mr. B and I decided to embrace a vegan and gluten free diet to lower the overall level of inflammation in my body. That decision has changed my life in so many ways. (more…)

In early June of 2010 I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I was only 28 years old. Two weeks later I learned that I was pregnant with our first child.

The arthritis began years earlier, when I noticed tenderness and swelling in the lowest joint of my right index finger. At 22 I thought the swelling was a result of holding my cell phone too tightly while spending hours talking to Mr. B (a long distance relationship meant lots of phone time.) I taped the finger to the next one and bought a hands-free ear piece. After several weeks the swelling went away and in my mind the problem was solved. Over the next six years the swelling would recur several times. However with new cell phones every two years I always thought the pain was simply a result of overuse. I would buy an ear piece that worked with my current phone and try to use my finger less. By 2010 the swelling refused to go away. After months of religiously using an ear piece every time I was on the phone, I began to think that something else might be wrong. (more…)