about

why the blog?

reality bites is my place to write about living with an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I struggled for years with chronic health issues, which unknown to me, were caused by Hashimoto’s. When you let an autoimmune condition get as far along as I did [I collapsed], sometimes it’s a long road to feeling well and being whole again. Finding out the source for my illness was like finding a map when you’re lost in the forest – you’re not sure where you are on the map… but you know where you want to go. Then, you start recognizing landmarks, and eventually you triangulate your location and start to find your way out.

There is a lot of information to digest and sort through. Some days I feel like my head will explode with all the facts! reality bites is a place where I can bring all of my experience, knowledge and ideas together in one place, and share it with people who might benefit from it. I’m grateful to all the people who contribute to my Hashi’s knowledge, whether they are book authors, bloggers, or friends in the autoimmune community.

my perspective on healing

In order to heal, it takes dedication to dealing with the issues associated with Hashimoto’s; vitamin deficiencies, diet, lifestyle habits, proper medical care, methylation, and more. Hashimoto’s is not cured by a pill. It is with us for life, but by tending carefully to our medical and lifestyle needs, many of us find our way to a balanced, healthy life, free or nearly free of symptoms.

While it is immensely helpful to learn as much as possible about autoimmunity, I believe wholeheartedly that we also need to live our lives; see the beauty around us and in us, do the things that we love to do. So, here on realitybites, one day I might post about brain function, and the next day I might write about seeing the Orca whales in Puget Sound. To thrive with Hashi’s, you have to be mindful of how you live, and it changes you forever. It’s worth every step.

who’s the blogger?

I’m a climber, a dog lover, an environmentalist, a yogini and a grateful student of life. I’ve had my hard knocks, and some moments of blissful beauty and grace. I’ve lived most of my adult life in mountain towns, enjoying a life of outdoor adventure and fresh air. Currently I live in a city, and for me it is the wilderness!

My career has seen me instructing mountaineering and climbing, serving as an administrator in outdoor education, teaching yoga, and now doing web design and writing. I thrive on such a varied life. Much of my free time is dedicated to studying autoimmunity, and volunteering in support of issues I care about – dog rescue and Hashimoto’s patient advocacy. The rest of the time I can be found rock and ice climbing and scampering up alpine peaks. And eating really good AIP food. Lots of it.

This is an adventure, and thanks for sharing it. I hope that by visiting realitybites, you can learn something valuable or find a bit of inspiration. If you are feeling overwhelmed by a new diagnosis or worn out from the struggle to find balance, remember: There is support available, the information you need does exist, and when we educate ourselves, we are better able to create the healing we so deserve and long for.

Be well, be true to yourself, and thanks for reading!