Three Things Actually Saving My Life Right Now

...and adding years of joy to my ride.

*Note: there are NO affiliate links in this post. I’m simply recommending products I use and love.

A sore right shoulder. A noisy kitchen appliance. And November 9.

These three things actually could save my life.

Barbara Brown Taylor is credited with first asking the now popular question: “What is saving your life right now?” One of my favorite writers/podcasters, Emily P. Freeman, encourages us to ask it and gives us her creative list of lifesavers each quarter. Typically, ordinary pleasures that bring joy or get me through the day—like pumpkin spice or autumn leaves—would make my list.

But today, I’m giving the question a more literal twist and will mention three things that are saving my actual physical life right now. Or at least, they could be.

A Win-Win!

First, there’s my sore shoulder. I am rarely punched in the arm, but if I were, I imagine the next day it would feel tender, bruised, and painful when lifting or reaching. Like mine does now. 

That’s because yesterday, I went to Walgreens and got my annual flu and now-annual COVID vaccines. In minutes, I made an appointment online. In less than an hour at the pharmacy and with no money out-of-pocket, I earned my red bandaid of honor with the recognizable white “W”, proclaiming me a “Winner!” I even received a $10-off coupon for each vaccine! Winner-winner!

I know there are varied opinions on vaccines out there, but here’s my view. I don’t live in fear of dying from the flu or COVID. But I know it’s a possibility. And just like I wear a helmet when riding my bike, a seat belt in my car, and a life jacket in my kayak, if there is an easy way to protect myself from even the possibility of a severe illness or injury, I’m taking advantage of it. Plus, I have faith in medical professionals who understand the science more clearly than I do.

My sore shoulder (which is already feeling a little better) could be saving my life right now. 

A Recipe for Health

Next, let’s talk about my noisy kitchen appliance. Can you guess? My coffee maker beeps a little and my dishwasher hums. And even though there could be evidence that they have both saved my life on a daily basis, they aren’t what I’m talking about. 

Instead, I’m singing the praises of my personal blender. A NutriBullet (or Vitamix, Ninja, etc.) easily blends a morning smoothie. Sweet, satisfying, and nutritious, my smoothies have no added sugar and a multitude of health benefits. There are many variations, but my current go-to recipe is something like this:

• Something sweet (that’s not sugar). I use ½ to 1 banana or juicy pear. 

• Something “berry” healthy. Best are the strawberries and blueberries I picked and froze myself, but I also like Costco’s Three Berry Blend. Berries provide anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, vascular protectant, and neuroprotectant benefits. Wow! 

• Something Greek. Plain Greek yogurt is a significant source of protein, calcium, vitamins, and live culture, or probiotics, for gut health. I use non-fat, but any fat level will do.

• Something green. Adding spinach or kale is an easy way to get your greens. When mixed with berries, your smoothie won’t taste like a salad or look green (which turns some people off). Both are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals.

• Something liquid. I prefer an original/unsweetened plant-based milk (e.g. oat or almond) to avoid the high glycemic index of juices. Regular skim or 2% milk is fine too, but I’ve found plant-based ones don’t spoil as fast.

• Optional add-ins. I currently add a scoop of collagen powder (+probiotics) for hair, skin, nail, joint, and gut support. My wrinkles have yet to disappear, but it can’t hurt to try! Other suggestions: chia seeds, NSA peanut butter, or protein powder.

How do I know my blender (and smoothies) could be saving my life right now? I’m not a nutrition expert, but smoothies are filling and satisfy me for hours. Also, a recent complete blood workup showed all my levels to be normal. Seeing all the arrows in the green bars made me love my breakfast concoction even more! (Full disclosure: I do take Rosuvastatin to keep my cholesterol in check. I blame my love of pizza. 🤷‍♀️)

When I used my NutriBullet 900 two days ago, there was a funny burning smell coming from the motor (to be expected after several years of almost daily use). So I ordered a NutriBullet Pro+ 1200 for 50% off during Amazon Prime days! If the old one conks out, I won’t miss a smoothie, and if it doesn’t, I won’t have to cart one back and forth to the cabin all summer. That’s how much I love mine.

My noisy NutriBullet and satisfying smoothies could be saving my life right now.

Going Under the Knife

Finally, on November 9, I’ll be having surgery to repair a torn tendon in my hip. I realize I’m not facing open heart surgery or tumor removal, but this surgery could save my life. 

We know that walking, or “getting our steps in” is one of the easiest forms of exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It requires little effort, no special equipment (save a good pair of walking shoes), and if we walk outside, offers many benefits beyond physical wellness.

But when every step hurts, as mine do now, walking isn’t in the cards. I don’t know how I tore my tendon (I read it’s more common in older women—I fit both ranks), but first noticed pain in my hip about a year ago. After multiple X-rays, MRIs, cortisone shots, and doctor visits, with minimal or only short-term relief, surgery seems to be the only option left. 

Thankfully, my hip pain didn’t interfere with cycling or kayaking, so I kept moving over the summer. But I’ve walked less and less since the pain and my limp have increased.

If we are able-bodied and healthy, it’s so easy to take daily activities, like walking, for granted. I don’t anymore. If my surgery is successful, I hope to recommit myself to the daily habit of getting my steps in. 

I pray November 9 will be a day that could save my life.

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I’d love to know, what’s saving your life today? What are you doing to stay healthy and live longer? Are you getting regular mammograms and colonoscopies? Prevention is key!

Just for fun, let’s see how many of you read to the end.

If you’ve had (or plan to get) your flu/COVID shots, drink healthy smoothies, OR enjoy walking for exercise, hit the “like” button below! (Even one of these three things might save your life today!) 

Then tell us more in the comments!

Note: I’m no health expert, but since good health can extend our empty-nest joyride, I’ll do what I can to promote it. If you’re looking for more “expert” advice on women’s health, I recommend:

Karen Friend Smith’s “The Lift”, right here on Substack!

and Rhonda Glan at Making Midlife Marvelous.

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