I went to work, had a coffee with the principal I've been doing my internship with, and on my way home, I felt the prompting to stop in and get my hair cut. It was very spontaneous for me, as I usually have these sorts of things planned out, and for sure planned out with specific people. But, not yesterday. I pulled into the Belleza Spa and Salon and asked if they had an opening for a haircut. They did, but it would be with a new girl, and I ALWAYS get nervous about the "new" person. I think it's because I've been the new person giving services, and let's just say that with time comes perfection of skill.
I was hesitant and asked a million questions about this "new girl", and took a leap. Not only did I have them put me down for a haircut, but also for my very first highlight (in a salon, as boxes with my mom are always cheaper and she does a great job). With that in place, we were going to get to know one another because we had the next two hours to do so. We talked about husbands, children, infertility, new towns, old houses, Hatch chili's and how they're not the only good ones in New Mexico (gasp), and here's where it took a turn. We talked about facials! She graduated from the Aveda School in Albuquerque, and I shared with her how we took our daughter there to do a tour because she wants to be a cosmetologist. I also shared with her my ABSOLUTE LOVE for spas and Aveda products, but there was one problem. I told her that I couldn't use all the fun anti-aging, acne preventing products because I am allergic to salicylic acid. Hang on to your spanks people! Here it goes.
She said, "Oh man. That means you can't have aspirin either." I said, "Yes, how did you know that? I mean, what does aspirin have to do with salicylic acid?" She said it has everything to do with one another because salicylic acid is in aspirin, and in fact, salicylic acid is many foods, lotions, etc. WHAT? I was shocked, but not as shocked as I was about to be.
She showed me article, after article, after article about those allergic to salicylic acid. I thought it was just a topical issue, but it's not!! It's in foods, drinks, and other toiletries that I have been using. The symptoms of someone who is salicytrate intolerant was shocking to me because I have been struggling with each one of them simultaneously for close to 18 years. Symptoms like headaches, throat clearing (and if you know me, or have been a former student of mine you know how annoying this has been), swollen ankles, sleep apnea (or snoring), breakouts, and a few more that are too embarrassing to put down in the written word. I was dumbfounded because it's high in some of my favorite fruits and vegetables that I eat every day. It is also in my all time favorite beverage, in fact it's a passion of mine, COFFEE!!!!!!!!! Aaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!! What is a girl to do now?
I wanted to cry, because if you have been struggling with these things and they seem to be just apart of who you are, it comes as a great relief to see how they are directly woven together and it all comes down to the on thing that I've known I was allergic to: salicylic acid. I was surprised that my dermatologist never mentioned the internal implications, nor my doctors. I feel like all the negative, or annoying things that I struggle with, could be reduced (if not eliminated) by a cautious watch on my salicylic acid intake. Due to the stress our family has experienced over the past year or so, it has only been accelerated. That's why my hair has been breaking, ankles swollen for no apparent reason, extreme face breakouts, and headaches.
When I started to reflect on my past with this intolerance, it all makes since. I didn't clear my throat, have such terrible headaches, swollen ankles, snoring, etc. when I was in high school. I started all of this around the end of my freshman year of college. Well, that's when my coffee intake started, and other things I should be avoiding (like particular skin care items, etc.) started as well.
Today starts day 1 of the journey to watching my salicylic acid intake. It's complicated because it's a natural ingredient that can be found in the rarest of items like tomatoes (which I LOVE), gum, peppermint, spices, and so much more. I am attempting to slowly, but surely, detox my body and slowly reintroduce a few items that I miss terribly. I know what you're thinking. What are you going to do about your coffee problem? Glad you were worried too. I am only having one cup today, as opposed to four, and it will be the purest of forms. I will switch to decaf (which contains minimal SA) and go from there. It's crazy to think that even when I was cautiously trying to lose weight, that was a hindering me from truly losing weight. The SA found in products that someone like me cannot tolerate, actually makes you bloated and retain abnormal amounts of water. So crazy!!!
You see, there's one more aspect to this. I have been praying to the Lord, specifically for the past few days, that He please help me get my body back in shape. I have been perplexed as to why it's been so hard. Exercise is a must, and I have been working on that, but this is a HUGE problem that needed to be addressed. It's caused more dangerous situations than a few extra pounds, like blood pressure issues and hypertension, and if my highlights yesterday was to just find out more about this one allergy, then PRAISE HIM!!!
Thank you Lord for loving me so much as to prompt me, thank you Aveda for teaching your students thoroughly, and thank you Amy for being the "new girl" that led me to this discovery! By the way, I was able to share the Lord with her, through all of this!
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