In this WIAW I talk about how I've often been sick since we moved to China and What I Ate This Wednesday while being sick... again.
Sick After Moving To China
I wish I could say that my plant-based diet, active lifestyle, and previous travels overseas have built up my immune system enough to protect me from getting sick since moving to China, but unfortunately that's not the case. In fact, I've actually been more sick these past six months than any other time in my life. I've had more extreme sicknesses in the past (such as tonsillitis, poisonous snake bites, food poisoning, etc.), but I've never been sick this often...we're talking on average about once every 1.5 months. That's a lot!
The weird thing is, it's been almost the exact same sickness every time. It hits me like lightning. I'm feeling fine one evening with no signs of sickness and the next morning I feel like rubbish. A fever quickly builds. I start feeling achy. I get the chills. My nose runs and my throat hurts. These symptoms are intense for about a day or two and then they wear off. This sickness usually forces me to rest a LOT and take a break from working out for about a week.
This isn't the only kind of sickness I've experienced, however. As I'm sure a lot of you who have traveled can guess, stomach problems are a common occurrence around here. When I'm eating food I cook myself, I feel great! However, eating out where I can't control the amount of oil or MSG in my food often gives me the runs (sorry if TMI)!
It's weird to feel like you're home somewhere, but to be sick so often. When living in America, I would often get sick during or after a trip overseas. I would get sick occasionally when in America, but not nearly as often as when I was traveling and dealing with a different climate and cuisine.
Now that I live in China, overseas IS my home! I was hoping my body would adjust quicker, but it seems like that's not the case. We've been living here for over 6 months (crazy!) and I'm still continually getting sick. It's definitely confusing and discouraging to be sick so often; to constantly have to miss out on language class or social events because I'm not feeling good. I'm justing hoping I can pinpoint some causes of my sickness soon, so that I can make changes to being healthier here in the future.
Enough about me though! Let's talk food! This day of eats was from a sick day where I was home and resting. Unlike normal sick days, I actually craved veggies and things other than oatmeal. But let's be real. Oatmeal still happened. I hope you get some meal/recipe inspiration from these meals!
Breakfast
Carrot Cake Oatmeal: I blended up a carrot in some water and cooked my oats in it, whipping in ½ ripe banana for sweetness. Then I topped everything off with more banana, raisins, shredded coconut and peanut butter.
Lunch
Lunch was a Japanese sweet potato, roasted veggies (asparagus, carrot, pumpkin, and red pepper), Sriracha and nutritional yeast. SO filling and delicious. But sadly, I've realized that the Japanese sweet potatoes here are a little weird in that they remain super starchy and don't turn gooey and soft like most Japanese sweet potatoes. Their starchiness usually upsets my stomach and this was probably the last one I'll eat.
Dinner
Super Simple Stir "Fried" Rice. This recipe is my new favorite and I'll be sharing how I make it soon! It takes me about 10 minutes to prepare and I love all the textures and soy sauce flavor!
Snack
By the time dinner rolled around, I was feeling more energetic and was planning on hanging out with friends afterwards we finished eating. Towards the end of my meal, however, I started to feel really sick and long story short, I ended up having to stay home and deal with another kind of sickness. Gotta love China!
Before bed, to help my stomach, I ate a dried persimmon and a banana. So sweet and delicious.
Some of you may be wondering if I still enjoy living in China considering all the sickness I've been experiencing since I moved here. The answer? YES! I believe my health isn't fully in my hands. While I can do my best to eat healthy and stay active, the One who made me is in control. I could be even more sick if I was still living in America where I had access to all kinds of healthy food and organic produce. While China may not like me very much, I'm still so in love with China and wouldn't want to be living anywhere else. Don't get me wrong, after a week of being sick I definitely start feeling a bit sad and stir-crazy, but I know it will pass eventually and I'll be back to my normal self soon enough.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the link-up!
Now tell me:
What's the worst sickness you've ever experienced?
Do you get sick often?
How does your body/health hold up traveling?
Julie Lee says
We've been living in China for about 8 months now and have experienced the same things as you. I think the biggest adjustment was learning how to throw a whole lot of rest into the mix to make sure we recover well and give our immune systems a chance to catch up. Friends we know here say that the first year is the worst on the immune system.
Excited to follow your blog and watch how you use the vegetables available in China. Always interesting trying to figure out what some things are!
Faith says
Hey Julie! I'm so glad you commented! It's nice to have a fellow China friend:) Ah, and you nailed it on the rest. I'm trying to do more of that as I think it's so important. Thanks for sharing your experience too. I'm sorry you've had health issues, but I'm glad to know it might not be a long term thing.
Elizabeth says
Hey, I live in Thailand so we're practically neighbors. Before Thailand though, my husband and I lived in Slovakia and somehow contacted an infectious disease called clymidia pneumonia, not related to the other clymidia. It was cyclical and flu-like and wiped us out over and over again, but most Slovakia were immune to it, so it was really difficult for them to diagnose it. There's probably a million things that sound like what you are describing, but I just thought I'd share just in case!! Best of luck getting well.
Faith says
Hey neighbor! That's awesome Elizabeth. We were just there this January, and will probably escape the cold here in China every year in Thailand. Wow. What an experience living in Slovakia and dealing with that constant sickness must have been. So sorry to hear about that, but I'll definitely keep it in mind!! I really appreciate you sharing. Hope Thailand is treating you well!
Gillian says
Hi Faith, I really enjoy your blog and I am sorry to hear you have been so sick. The first thing I would do is to make sure I boil all water that passes my lips, even the water I use to clean my teeth, and the water I wash fruit and veg eaten raw in. You cannot be sure of the water quality in a lot of countries. Chinese people do not trust their own baby formula and are buying up all available stock in Australia. Best wishes ☺Gillian
Faith says
Gillian! Hi! Thanks so much for introducing yourself. I'm glad you enjoy reading my blog and I hope you've enjoyed the recipes too. Thanks so much for the suggestion. We actually just started being more careful with our water and are using filtered for almost everything. I really appreciate your wisdom and suggestions! Hope to hear from you again soon!
Cora says
Ugh this is the worst Faith - I'm so sorry you've been dealing with this for such a prolonged amount of time. When I was in SEA I got a mean stomach bacterial infection that lasted a few weeks. I have no idea where I got it from - and thats maybe the worst part. Sometimes you just can't figure out what it is that is not settling with you. I sure hope you are able to find a good clinic that can maybe give you a few tests? This being said - you are true motivation for keeping such a positive attitude through all of this. I feel like many people would have packed their bags to go back home weeks ago...
Dried persimmon! Never seen one of those!
Sending you healthy thoughts for a speedy recovery!
Faith says
Thanks Cora! Yeah, you know how frustrating it can be when you can't pinpoint what exactly made you sick. The worst! But I'm staying hopefully that I'll stop getting sick as often soon:) I hope you can get your hands on a dried persimmon soon. They're amazing!! So gooey and sweet:)
Sarah @ BucketListTummy says
Those carrot cake oats look amazing! And dried persimmon? I'm curious. I'm sorry you haven't been feeling well - that can def. damper experiences, but it sounds like you still have a positive attitude. I hope you feel better soon! 🙂
Faith says
Thanks Sarah! And I hope you can try a dried persimmon one day...they're one of my favorite foods now. So gooey and sweet! I hope my positive attitude continues and my sickness subsides. I'll keep hoping and praying!
Kate @ Kate Lives Healthy says
Hope you feel better Faith. Sorry to hear you've been having illnesses so often since moving. Fingers crossed it settles and isn't anything serious. Have a great time back in NYC. I discovered a new Almond 'cream cheese' from Kite Hill at Whole Foods here this weekend that is fabulous and you'll have to check it out when you are back in the city if you have time. I'm with you on the Japanese sweet potato. I tried them once and wasn't a fan either. I haven't bought them since. I wish they didn't look so similar in appearance though to the purple ones which I love as I have almost got them since by mistake.
Faith says
Thanks so much Kate and THANK YOU for the cream cheese suggestion! I've been craving bagels since we moved here so I'll definitely give it a try if I can! 🙂 and yeah, purple potatoes are definitely my fav!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Hope you feel better soon, Faith. Do you think it could potentially be something in the air or even (not sure if you have it or not in your residence) the AC? I remember the first time I went to NYC, I was always sick on and off- same symptoms as you! I arrived back to Australia and immediately it disappeared- It ended up being some virus then came in and out- Fingers crossed yours dissipates soon!
Faith says
Thanks Arman! And those could definitely be factors! Our city is know for its sun and fairly clean air, but it's still so dry and dusty! We'll see!!
Yo Mama says
As your mother, whenever I read of you feeling sick, I immediately go into fix-it mode. I hope you forgive me for making a suggestion, but do you think you should have some blood work done (and maybe some other tests) just to make sure you are not low on something or if you have a parasite.
Just a thought. I hope you feel better soon and I hope you feel well for a long, long time.
Faith says
I'd do the same mama! Yeah, I was thinking about getting blood work done in America. I got it done right before we moved and everything was good, but maybe something's changed since then?! Thankfully I'm in the midst of a healthy season so hopefully it will last for a while!! I'm trying to listen to my body more and not push myself so hard too:)
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
Oh hosh, that sounds so rough! I never even thoigh about how long an adjustment period would take. Hopefully your body gets used to its new home soon! At least.all of your sick day food looks amazing - definitely better than mine does!!
Faith says
Thanks Morgan! I didn't think it would take this long either, and I'm really hoping it's still just the adjustment period and won't be how my life is here forever!! Haha thanks!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I don't get sick much, but when I do I get SICK. I know that's a terrible feeling. I hope you adjust soon!
I need more carrot cake oats in my life. It's been way too long. Yours look fabulous!
Faith says
Ah, that's no fun Laura!! I'm so glad it's not often then! Thanks so much and yeah, get on it with the carrot cake oats already! 😉
rachel @ Athletic Avocado says
Awww I hope you feel better! That stinks that you keep on getting sick, but your right, it's up to God to heal you and make you feel better! God bless 🙂
Faith says
Thanks so much Rachel!!
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
I can totally see how living abroad would expose you to more and different illnesses you haven't built up immunity to. Although it's nothing like China, college in England saw me getting sicker much more frequently as well, and I even developed a couple of new environmental allergies.
Faith says
Definitely Alyssa! And I'm sure the weather played a huge factor in your health when you were in England! My parents just moved to Ireland and the cold, dreary weather has cause them to be sick fairly often too:( bummer about the allergies!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I bet it just the different environment :/ When I first went down to school last year in DC, the first time I ever lived away from NJ, I got hit with a bad cold the next day practically! Haha!
I normally don't get sick, so it was frustrating!
Faith says
I bet you're right Rebecca! And that must have been so frustrating being sick just when you were starting a new school! Hopefully my body will adjust soon like I'm sure yours did:)
Emily says
🙁 Wow, girl, I will be praying for you. <3 I wanted to encourage you with this verse in 2 Corinthians 4:16, 'For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.'
PRAYING for healing, grace, and patience. <3
Faith says
Thanks so much Emily!!
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been getting sick so much more frequently than usual! Fingers majorly crossed that your body will continue to adapt and that you'll develop a "stomach of steel." Feeling sick/achy and having an upset stomach is the worst, but you're taking it all in stride!
Faith says
Thanks so much Liv!! And gosh, I used to have a stomach of steel...where'd it go?!?
aicel says
So sorry you're not feeling well, friend. I'll be lifting you up that you figure out what is going on with your body and system! <3
Faith says
Thanks Aic!! That would be awesome!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
Sorry you've been so sick. I was going to say the same thing as Oscar, try some probiotics. I have noticed a real difference in my health by focusing on taking probiotics as well as having fermented foods. I've been reading a number of articles on how healthy gut bacteria and the immune system are related in my nutrition classes. I used to get ear infections about 8 times a year and in the past 6 months I have not had any.
Your food looks delicious! I love how you made the carrot cake oatmeal!
Faith says
Thanks Mary Ellen! I think you and Oscar gave great advice and I'm gonna get back into drinking kombucha and making kimchi, and I'll look into probiotics too!! Thanks so much!!
Kate says
Ugh, I hate days like that! I rarely get sick, but sometimes certain foods will make me nauseous. I hope you start to feel better soon!
Faith says
Yeah, they're no fun! Thanks Kate!! I hope you keep up your good health too!
Marina @ Snackie Bird says
Russian says: "The man have iron stomach" and it means that he can eat everything and never get sick. And it describes me perfectly. Hope you get better soon though. I can only imagine how bad sickness must be.
Faith says
I used to have an iron stomach, but I don't know where it went!! Such a bummer now that I live overseas:( I hope yours lasts forevaaaaa!! Thanks Marina!
Oscar says
Maybe you should try probiotics before you eat in the morning. Garden of Life isn't bad, but a bit expensive and need refrigeration.
Faith says
Yeah, I should look into that. I was making my own Kombucha and tried making kimchi, but it's been a while since I had them. Thanks for the tip Oscar! Hope you had a great trip...or are still having a great trip!
Oscar says
Hi Faith. My SEA trip is over now. It was great. Loved it. Will be heading to NYC for Easter. 🙂 I'll say hallo to the city for you!
Faith says
That's great to hear! Glad you had such a good time. And REALLY?! I'll be in NYC in early April too! Haha haw crazy we keep traveling to be same areas!
oscar says
I'm going to Spain after NYC. What about you?
Faith says
Back to China. It's just a short trip for a wedding and to see family!