I’m mad. Like, really f*cking mad. Ok, that’s a lie, I don’t really get mad, I just get sad. So, I’m really f*cking sad. My face was finally getting better, finally looking like something was changing and my face was starting to play nice, but NO. No, no,no. It ain’t playin’ nice no mo’. My face has freaked out. Like OMG Ihateyousomuchjuli. Iwantyoutostaysingleforever. Andidefinitelydontwantanyonetofindyouattractive. Ever.
You, my face, are a straight up b*tch.
Ugh, I’m going to get so many emails about my dirty mouth now. I’ll save you the time…please don’t send them.
Anywho, I’m having one of those days of feeling absolutely hopeless. I don’t know what to do. I clean up my diet and it gets a little bit better, then it goes back to normal. I change up my face cleansing routine and it gets a little better, then goes back to normal. I get off birth control, I stay on birth control. I take fish oil, I don’t take fish oil. I eat more fat, I eat less fat. I don’t eat dark chocolate, I do eat dark chocolate. I get facials, I don’t get facials. You get what I’m throwin’ out? I try everything, but in the end my face has full control, and I am left staring in the mirror with tears in my eyes, choking back the egg of frustration that sits in my throat.
Just today, I started taking the probiotic saccharomyce boulardii which was recommended by Liz of Cave Girl Eats. I also am getting cod liver oil soon to start trying that as well. And making sure all sugar and nuts are cut from my diet. It’s just so annoying that my mind has to be filled with thoughts of how ugly I am or how I wish I could improve my skin. That’s dumb. It should be filled with cookbook thoughts, and Christmas gift thoughts, and food thoughts. But no, the face has won.
So here’s my question out of utter frustration and anguish…do I try acutane? Do I face the fact that I may be incredibly depressed, moody, and upset for months because of the drug? Do I face the fact that I may have to take the drug even though my face and other body parts will literally dry up and peel off? Do I face the fact that it may not even work? I don’t know what to do, but I’m obviously upset enough to blab all about it and want some of your advice. So, advise me.
On a more positive note, you NEED to try these muffins. They are DELICIOUS.
Morning Glory Muffins (nut free option)
- Yield: 9 1x
Ingredients
- 1 apple, peeled and cored, shredded
- 1 large carrot, peeled
- 1/2 cup sunflower seed butter
- 1 cup pepitas
- 3 eggs, whisked
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped (optional for nut free version)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Now add your pepitas to a small saucepan over medium heat with a tablespoon of fat. I used coconut oil.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, moving around lots so they don’t burn and so they cook on all sides.
- While your pepitas are roasting, add your apple and carrot to your food processor with the shredding attachment. If you don’t have a food processor, use a grater to shred your apple and carrot.
- Add your apple and carrot to a bowl along with your sunflower seed butter and rinse out your food processor bowl.
- Then add your roasted pepitas to the food processor and puree until you get a flour/meal.
- Then add your pepita flour, eggs, coconut oil, honey, raisins, pecans, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Mix well.
- Pour your batter into 9 FULL muffin liners in your muffin tin. I lined my muffins tin with silicone muffin liners but paper would do just fine.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
- Let cool slightly, but eat warm, because they are the best that way.
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More Nut Free Muffins:
Apple Cinnamon Muffins (nut free)
Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins (nut free)
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I love your blog first and foremost.
This is a really good article about acne:
http://kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2009/04/09/eating-for-acne/
I think you should really reconsider cooking with animal fat. Your acne may be a sign your body can’t break it down properly and hence trying to eliminate through your skin…
I had really bad ance most of my life and rarely get a breakout now due to the following changes:
-Use Dermologica Medi-bac Line
-Use clairsonic MIA daily when washing
-digest coconut oil daily
-only cook with coconut oil.
Hope you find somethign that helps!
I took accutane when I was 16 years of age (I’m now 31). I did not have any side affects from taking it. Granted, I think it should be your last resort. I was on high strength Retin-A for several years and it did not work. I had serious acne as a teenager (all over face and even occationally on my upper back). Acctuante completely cleared up my skin. It’s a tough choice…definitely do your research and talk with your dermatologist about your options. Contact me if you have any questions (definitely take probiotics every day).
DON’T DO IT!!!! I took Accutane for two rounds in high school/college and I still have acne issues that I deal with….besides the fact that it just plain distroys your stomach. I also had bright bright red irritated skin. It burned soo bad when I sweat, the seams on my pants would rub my skin raw, it was the worst thing ever. I have also had stomach issues like crazy since then. I’m finally working with a doctor in the Tech Center who works on hormone regulation then treating gut infection. (www.omegahealthdenver.com – Dr. Jonas) The book, Practical Paleo also addresses the gut infection issue. I totally believe that the skin is a reflection of what is going on inside, however it may not exactly be something you are eating.
I totally agree! I love the book Practical Paleo! I have a lot of stomach issues too although I haven’t taken Accutane. My dermatologist reccommends that I do for my acne but I would rather deal with it naturally then to take something that destroys your stomach! Also, since our small intestine is most of our immune system, we really need to take care of it! What is going on inside is really reflected on our skin. Great post!
I think you should try the Obagi skin care system, it changed my life!
I feel your pain! I use to have horrible acne and I was already in my mid-20’s. I felt like I was a teenager, but worse. There were some days where I wouldn’t want to leave the house because of my acne. I too was thinking about Accutane, but decided against it because of the excessive peeling it will cause and I was already depressed about my acne so I didn’t want to worsen my mood. I stopped taking acne medicine and went on birth control. I started a glycolic regimen. This consisted of every 3 weeks of facials which included glycolic mask and extractions. I also used glycolic skin cleanser and moisturizer. Every since, my skin has been great! Of course it got worse before it got better, but we all have learned to have patience when dealing with acne:) I get the occasional pimple or 2, but I rather have 1 or 2 then a full face of them! Hope this helps!
Wow – so many responses on this post and it only makes me want to respond so much more. I’m in school right now at Institute for Integrative Nutrition, to [hopefully] work with people just like yourself and alot of these readers. I had acne for years, hormonal acne. The suggestion my derm gave me, besides the topical cremes and prescriptions, was to go organic. Cut out the external hormones. I saw such an impact, that I have since cut out all dairy and eat minimal meat. I’m no longer on any prescriptions for my acne and find I can control breakouts with adequate water intake and minimizing stress. Have you ever considered changing your paleo lifestyle (gasp). I know it sounds drastic but you should consider experimenting with it. I’d love to talk to you more about it if you wanted!
Juli,
I hope that you get to read every one of these comments! Obviously, your choice whether or not to take Accutane is your choice–everyone is so different and therefore you can only do what feels right to you. I am a 22 year old girl who totally feels your pain. I have cystic acne and PCOS, which I think causes it. I went to a naturopathic doctor recently and we are experimenting with hormones–natural ones like chaste tree berry. She told me that she eventually wants to get me off birth control which I am all for–in my opinion, anything synthetic or man-made is not as good as the real stuff from good ole Mother Earth. I am almost at 1 month of doing Paleo and it has helped my acne, but not cleared it up completely as I thought it would. 🙁
This makes me sad, but I’m hanging in there. I’ve been dealing with this for so long now and have been gluten free and eating only organic for over 3 years! It’s not fair that people like you and me try SO HARD to be healthy and still have issues like acne when others can eat crap and have flawless skin. At least we will probably live longer though right? 😛 All I can say is hang in there, take it day by day, and know that you are NOT ALONE! For all its worth, you inspire me and I think you are a truly beautiful person with a truly beautiful soul. Any man would be lucky to call you his.
Have you tried the Sonicare brush? I don’t have time to read all of the above, so I don’t know if anyone has recommended it – but it CHANGED my life! You do have to give it a few weeks and STICK with it – but it makes your skin so much better. Good luck girl and hope to see you at Crossfit Anaerobic in Laguna Niguel some day soon!
You’re not alone!! I haven’t read through all your comments (yeesh) but Acutane is the ONLY way to go. I had terribly acne growing up, my confidence was horrendous and I took the plunge and I will never ever regret my decision because I no longer have skin issues at all.
Yes – you will have some negative side effects, your “time of the month” will really really suck, your skin will be super dry and you can’t get facials or waxes and your lips will dry out in a way you can’t imagine right now.
But your MOOD – maybe you’ll feel blue randomly and maybe you’ll be pissy randomly (who isn’t even off-drugs?) but your mood will sky rocket once this amazing drug kills your grease-producing self-hate inflicting hormone that causes acne.
Do it. I don’t care if anyone disagrees with me if you’re even considering it you’re living a painful life right now – take the jump and know that you’re doing something to make your life better!!
*if you need more convincing…if/when I have kids they’ll probably get acne, and I will not hesitate to get them on Acutane*
*also be ready for once a month pregnancy tests to make sure you don’t sue them…absolutely worth it*
I wash my face with oil-based soap and moisturize it with jojoba oil. OIL, is what I am saying.
I also don’t combine carbs and fats, though I tend to eat about 40-55% of my calories from fat (15% from carbs). I know this because I’m doing research on macros at the moment.
My skin looks better than it ever has.
Good luck.