Chimichurri

I am trying to claim my blog with Technorati to build my audience, and I had to include a claim code in a post, so here it is: YSB6SVSFW6U7  On to your regularly scheduled blog post.

It was one year ago today that I sprained my ankle.  It was before my blogging days but now a full 365 days later, I still think about it every day.  I’d like to tell you some glamorous story of how I did it, but there isn’t one.  I missed the last step on the staircase in our house.  A staircase I’ve walked up and down thousands upon thousands of times over the years.  A momentary lapse in concentration left me on the floor.  For the most part I walked it off.  It hurt for a few minutes, but then the pain subsided almost entirely.

However, the swelling and bruising only grew worse.  The bruise was various gnarly colors running from mid-calf to down and around my entire ankle and foot and lasted for several weeks.  The swelling was concentrated to the area, but was bad; it decreased gradually but wasn’t back normal for at least a couple of months.

A misguided trip to an urgent care center just to make sure everything was okay ended with the doctor telling me it was broken and wrapping it in some sort of strange material, handing me a prescription for crutches.  I’d never cried so hard in my life.  And the doctor, she pretending like it wasn’t even happening.

Being the excellent patient I am, I went home and immediately removed the wrap she’d placed around my ankle and forgot about the crutches.  That wasn’t happening.  There would be no cast on my leg; I couldn’t deal with that.  After several phone calls and arguing with the front desk staff at two separate orthopedic doctors’ offices, we finally got in the next day, tears still flowing freely, particularly anytime my injury was mentioned, my body shaking with nerves.  The doctor was nice and said yes there was an evulsion fracture, but it was basically just a sprain.  I should wear a brace when I exercised, which I could return to in a week, and as long as I felt comfortable, I could return to wearing my high heels, particularly to an event the following week.  I think I let out the deepest sigh of relief in history along with a vow never to go that urgent care again.

I know what you’re thinking.  Why am I telling you this?  I was pretty much fine instantly.  And I was.  The pain was always minimal if there at all.  The place of the fracture was tender for months, but as long as it was avoided, I was fine.  The brace was uncomfortable, but I grew accustomed to it and it became my crutch, my safety net, as I wore it a little longer than I even should have.  It was the psychological damage the injury caused that I still deal with.  When most people would’ve forgotten about it a couple weeks later, I couldn’t shake it.

It made me afraid, still refusing to bound down the stairs like I used to.  I worry each ache and pain I feel is a stress fracture, torn ACL, some debilitating injury that will require surgery, physical therapy, an end to my love of exercise, leaving me trapped in the house, no desire to go anywhere.  Pain in my ankles, legs, and hips can overtake any other thoughts I have.  I hope constantly that the aches and pains are normal and will subside.

I walk differently.  I can feel it and can’t figure out how or why.  I limped for months every time I wore heels with no medical explanation.  For the most part that has ended, but sometimes that limp comes back and it’s scary hard to shake.  I eat differently.  Red meat is a rare treat that I almost never crave, crunchy foods sound good only on occasion, and I eat much lighter than I used to.  I also exercise differently.  My running is back to full capacity, but my time with Nintendo Wii’s Active Life Outdoor Challenge has shortened but become more intense.  I used to run barefoot, as I only run in the house, and while it’s something I’d love to get back to, I don’t know if I can find the courage.  I stopped lifting weights and enjoy my workout time just a little less most days, terrified of incurring another injury.

But I go on.  I still work out and have fun and try to push the memories of that day and those following it out of my mind, as hard as I find it to be.  I try to trust my body that it’s strong enough to handle all I throw at it and even more, and more than anything I try to be brave.  If you’ve ever suffered and injury, I hope you have healed too.  I’d love to hear your story in the comments below.

Onto this Chimichurri Sauce.  It’s a brave sauce that packs a powerful punch.  The flavors are bold and acidic and complement red meat perfectly.  I had one of those rare red meat cravings recently.  So easy to put together, it’s best after the flavors have had some time to marry.  The herb-y freshness from parsley, a little spice from red pepper flake, acid from apple cider vinegar, and a hint of richness from olive oil, make this sauce a huge hit in my house.  This super Latin condiment will bring out the best flavors the next time you have a hearty steak.  And even if it doesn’t heal your injuries, it might just make you feel a little better.