Need I say more? (Cute photo editting at www.picnik.com)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
28 Days Completed!
I am glad to report that my 28 day detox is complete! Yay! It was actually a great experience and I am very happy that I made it through. I have lost about 8 pounds now - thrilling! I have a renewed view and perspective of healthy eating/living, which is something that I think everyone needs to put back into check from time to time. I am slowly adding back the foods that were part of the "to exclude" list and allergy testing myself for each one. Thus far dairy, not surprisingly, has shown itself to be a problem. After some cheese I was hit with a non-to-pleasant and somewhat persistent migraine. I had a cup of coffee this morning, the first dose of caffeine for me in over a month (I stopped the caffeine a few days before I began the detox program). Sure did taste great! Please join me in hoping and praying that I do not have a reaction to the caffeine. I would be so bummed. I imagine that I will wait to allergy test wheat as the last item I add back - I am nervous about testing this one because I am expecting the reaction to be pretty icky.
Thanks to everyone for your care and encouragement! It meant a lot and was motivating for me to stick with the program when I had a rough moment.
Thanks to everyone for your care and encouragement! It meant a lot and was motivating for me to stick with the program when I had a rough moment.
Cozy Caden
Caden has been sick with a cold/fever the last couple days and has taken to curling up on the couch to watch his new favorite movie ("Cars") during the day while sick. I got a few cute pics of him the other day - take note of the drool on his chin ;-).
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Pictures from Easter Sunday
We started our Easter morning with an egg hunt around the house, baskets, and reading a children's version of the story of Easter with the boys. Jake and I both really try to emphasize that while the traditions of egg dying, baskets, etc. are very fun that they are not the reason we celebrate. We spent a good amount of time talking (mostly to Micah) about Christ's resurrection and that he is ALIVE! He was understanding a good deal, but still has a little ways to go. It was a special day for us... we went to church (I helped in the preschool room during the service, which was very fun) and then came home to prepare a feast to share with some friends for dinner.
Here are some pictures of the day and some attempts at taking pics of the boys in their handsome Easter attire -- Caden was a little less cooperative than I would have liked, but as always, Micah was very willing to pose for the camera!! :-)
Here are some pictures of the day and some attempts at taking pics of the boys in their handsome Easter attire -- Caden was a little less cooperative than I would have liked, but as always, Micah was very willing to pose for the camera!! :-)
Baskets all set-up and ready.
Early morning posers.
Against Caden's will, but still handsome!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Easter Eggs
The boys had a lot of fun dying the eggs and putting stickers all over them! Here are some photos of the occasion...
This was taken when the boys were mid-way through applying stickers. By the time the eggs were completely done they were COVERED!
This was taken when the boys were mid-way through applying stickers. By the time the eggs were completely done they were COVERED!Nothing says Spring or Easter quite like... SNOW!
Just before we went to bed last night the snow started to fall and did so much of the night and most of today. By the time I got the camera out a lot had already melted, but these pics should still give you an idea... definitely a good 4 or so inches fell.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Are you Hypothyroid?
As many of you know, I am indeed Hypothyroid. A big part of why I am currently detoxing is to help me feel better as I combat this disease. I have not mentioned much in my blog about the condition, other than noting that I have it and am battling the disease in a big way right now. I usually don't go too deep into the details because when I do it forces me to face some especially scary and non-t0-pleasant realities that come along with it. Everyday it seems that this disease is becoming more and more prominent and common in our society, but its "commonality" does not make it any less real or frustrating for the person(s) dealing with it day in and out.
A friend of mine recently lent me a book called "Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled?" by Richard Shames, MD and Karilee Shames PhD, RN (thanks, Kristen!) and while I have not finished reading it yet, I have found some portions to be pretty interesting. I have done a good bit of reading on thyroid conditions in the past but have been intrigued by the way this book encourages people to evaluate themselves and work proactively to figure out what is going on inside of their own body (much like a naturopath does with their patients - promoting self awareness). The book actually provides brief quizzes to help people evaluate themselves for thyroid conditions, adrenal issues, etc. I took the "Could you be LOW Thyroid?" quiz just for kicks and, of course, passed it with flying colors. Here it is if you would like to test yourself along with some of my commentary. (Please note that this quiz simply outlines common symptoms of the disease, but by no means addresses the extent of harm that can come to your body if left untreated or if improperly treated -- infertility, lupus, diabetes, muscle fatigue, etc.)
Could You Be LOW Thyroid? Do You Have the Following?
1. Problems with weight (very easy to gain, or extremely hard to lose, despite sensible food intake AND good exercise)?
Always a battle.
2. Problems with body temperature (feeling chilly when others don't OR cold feet and/or hands OR needing to wear socks to bed OR having to dress in layers during the day OR decreased sweating OR slow to heat up with exercise)?
With the exception of when I was pregnant, I am usually freezing - especially my hands and feet.
3. Problems with RATE of body processes (decreased reaction time OR slowed reflexes OR sluggish bowel/constipation OR sluggish liver/high cholesterol)?
A doctor once hit my knee with a reflex hammer and it took multiple seconds (like 5 or more) before my reflex kicked in. She was astonished.
4. Problems with ENERGY (severe fatigue OR utterly exhausted by end of day OR times during day when energy drops out completely, feeling like the plug is pulled on your energy)?
YES YES YES.
5. Problems with MOOD (depression OR negative thinking OR less than full improvement taking antidepressants)?
Just ask my husband!
6. Problems with SKIN (adult acne OR eczema OR very dry skin OR puffiness/bags around the eyes)?
Yes. And living in a very dry climate does not help.
7. Problems with HAIR (very dry like straw OR brittle OR easily breaking OR easily falling out OR loss of outer eyebrows)?
My hair falls out a lot - good thing I have a lot of it!
8. Problems with NAILS (brittle OR thin OR cracked OR peeling)?
9. Problems with THROAT or NECK (hoarseness for no reason OR difficulty swallowing OR easily choking OR think tongue, frequently bitten OR intolerance to clothing/jewelry snug around neck)?
Ever hear me say that I hate my throat/neck or that I am not very comfortable in turtle-necks?
10. Exercise does not feel good OR muscle mass/strength does not improve with exercise?
My muscle mass stays the same no matter how much I exercise.
A friend of mine recently lent me a book called "Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled?" by Richard Shames, MD and Karilee Shames PhD, RN (thanks, Kristen!) and while I have not finished reading it yet, I have found some portions to be pretty interesting. I have done a good bit of reading on thyroid conditions in the past but have been intrigued by the way this book encourages people to evaluate themselves and work proactively to figure out what is going on inside of their own body (much like a naturopath does with their patients - promoting self awareness). The book actually provides brief quizzes to help people evaluate themselves for thyroid conditions, adrenal issues, etc. I took the "Could you be LOW Thyroid?" quiz just for kicks and, of course, passed it with flying colors. Here it is if you would like to test yourself along with some of my commentary. (Please note that this quiz simply outlines common symptoms of the disease, but by no means addresses the extent of harm that can come to your body if left untreated or if improperly treated -- infertility, lupus, diabetes, muscle fatigue, etc.)
Could You Be LOW Thyroid? Do You Have the Following?
1. Problems with weight (very easy to gain, or extremely hard to lose, despite sensible food intake AND good exercise)?
Always a battle.
2. Problems with body temperature (feeling chilly when others don't OR cold feet and/or hands OR needing to wear socks to bed OR having to dress in layers during the day OR decreased sweating OR slow to heat up with exercise)?
With the exception of when I was pregnant, I am usually freezing - especially my hands and feet.
3. Problems with RATE of body processes (decreased reaction time OR slowed reflexes OR sluggish bowel/constipation OR sluggish liver/high cholesterol)?
A doctor once hit my knee with a reflex hammer and it took multiple seconds (like 5 or more) before my reflex kicked in. She was astonished.
4. Problems with ENERGY (severe fatigue OR utterly exhausted by end of day OR times during day when energy drops out completely, feeling like the plug is pulled on your energy)?
YES YES YES.
5. Problems with MOOD (depression OR negative thinking OR less than full improvement taking antidepressants)?
Just ask my husband!
6. Problems with SKIN (adult acne OR eczema OR very dry skin OR puffiness/bags around the eyes)?
Yes. And living in a very dry climate does not help.
7. Problems with HAIR (very dry like straw OR brittle OR easily breaking OR easily falling out OR loss of outer eyebrows)?
My hair falls out a lot - good thing I have a lot of it!
8. Problems with NAILS (brittle OR thin OR cracked OR peeling)?
9. Problems with THROAT or NECK (hoarseness for no reason OR difficulty swallowing OR easily choking OR think tongue, frequently bitten OR intolerance to clothing/jewelry snug around neck)?
Ever hear me say that I hate my throat/neck or that I am not very comfortable in turtle-necks?
10. Exercise does not feel good OR muscle mass/strength does not improve with exercise?
My muscle mass stays the same no matter how much I exercise.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Days 15-19
Over the last fews days I have simply been adding back foods to my diet -- bread, starches, legumes, nuts, and finally today meat/fish. I grilled some chicken for dinner and I swear it has never tasted so good! Needless to say, I am still having to take things slow as my digestive system restarts. Without giving too much detail, I have had a few icky boughts in the bathroom that I am trying to avoid -- some of which was perging that came along with the detox process and some was my digestive system getting back in gear. Okay - enough of that.
Anyway, overall, I am feeling pretty good. I have lost a good 5 to 7 pounds, which is a nice feeling and do have more energy most of the time. My energy level has been tried a bit because I had a small cold late last week which knocked me out a little bit (though not nearly as bad as it would under normal circumstances) and then again the last 2 days - but nothing a nap doesn't fix. I am hoping that some of the energy loss over the last couple days isn't a result of adding back breads (wheat free of course) and the other foods...
I only have slightly over a week left to go on the program and then I will take some time to try adding back other foods one at a time (the foods that were excluded from the diet days 1-6) to do a little bit of allergy testing. I am still drinking about 4 scoops of the protein a day (yay for berry smoothies) and, thankfully, drinking them has gotten much easier as I have become used to the taste.
Anyway, overall, I am feeling pretty good. I have lost a good 5 to 7 pounds, which is a nice feeling and do have more energy most of the time. My energy level has been tried a bit because I had a small cold late last week which knocked me out a little bit (though not nearly as bad as it would under normal circumstances) and then again the last 2 days - but nothing a nap doesn't fix. I am hoping that some of the energy loss over the last couple days isn't a result of adding back breads (wheat free of course) and the other foods...
I only have slightly over a week left to go on the program and then I will take some time to try adding back other foods one at a time (the foods that were excluded from the diet days 1-6) to do a little bit of allergy testing. I am still drinking about 4 scoops of the protein a day (yay for berry smoothies) and, thankfully, drinking them has gotten much easier as I have become used to the taste.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Day 14
Today is day 14, beginning of the last phase of the detox program. As I wrote in the previous blog, I am supposed to start reintroducing food slowly at this stage. So I am planning only add in two things today. For breakfast I had a slice of toast (millet/flax) with olive oil. And for dinner I plan to make a boiled green bean and potato salad.
Here is the recipe for those who are interested...
Red Potato-Green Bean Salad
(serves 4-6)
4 medium red potatoes, washed unpeeled, steamed or baked, and cut into chunks
1 lb. fresh green beans, cut into thirds, lightly steamed
2-4 Tbsp olive or flaxseed oil
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/4-1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, slivered
2 Tbsp fresh basil and/or oregano, chopped
S&P to taste
Combine potatoes and beans with oil, vinegar, onion, garlic, herbs (2 Tbsp fresh or 1 tsp dried). Salt and pepper to taste. (For a pleasant flavor, mix all the ingredients together except for the potatoes and chill. Just before serving, add warm potatoes to the cold salad.)
Here is the recipe for those who are interested...
Red Potato-Green Bean Salad
(serves 4-6)
4 medium red potatoes, washed unpeeled, steamed or baked, and cut into chunks
1 lb. fresh green beans, cut into thirds, lightly steamed
2-4 Tbsp olive or flaxseed oil
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/4-1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, slivered
2 Tbsp fresh basil and/or oregano, chopped
S&P to taste
Combine potatoes and beans with oil, vinegar, onion, garlic, herbs (2 Tbsp fresh or 1 tsp dried). Salt and pepper to taste. (For a pleasant flavor, mix all the ingredients together except for the potatoes and chill. Just before serving, add warm potatoes to the cold salad.)
Days 11-13
So, I made it through the detox phase of the 28 days. These days in particular were a bit more challenging for me, mostly because temptation finally started to set in a bit more than it had been. Overall, I did very well resisting the things I was not supposed to eat. I think my only "mistake" was eating one cracker somewhere around day 11 or 12... I felt so guilty afterwards that I did not do it again. Not to mention that it tasted horrible to me at the time. Anything heavy in salt or fat sounds very unappetizing at this point since I have eliminated so much. Regardless, I am happy to be through this stage.
As days 14 thru 28 progress, I will begin adding foods back in that were part of the original diet that I was eating during days 1 to 6, starting with the addition of breads (gluten free), cereals (gluten free), starch (like potatoes... I was only able to have sweet potatoes during the detox days), and milk substitutes (rice milk or nut milk). My ND has been allowing me to use milk substitutes to make my protein smoothies throughout the whole process since I was having trouble getting the protein powder down - the rice and nut milk make it taste a whole lot better! While this sounds great, I do have to remember to add things back slowly and not go crazy - no eating a whole loaf of bread! My detox guide warns, "Go easy, eat lightly, and don't overdo it. It is very important that you gently restart the more serious process of digestion that has had time to rest over the past 8 days."
I am excited to begin the second half of the program... I feel like instead of climbing uphill, I am now beginning a leisurely hike back down.
As days 14 thru 28 progress, I will begin adding foods back in that were part of the original diet that I was eating during days 1 to 6, starting with the addition of breads (gluten free), cereals (gluten free), starch (like potatoes... I was only able to have sweet potatoes during the detox days), and milk substitutes (rice milk or nut milk). My ND has been allowing me to use milk substitutes to make my protein smoothies throughout the whole process since I was having trouble getting the protein powder down - the rice and nut milk make it taste a whole lot better! While this sounds great, I do have to remember to add things back slowly and not go crazy - no eating a whole loaf of bread! My detox guide warns, "Go easy, eat lightly, and don't overdo it. It is very important that you gently restart the more serious process of digestion that has had time to rest over the past 8 days."
I am excited to begin the second half of the program... I feel like instead of climbing uphill, I am now beginning a leisurely hike back down.
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