You know your body- always get a 2nd opinion!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

So it's been about a year since I last posted a blog. I won't go crazy with all the details, but it's been a tough one! My mom had another face-off with cancer, this time a rare sarcoma embedded in the larger muscle of her left shin. It was a growth that she started to notice last July, and when she had her PCP look at it he said, "it's nothing, a lipoma. Very common." I was suspicious. He didn't order any tests or anything, and, given her history with cancer, he ought to have to be safe, cuz we were the ones who would be sorry. Two months later, the thing doubled in size.

After 5 months of specialists, MRI's, trips to Boston, etc. we got the news- Yup, cancer. 2 months of Radiation, and one major surgery- she had to have the whole muscle removed. The one that lets you flex your toes up, gone. Had her primary care Dr. been more proactive, they might have been able to save the muscle. Now she's relearning how to walk like a champ- I told her she should have her radiation tattoo expanded to say "tough little mother"!

So now she's safe, and I can get back to taking care of me. 3 months of stress and no workouts have wreaked havoc. (Not to mention lack of sleep and alot of time in the car!) I bought myself a treat- Jillian Micheal's Extreme Shed and Shred, started today! Yahoo, cancer got it's @ss beat again!

  

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LUXITTA 4/18/2012 9:14AM

Well I'm glad for you and your mother. It's awesome she beat it, most people don't. Welcome back, and I hope you enjoy the shred! ~Amanda~ Report Inappropriate Comment

Cupcakes for two = genius

Sunday, March 20, 2011

www.howsweeteats.com/2011/03/one-bow
l-vanilla-cupcakes-for-two/

Why didn't I think of that? lol Happy Spring Everyone!

  

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JMGLEN62 3/20/2011 8:47PM

Thanks for sharing. My daughter loves cupcakes but 2 dozen are too tempting this is perfect for a quick cupcake fix. Report Inappropriate Comment

He's going his way, and I'm going mine....

Saturday, February 05, 2011

Doesn't that sound dramatic? Well, it is, for me! No, we're not splitsville- the fact of the matter is, I have fat to lose, and well, he's got weight to gain. So I just have to come to terms with the fact that when it comes to food consumption, what and how often, my better half and I have an irreconcilable difference. But gee, when I'm trying so hard to make good healthy choices and thinking so hard about everything I'm eating (will this help me meet my protein goal today? If I have this now can I have that later? How many calories in a handful of peanuts?) and he's tucking into a tower of double fudge brownies, ooooh, it's so annoying!!!

Now, just because he needs top put on a few pounds, doesn't mean he should be doing it with cookies, cake, and doughnuts. But it seems like it doesn't matter! He's eating 3 times the calories I am and barely gaining a pound for every two weeks. I made him go to a Dr, to have all his everything checked, thinking, okay smart guy, you think you're so healthy? Wait til they get a load of your cholesterol! Perfect. Everything! Perfect bloodpressure, perfect cholesterol, perfect everything, God bless him. 5'10" and 129 lbs of sweet, annoying perfection. (Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled he's healthy!!! But how in God's name is that POSSIBLE with his diet?)

So, I give in a little here and there. It's okay. Maybe it means I won't meet my goals as quickly as i would like, but at least I don't feel like I have to sit here with a rice cake and watch him dive into three layers of devil's food. I don't have to have an enormous slice, I can savor a reasonable one that falls conscientiously into (or near) my range for the day, even realizing that I gave up something more nutritious to have it. I think it's good for morale. It's better to have some fun and then get back to business than be all business and no fun at all until I get tired of it. That's what I'm going with, anyway! Have a great rest of the weekend- and have at least one fun thing, will you?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CHAOSTHEORY635 2/16/2011 11:23PM

YES!!! My boyf is pretty much the same. I would trade his metabolism for mine in a heartbeat! Report Inappropriate Comment

WESTCOASTGIRL2 2/7/2011 12:11PM

ohh, that's frustrating! Remind him though that health is about more than just healthy cholesterol etc. So suggest to him he eat less junk (that would help you!) and way more, oh, say, potatoes, pasta, whole grain stuff, .....you get the picture... Good luck -- and keep your chin up! Report Inappropriate Comment

LOPEYP 2/6/2011 8:19AM

That's certainly a dilemma that many women share with you. Sounds like you have a good attitude to keep yourself from going crazy! Report Inappropriate Comment

ADVENTURE-GIRL 2/5/2011 8:41PM

I totally understand. My husband is thin and must have a super high metabolism. He eats worse and more than me. Report Inappropriate Comment

GOCYCLE 2/5/2011 8:37PM

Grrlll, I have competed with my man's waistline for 20 years! He still has me beat while he eats like there is no tomorrow! Report Inappropriate Comment

The snow can't beat me!

Friday, February 04, 2011

Yes! We finally broke through the end of the driveway!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MSDESERTRODENT 2/5/2011 7:50PM

LOL Too funny! Report Inappropriate Comment

WESTCOASTGIRL2 2/4/2011 1:50PM

Goodness gracious, that's a lot of snow! Report Inappropriate Comment

PINK_TEACUPS 2/4/2011 11:11AM

LOL LOL LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

Quick The Ultimate Meal Review, from under the snow pile...

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

So, earlier I had mentioned that I was trying out a product called The Ultimate Meal as a dietary supplement. Why? I've been trying to find an organic, non-pill, means of attaining all of my nutrients that I'm not getting in my winter diet.

First, I'll say this- I'm not trying to discourage anyone from trying this product. Mostly because I think it's a great company with all the best of ethics and intentions and if you can tolerate it, I think it's probably one of the most healthful and nutritous meal supplements around. Also, because I realize that different people can tolerate different things, so if you're reading this and have been wanting to try the product, please do.

But.... It's gross.

It's gritty, sea-weedy tasting and very big. By big, I mean, you have to take two "smoothies" per day to equal one serving. By their instructions, (1/3 cup mix, 10oz water, one banana, 1/2 apple blended) each half serving make a thick, green 20oz shake. It takes about 15 minutes to get it all down, so forget any ideas of chugging it quick. To be honest, I was only ever able to get two and 1/2 smoothies down, total, so I really can't speak to whether or not it works, or what the health benefits are, etc. The reviews it gets are practically 5 star, from hundreds of people, which is why I thought I'd try it in the first place. Maybe I'm just being a wimp, but I'm sorry- I like to eat real food that tastes good. It's really not realistic to think that I could sustain "drinking" (more like chewing) this goo twice a day in replacement of an actual meal. Maybe if I was in really desparate condition, I would be able to force myself more into doing this for my health. But I'm not there, thank the gods, and I think I'll keep doing what I'm doing for now.

I'm writing this from under about 65" of snow. We've had shovel-worthy snowstorms every week for the last month. While I'm glad that I've logged a bunch of calorie blasting shoveling hours, I am ready for a break! Work cancelled again today, and yes, we'll be shoveling again, but I'm going to spend the rest of the time playing my guitar and drawing. no cleaning, no laundry, no resumes, no 30 Day Shred today! Heck I might even take a nap, I don't remember the last time I ever did that! Have a safe snow day, to my fellow winter weary sparkers- and to the rest of you, don't rub it in!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MSDESERTRODENT 2/2/2011 11:47AM

LOL A while ago I bought a canister of Green Formula by Garden of Life because of the following: One serving of Perfect Food Green Powder is equivalent to 140g of fresh grass juice Excellent source of natural Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene and a good source of natural Vitamin C Contains spirulina that supports healthy immune function* Contains algae and cereal grasses that provide a natural source of alkalizing minerals Select ingredients in Perfect Food Super Green Formula are produced through the Garden of Life proprietary Poten-Zyme™ fermentation process to make the nutrients more available to the body Supports healthy carbohydrate metabolism* Great for those on low carbohydrate diets or people who are unable to eat enough green foods blah blah blah. I went to mix it with a cup and proceeded to TRY to drink it! EWWWWW It smelled like a barnyard and tasted like dirty veggies. Still it was supposedly good for me so I tried it several different ways, none of which worked so off to the back of the pantry it went.....until I bought some GNC Total Lean shake mix. Lately I have been drinking those on the days that I am on the phones at work and I had decided I would try and mix some of that green formula with the shake and lo and behold it worked! The shake still tastes good, there is almost no weird smell! Only negative is it makes the shake look bright green. Kind of odd when you're drinking a French Vanilla or strawberry shake. LOL Report Inappropriate Comment