It's Tuesday and I've forgotten again. It's 8:30pm.
So, I'm starting to try AGAIN to lose weight. I never make it far. Which makes me angry. But I'm at about 1300 calories a day, which is 100 more than MyFitnessPal suggested in order to lose 2 lbs each week. Kiersten still nurses quite a bit at night, so I am not super strict, but I don't like going over. It's getting us into eating more veggies. AGAIN.
I'm also planning a trip to Oregon soon. And Washington. Hoping to see both the beach where The Goonies was filmed, and also Forks/La Push where Twilight was filmed. Just happy and excited about it. It'll be nice to get out of the house and go do some traveling, see something new. I love traveling! I wish I could afford to travel overseas a bit, but I don't think that's in my future for a while. Unless someone wants to GIFT me some awesome travel vouchers or something! I'll need to update my passport with my married name, since I got married 7 1/2 years ago, something like a year after I updated it last. Nonetheless, it'll be so great to get out and about and have a vacation from every day life. I am so exhausted! I need a change, even if it's just for a week. Maybe I'll come home and appreciate the every-day-junk a little more again.
I've been working on refinishing some dressers. I got 3 of them plus a hutch and a twin mattress from a friend for an amazing $50!! That means Mitchell, at age 3, is now in a twin bed and out of his toddler bed. However, Kiersten, at age 14 months, has been in a twin bed for 2 months already!! Ooops! It's nice having dressers in our bedroom. I also put a bookshelf in there recently. It looks SO much better! Just a tiny bit more to clean up in there and it'll be GORGEOUS! So, all I've got left is one more dresser that will go in the boys' room. It was so nice outside that I was spray painting on the porch. Then it snowed something like 2" one night and now I have to fix some of the not-solid-wood boards. Ugh. Upsetting after it being so darn nice.
Anyway, that's been our last two weeks-ish.
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Diet Update
Just wanted to make a quick post to show you our diet.
Yes, that's what's currently in our fridge (didn't show the large bowl of chopped lettuce/greens), on our counters, in the pantry (oops, forgot to pull out the 10 lb bag of potatoes for the picture), and IN OUR BELLIES!! Oh, man... I didn't pull the frozen fruits and veggies out, either! My goodness we've got a lot of healthy stuff going on!!
2 lbs carrots
3.5 lbs strawberries
5 plantains
12 bananas
6 plantains/bananas (not sure which they are yet)
2 pineapples
1 coconut
1 cantelope
1 honeydew melon
1 watermelon
1 head cauliflower
3 tomatillos
1/2 bunch red grapes
4 mangos
3 limes
3 corn cobs
1/2 bag snow peas
3 stalks broccoli
1 bunch & 1/2 bag spinach
2 avocados
7 yams/sweet potatoes
4 cucumbers
22 apples
6 grapefruit
1 bunch kale
2 bunches cilantro
4 pears
2 daikon radishes
3 yellow zucchini squash
1 head green leaf lettuce
3 kiwi
4 oranges
1 bunch asparagus
1/2 stalk celery
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
All I can say is: HAPPY EATING!!
Yes, that's what's currently in our fridge (didn't show the large bowl of chopped lettuce/greens), on our counters, in the pantry (oops, forgot to pull out the 10 lb bag of potatoes for the picture), and IN OUR BELLIES!! Oh, man... I didn't pull the frozen fruits and veggies out, either! My goodness we've got a lot of healthy stuff going on!!
2 lbs carrots
3.5 lbs strawberries
5 plantains
12 bananas
6 plantains/bananas (not sure which they are yet)
2 pineapples
1 coconut
1 cantelope
1 honeydew melon
1 watermelon
1 head cauliflower
3 tomatillos
1/2 bunch red grapes
4 mangos
3 limes
3 corn cobs
1/2 bag snow peas
3 stalks broccoli
1 bunch & 1/2 bag spinach
2 avocados
7 yams/sweet potatoes
4 cucumbers
22 apples
6 grapefruit
1 bunch kale
2 bunches cilantro
4 pears
2 daikon radishes
3 yellow zucchini squash
1 head green leaf lettuce
3 kiwi
4 oranges
1 bunch asparagus
1/2 stalk celery
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
All I can say is: HAPPY EATING!!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Skin and Diet
Poor Keith. We had noticed that he had been licking around his mouth and the skin is now very chapped. This has been going on for a couple months. Well, this week we noticed that the chapping goes all over his face, and then down under his shirt. Today, I noticed that it's also on his hands so badly that where it's already dry and rough skin, he's got spots that are red and worse than the rest. I feel so badly!
So, now it looks like we'll be doing a whole food diet (nothing processed, only things straight from the ground/tree/plant) so that we can clear up his skin. Ben has psoriatic arthritis, the psoriasis portion causing his skin to break out in horribly dry spots that get thick and white if untreated. I've had horrible eczema for years, the worst being in college when it was big bloody scabs on the back of my legs for years. Now, our skin issues are passing on to Keith.
Right before moving to Utah, I went on a whole food diet. As I moved here, my skin cleared up beautifully. It's been 6 years now and I'm starting to have eczema breakouts on my legs again. So I know that this diet can work. I know Keith isn't going to be happy about our diet changes, but it's going to have to happen in order to heal him and us.
I'll try to remember to post the changes in our bodies as we undertake this diet for health reasons rather than to just feel better mentally and emotionally about our food choices. I'm sure there will be plenty of changes.
So, now it looks like we'll be doing a whole food diet (nothing processed, only things straight from the ground/tree/plant) so that we can clear up his skin. Ben has psoriatic arthritis, the psoriasis portion causing his skin to break out in horribly dry spots that get thick and white if untreated. I've had horrible eczema for years, the worst being in college when it was big bloody scabs on the back of my legs for years. Now, our skin issues are passing on to Keith.
Right before moving to Utah, I went on a whole food diet. As I moved here, my skin cleared up beautifully. It's been 6 years now and I'm starting to have eczema breakouts on my legs again. So I know that this diet can work. I know Keith isn't going to be happy about our diet changes, but it's going to have to happen in order to heal him and us.
I'll try to remember to post the changes in our bodies as we undertake this diet for health reasons rather than to just feel better mentally and emotionally about our food choices. I'm sure there will be plenty of changes.
Monday, March 7, 2011
March
We're only a week in and March is already an eventful month!
On the 1st, we picked up the van. We are now a minivan family! I've loved it the few times I've driven it, a very smooth drive. It's hard to back up still, and I can't see the front end, so I don't know if I've pulled far enough or too far forward. Otherwise, it's very nice! One of the wireless headsets didn't work once we replaced the batteries so we had to order a new one. It'll be nice to have those two dvd players once we head to Missouri this summer for my cousin's wedding!
On the 4th, we decided that we were going to better live the Word of Wisdom by eating more veggies and less meat. D&C 89:12-13 states "Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." Granted, "[m]odern methods of refrigeration now make it possible to preserve meat in any season" as stated by more modern church officials, so we don't feel the need to take meat completely out of our diet, just cut back on it.
Anyway, so we've been having some interesting meals. One night it was a Green Salad where all the veggies (lettuce, cucumber, peas, broccoli, avocado) and even the dressing (cilantro tomatillo ranch) were green. Then we had a fruit salad another night (canned peaches, canned pears, apples, red grapes, and I usually add walnuts but I was out). Then we had a mock Cafe-Rio style salad last night (cilantro lime rice, black beans in a cilantro tomato sauce, romaine lettuce, parmesan, guacamole, cilantro, all inside a tortilla shell). Tonight we're having a Jicama Orange salad (diced jicama and mandarin oranges in a sauce made from cilantro, sour cream, and a little of the juice from the canned oranges). Also on the menu are a sweet potato soup and a different fruit salad. Finding new recipes and being a little more healthy is quite an adventure!!
Then, on the 6th, we attended a baby blessing. Ben has been friends with Joe since they were in junior high, maybe earlier. His wife, Kim, and I shared a due date of Jan 4th. We both had girls. Haylie Peterson was born 01-01-11 and Kiersten was born 01-02-11. A day apart! We blessed Kiersten last month and this month was Haylie's blessing. It was very sweet and I loved watching Ben and Joe carry around their little princesses! I love good daddies!
Two cute things happened in the van (tee hee, we have a van now!!!) on the way to the baby blessing. First, Keith showed his compassionate side as he heard Kiersten crying and said to me, "Mommy, I can't reach Kiersten. Can you help her?" What a sweet boy! Usually, I ask him to give Kiersten her pacifier when I am either busy or can't reach Kiersten (such as while driving). I'm so happy to hear that he's noticing the needs of others and responding to them! The other cute thing was from Mitchell. We were listening to the cd of Primary songs for this year and got to "Search, Ponder, and Pray" when Mitchell started shouting out "Pop-Tart Pray!" Search, "Pop-Tart [and] Pray!" I love it!
One week down, 3 to go! We're planning to take the kids to Cabella's this month, and the food journey will continue. Maybe once we have the veggies down well, we can start taking out some of the refined sugars!
On the 1st, we picked up the van. We are now a minivan family! I've loved it the few times I've driven it, a very smooth drive. It's hard to back up still, and I can't see the front end, so I don't know if I've pulled far enough or too far forward. Otherwise, it's very nice! One of the wireless headsets didn't work once we replaced the batteries so we had to order a new one. It'll be nice to have those two dvd players once we head to Missouri this summer for my cousin's wedding!
On the 4th, we decided that we were going to better live the Word of Wisdom by eating more veggies and less meat. D&C 89:12-13 states "Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." Granted, "[m]odern methods of refrigeration now make it possible to preserve meat in any season" as stated by more modern church officials, so we don't feel the need to take meat completely out of our diet, just cut back on it.
Anyway, so we've been having some interesting meals. One night it was a Green Salad where all the veggies (lettuce, cucumber, peas, broccoli, avocado) and even the dressing (cilantro tomatillo ranch) were green. Then we had a fruit salad another night (canned peaches, canned pears, apples, red grapes, and I usually add walnuts but I was out). Then we had a mock Cafe-Rio style salad last night (cilantro lime rice, black beans in a cilantro tomato sauce, romaine lettuce, parmesan, guacamole, cilantro, all inside a tortilla shell). Tonight we're having a Jicama Orange salad (diced jicama and mandarin oranges in a sauce made from cilantro, sour cream, and a little of the juice from the canned oranges). Also on the menu are a sweet potato soup and a different fruit salad. Finding new recipes and being a little more healthy is quite an adventure!!
Then, on the 6th, we attended a baby blessing. Ben has been friends with Joe since they were in junior high, maybe earlier. His wife, Kim, and I shared a due date of Jan 4th. We both had girls. Haylie Peterson was born 01-01-11 and Kiersten was born 01-02-11. A day apart! We blessed Kiersten last month and this month was Haylie's blessing. It was very sweet and I loved watching Ben and Joe carry around their little princesses! I love good daddies!
One week down, 3 to go! We're planning to take the kids to Cabella's this month, and the food journey will continue. Maybe once we have the veggies down well, we can start taking out some of the refined sugars!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Placenta Encapsulation
The placenta contains your own natural hormones making it completely unique to each mother. Experts agree that the placenta retains hormones. Reintroducing them to your system is believed to balance postpartum and menopausal hormonal fluctuations. It also:
- replenishes depleted iron
- contains all the blood building nutrients (iron, B12, folic acid, B6) proteins, fatty acids, etc.
- replaces the hormones you lost during the birthing process
- gives you more energy
- lessens postpartum bleeding
- has been shown to increase and enrich breastmilk
- decreases baby blues and postpartum depression due to the vitamins and minerals contained within the placenta, such as vitamin B6.
- Dr. Dean Raffelock, D.C., Dipl.Ac./L.Ac, CCN, DIBAK tests women's nutrient levels postpartum (pre- and post-treatment) and is very aware of the link between nutritional deficiencies and mood and anxiety issues. Data shows this link exists in the general population, it is forthcoming in our population.
- hastens return of uterus to pre-pregnancy state
- decreases likelihood of insomnia or sleep disorders
There are many natural therapies that work despite scientific researching saying it doesn't (taking something apart and trying to figure out which part of it makes it work may ignore that it just might take the whole thing to work... ABCDEF won't work if you break it into A, B, C, D, E, and F individually), and lots of medical procedures that we used to believe were wonderful but have since found that they're awful (think about how women used to be knocked out with ether and then their babies would be delivered while they were unconscious, formula was thought to be far superior to breast milk, etc.). Remember also, there is no scientific data suggesting that prayer “works” either, yet many of us have the anecdotal evidence that it does!
That said, there are no scientific studies done to show the effects of a mother ingesting placenta. There are only studies showing that the placenta contains hormones, vitamins, minerals and such that have been scientifically shown to give the benefits listed. So we rely on anecdotal evidence to suggest that consumption of the placenta in a dried, powdered form will reap these benefits.
Today is only my third day taking my encapsulated placenta, but already I have more energy!! That is the main reason I am taking it. I was exhausted, and felt like I couldn't keep up with a pre-schooler, a toddler, and an infant. I was feeling the need for a 3 hour nap every day, was dragging like you wouldn't believe, and even when I did get a nap I still was ready for bed super early.
I'll keep you updated on how things continue to unfold!! My one complaint is that, online in the instructions for how to encapsulate your placenta at home, everyone said that they get around 80-150 capsules out of it. However, my midwife said that 20-40 is average. Gotta say I'm a little disappointed in how capsules I have, especially considering the $165 cost!!
P.S. Because this isn't a blog that's followed by very many, and it's not meant as an informative, informational, educational blog but rather just a journal for myself (and friends and family to read), I totally didn't get permission to use this picture from where I found it online (will replace with an image of my own placenta when I get it from my midwife), and I didn't properly document where my information came from. SORRY!
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