The Mean IRISH Wife

Mammogram at 45, painful or painless?

2014-07-22T10:37:00.001-07:00

Remember when your Gyno doctor told you to “feel your boobies” at least once a month for an abnormal lumps or bumps? If you haven't heard this medical advice lately, it may be because the jury has long been out on whether self exams actually work to catch cancer and reduce breast cancer deaths. But finally a new paper published in the journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology has a definitive answer.

“The research has shown that the actual teaching of the self breast-exam and doing it monthly doesn't improve outcomes or long-term survival,” says lead author Katrina Mark, M.D., a clinical instructor in the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The biggest proof of this is a large-scale Chinese study of 260,000 women who were divided into two groups: one was taught breast self-exams and the other wasn't. Women who followed the rigorous exam guidelines experienced significantly more biopsies—but were no more likely to detect breast cancer than the group that didn't perform exams.

Soon after this study and a few smaller, randomized trials, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Screening for Breast Cancer Guidelines declared the screening method ineffective in 2009, stating it might be doing more harm—both psychological and physical with unnecessary biopsies—than good. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Cancer Society has since followed suit, recognizing that breast self-exams might be ineffective, costly, and anxiety-provoking, Mark confirms. But neither organization has flat-out recommended against the exams. In fact, they've just changed the wording from “breast self-exams” to “breast self-awareness,” which has caused a lot of confusion among patients and healthcare providers.

The idea of self-awareness is to communicate with your doctor if you notice something abnormal. I'm not good at self-awareness, each and every little bump freaks me out. I don't know a lipoma from a nodule and can't be trusted to be a judge of anything. I would rather have a professional be in charge. Therefore, I have taken this warning to heart and decided to have my 2nd mammogram today and it was completely painless. I have truly forgotten the importance of having an annual check every year after the age of 40. Time seems to go so quickly and with the lack of insurance coverage the timing never seemed to be just right. But it is time to start taking care of myself and to really start focusing on the things that really matter and that's me! When was your last mammogram? Are you due?

Crohn's Disease and Diabetes, is there a connection?

2014-07-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

Last week I found a new primary care physician out of shear luck. A friend referred her from a group which was located just a few miles from my house (SCORE). My goal is to get all of my doctors in the same area to cut down the expense or travel. Well, at my first visit, she decided to start all over and do a complete blood work up-and you know how much I love needles! After my results came back she stated that I am pre-diabetic. I was shocked. Who-me? How is that? I don't get it. So, I accepted her suggestion of changing my meal plan, advised me to stay off soda, but I don't drink soft drinks anyway and said to amp up my exercise. Ok, she got me. Right now, my exercise isn't what it use to be. So, I went home and immediately jumped on the internet like the good detective that I am-and this is what I found.

Understand Diabetes and Diet

After receiving the warning of pre-diabetes, it was up to me to understand what that means. Diet and exercise are the key factors to preventing full on diabetes. What I eat has the biggest influence on my weight, and weight is the biggest contributing factor to diabetes. Therefore, I have to understand how to eat right. I've learned that I do not need to deprive yourself of all the foods everyone else gets to eat, but I am responsible for eating in moderation. A diet for pre-diabetes should be high in nutrients, low in fat, and modest in calories. You need to avoid certain carbohydrates.

Pick Foods High in Fiber with Slow-Released Carbohydrates

I read from Diabetes.com that carbohydrates have the biggest influence on blood sugar levels. There are certain types of carbohydrates that are okay to eat as a pre-diabetic, but you need to avoid others. Highly refined carbs like white bread, pasta, and rice, along with candy, soda, and snack foods are not favorable for a pre-diabetic. These foods spike blood sugar levels, increasing diabetic symptoms and problems. Slow-release carbs that are high in fiber are better choices, because these foods will keep blood sugar levels more stable and keep you fuller longer. These foods include brown or wild rice, sweet potatoes, yams, whole-wheat pasta, whole grain breads, rolled oats, bran flakes, and leafy green vegetables. This diet is not only great for a pre-diabetic; it is a sensible diet for all individuals to follow to remain healthy.

Be Aware of Sweets

I love sweets, I do. It's really hard for me to pass up a chocolate cupcake if its been offered. But just because you are a pre-diabetic does not mean you have to quit sweets and sugars altogether. However, the key to enjoying these and many other foods is moderation. One way to allow sweet foods into a diet is by cutting out other foods from the day. For instance, if you would like desert, avoid breads, rice, or pasta with the meal. Choose healthy fats like peanut butter, ricotta cheese, yogurt, or nuts for sweet snacks. In addition, eat sweets with a meal instead of alone. If you eat sweets with other foods, the blood sugar level is going to rise slower than if you consume them alone. When eating a sugary treat, take the time to enjoy it. This will make the craving less likely to come back quickly.

Be Careful with Fats

This is where I have a hard time because I prepare eggs every morning as I dart out the door to work. Some fats are healthy, while others are unhealthy. Avoid saturated and trans fats if you are a pre-diabetic. Saturated fats are in red meat, whole milk, and eggs. Trans fats are also referred to as hydrogenated oils. Read the label of many processed foods to determine if they have hydrogenated oils and trans fats. Healthy fats are unsaturated fats. These come from plant and fish sources like olive oil, canola oil, nuts, avocados, salmon, tuna, and flax seeds. All fats contain calories, so be mindful when portioning out high fatty foods.

Eat Regularly and Keep Track

According to diabetes.com, a regular eating schedule and a diary recording what you consume have been proven to help people lose weight. Losing weight is the most effective treatment to help avoid or reverse diabetes. The body is better able to regulate blood sugar levels if food enters the body at a regular schedule. Important things to remember include not skipping breakfast, eating regular meals up to six times a day, and keeping calorie intake the same from day to day. In addition, by writing down foods you eat, you can identify problem times of the day or problem foods and focus on improving those areas.
My goal for the month is to really start following these simple tips. Eating right is one of the easiest treatments when looking to help diabetic symptoms and I need to start doing something for myself. I think it's time to take care of Kelly and stop worrying so much about everyone else. My hopes are that by eating right I can even reverse the pre-diabetic diagnosis. If any of you have tips, I'd love to hear from you!

Crohn's Disease and Beverages: what works for you?

2014-05-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

According to Kristina Arquette, RD, a clinical dietitian at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, proper hydration is important for everyone, and even more so when you have an inflammatory bowel disease like my good pal "Crohn’s Disease" Hydration extremely important. You want to drink at least eight glasses of water or fluids to stay hydrated.” However, all fluids aren't created equal: While some are clearly good or bad for Crohn’s, how you react to other drinks may vary. Here's my list and how they affect me.

Water for Crohn's Disease

I hate water as it's been the bain of my existence. No matter how you flavor it, I always reach for something different even with water within reaching distance. Although water may not be my first choice, it's the best hydration when managing Crohn’s disease, plain and simple. This is especially true when diarrhea strikes and your fluid needs are even greater. Water works its magic by helping flush out the crap that makes us sick. Water is essential to the good health of your entire body, as well helpful in preventing constipation and replacing fluids that are lost from diarrhea. Aim to have water as your main source of hydration, and keep fresh water nearby to encourage yourself to drink. As much as I love and I do mean love my diet coke, when I am in a flare it becomes, it must become, a conscious choice. If I am in desperate need, I'll have a glass of it, but for the most part, I try to limit my intake. If all you give your body all day is coffee and diet cola, you can't expect your digestive tract to treat you well.

I never drink cold water and reason being is that by having a hot glass of lemon water on an empty stomach in the am helps improve bowel movements and cures constipation. It helps break down food particles and passes them out through the intestines. When you drink hot water, the at deposits in the body burns and the built up deposits in the nervous system also breaks down. This will improve blood circulation in the body and also flush out nasty toxins.

Here's why I stay clear of Ice water: it can be harmful because it damages your body's ability to properly digest food and drink. Drinking cold beverages with a meal can slow down your body's proper digestive actions. You can think of it as almost freezing your insides temporarily so that they cannot do what they need to do at that moment. So, instead, food goes by improperly digested, and your body's unable to retrieve the nutrients and energy from it that it needs. By decreasing the activity of your digestive system, cold beverages rob you of the nutrition of the food you ate.

Also, when you drink cold beverages, your body has to use energy in order to warm up that liquid inside your body. This is also robbing your body of the energy it needs to properly process the food you have eaten. Instead of working to get all the nutrition of the food, your digestive system is instead working on regulating the temperature of the cold drink.

Coconut Water for Crohn's Disease

I was afraid to try Coconut water, not sure why but it literally took me 6 months to get the nerve to buy a bottle of it. To my surprise, it was refreshing and delicious and now make it a daily mornnig staple. Coconut water is an excellent source which provides added electrolytes, which is needed after an episode. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about dehydration.

Wine for Crohn's Disease

This is a hard one, wine and my favorite flavored Vodka and diet Sprite (which often contain other triggers such as fruit juice or caffeinated beverages) can be hard on the gastrointestinal tract. So, when in a flare you want to stay away from alcoholic beverages.

Fruit Juice for Crohn's Disease

Personally, I have to stay away from these delicious little beverage treats. Not only just due to crohns, but also because of these nasty little cancer soars that I live with daily. Although, seemingly harmless, juices are often loaded with sugar, which can be a real problem for us Crohnies. If you must (like my coke addiction), I’d limit it to 3 to 4 ounces per serving.

Coffee for Crohn's Disease

According to Jeffry A. Katz, MD, medical director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, coffee has been cited for both pluses and minuses in health studies, but the verdict for Crohn's disease tends to swing toward “avoid.” The high amount of caffeine in coffee can aggravate certain unpleasant Crohn’s symptoms. “ Coffee is okay in small amounts, but it tends to loosen stools and increase frequency of diarrhea.”

Meal Replacement Shakes for Crohn's Disease

This one is my favorite and if you know me, you know why! If you’re having difficulty maintaining weight, a good meal replacement shake by Dedicated Woman will deliver concentrated nutrition in a calorie-dense beverage. You want to make sure you are buying clean and pure Whey Protein and from a repeatable company like Dedicated Woman, Inc. So many companies out there load their products with fillers and preservatives. Many of us Crohnies tend to stay away from daily products but I can attest to whey protein. As long as it's a great clean source, I haven't had any issues, gas or bloating with it. Everyone of course is different and you may not respond to whey protein as I do, but its worth the shot especially if you are having a hard time gaining weight or consuming food.

Milk for Crohn's Disease

I love and hate milk both at the same time. I like to have a little if I am having cereal or heartburn, but when I stop to think about what I am actually drinking, loads of mucus, I make myself sick. Milk is made for one thing.......baby cows! Our bodies are not equipped to digest milk and is not the best choice for us, especially if you are lactose intolerant. Milk provides protein and essential vitamins and minerals, yet it may aggravate Crohn’s symptoms if you have small-bowel Crohn’s disease. I've recently tried almond milk and really love the taste, not sure I would, but surprisingly, its good! If you try other alternatives like almond, soy or rice milk — you’ll get more protein and plenty of calcium in every 8-ounce glass.

My Crohn's Disease Tips For People In Remission

2014-05-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

How do we take care of ourselves aiming to maximize the length and quality of our remission period, and how to make the most of it? I've been doing some research, asking my therapist friends in regards to this topic and here is a list of suggested tips and strategies.

FIRST and foremost, talk to your doctor. Find out what they suggest.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Nasty irritants anyway, but they really irritate the intestinal lining and can degrade your overall health.
Stay in control of your healthy weight.
Eat healthy, fresh, and nutritious foods. Pack on the vitamins and minerals you may have been lacking. Ask your doctor about probiotics as a supplement- I swear by them.. You'll feel better and your immune system will thank you.
Set your goals. Remember all the things you wanted to do when you were in a flare-up and unable to contemplate getting off the couch? Now that you feel well it is too easy to push things that you recognized as important onto the 'later' pile. Don't! Grab those projects and goals and throw yourself into them.
Detoxify your life. We don't know the cause of Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative colitis, but the medical community is starting to suspect genetics combined with environmental factors. We can control our environment so it can't hurt to give that some attention. Try to incorporate more wholesome, fresh, organic foods, and natural cleaning products and cosmetics.
Simplify your life. Do you have friends or family members who are always negative and toxic? Keep them with your old shoes, at bay.
Minimize your stuff. Extra belongings and junk can clutter up our homes and offices and create a burden on us for cleaning, organizing and just living.
Exercise for life. While there may not be a link between IBD and lack of exercise, exercise does contribute to your overall health. Months or years of being inactive can take a drastic and hidden toll on your body. Now that you are physically feeling well, treat yourself to some movement!
Create awareness of Crohns. Consider volunteering or donating to support Crohn's and Coilitis awareness and the search for a cure.

Remember that you're in remission. Let that be enough to count your blessings everyday. Love a little more and laugh daily!

2014-05-09T11:44:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Protein Birthday Cake! Hell Yeah~

2014-05-09T11:43:00.001-07:00

Who knew that chocolate would make a health comeback? What was once a diet taboo is now being touted as a nutritional allstar. This is good news, because it means that we can have our (protein) cake….and eat it too!
Cocoa beans contain polyphenols, which contain antioxidants called flavonoids, that are beneficial to one’s health by reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Cocoa beans also contain serotonine and phenylethylamine, which have antidepressant affects similar to the body’s natural production of adrenaline.On top of this, cocoa beans are rich in minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and potassium; and vitamins such as A, B, C, and E. So do you need any more convincing to eat chocolate?
Chocolate is best consumed in darker varieties, which contain less added sugars. Be aware that while chocolate does have health properties, too much can be fattening, and thus it should be consumed in moderation or for special occasions, such as birthdays!

Ingredients

Cake

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

1 Tbsp walnut oil / canola oil

2 Tbsp sweetener of choice: honey/stevia/brown sugar/splenda

2 scoops Dedicated Woman Protein Powder

2 Omega 3 eggs

1/4 cup oats

1 Tbsp nut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

Dash salt

Preparation:1) In a microwavable dish, microwave chocolate squares and oil in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted.
2) Using blenders or a magic bullet, blend together chocolate mix and remaining ingredients.

3) Pour into a sprayed mini cake pan and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes.
Icing

1 scoop Protein Powder

1 tbsp. Nut butter

1 tbsp. Skim milk

Crushed nuts

1) Mix together protein powder, nut butter, and enough milk to make into a icing consistency.
2) Cut cooled protein cake in half horizontally. Spread 1/2 of icing over bottom half and top with the top of the cake. Spread the remaining icing on top and sprinkle with crushed nuts. 3) Sing Happy Birthday!

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 cake)
Calories 318; Fat 18 g;Protein 27 g; CHO 11 g
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 cake)
Calories 318; Fat 18 g;Protein 27 g; CHO 11 g

Preparation

YUMMY!

Life After Divorce-Go ahead and scream girl!

2014-05-09T11:38:00.001-07:00

Life After Divorce:

Life After Divorce

After a divorce, women often experience greater loss and tend to get depressed more than men, so they say. I read that yesterday and it seems to be true; well, for me it was anyway. It's been a year, and within my struggle I'd like to share with you what I have taken away with this experience just in case you find yourself in the same predicament.

Why it hit me so hard
In general, women tend to become depressed more than men. Ten to 25 percent of women experience depression, and divorce doubles their risk. For women, it’s a huge health problem, second only to heart disease. As for me, my Crohns disease made it about 80% that much more difficult. It literally was a nightmare. All the stress led to more pain than what was just felt in my heart. The flares were by far the hardest I have ever dealt with. Then to top that off, suddenly, I felt the need to be this sexy goddess which I haven't felt since I was in my 30's. My industry is a tough one full of beautiful and fit women. The constant comparisons really had me stressed out when it came to my body image. I did gain weight and I knew I was going to be ridiculed for it. My head was spinning and really didn't know which way was up and didn't have an outlet or anyone to really discuss my fears so depression set in. If I were to do it differently, I would have joined a coping group and began to share my story.

Our Coping style: Studies show that assertiveness, self-efficacy, and autonomy lead to greater self-esteem. If instead of being assertive, you suppress your anger, you’re more subject to depression. At first everything is suppressed then one day, you explode! They say that after divorce, men tend to throw themselves into work, whereas women find it difficult to take action and do more grieving. The more independent and assertive you are, the less depressed you’ll be.

Our Priorities: According to my family members of the older generation, the main reason most women take divorce harder is because we’re wired for connection. Relationships are the priority, and attachment loss preoccupies us more than anything else. Even a breakup with someone after six months of dating can be devastating. Despite your role, ultimately, you lose your identity and that is the hardest part that I am still dealing with. It’s daunting to re-enter the workplace, especially after 40, and having your own business for the last 15 years when you’re competing with energetic college grads. I have a college degree, owned 2 successful businesses and yet can't seem to find a job in my industry. Not knowing which of my issues should have been a priority kept me feeling stressed daily. Acknowledging what your priorities are, should be step one. I would have liked to go back to school as soon as it happened, I would be 2 years ahead of the game. But now I am in a dead end job, constantly trying to find a way to rekindle my business. But without a backer it seems quite impossible. If I would have acted immediately, I could have saved funds to get my business going again.

My crying period.
Daily mood swings are common. Crying is not only okay, but necessary. I didn't cry over him, I cried because of my material loss. I lost everything because I chose to walk away from it all. The acknowledgment of loosing everything I had worked so hard for is what broke me down. I still cry for it, my life, business, friends, material things. I don't think there is a time frame for this as my mother still cried over my father for 30 years.

How long does it take to recover?
Generally, by three years both men and women enter into new relationships. Yet, sometimes there’s unresolved guilt, resentment, or sadness toward a spouse that get buried and can linger for years if not worked through. I'm on my 2nd year and really have no desire to engage into another relationship. For me, I'd like to get my finances down first, life in somewhat order, then open myself up.

What kind of support did I get?
None. Absolutely none. I couldn't talk with my family because they despised him so much. I was literally on my own. But having gone through it, I recommend that you find friends to speak with because they are an enormous resource. This is an ongoing part of creating a single life that includes activities, not just talking on the phone. You don’t have to do everything alone. Ask friends to accompany you to doctor and lawyer appointments, and help you pick out furnishings, pack and unpack, and find an apartment.

What’s the best way to manage feelings?
Managing feelings is a combination of allowing them, but not dwelling on them. Feel, but don’t obsess and get into the story in your head. That’s the best way to release. When you’re feeling blue, nurture yourself with things and activities that feel pleasurable and make you happy. For me, it's a bath, shopping or something outdoors like hiking or camping. Even if you don't feel like it- do it anyway. The last thing you want to do is isolate yourself.

Get your life back.
It's so important to let go and move on. Easier said then done, I know, but yet nonetheless, important to you and your health. If you don't feel like you can go it alone, another suggestion which I wish I would have taken is to seek professional assistance.

Fighting Postpartum Blues in the Gym

2014-01-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

Delivered a healthy baby and ready to feel love, compassion, peace and similar emotions? Although, sadly- all you are really feeling are mood swings, hormonal fluctuations, uncontrollable crying, and feeling like you have been hit by the tsunami. As the world took view of Brooke Shields, in all probability you are facing postpartum blues.

Statistics indicate that over 80% of women go though mild depression to full blown postpartum blues after their deliveries. Though they are common after the first delivery, several women suffer from it despite being veterans at having babies. While there are several causes of postpartum blues, the one place known to work wonders in alleviating some of the symptoms, is your local gym.

It may come as a surprise to most of us that, endorphins, which are commonly known as ‘happy hormones’ are released by the body during periods of exercise. These hormones are known to induce an upbeat emotion in the human body and are perfect natural stress busters. This is the main reason as to why women who exercise after child birth find that they are able to keep their energy levels higher than otherwise and their mood upbeat and gay. So, instead of opting for antidepressants that can be a hindrance to feeding mothers, join an exercise plan instead.

Endorphins are also considered ‘natural pain relievers’ and help to combat the pains associated with postpartum periods. This is another great advantage of following an exercise plan right after your delivery in order to keep the postpartum blues at bay.

One of the major causes of postpartum blues is begin overweight. The sense of having delivered the baby and yet carrying around all the weight is overwhelming for most women, who immediately fall prey to a lowered self image. Joining a gym helps keep postpartum weight in check, which assists in keeping self esteem high.

Gyms that cater to special postpartum groups, allow women to make friends, talk about their experiences and exercise along side. This helps tremendously in fighting off postpartum blues and keeping anxiety and stress levels low. Exercising also helps keep the oxygen levels of the body high and thus ensures lesser hair fall and skin pigmentation problems, which are fairly common in women who have just delivered.

Of course, it is important to adopt the right form of exercise so as to not cause any damage in the bargain. Depending on whether the delivery was a c-section, forceps or normal, an appropriate exercise plan can be adopted. Yoga and water based exercises work very well in releasing endorphins as well as ensuring injury free workouts. Sleep and water intake are essential when combating postpartum blues by adopting an exercise program. So, do keep these tips in mind and kiss those postpartum blues goodbye.

Ketosis for Cosmetic Results

2014-01-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

Why diet? Why workout? Why bother with how much you weight? Yes- thin is in to some, but why? The simple answer to these questions is that a fitter body is known to look more attractive since it indicates a healthier person. A healthier person is bound to have better skin, hair, nails and an all over appealing persona…..right?

Ladies who wish to simply maintain their weight can do so easily by following a moderate exercise plan and keeping a minimalistic watch on their diet. However, for those of us who are looking to shed weight, a diet plan has to be incorporated with the workout regime.

The problem with diets is that though they do assist in loosing weight, hair luster, skin glow and energy is also lost simultaneously. Indeed one seems to be caught in the vicious circle; diet, if you want to loose weight and look good, but this very dieting makes you look drained and wrinkled.

The answer however comes in the form of the Ketosis diet plans. These have been successfully followed by several thousands of athletes and woman with great results.

So what makes the ketosis diet any different from the other dieting schedules out there?

Ketogenic diets create grounds for the body to switch from using carbohydrates to fat cells, in order to produce the energy needed by the body to function smoothly. Simply reducing carbohydrate intake to no more than 100gm per day will help achieve fantastic results. Unlike other diet plans that focus on starving you, ketogenic diets allow for protein and good fat intake in abundance. It is this protein that helps keep energy levels high and also prevent damage to the skin, hair etc.

Proteins help keep the hair shinning and smooth. Vitamin B6 found in fish and omega oils are highly recommended for those suffering from droopy skin and hair. The ketogenic diet plans allow for intake for fish and chicken and several other oils that are highly beneficial for maintaining the outer glow of our bodies.

In fact, it has been scientifically proven that ketosis actually helps in slowing down the aging process. Aging is mostly caused by junk protein accumulation in the cells, which leads to the cell eventually dying out. If the body stays in ketosis, then the junk protein is cleared from the cells since this protein is attack by the body to make energy. This helps preserve the cell for a longer duration thus drastically slowing down the aging process.

So if looking to kill two birds with one stone, Ketosis diets are definitely for you, as long as you get the OK from your doctor. A Ketosis diet is not for everyone and you need to be monitored by a physician unless you are very knowledgeable about diet, nutrition and health care. Ketosis diets help shed weight and fight the aging process, all the while keeping your skin and hair healthy too.

(While ketosis is a fairly safe diet plan, it will help to seek some authorized advice on the front. There are several types of ketosis diets and adopting the one most suitable will help to maximize the gains from it.)

Power yoga- east meets west

2014-01-13T16:08:00.001-08:00

An ancient Indian holistic health discipline, is what best defines yoga. However, the system has often been associated with the older generation in yester years. Most gym goers have been rubbishing the concept of yoga, until lately the entire world seems to have woken up to its benefits. This is mostly due to the discovery of ‘power yoga’ and its various advantages.

Power Yoga combines the traditional yoga asana with weight training, in order to create dynamic exercises that have known to produce phenomenal results. Power yoga centers are mushrooming all over the globe. Those who have adopted the system claim to have benefited in more ways than one. The system does much more than simply target weight loss, though weight loss is a huge bonus that comes along with the other benefits.

Immune system – Power yoga helps tremendously in building the immune system and is therefore highly recommended for those who may suffer from frequent bouts of fever or common colds. In fact, doctors highly encourage their patients to undertake power yoga, especially if they are unable to follow the other systems of exercising.

Strength building– Right from the body builder to the pregnant lady, power yoga helps everyone build their strength quotient. The combination of flexibility and resistance training is a great mix for the body muscles and ensures that they do not suffer from stiffness.

Body toxins – One of the most crucial advantages of power yoga comes in the form of release of body toxins. The asana help in expelling toxins from the body and cleansing the system thoroughly. This release also helps control stress in our body and allows tensions and other similar negative vibes to flow out of the system.

Spiritual gain – It is wrong to imagine that the body can thrive while the mind suffers. Power yoga understands this concept well and therefore adopts a holistic approach to achieving good health. The mind is therefore also given full attention by power yoga teachers, who help their students understand the spiritual aspects of life too.

Weight loss – Though not the most important advantage of power yoga, weight loss is definitely the most desired one. Power yoga helps loose weight without any side effects and ensures that the body is not damaged in any way during this process. Indeed, this is one of the main reasons that the discipline has achieved such fame.

While weight lifting is not recommended for growing children and the older generation, cardio does not do much for women who may suffer from osteoporoses. Amazingly, unlike other exercise concepts, power yoga works for everyone. Power yoga has no gender, age or ailment restriction. In fact even women who are pregnant can join power yoga and reap its benefits.

Do keep in mind that like other exercise routines, power yoga also demands a trained teacher who knows the various techniques and asana and can deliver customized solutions to the students.

Sacredness In Tears

2013-11-12T14:18:00.000-08:00

Washington Irving, American Author, wrote, “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.”

In the aftermath of divorce, it was easy for me to believe my life had been destroyed forever. My husband was simply gone along with my home, our business', dogs, children, cars, toys, vacation home, insurance, and everything else I had worked so hard for in the last decade. Just like that, in a blink of the eye and due to no fault of my own. My mind could not really fathom a reality without him. My heart did not understand.

I looked for answers, as most divorced women do. I tried everything I could think of to renegotiate what had happened in my head. Tears were my constant companions. Though I returned to work, my face became as soft as tanned leather. I cried outright when I was alone, and the tears slipped from my eyes even in public.

Research dictates that the chemicals in emotional tears differ in chemical makeup from those manufactured for any other reason. The tears of sadness and grief have two jobs to do. A little at a time, they release pain from the deep wounds of loss and from the self-recriminations and regret many women feel. Additionally – at some point in time – they leave bits of strength and healing in their salty residue.

It has only been recently that the pain of parting became the surprise of going forward, toward something new. Confusion and regret left and 2 years later healing has finally begun. It is different for each divorced woman, but knowing that it can happen, moving on, is a huge part of holding on to hope. If you have lost someone, you may not feel that hope today...or tomorrow. But hold on to life as tightly as you can, for after tragedy comes strength.

Cry. Those tears are healing.

Sneaky Calorie Burners

2013-10-28T20:29:00.001-07:00

Anyone who’s watching their weight knows that one of the sure-fire ways of staying trim is to burn calories – as many as possible. Every calorie counts, and when you burn more calories by increasing your activity level, you’re doing your muscles and heart good as well. Even a little bit of exercise and activity counts, and they all add up for burning calories.

If you don’t have time to exercise as much as you like (or at all), then try some of these sneaky ways to burn calories. They don’t take long but they all add up!

Do plies or lunges while you’re doing your teeth. You should brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day to look after them properly, so that’s four minutes in which you can tone your legs a little. How many can you do? If you’re into belly dance, then try shimmying non-stop while brushing your teeth – this one really burns the calories!

Balance on a ball. If you know you’re going to be desk-bound for the day working on a tight deadline, then switch your regular chair for one of those big exercise balls. Sitting upright on one of these will really work your core muscles. And make sure you get up and stretch for two minutes every half hour or so – you’ll be more productive for it and avoid a lot of RSI problems.

Ditch the remote control – get up off your chair to change channels or alter the volume or whatever.

Don’t sit on a chair at all to watch TV– lie on the floor. You’ll change position frequently to get comfy. And while you’re down there, it’s easier to just do a few sit-ups, leg lifts or bridges during ad breaks.

Making love burns plenty of calories if you get into one of the more demanding positions – any of the woman-on-top ones gives your legs, abdomen and thighs a good workout. The only difficulty can come if your man has also had this advice and is also trying to get into one of the positions to give him a good workout. Actually, this contesting and wrestling for position could be fun...

Prepare your own meals. Not only will you have more control of the fat, sugar, starch and salt going into your meal, all that chopping, stirring and grating burns a few of those calories in anticipation. You can probably whip up a salad or soup in less time than it takes for the pizza delivery to arrive.

If you’ve got kids, play with them more. A game of tag or whatever is great quality time and gets you – and them – more active.

Time Management is key. Use the time spent waiting for the coffee machine for doing a few exercises. How about jogging on the spot or lifting weights using whatever’s handy in the kitchen as hand weights.

Strap on the weights. If you already go for a walk, use leg weights to increase your load and burn even more calories as you go. Or just carry a bit water bottle to sip on as you go – one liter of water weighs a kilo.

Be creative and have fun – how many other ways can you think of to burn calories sneakily?

Emotional eating and your waist line

2013-10-28T20:28:00.001-07:00

Many overweight people, especially us women, tend to eat to comfort ourselves. Believe it or not, what we are doing is a considered to some as a psychological disorder, a bad dietary habit known as emotional overeating. We eat certain foods to pacify negative feelings such as anger, grief and disappointment. Emotional overeating can also be classified as a reaction to stress.

EMOTIONS CAN MAKE YOU FAT

Emotional overeating is not a big sin but it can make you fat. These a stressful times we live in and when you were a kid your mom probably made you feel better about bad things that happened to you during the day by giving you some kind of treat. Usually it was something rich and laden with loads of carbs like ice cream, cookies or potato chips.

STUFFING YOUR ANGER

A nickname for emotional overeating is “stuffing your anger.” The urge to stuff our faces is very primal and according to evolutionary biologists and comes from a time when we felt very aggressive as we tore into our prey. Often overeating in women is related to aggression or anger. Women are not allowed to display anger in this society as it is considered unattractive so we express it by biting into food instead.

GUILT

The irony is that most of us do not enjoy how we feel when we are “stuffing down our anger” by overeating. They feel comforted but guilty for letting themselves down at the same time. Many times, we don’t even really taste the food while we are binge eating.

REBELLING

It is an act of rebellion that backfires and makes us feel worse than before. This creates a condition where you can become angry at yourself and you want to eat even more. The worst case scenario is the development of a dangerous disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.

QUICK FIXES

Carbs, fat and sugar can temporarily make you feel better emotionally because they have a way of fueling the feel good chemicals in the brain. The problem is that this is just a quick fix that wears off and has you craving yet more of the same comfort foods to feel the same “high” again.

THERAPY

The only way to stop emotional overeating is to figure out what life situations are triggering your bad feelings and then try to get rid of those situations in your life. You literally try to figure out “what’s eating you” so that you will stop eating every time you feel lonely, frustrated, angry or sad. Recognizing the source of the stress is half the battle because sometimes even if you cannot get rid of the situation entirely you can at least catch yourself before you react to it by overeating.

GET CONTROL

The good news is that this is a type of behavior that you can control. Once you recognize the situation that drives the emotion that in turn drives you to overeat you can stop emotional overeating just the same way you can stop any other bad habit.

Talk to your doctor if you think you are motivated to eat too much because of depression or anxiety. You might be prescribed an antidepressant. However keep in mind that although the antidepressant might stop compulsive or obsessive eating, the side effect of almost all of the brands of antidepressants on the market is weight gain.

5 Foods Healthy Moms Should Avoid Feeding Children

2013-10-28T19:49:00.001-07:00

Our number one goal is to make sure they eat food that are healthy and will keep their little bodies strong as they grow. When things are hectic and time runs low, there is a turn of events with fast food taking over the dining table. Here is a list of 5 foods that you should avoid feeding your kids whenever possible. Most mothers are keen on what they feed their children.

Processed Meats

Kids will do almost anything for a hot dog or some other processed meat. However, these come packed with fillers, artificial colors, sodium, potentially carcinogenic nitrites and nitrates as well as saturated fats. So potent is this deadly mix that kids who ate 12 hot dogs in one month were found to be 9 times more likely to suffer from leukemia. Pre-packed lunches should be avoided as well. They can have a fat count of up to 38 grams, which is more than half the amount recommended for an adult. Imagine what they can do to your child.

Fruit Rollups

Don’t be deceived by the word ‘fruit’ in these gelatin snacks. There is only a trace amount of fruit and the rest is artificial color and lots of sugar. If it’s in the candy section it’s candy, fruit will be on the fruit and vegetable isle.

Juice

If the drink you are buying is not 100% juice, chances are that you are giving your child high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and flavors to drink. Avoid these drinks like the plague and instead plan on squeezing your own juice from fresh fruit. This way you are not contending with additives. However, it is recommended that children take only 4- 6 oz of juice daily. Even though the juice you squeeze out for yourself has much vitamin C, the fiber is lost. Encourage your child to eat the fruit instead of drinking juice.

French Fries

We have all heard of this one before but it’s worth repeating. French fries have too much sodium, fat and calories to be good for your child. When starchy foods like potatoes are deep fried, heating them to extreme temperatures, acrylamide, a cancer causing agent is produced. French fries do not have much nutritional benefit at least not as much as can be found in spinach, brussel sprouts, carrots and the like. Children could eat French fries every day if you allow them, so put a stop to it or reduce the consumption of fries in your home as much as possible.

Non-Organic Chicken Nuggets

This is an all time favorite for kids and we have all been told that white meat is healthy, so what is the problem? Chicken nuggets made from organic meat are very healthy for your child. However, the commercial kind is made up of high fructose corn syrup, sodium and compressed fat. They may look like organic chicken breast, but most of them are made from left over pieces of skin and chicken meat ground together and shaped like a nugget. These are not healthy for your child and should be avoided at all costs.

Why Workout when Pregnant

2013-10-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

Congratulations are definitely in order if you have a little one on the way! But keep in mind that healthy pregnancies and deliveries require much more that just good wishes.

Most of us tend to drop our activity levels drastically during our pregnancy months. Over and above that we have ‘cravings’ to blame for our weight gain. Usually, unless you are already a health nut, a workout plan is the last thing one bothers with when carrying a baby. However, an appropriate exercise regime takes on even greater importance during this period and must not be ignored at all.

A few benefits of working out when pregnant are listed below -

Strength building – You will need strong leg muscles when going through labor and these can only be achieved by following an appropriate strength building regime. Ladies, who walked, swam or even did some light weight training through their pregnancies have reported much easier and shorter labor. Yoga helps tremendously in building strength without causing any danger to the fetus.
Combat nausea – Over 60% women suffer from morning sickness and the first trimester sees most of this action. Following a work out plan keeps the metabolic rate going and therefore helps in digesting food intake and keeping acidity levels low. It is due to this reason that women who workout during their pregnancies rarely complain of overt morning sickness.
Prevent stretch marks – Stretch marks usually occur due to excessive weight gain or weight loss. A regular and appropriate exercise program allows pregnant women to keep their weight gain within healthy levels thus preventing stretch marks immensely. Exercising also supplies the skin with regular oxygen, which contributes towards its elasticity and therefore prevents stretch marks.
Feel better – Conceiving and having babies is an emotional time for most women. Their hormones run a mock and the entire period seems like a physical and emotional rollercoaster ride. Following proper exercise programs helps keep these fluctuations in control and allows women to feel upbeat during their pregnancy months too.
Lower ailment risks- Studies show that women who exercise and continue to do so even when pregnant have lesser chance of developing gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and other similar problems related with conceiving. In fact it is believed that exercising also helps achieve normal deliveries as opposed to C – sections.
Regain pre pregnancy weight faster – Following an exercise regime when pregnant will help you get back into shape much faster once the baby has been delivered. The body keeps up its metabolic rate and allows the excess weight gained during the pregnancy to be lost at a heighted rate than otherwise.

Keep in mind that an exercise routine for a pregnant woman does not focus on either weight loss or weight control. Yoga, swimming, walking, cycling and other such activities are highly recommended while carrying. Light resistance training is also known to benefit tremendously. However, you must consult your doctor before adopting an exercise plan and ensure that a trained professional is advising you on the topic.

Crohn's Disease and Whey Protein Powder

2012-10-21T13:32:00.004-07:00

According to Dr. Jonny, new research published in the Journal of Dairy Science suggests that compounds in whey protein may reduce some of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. The present study investigated the effects of whey protein on various markers of inflammation associated with IBD.

Whey is one of the two proteins found in milk and is a product of the cheese making process. The other protein found in milk- casein- is separated out to make cheese and the remaining liquid whey goes is filtered, dried and processed into whey protein powder, a very digestible protein that provides all the essential amino acids. “Whey protein contains bioactive proteins and peptides such as lactoferrin and, in the case of whey protein obtained from the cheese-making process, glycomacropeptide that can be beneficial in preventing colitis”, the researchers said.

The researchers reasoned that whey protein might be beneficial for IBD because of its high concentration of two amino acids– threonine and cysteine—which have been found to be necessary for the production of mucin. “Mucin is the mucous like substance that allows the gut to better protect itself“, explained Joseph Brasco, MD, a gastroenterologist and nutrition expert from the Center for Colon and Digestive Disorders in Huntsville, Alabama, and my go-to source for all things having to do with digestive health.

“The standard treatment for these diseases has been drug therapy”, Dr. Brasco told me, “with the intent of modifying the immune response in order to slow down the progression of the disease. What’s so interesting about this study is that they are trying to alter and improve the gut itself through nutrition. I’m encouraged by the fact that researchers are beginning to think that the immune system itself might be responding to abnormalities in the gut and that correcting those abnormalities might be a first order of business, one in which nutrition plays a huge part”.

But while encouraged by the decidedly nutritional approach of the researchers, Dr. Brasco stated that it was far too early to recommend that all patients with IBD start scarfing down whey protein drinks by the gallon. “This is a mouse study”, he cautioned, “and we really don’t know about dosing. Nor do we know if the amounts given to the animals in this study is in any way comparable to the amount of whey protein a human might reasonably consume.”

What I can tell you from my years of Whey Protein consumption is that it's definitely not for everyone. But for those of us who can stomach it, it's defiantly beneficial. Just remember that not all protein powders are created equal and that many, many companies use fillers and impurities in their blends. Be sure to purchase from a well known company and do your research. Dedicated Woman was created for me, a Crohn's suffer, so I trust my product. We get thousands of compliments and DO's are now treating their patients with our product. So, go ahead, orders yours today and give it a shot!

Excellent and Informative Crohn's Educational Video

2012-09-30T21:04:00.001-07:00

Click on the video if you are new to Crohn's Disease...

http://meanirishwife.blogspot.com/p/about.html

Energy Sucker at best

2012-09-30T19:09:00.004-07:00

Divorce is sucking the life right out of me. I haven't had any time to work, let alone post on the blogs. That is the reason for my absence and I'm expecting that it's an acceptable one. Every ounce of energy is spent on copying records, making time lines, depositions, obtaining records and all the other garbage that goes along with it. So, now lawyers are officially involved on my end.  I thought it would be easy, give everything to the attorney, she sets it all up, we divide everything equally since Nevada is a 50/50 state and we move on. That was the plan, right?
What could possibly go wrong?
A lot.....the problem with our divorce is that we both have this sense of being wronged: for me, he allegedly cheating and betrayed my trust,  for him, well he says I was just a bad wife because I wasn't a sex addict.

These feelings lie very near the surface and this process of legalizing everything brings them out. I left my home with nothing but the clothes I could toss in bags and our lil baby, bearzy. I literally left everything with him, 10 years of life including our businesses. Which in hindsight, was a poor decision. Painful and expensive, definately a lesson learned.

The level of conflict is unsustainably painful. Our court date was just extended for another 4 months which will make it a year that the process has been in the works.  I will be so happy when we are done, assuming it doesn't turn into WW III between now and then.

So here's tidbit of wisdom for anyone contemplating or starting a divorce: it hurts, it sucks and will be the hardest thing you will ever have to do. It starts out easy, you're strong and confident and gets very ugly very quickly. If you can work things out, DO IT!

Is YOUR body equipped to treat itself?

2012-04-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

On this profound voyage (affirmation wish) to finding my better health now, I've dove back into using essential oils and refreshing my memory bank with the uses of herbs and other nutrients that help keep Mr. Crohns at bay. So, today while I'm waiting for the rest of the world to open their eyes, I've pieced this short post for you. Today, I write about "ASTRAGALUS."

Our bodies are equipped with a wonderful healing system capable of handling almost any condition of infection or ill-health-provided it is given the nutritional support it needs. John (the hubs) so often tells me if the body's PH levels are normal you can't get sick. If your acidity is in line, cancer or other disease, can't survive. So, I'm going to test his theory. Starting today, Monday, I am going to support my body with the nutrients that this disease requires for the next two months and report my results- so stay tuned!

Our immune system can be hugely suppressed with Crohns, Colitis or IBD, leaving us vulnerable to getting sick and making us susceptible to many diseases. Needless to say, the state of our nutrition directly influences our biochemistry and our immunological system. Researchers believe that the nationwide prevalence of chronic bronchitis, cancer yeast infections, fatigue, Epstein-Barr syndrome, and even colds and flu, reflect wide spread immunity difficulties. I know since I've come off the SCD, and started eating poorly, my system has gone into complete shock, begging me to put down the carbs.

Here are just a few vitamins that appear to build immunity. This list is from my notes from years ago, so if you know of others, please comment below or feel free to correct me.

· Astragalus

· Echineacea

· Goldenseal

· Cat's Claw

· Garlic

· Milk Thistle

· Green Tea

· Maitake Mushroom

· Beta-Glucan

· CLA

· DIM

· Indole-3-Carbinol

· Colostrum

· IP6

The first on the list is ASTRAGALUS. In short it is a commonly used traditional her in Chinese medicine. Used for 3000 years for its properties that produce resistance to disease. It is an immune stimulant, and Chinese researchers have reported success in using it with cancer patients to offset some of the immune-suppressing effects of radiation and Western Cancer Drugs. American researchers have found that this herb is highly effective in restoring immune function to normal levels in test animals whose immune systems were suppressed by modern drugs.

Next is ECHINEACEA, also known as purple Coneflower. Researchers in both Europe and far east have found this also offering immune-stimulating properties. Echinacea is one of the most potent herbs that support the immune system, and is useful for treating colds and flu. It works like penicillin in the body with no side effects. It improves lymphatic filtration and drainage. Known for detoxifying the blood and an excellent blood cleanser.

Goldenseal, native to North America, had been used medicinally to soothe mucous membranes that line the respiratory, digestive and genitourinary tracts. Its major compound, berberine, exhibits a broad spectrum of antibiotic activity. Berberine finds its use in mouth and gum problems. Goldenseal strengthens the immune system through its antibiotic and antibacterial properties. It also helps against bacteria, protozoa and various other little fungi’s!

The Wonder Herb, a.k.a.- Cat's Claw. This unique herb is actually a high climbing vine found in the highlands of the Peruvian rain Forrest. It has been used for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years by Ashanica Indians for a wide rage of health problems. Evidence suggests that CC is beneficial in the treatment of cancer, arthritis, bursitis, rheumatism, genital herpes, herpes zoster, allergies, ulcers, systemic candidiasis, PMS, irregularities of the female cycle, environmental poisons, numerous bowel and intestinal disorders (here we go), and organic depression. An American D.C. has been working with CC on his patients and has reported CC's remarkable ability to cleanse the entire intestinal tract and help patients with Crohn's, diverticulitis, leaky bowel syndrome, colitis, hemorrhoids, gastritis, ulcers, parasites, and intestinal flora imbalances. This just might be a herb you want to check into for yourself and ask your MD about.

Dating back to the Bible is .....GARLIC. Our ancestors used roots and herbs in abundance particularly Garlic and Onion. Both of these I am hugely not fond of. From what I gather germs do not like garlic and in fact, they can't even live in its presence. Small story....when I was in massage school the owner of the school would make each and every one of us rub our feet on a bed of garlic that she made before we entered into the massage area. We thought she was nuts but turns out she was keeping those of us who went bare footed safe. Back in those days the bulb was used for indigestion, diarrhea, worms, skin diseases, dizziness, headaches, bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, tuberculosis, infections, wound healing, heart problems, arthritis, aging and even cancer. In recent years, people have discovered the use in warding off colds and in the treatment of high blood pressure, strokes and cardiovascular disease.

Milk Thistle to Detox the Liver. This herb has been used for centuries for the treatment of liver problems. It protects the liver against damaging toxins.

Green Tea enhances the body's natural antioxidant systems. The International Journal of Anti-Aging Medicine reported that the evidence for green tea's potent antioxidant effect continues to accumulate. In a recent study researchers found that green tea compounds not only directly scavenger free radicals but enhance the effectiveness of the body's natural antioxidant systems. Green tea contains numerous cancer-fighting plyphenol compounds, including the antioxidant flavonoid catechin. Studies indicate that green tea may help protect against cancer and that’s enough for me to take it!

Maitake mushrooms are highly prized as booth food and medicine. They are indigenous to the northeastern part of Japan. I hate mushrooms, so I my ignorance has me stuck on not taking this herb. But from what I hear another excellent herb for cancer treatments. The Maitake D-fraction is a protein bound extract developed by a Chinese professor. Dr. Nanaba states that although Maitake is not the cure for cancer, one can safely say that they do maintain the quality of life of patients and improve the immune system, resulting in the possible remission of cancer cells with no side effects.

Beta-Glucan has demonstrated significant benefits for immune function. It has been confirmed that it positively activates a powerful immune-system response.

My all time favorite-CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid). CLA can help speed up the body's fat metabolism so more fat gets flushed out of the system, instead of getting deposited into our cells. ClA also helps the body to metabolize existing fat deposits-a key to losing weight.

Dim is a very concentrated form of the phytochemical indole-3-carbinol, a compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, etc. DIM has an effect on hormonal balance and estrogen metabolism, also a protector against cancer.

Colostrum, some call the Immune Enhancer. When a mother gives birth, her mammary glands provide life supporting factors that she has acquired in her lifetime. Her body concentrates these factors ito a special non milk immune and growth supporting fluid called Colostrum but is only produced for the first 24-48 hours after giving birth. Dairy cows are the only animals that meet all the essential criteria needed. Bovine colostrum is found to be safe, effective via oral administration, with no know contradictions or overdoes. Colostrum offers tremendous possibilities in the prevention and recovery from illness.

IP6-The anti tumor substance. IP6 is an ubiquitous substance, which means it is found everywhere at the same time. It is virtually found in all fiver from whole grains and legumes. Researches has found that IP6 can effectively prevent cancer formation and shrink pre-existing cancers in experimental systems, with virtually no toxicity. When given IP6 by mouth or directly into the tumors, it consistently had the same effects: it showed that it inhibits the growth of cancer.

Taking charge of your health and your Crohns Disease

After you read this post about herbs and other nutrients that can stimulate the immune system, I hope that I helped convince you that it is possible to treat yourself and your symptoms without harsh drugs and prompt you to investigate further. Newer information is out there and is continuously noted in the news, you just need to broaden your level of acceptance.

You DON'T have to be a prisoner to Western Medicine. It is possible to treat your illness with vitamins and nutrients and get your health under control. I would suggest your first step be speaking with your medical doctor. Tell them that you don't want to be on harsh drugs anymore and that you would like information on natural medicine.

And if you aren't convinced that the meds you are taking are "Harsh," all you need to do is read the fine print or better yet, go to the website. After almost 3 years on prednisone, prescribed by my doctor who is now in a psych ward in a Las Vegas hospital, the damage is irreversible. Don't let that happen to you. Know what you are taking, be active in your decision making and by all means, don't just take their word for it. Get educated!

Cutting Ties to Toxic Relationships

2012-04-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

My husband loves to refer to an article written about toxic people sucking the life out of you. I can't exactally remember who wrote it but the bodybuilder passed a few years back. It describes a toxic friend as one who might blatantly mock you, or use offhand remarks to put you down. A toxic friend will be very needy, but rarely there to lend a hand when you are down. The article states that if you are feeling used and abused, it's time to cut those ties.

So, this week I re-read the article and I have done just that. Not only with a friend but with what I call "Dead Beat Customers," those customers to steal from my company like Steve in Kentucky! I'm not sure if it's that I'm getting older and really can't tolerate B.S. anymore or if it's just part of maturity and understanding. I think that cutting ties in a healthy way helps us to regain our power and self-esteem by cuttting away old attachments or energetic ties that no longer beam us love but have become flat and stale. These attachments cling to our lifeforce, depleting our soul and wounding us over and over again.

There are postive connections we form with people in a healthy way and ties that bind in an unhealthy way. The unhealthy ones sap our energy and the more there are, the more they seem to control and stress us out, therefore, creating a toxic environment. I was feeling quite used and disrespected by my best friend of 20+ years and thought it was time and change the pattern. Cutting ties without attachment, is an easy and painless way to unbind yourself……find a way to ground your energy.

Here is an article I found on About.com that goes into more detail. Take a peek...
http://healing.about.com/cs/energyhealing/a/cutcords.htm

Thinking About Working from Home?

2012-04-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

If you’ve ever wanted to work from home, but never knew where to start, take a real good look at OBS. We have everything that success comes from. Great products. A proven system. Online tools that share our story and opportunity for you. And a team that’s as supportive as they come.
If you have any questions, let me know! I’m sure I had the same questions once too. This company has done so much for me and my family and I’d love to see if it’s a good fit for you as well.

Contact Mike Wright at 888-216-3571, TODAY!

The Spoon Theory

2012-04-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, I know, I'm always tired. I'm always sick. I'm always at the doctor's office. I'm always sleeping. I'm always in the bathroom.....I know already! Seriously, it does get old and the more I try to hide it the fact remains the same: I have Crohns Disease.

When I was first diagnosed in 2007, I felt the shame that everyone else usually does and didn't feel the need to explain what was happening to me to anyone. Then as time went on I thought it would be easier to send this beautiful find to my friends and family. It's the easiest description I could find and so simply understood. Read this if you'd like to understand a little more about the Crohn's sufferer.

The Spoon Theory

by Christine Miserandino www.butyoudontlooksick.com

My best friend and I were in the diner, talking. As usual, it was very late and we were eating French fries with gravy. Like normal girls our age, we spent a lot of time in the diner while in college, and most of the time we spent talking about boys, music or trivial things, that seemed very important at the time. We never got serious about anything in particular and spent most of our time laughing.

As I went to take some of my medicine with a snack as I usually did, she watched me with an awkward kind of stare, instead of continuing the conversation. She then asked me out of the blue what it felt like to have Lupus and be sick. I was shocked not only because she asked the random question, but also because I assumed she knew all there was to know about Lupus. She came to doctors with me, she saw me walk with a cane, and throw up in the bathroom. She had seen me cry in pain, what else was there to know?

I started to ramble on about pills, and aches and pains, but she kept pursuing, and didn’t seem satisfied with my answers. I was a little surprised as being my roommate in college and friend for years; I thought she already knew the medical definition of Lupus. Then she looked at me with a face every sick person knows well, the face of pure curiosity about something no one healthy can truly understand. She asked what it felt like, not physically, but what it felt like to be me, to be sick.
As I tried to gain my composure, I glanced around the table for help or guidance, or at least stall for time to think. I was trying to find the right words. How do I answer a question I never was able to answer for myself? How do I explain every detail of every day being effected, and give the emotions a sick person goes through with clarity. I could have given up, cracked a joke like I usually do, and changed the subject, but I remember thinking if I don’t try to explain this, how could I ever expect her to understand. If I can’t explain this to my best friend, how could I explain my world to anyone else? I had to at least try.

At that moment, the spoon theory was born. I quickly grabbed every spoon on the table; hell I grabbed spoons off of the other tables. I looked at her in the eyes and said “Here you go, you have Lupus”. She looked at me slightly confused, as anyone would when they are being handed a bouquet of spoons. The cold metal spoons clanked in my hands, as I grouped them together and shoved them into her hands.
I explained that the difference in being sick and being healthy is having to make choices or to consciously think about things when the rest of the world doesn’t have to. The healthy have the luxury of a life without choices, a gift most people take for granted.
Most people start the day with unlimited amount of possibilities, and energy to do whatever they desire, especially young people. For the most part, they do not need to worry about the effects of their actions. So for my explanation, I used spoons to convey this point. I wanted something for her to actually hold, for me to then take away, since most people who get sick feel a “loss” of a life they once knew. If I was in control of taking away the spoons, then she would know what it feels like to have someone or something else, in this case Lupus, being in control.

She grabbed the spoons with excitement. She didn’t understand what I was doing, but she is always up for a good time, so I guess she thought I was cracking a joke of some kind like I usually do when talking about touchy topics. Little did she know how serious I would become?

I asked her to count her spoons. She asked why, and I explained that when you are healthy you expect to have a never-ending supply of “spoons”. But when you have to now plan your day, you need to know exactly how many “spoons” you are starting with. It doesn’t guarantee that you might not lose some along the way, but at least it helps to know where you are starting. She counted out 12 spoons. She laughed and said she wanted more. I said no, and I knew right away that this little game would work, when she looked disappointed, and we hadn’t even started yet. I’ve wanted more “spoons” for years and haven’t found a way yet to get more, why should she? I also told her to always be conscious of how many she had, and not to drop them because she can never forget she has Lupus.

I asked her to list off the tasks of her day, including the most simple. As, she rattled off daily chores, or just fun things to do; I explained how each one would cost her a spoon. When she jumped right into getting ready for work as her first task of the morning, I cut her off and took away a spoon. I practically jumped down her throat. I said ” No! You don’t just get up. You have to crack open your eyes, and then realize you are late. You didn’t sleep well the night before. You have to crawl out of bed, and then you have to make your self something to eat before you can do anything else, because if you don’t, you can’t take your medicine, and if you don’t take your medicine you might as well give up all your spoons for today and tomorrow too.” I quickly took away a spoon and she realized she hasn’t even gotten dressed yet. Showering cost her spoon, just for washing her hair and shaving her legs. Reaching high and low that early in the morning could actually cost more than one spoon, but I figured I would give her a break; I didn’t want to scare her right away. Getting dressed was worth another spoon. I stopped her and broke down every task to show her how every little detail needs to be thought about. You cannot simply just throw clothes on when you are sick. I explained that I have to see what clothes I can physically put on, if my hands hurt that day buttons are out of the question. If I have bruises that day, I need to wear long sleeves, and if I have a fever I need a sweater to stay warm and so on. If my hair is falling out I need to spend more time to look presentable, and then you need to factor in another 5 minutes for feeling badly that it took you 2 hours to do all this.

I think she was starting to understand when she theoretically didn’t even get to work, and she was left with 6 spoons. I then explained to her that she needed to choose the rest of her day wisely, since when your “spoons” are gone, they are gone. Sometimes you can borrow against tomorrow’s “spoons”, but just think how hard tomorrow will be with less “spoons”. I also needed to explain that a person who is sick always lives with the looming thought that tomorrow may be the day that a cold comes, or an infection, or any number of things that could be very dangerous. So you do not want to run low on “spoons”, because you never know when you truly will need them. I didn’t want to depress her, but I needed to be realistic, and unfortunately being prepared for the worst is part of a real day for me.
We went through the rest of the day, and she slowly learned that skipping lunch would cost her a spoon, as well as standing on a train, or even typing at her computer too long. She was forced to make choices and think about things differently. Hypothetically, she had to choose not to run errands, so that she could eat dinner that night.

When we got to the end of her pretend day, she said she was hungry. I summarized that she had to eat dinner but she only had one spoon left. If she cooked, she wouldn’t have enough energy to clean the pots. If she went out for dinner, she might be too tired to drive home safely. Then I also explained, that I didn’t even bother to add into this game, that she was so nauseous, that cooking was probably out of the question anyway. So she decided to make soup, it was easy. I then said it is only 7pm, you have the rest of the night but maybe end up with one spoon, so you can do something fun, or clean your apartment, or do chores, but you can’t do it all.

I rarely see her emotional, so when I saw her upset I knew maybe I was getting through to her. I didn’t want my friend to be upset, but at the same time I was happy to think finally maybe someone understood me a little bit. She had tears in her eyes and asked quietly “Christine, How do you do it? Do you really do this everyday?” I explained that some days were worse then others; some days I have more spoons then most. But I can never make it go away and I can’t forget about it, I always have to think about it. I handed her a spoon I had been holding in reserve. I said simply, “I have learned to live life with an extra spoon in my pocket, in reserve. You need to always be prepared.”

Its hard, the hardest thing I ever had to learn is to slow down, and not do everything. I fight this to this day. I hate feeling left out, having to choose to stay home, or to not get things done that I want to. I wanted her to feel that frustration. I wanted her to understand, that everything everyone else does comes so easy, but for me it is one hundred little jobs in one. I need to think about the weather, my temperature that day, and the whole day’s plans before I can attack any one given thing. When other people can simply do things, I have to attack it and make a plan like I am strategizing a war. It is in that lifestyle, the difference between being sick and healthy. It is the beautiful ability to not think and just do. I miss that freedom. I miss never having to count “spoons”.

After we were emotional and talked about this for a little while longer, I sensed she was sad. Maybe she finally understood. Maybe she realized that she never could truly and honestly say she understands. But at least now she might not complain so much when I can’t go out for dinner some nights, or when I never seem to make it to her house and she always has to drive to mine. I gave her a hug when we walked out of the diner. I had the one spoon in my hand and I said “Don’t worry. I see this as a blessing. I have been forced to think about everything I do. Do you know how many spoons people waste everyday? I don’t have room for wasted time, or wasted “spoons” and I chose to spend this time with you.”

Ever since this night, I have used the spoon theory to explain my life to many people. In fact, my family and friends refer to spoons all the time. It has been a code word for what I can and cannot do. Once people understand the spoon theory they seem to understand me better, but I also think they live their life a little differently too. I think it isn’t just good for understanding Lupus, but anyone dealing with any disability or illness. Hopefully, they don’t take so much for granted or their life in general. I give a piece of myself, in every sense of the word when I do anything. It has become an inside joke. I have become famous for saying to people jokingly that they should feel special when I spend time with them, because they have one of my “spoons”.

© Christine Miserandino

Have Your (Protein) Cake and Eat It Too!

2012-04-17T20:12:00.000-07:00

Chocolate cake that even a fitness enthusiast would eat? That's right! Who would have thought!

What was once a diet taboo is now being spotlighted as a nutritional rockstar. Why? Cocoa beans contain polyphenols, which contain antioxidants called flavonoids, which are highly beneficial to one’s health by reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Cocoa beans also contain serotonine and phenylethylamine, which have anti-depressant affects similar to the body’s natural production of adrenaline. Isn't that alone, enough to convincing to eat chocolate?

Chocolate is best consumed in darker varieties, which contain less added sugars. Although, be aware that while chocolate does have health properties, too much can be fattening, and thus- it should be consumed in moderation or for special occasions, such as birthdays!

My Sweet Birthday Cake
Ingredients:

2 squares unsweetened chocolate
1 Tbsp walnut oil / canola oil
2 Tbsp sweetener of choice: honey/stevia/brown sugar/splenda
2 scoops Dedicated Woman Protein Powder in Chocolate
2 Omega 3 eggs
1/4 cup oats
1 Tbsp nut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Dash salt

Preparation:1) In a microwavable dish our double burner, melt chocolate squares and oil in 30 second intervals, stirring in between.
2) Using blenders or a magic bullet, blend together chocolate mix and remaining ingredients.
3) Pour batter into a sprayed mini cake pan and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes.

The Icing

1 scoop Dedicated Woman Protein Powder any flavor
1 tbsp. Nut butter
1 tbsp. Skim milk
Crushed nuts

Preparation
1) Mix together protein powder, nut butter, and enough milk to make into a icing consistency.
2) Cut cooled protein cake in half horizontally. Spread 1/2 of icing over bottom half and top with the top of the cake. Spread the remaining icing on top and sprinkle with crushed nuts.
3) ENJOY!

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 cake)
Calories 318; Fat 18 g;Protein 27 g; CHO 11 g

Visit my Business Blog...

2012-04-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

Friends, don't forget to visit my business blog for more articles, tips and helpful comments. Both blogs are completely different so don't forget to favorite them.

Click here to be taken to the Dedicated Woman Blog.

Enjoy Your Weekend!

Changing Gears, Going a Different Direction...

2012-04-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

...damn it, where has the time gone?

So, here we are; changing gears, going in a different direction, there are a lot of phrases for making changes in our lives. Alas, for this OCD girl, the past year has been one of discovering what the hell I'm good at, what I suck at, where my passions lay and what I want to be when I grow up. It's been really challenging to say the least. It's probably the hardest thing I've had to do since college. Nevertheless, it's something new, a new plan- a new life.....

I’ve had a great career as a supplement manufacturer and distributor over the last 9 years. I ran/run an awesome company, Extreme Labs and Dedicated Woman for 8 years, and I’ve worked with the best athletes, clients and vendors. Although it's still a multi-billion industry,- and most likely where my main salary will still come from, I have a deep nagging at my soul to find something else, something that takes me into the second half of my life, and something I can be proud of.

I'm still on a journey of sorts to figure it all out, slowly but surely, I'm finding my way. These changes along with a pending divorce really throws things into overdrive and propels you forward into making quick decision and sometimes a decision you're really not sure of. But either way, I look at it like this: it's a step toward something and something to look forward to.

Its bath time for the puppies!