Much Madness is Divinest Sense

Power Up for PCOS, my new Project

2012-01-06T15:34:00.000-08:00

I have begun to work with Power Up For PCOS as their California Network Representative.

This is a new support group for women who want to take a more pro-active stand and help support InCyst with research and finding real solutions. If you go to the Webpage and read all the history it will give you a bit more of the heart and soul, and see why science based research is important. If you've been around here a bit you have seen me post things from InCycst and reference Monika Woolsey a lot. She is not a promoter of any one food religion, or diet and exercise plan. She focuses on the whole person, and their well being with PCOS. So much of the information out there is negative and most of it comes from companies trying to sell you something. This joint venture is working to change that.

So with all of that, please "like" us on Facebook (Main: Power Up For PCOS, California Power Up For PCOS, InCyst Programs for Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and start spreading the word, get the discussion going and lets team together to make a difference in our lives and those of our loved ones who are affected by PCOS. There are more groups forming all the time, including our Faithful Cysters, and our Fitness challenge for the New Year is on.

While I'm working....

2012-01-05T21:27:00.000-08:00

Today, the Monday after the New Year, I am working. Our company does not shut down unless the day after New Years falls on an actual work day. That means my hubby is in bed all warm and snuggled under the covers while I got to drive to work in the very bare foggy roads. It looked a bit like the city had evacuated and forgot to ware us to evacuate as well.

This does mean I get quiet to complete my tasks, it also means I keep turning around wondering why the phones are dead here.

Bok Choy in stir fry

2012-01-05T21:15:00.001-08:00

Today I made a stir fry and included Bok Choy. It was good.
I used an orange sauce, and added apples. Hubby ate it all up.

Bok Choy does not really add any particular flavor, but it does add texture.

A New Year, a new box of fresh local produce

2012-01-04T15:26:00.000-08:00

Monday 12/26/2011 - Friday 12/30/2011

Service: Regular

(Weights are approximate)

3	cnt	Washington	Braeburn Apple
3	cnt	Washington	Bosc Pear
2	cnt	Thermal	Ruby Grapefruit
2	lb	Our Farm	Satsuma Mandarin Orange
1	lb	Our Farm	Baby Bok Choy
1	bu	Our Farm	Bunched Spinach
1	bu	Brawley	Green Leaf Lettuce
1	cnt	Brawley	Fresh Cauliflower
1	bu	Our Farm	Nantes Carrot
1	lb	Hollister	Regular Onion

So, my new box came and I've already been pillaging through it.

My onion I used for a black bean soup that I took to a friends house for New Year's Eve. The pears are getting eaten on salad and as a snack when I'm not ready to peel an orange. Carrots, and lettuce are easy enough. Bok Choy though is one I'm still working one. I've been told to use it in a stir fry. Chicken, garlic, onion, bouillon and bok choy...walla instant stir fry. I am considering this, except I have no onion any more, and it sounds kind of plain.

“The onions are winning... Hubby is cheering them on.”

I have been using the Instagram app, and that was one of them.

Well, in case you missed it, yesterday I got to see a Christmas tree float by my window.

It was quite serene for being tossed into the lake as it was.

In case you are wondering, I look out to the back yards of some high end homes here, but on the other side of the lake still across from my office but also across from the nice homes, are some apartments. My guess is one of them tossed it, but I could be wrong.

The logistics of all those angles make more sense when you know that we are on the corner of an inlet, and the lake is not perfect and round, it has lots of inlets and such. For being a man made lake, it's not bad, but it is pretty green. I missed the guy fishing in his boat out there yesterday, one day I'll catch a picture, and you'll wonder why anyone would want to eat something that came from that water.

Well, back to seeing what other wonders can be done with bok choy.

Barley Stuffed Cabbage rolls - fail

2011-12-30T11:30:00.000-08:00

Cooking Light: Barley Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

So, I tried this with the cabbage that I got in my Farm Fresh to You box, and my crock pot/slow cooker. All of these ingredients are good for you stuff, pine nuts, barley, cabbage etc. I was kind of excited, and the first night it was okay, a bit heavy on the vinegar flavor....okay my hubby did not like it even on the first night. The second day, I'm not sure how but the vinegar flavor increased and it was overwhelming for me. I will not be making this recipe with that sauce ever again. If I make the cabbage rolls with that filler, there will be a very different sauce to go with them.
Healthy as these might be, I did not like them and will not be making them with any form of tomato vinaigrette type sauce ever.

I used their photo because I did not get one of mine, and mine were not so pretty either.

A new twist on burrito/taco wraps - and news(ish) stuff

2011-11-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

I've been making things with beans, lots and lots of beans.
This dish uses the Raspberry Chipolte Sauce I used with the cauliflower pizza crust. I found it at World Market, luckily Bronco Bob's can also be found on Amazon.

Ingredients:
Whole wheat tortillas
Organic chicken grilled with sauce glazed on top
Tilamook cheddar cheese - made from Cows not treated with hormones
Black beans - slow cooked not from cans

Compile ingredients heat and compile. Serve with veggies.

I've been quiet on here lately, I know. It's the holiday's and I don't have cute kids to post all the fun things that they are doing, or funny things they are saying, or how old they are making me feel. I feel it more during the holidays. I've been going to a Grief Share group to support a friend of mine who was recently widowed. Things like that make my life and things that I'm dealing with so trivial, it's hard to muster up a good recipe or chat about the dangers of BPA. It's all about perspective.

I have had some other things brewing and I did not want to share the news until it could be confirmed. It will be soon, and I will post links and shout it out. Until it's all ready to go I will leave you to wondering what in the world I could be getting all excited about. Here is a hint: InCyst Trained...
Oh fine, here is another hint: Shop Cysters

This Saturday I am hosting a party for my friend. She will be 40, and doesn't mind sharing that with everyone. I will be a bit less excited for anyone to share that news once I get there. But I've been gearing up for that and getting the house all pretty, or clean and orderly at least.

I will leave you with what I am working on for my health lately....sleep. Yes, that's right, sleep. It's the one thing that I know for sure is out of balance in my life, and currently the situation in our abode has not suggested that it will be rectified soon. Here's to hoping and planning on it though. It will require another exhausting cleaning day, since all my previous efforts are now strewn about the art room floor, and there is no longer space to move at all. So there, no art work done this last weekend and none in the foreseeable future. It seems that I still need to figure out how to have others take responsibility for their own OCD issues and not let them put it all on me. When I figure that one out, I'll bottle it and sell it.

Day one: partial lights

The before and after...

2011-11-14T14:29:00.001-08:00

My little dogs, trimmed a bit.

I had to help poor Bear out, he was beginning to look like a Rastafarian. Well maybe more like mange, and that's a horrible look for such a cute dog. I do need to even him out a bit though.

now for the after shots...

The puppies

2011-11-10T16:16:00.001-08:00

I took these and posted with my new phone. I'm moving up in the world on technology. I still prefer my camera for the real good shots, but these are fun. I have done some with the editing options that I have on my phone, I'll post some of those later. These phones will have to be our Christmas presents to ourselves.

I didn't fall off the face of the earth.. I swear!

2011-11-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

I know, it's been a while. I'm sorry, truly I am.
This year has been interesting to say the least. So, we are no longer visiting Dr's and I no longer have to bike to work, so it can be by choice again. These are things I value highly, and am very thankful for.

As I was dashing out of the house today I just about tripped over my Farm Fresh ToYou delivery. Things have been moving and happening taking me out of my normal routine, I had not thought of the delivery at all until that moment.

Monday 10/31/2011 - Friday 11/04/2011

Service: Regular

(Weights are approximate)

4	cnt	Washington	Braeburn Apple
2	cnt	Arvin	Red Pomegranate
1.5	lb	Livingston	Sweet Potato
1	lb	Delano	Crimson Grape
1	bu	Our Farm	Assorted Radish
1	bu	Our Farm	Nantes Carrot
1	bu	Our Farm	Bunched Collard
1	cnt	Our Farm	Spaghetti Squash, winter
1	bu	Salinas	Green Leaf Lettuce
1	cnt	Watsonville	Bunched, fresh Dill

I'm never at a loss for what to do with spaghetti squash, I'm happy with it baked with a small amount of butte on it, but this recipe just looked delicious, and it's another way to incorporate kale.

Oh My Gosh Spaghetti Squash

Butternut Squash and onion

I baked up this concoction and made my hubby grumpy. He is evidently not a fan of Garam Marsala, all the things I'm still learning. I thought it turned out pretty good, but I like Indian spiced food.

Spice-Roasted Butternut Squash and Onions

1 spray(s) cooking spray
2 1/4 pound(s) butternut squash, fresh, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 medium red onion(s), halved and thinly sliced ( I used a yellow onion, I'm not fond of the purple onions)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
3 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped (I did not have and so it was not included)

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a large nonstick baking sheet with cooking spray.

Place squash and onion on prepared baking sheet; drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with garam masala, salt and pepper; toss to coat.

Roast, tossing about halfway through cooking, until squash and onions are tender and slightly browned, about 25 minutes.

Transfer vegetables to a serving platter or bowl and sprinkle with cilantro; toss to coat.

Yields about 3/4 cup per serving.

POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 6

Here is another variation with apples that sounds good as well:
The Good Bowl: Indian Spiced roasted apples with butternut squash

Weekends are for Fun

2011-10-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend my hubby and I visited his sister and family out in the hills, it was beautiful. The weather was a perfect fall day. Mom and brother-in-law took off for a ride on his new motorcycle and Sis-in-law and Little Miss and I went for a walk. It was a great day. Their house is beautiful and they are almost all settled in from their recent move.

This summer has been busy and flew by rather quickly for all of us, this weekend was a perfect time for us all to get together and spend some quality time catching up and enjoying the late summer weather.

Weight Watchers because I need more support with my change

2011-10-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

So in my journey towards health and managing my PCOS, I've learned many things about foods and carbs, about how important sleep and fish oil are, and a bit about how I deal with the stress of everyday life. I've also begun to make peace with the fact that my mom is not hear, my sister lives far away, and my husband does not understand what I mean by "support". The realization of these things has lead me to work with others, looking for support and assistance, but none of these have lasted. Friends have only so much time, energy and effort to give out if they are not on the same plan.

I have a co-worker who is doing Weight Watchers, and my sister-in-law did it once a long time ago, along with countless other friends who loved it and did well. I've tried the counting on my own before, and was not successful. To be honest I need the accountability more than I need the points. I can eat with hunger and stick to it, if I have support, encouragement and something to hold my feet to the fire. Weight Watchers really won't hold my feet to the fire, but each week they will weigh me so it's a draw in that respect.

I need the constant hand holding and encouragement, and I need the support to not get tired and exhausted with me. So, having people who will do this whether I am there or not is a huge bonus for me. They are committed already, now I just have to join in myself. The first week was a learning curve, and I'm hoping that this next week there will be better results. I may have to check just to make sure.

So, here is where all the food stuff gets to be paired down to understanding the proper portion size, and hopefully all will be right with the world again.

Teaser Tuesdays - The Night Circus

2011-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Opens at Nightfall

Closes at Dawn

"Another flourish, and the black silk folds and curves in on itself, becoming a black top hat. The woman places it on her head, topping off an ensemble that looks like a ball gown fashioned out of the night sky: black silk dotted with sparkling white crystals."

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

amazon.com: Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

As I live in California, I can no longer be an Amazon affiliate, but you can go and read portions of the book to find out more about it.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Monday's at work

2011-10-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

Recently a co-worker an I have started bring food to cook in my slow cooker at work. It cooks on high for 3 or 4 hours and we have a nice hot soup or stew, jambalaya or what ever else we feel like making that week. Recently others have joined in, and brought their contributions and so we share. This is fun, but at the same time I understand very clearly what the "to many cooks in the kitchen" comment is all about.

Stone Soup

I must have been blessed with a great family and family-in-law to where we know how to work around or with others in their prospective kitchens. In other's kitchens they take the lead, in mine I am the maestro of the meal. This has not worked quite the same here at work, but there is only one unruly cook out in the group. It must be because the space itself feels like theirs, because the rest of it certainly is not, but they do feel the need to water down things that the rest of us would want to keep thick.

I'm not sure how many of you have collaborative cooking events or have weekly meals at your work place, some places do monthly pot-lucks, some you just have to boobie-trap your lunch box so no one rifles through it and eats your food. I learned quickly in those previous places to make notes about having licked and spit on everything in my bag already, and maybe alluding to colds or other communicable things as necessary. I have found these notes do not have to have a shred of truth to them, but there must be that possibility to protect your lunch. The saddest part of this is that this last scenario played out at two of my previous work places one of which provided lunch materials for all employees to eat from, and the other place was a religious house of worship. The later office place I only had to make notes regarding licking and stealing being a sin, but it still needed to be stated as sad as that is.

This week our current group collaborated on Taco Soup, and it was delicious. It was the Jambalaya that went less than stellar. I prefer a thicker stew like meal, but this other cook decided she would have preferred a soup, and rather than adjusting her own bowl the whole pot was adjusted. With some conspiring between myself and the other co-worker who began this with me, we made a few minor additions as well...we both like things spicy. As it turns out our soupy co-worker is a light weight when it comes to spiciness. Today it worked out well, nothing was adjusted this round, and we shall see what happens in the future. It does stand as a reminder that if one of you deviates from the recipe, the others might follow and make some changes of their own as well.

For the Taco Soup recipe.

Trip down memory lane...part two

2011-09-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Finally...the rest of the story.

Our Labor Day travels took us first to a small little town outside Yakima WA. From there we traveled onto Bremerton WA. It was fun to see where hubby spent his early youth, and to see how different it was from where he lived when I first met him.

This is where I keep getting to share fun new things with my hubby.

dinner with the family

The house with a view I'm very fond of

Shuffle board any one?


Coloring?

I will post more pictures soon. There was a show with heckling from the parents, it was awesome!

Ear Aches and all that can come with it

2011-09-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

I have not posted my second half of my vacation yet, I'm truly sorry about that. I will eventually get around to doing it, and art and all of that, but right now I've been tired. Let me tell you a bit more about our vacation, because in all of the fun there was one part that was uncomfortable, and then in the end it turned painful. No emotional pain, don't worry, pain killers took care of it, but I did get to go to the ER first.

Did you see the spin on that? "Get to"...rather than let's say "have to". I could have stayed in pain longer, but I did finally go of my own free will to the ER, a place that freaks me out, stinks, and I'm sure will make me sicker by being there than if I had stayed home.

Back to the beginning though. In our adventure up to Washington, my ear began to ache, and then it got all clogged up...well I thought it was clogged up. This is why I got the ear wax clearing up kit, and squirted water into my ear, and held my head to the side hoping all the stuff would drain nicely onto a towel rather than my shirt. From what I know now, this was the wrong decision to make. My ear problems began to worsen and my cousin and his adorable wife, both Dentists decided to pull out the ear probe and check out my rather upset ear. Just to let you know, this is not the first time I've been around them with some form of medical mishap, I think they bring it out in me, or my body knows they will get it or try to figure it out...or maybe it's just kismet. What they determined after consulting their medical books, and seeing I did not have wax in my ears, was an ear infection. This was news to me, I've never really had this before...still wishing I could say I have never had this before. I was then told that only antibiotics would cure it, and to make an appt. with my doctor.

We left Washington armed with knowledge, and a drawing of what my infected ear looked like. Some where between their house and work the next day things took a really unpleasant turn. There was more pain, and seepage. I do not do well with bodily fluids seeping out of me, eewww gross. I tried to call for an appointment and found the number had been disconnected, tried the next day...this time looking for a new doctor. That night though, the pain was so intense, I called my dad. He confirmed that I was not being a baby, and that at 9pm it was important to head to the ER, or if we were lucky and open urgent care. We were not lucky so we sat in the ER until the wee hours of the morning until I was finally helped, and then give Rx to fill as soon as I could. We left at 3am the next morning, we had been there about 5 hours.

I learned a few things, the extra pain was cause by a rupture, water was not allowed in my ear, and only antibiotics would clear it up. If it did not clear up with the antibiotics, I might need stronger antibiotics, and I may need a patch on my ear. I'm not sure if she only said ear, or eardrum....

I have been living with a clogged feeling ear since Labor day weekend, roughly half the month. My antibiotics ran out a few days ago, and now my some times my ear pops open like it wants to hear again, but then it gets all shy and closes back up. I really miss hearing with both of my ears.

I did see my doctor, and have now been referred to an ENT. I've always wondered how the process began with seeing specialists...I'm not curious any more, it can stop at any time. They have not called yet, so I have not yet seen them, but each time I head back to the Dr's office (back I am going back a few more times for other fun PCOS type things) they check my ear and tell me it is healing. This is good to know because I can't check myself and I really want to meddle, to clean it out and help...but I've been told this would be bad. Although I have had some really gross stuff come out of my ear now, stuff that might even turn the stomach of one pretty famous ogre.

I've been MIA, and this is why. I'm really sorry. I've neglected my duties in helping my friend recover from her surgery... and that makes me feel bad, but I've almost fallen asleep with her there a couple of times and it's getting embarrassing. I'll post more, soon...when I'm not so tired and drained of energy. There are other fun things that have happened...I'll even get the picture my cousin drew on here soon. I've been given permission to turn it into an abstract. It will go well with my soon to be other health type paintings that are mulling around in my mind and really need to be put to canvas.

Happy trails all.....

As promised, a picture of what I've been told my ear looked like over the Labor Day weekend. The stuff at the top is normal stuff collected by the ear, the black dot is a black and white version of the red spot that was the injury. There was an inflamed bump with a red gash type thing, I was told it looked like someone poked me with something, and it was swollen around the injury. All of this was before the rupture that I learned about at my visit with the ER doctor.

Trip down memory lane...part one

2011-09-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite scenes in Washington

This is the ending picture of a lovely surprise journey we took over the Labor Day weekend. I was lead to believe we would be staying in the local area, but there were plans forming in hubby's mind that he had decided to surprise me with, and it was a wonderful surprise. First we went to see where he grew up, and then we went to see my Aunt & Uncle, and my cousin's and their kids. I love traveling so does hubby, but it's lots of fun when he does things like this to surprise me.
Some people have hobbies together, or have other things they like to do together, we like to travel. Of course we like things like movies, and bowling as well...but really we like to go to new places. Three day weekends provide a great time for us to get away together.

This journey began with a rouse and ended up in a small town, where I got to see places that my hubby grew up in. He doesn't tell stories like my family does, but this sort of thing works too.

outside house he lived in a long time ago

Park in Wapato right down the street from his old house

Outside the old church, he used to walk his dad to this church

a re-enactment of a bicycle accident

The day was filled with lots of memories as my hubby showed me where he spent his younger youth growing up in Wapato Washington. We had a lovely lunch and continued on our journey to see my family in Bremerton Washington.

I will post more pictures and the second half of our journey later.

First Swimming lessons were held here

It was lots of fun to see this quite town and walk around all the places and see how much has stayed the same.

Cinnamon & Apple Hill

2011-09-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love the fragrance of Autumn!!! This season with all its color and deep aroma's, it's intoxicating. I love going to Apple Hill, looking at the foliage turning wonderful colors, and sipping on hot cider early in the morning fog. Our small group goes every year. My second trip out to Sacramento DH took me to Apple Hill, we wandered though many different orchards and farms, it was fantastic.
I think of the aromas when I think of Apple Hill and fall, mainly cinnamon. Cinnamon is added to all of the fall fragrances that I love. So, while driving to class the other night my ears perked up when a listener called in to thank John Tesh about a tip regarding cinnamon in their coffee. I had to search and find out what his comment was. I tried putting cinnamon in my coffee instead of Stevia (natural sweetener) and was pleasantly surprised that it was sweet enough I did not need to add sugar or sweetener.

Here are some of the comments:

"-For a Quick Energy boost. Get a whiff of peppermint or cinnamon! Researchers at Wheeling Jesuit University say that peppermint boosts mood and motivation. So, pop a Tic-Tac, or drink a cup of peppermint tea. Also, studies show that cinnamon improves circulation, alertness, and energy. So, chew some sugar-free cinnamon gum, or add a dash of cinnamon whenever you brew a pot of coffee.

-Cinnamon. Studies have found that it controls blood sugar and lowers cholesterol. Sprinkle it in coffee or on oatmeal. (I have been doing this regularly now, on my old fashion oatmeal.)

-If you’d like to earn the title of “smartest person in the room,” sniff cinnamon. According to psychology professor Dr. Bryan Raudenbush, cinnamon’s aroma appears to increase blood flow to the brain, supplying it with nourishing oxygen and glucose. The scent ALONE raised scores on memory, attention, and mental processing tests. So sniff some cinnamon if you want to stay sharp.

-Stop and smell the cinnamon. A study in Australia found that the aromas of cinnamon or vanilla will set off a wave of feel good endorphins. You don’t even have to eat anything to get the effect!

-When it comes to your morning oatmeal, try sprinkling a teaspoon of cinnamon on top instead of sugar. A recent study by the USDA’s Human Nutrition Research Center found that cinnamon has the double benefit of lowering your blood sugar AND curbing your appetite. So odds are you’ll feel full after only one bowl of oatmeal, instead of two. The 150 calories you’ll save is like saying “no” to 3 chocolate chip cookies.(another site that refers to this)

-If you’ve got a tough test at school – or an important presentation at work – grab the cinnamon! New research at Wheeling Jesuit University finds that cinnamon sharpens cognitive functioning by instantly increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain. In fact, the scent ALONE raised scores on memory, attention, and mental processing tests. So, sprinkle some cinnamon on your oatmeal in the morning if you need to be sharp. Here’s an added health bonus: Cinnamon protects against diabetes and heart disease, and even lowers cholesterol levels.

-If your halitosis comes from drinking coffee: chew some cinnamon gum. Research shows that one stick of Big Red gum has enough germ-killing cinnamon to cut coffee bacteria by about HALF. Cinnamon gum works better than a mint or mouthwash because it creates more saliva, which washes away food particles. Saliva is a natural antibiotic that decreases the number of bad bacteria in your mouth.

-Cinnamon. It helps control your blood sugar, which decreases your risk of heart disease. In fact, USDA researchers found that people with type-2 diabetes who consumed one gram of cinnamon a day – that’s about a quarter of a teaspoon – for 6 weeks, significantly reduced their blood sugar and their LDL cholesterol – also known as your “bad” cholesterol. Why? Experts think the spice’s active ingredients increase your cells’ ability to metabolize sugar by up to 20 times.

-Do you commute to work by car? Then, this one’s kind of fun - stink up your car! Psychology professor Bryan Raudenbush from Wheeling Jesuit University says the aroma of cinnamon and mint can help you stay alert and give you a boost of energy for the ride – and for hours afterward. So, break out the Altoids and de-stress your commute.

-Tips to keep you warm. It turns out that ordinary spices like ginger and cinnamon dilate blood capillaries. That boosts the production of heat in the body and makes you feel more comfortable in cold weather. In fact, they’re so powerful, they can make you sweat.

-Have You Sniffed the Air Lately? (This is my favorite, since I love fragrance, and so many of my memories are linked to aromas)
The smell of wood fires, evergreen, and cinnamon is everywhere. It’s definitely the season to be jolly. Why? Because those familiar aromas are one of the reasons the holidays feel so cozy, warm and wonderful. Susan Bowerman, assistant director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, says that the reaction to aromas is mental and physical. First, sniffing familiar scents stimulates your brain – and helps you recall pleasant holidays past. And certain smells cause actual chemical changes in your body.
Take gingerbread, for example. The spices include ginger, cloves, nutmeg, anise and molasses. And studies show that baking turns them into mood-boosting chemicals that can cheer you up better than a lot of prescription drugs.
Then, want more energy? Sniff a fresh Christmas tree! The oil that gives evergreens their oomph – called turpineol – is used by aromatherapists to boost energy. So, a couple of whiffs can make it easier to conquer your holiday to-do list.
The next holiday scent does wonders for your attitude: Cinnamon. Experts say the smell is a mood-booster, and creates a sense of soothing warmth and comfort. So to get a sunnier disposition: boil a couple of cinnamon sticks in water on your stovetop.
And the final holiday aroma is stress-reducing citrus. Studies show that scent of orange, lemon and grapefruit lowers the level of the stress hormone cortisol in your body. So, set out a bowl of oranges, or attack a lemon with a zester to create a citrus-scented room. You’ll feel instantly calmer and more uplifted.
To recap, this holiday season, increase your energy with evergreen, boost your mood with gingerbread, feel sunnier with cinnamon, and stop the stress with citrus. And you’ll be creating a Christmas to remember, a Kwanzaa that captivates, and a very happy Hannukah."
John Tesh: Intelligence for your life

-Have a Happy Autumn Season!

Here I am, getting all bent out of shape....

2011-08-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

I'm passionate about a few things, but one that I am the most passionate about is the need to stop violence against women. I've been tired lately, and reading The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg, Larsson, it's the second book in a trilogy. It has foul language and sex stuff in it, but they are in the midst of uncovering a Sex Trafficking story. The author put many statistics of the violence against women in Sweden in his first book, and this book deals with more atrocities against women. I think this book bring up many things for me, and maybe that is what the author wanted...to get people fired up. To get the conversation going, to motivate people for change. Whether or not that was his intent I'm fired up. I am generally it doesn't take much when dealing with this topic. I've mentioned some of the Charities that I give to, and support who also believe in rescuing women from the grasp of human trafficking. One of those is Free for Life.org They also have a facebook fan page of course. The really great thing is you can help them right now, and "like" their page and vote for them, so they can get a grant to help more young girls get out of sex slavery.

I sent out a message last night, possibly it was not thought out well, I was rather emotional writing it. Not that I'm not now, but I'm awake and not ready to fall asleep at the computer.
Here is their page on Causes, but the main page is here: Free for Life International
Here is where you can cast your vote. Giving of Life - Free for Life International

Here's the deal, I have a voice...it's a small one but I will be heard. Turning your head and blinding your eyes from issues like this does not make it all go away. Do what you can to stop this from continuing. Women have had enough throughout time to contend with, we need to band together and take a stand against this tyranny. If you do nothing else, take the time to cast your vote to help them get a grant. If you can do more, then please, do more.

This is not the only group who does this, and if you support others then thank you, please still cast your vote. No one on earth should be a slave to another, period.

so tired, and very very random

2011-08-19T11:18:00.001-07:00

I'm really not into eggplant. I should be, but it just feels like I'm eating a sponge. I think I'd rather try the cactus pads, at least they should be crunchy and not spongy. I already know I like bell pepper, but I think my next eggplant tasting will be ratatouille, and then I might just be done. I say that with a twinge of guilt, I hate to give up, and maybe I'm just making it wrong. I have a friend here who loves it plain and grilled.oh who am I kidding, I still won't give up, I'll just keep pinching my nose and squirming.

On a completely unrelated note, I watched a very sad tale yesterday. It was a quick dissolution of a long time friendship, and I was helpless as I saw it disintegrate in front of my eyes in a rapid succession of heated exchanges. I'm tired, and I understand the one parties need for space and rest, and to not talk about it. I also understand the other side as well, there was no expectation or push for help or assistance. It was all emotional, and filled with years of things that I was not privy to, and then the friendship vanished as one person packed up and left.
Where ever you are in your friendships, please I beg of you, don't make me witness the death of your friendship with a long term friend of yours. It's painful and there is nothing that I can do, and I hate that feeling. So myself and the remaining party are going to re-group and get focused on healing and living life in the most normal way we can until she is back a whole and can be completely independent again.

I've been up really really late everyday now for the last two weeks, so I'm pretty much exhausted. But I have been reading another good book, although it is all about violence against women, and none of the characters are christian, so there is lots of sex, but none of the happy experiences are explained. The bad news is, the violent stuff that happens in the book, it is explained...it helps you understand the main characters and want revenge along with them, but it's not friendly in any way. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". I also should explain that although I have links for amazon still, I am not an amazon affiliate anymore, it's because I live in California and that's how it played out with them and amazon regarding the collection of taxes, or rather the non-collection of taxes. I'd get into how this state really needs to learn how to budget like they obviously want everyone else to, but I'm pretty sure you all have heard it before and are tired of that conversation by now. Getting back to the book, if you like mysteries that are rather thrilling, this one is a good one. Now, I also have to point out the beginning of the book is rather long and filled with the histories and developments of the characters. It gets moving in the middle, i have not finished it, but I've heard that the end kind of moves in a different direction.

So that's my week in a nutshell. I'm looking into starting up some other new books, there is a Fallen series by Lauren Kate right now there are three books and a fourth is on it's way. I'm thinking of getting these and reading them, has any one else read them? It's more of a teen book I suppose.

The Madness Continues

2011-08-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago my house guest heart patient decide it was time for him to go home. He packed up his things and asked us to drive him home. The good news is, he was taken off of most all of his restrictions, and was fine to get back to a bit more normal routine. We had splurge even and went to get ice cream together.
The week after my father-in-law headed home my friend went in for her surgery. I knew this one was coming, and I had already agreed to assist. I was there through out her surgery and was so glad that she did not have any issues with breathing or anything during the process. It went very well. The after affects have been a bit more than either of us expected, and we have learned so much more about each other though this process. Nothing like jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire together! I will spare you all the details and her and I some embarrassment, but there are a few saying that we now know to be incorrect about what friends can and can not do.
Now if all of this going back and forth to the Dr.'s office wasn't fun enough, I've been trying to get caught up at work, and now my sister-in-law is moving! Another thing I knew was happening, and was completely exited for. It all seems to be converging on one weekend though, and wow, I'm a bit overwhelmed with all that I have decided to tackle.
I'm sure if my mother was here she would tell me to slow down and get some rest, but I just can't seem to do that right now.

On a bright note, I got my monthly box of vegetables today! I keep thinking it is coming later in the month, and am surprised when it arrives a week earlier than I anticipated.

Monday 08/15/2011 - Friday 08/19/2011

Service: Regular

(Weights are approximate)

4	cnt	Dinuba	Red Plum
2	lb	Dinuba	Flame Seedless Grape
1.5	lb	Our Farm	Yellow Squash, summer
1.5	lb	Our Farm	Slicing Tomato
1	cnt	Our Farm	Assorted Melon, musk
1	cnt	Salinas	Bunched Broccoli
1	cnt	Our Farm	Assorted Eggplant
1	pt	Our Farm	Assorted Tomato, cherry
1	bu	Watsonville	Green Leaf Lettuce

So, it looks like I will get to incorporate eggplant into something this week.

Meal Planning - For those who don't

2011-08-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Earlier there was a discussion of meal planning, and I was inspired, especially when it was later mentioned that we should keep a food journal and post them for accountability (over at PCOS Challenge). This has been a huge challenge for me, and I'm not good at it. If you are looking for help and assistance find the other discussion of meal planning and see if others can offer more assistance, if however, you are looking for support, or even just a chuckle to help you feel better while you are setting up a meal plan yourself, then look no further. I am here, ready to giggle myself at the idea of setting up a meal plan in the first place.

This is how things started, and here are the worksheets and ideas that I first used:
Two things you should know:
First - I found this on line, free and made some changes. I went here to find a template www.vertex42.com ExcelTemplates meal-planner
Second - I also found a very helpful blog and have used hers to help me. The meal planner.blogspot.com

Sunday: open for what ever family plans, or going out has to offer.

Monday: Meatless meal
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Chinese
Thursday: Italian
Friday: Fish/Seafood
Saturday: Mexican

And here is how it looked in practical application:

Here is a look at the pretty copy:
weekly-meal-planner with Exercise.pdf
Here is where I have been re-working things.
Beginning Stages of meal Planning

So, now after a month of having another family member in our house, and going back to planning meals on the fly I have to be honest. I'm still lousy at meal planning. I love the thought, and I really want to do it, but the practical application of it is a bit tricky for me.

I've been looking at the PCOS Diva though, for her inspired take on meal planning. It's much more simple, planning out only dinners. I'm thinking I should start there instead of going all crazy and planning out every meal. She has many menus archived, so I think I will begin with some older ones so I can find recipes to use for ingredients I have on hand.

What I lack in follow through I make up for in continued attempts and adjustments until I find what works for me. Be tenacious in fighting for your health, and for your families health.

July Menu from PCOS Diva

Being heard, and what's in the news about PCOS?

2011-07-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

I was recently having a discussion that went uninterrupted where I got to explain PCOS and some of what it has caused. It was a refreshing conversation where I was listened to and not cut off. This has not been the norm in my family and friend circle. If it is a bit complicated or you explain that you need to eat a certain way, they shut you out and just say it's only calories that matter for weight loss. Like weight loss is the only reason to eat healthy, you know who cares about your arteries or blood pressure, insulin spikes, or health in general. If you can eat fried chicken, shakes, fires, and chips without gaining weight then you are fine. This is not my philosophy at all. So far PCOS is only brought up when I am eating and people are curious to know why I choose what I do, and stay away from other things, you know the healthy potatoes and corn and other starchy veggies. Our current house guest seems pretty uncomfortable with my cooking heart healthy meals all the time. In fact he's been willing to spring for pizza twice now, and not on Friday nights which I would normally suspect a bit more a splurge on the type of food that we eat. Oh, and the uninterrupted conversation was not with my house guest, just to make that clear. I say all of this knowing that there are those of you out there who have very similar experiences, and I feel you should know that you are not alone.

Remember when the world rested on the back of a turtle? Me either.

It seems that every time people learn something new, the general population clings onto what has always been taught, for example the world was once considered flat, and Columbus has a very difficult time with people when he tried to tell them anything different. So now there are a few radical people out there suggesting that not all metabolisms are made equal, and that people may actually process food differently. I know, this may seem like heresy but think about it for a minute.

We now know that people have different blood types, early on that was not common knowledge. And now maybe we are starting to learn that not everyone processes food the same, and those with food allergies can offer up a hearty here here! But even people without obvious food allergies, maybe even divided by blood types, we are not all the same. I know that there is not tons of research done on all of this, and maybe there is more to it than blood type, or having type A or Type B metabolism as discussed by Diane Kress author of the Metabolism Miracle, but there does seem to be something out there that resonates with people that says, "you are all not the same, and not everything that works for one person will be good for another".

I'm not an advocate like Hannah wept, Sarah Laughed, or a spokes person of any sort but I am decidedly for sharing information. I think that learning and growth are important for people as a whole. If this is something that does not affect you, it is still something to learn about, it affects those around you and maybe someone close to you than you might know right now.

Today I thought I would just share some of the news articles out there regarding PCOS, yes there are more, these are just some of them. If you have never heard of PCOS, maybe a small step would be to find out a bit about it, otherwise it's good to keep up with the new things being said and learned. Oh, and each of the PCOS links provided go to a different site, so you can see multiple descriptions and how it gets diagnosed.

PCOS and Insulin Resistance in the News

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

Insulin Resistance

For more Check out this link: PCOS and Insulin Resistance in the News

Books (I only have the first one):
The PCOS Diet Plan: A Natural Approach to Health for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
A Patient's Guide to PCOS: Understanding--and Reversing--Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
The PCOS Workbook: Your Guide to Complete Physical and Emotional Health
The Ultimate PCOS Handbook: Lose Weight, Boost Fertility, Clear Skin and Restore Self-Esteem
What Nurses Know ... PCOS
The Low GI Guide to Living Well with PCOS (New Glucose Revolutions)
PCOS and Your Fertility

You say Potato, I say Potatoe...you get the idea

2011-07-25T23:59:00.000-07:00

Camping, not quite the camping I was thinking

Having dinner with the family

an Ice Cream Social

Because there has to be watermelon

My Idea of camping was much different, not so "plugged in". We had a great time, we biked around the lake, watched Little Miss play in the lake, and watched my dogs walk her. I really should have had my camera for that, and taken video, it was priceless.

Now I get why these movies that show people going camping, end up at a resort type facility, they exist. I would never have fought against camping so hard if we went to places like this, there were showers, and a store it was amazing.

Making new friends

loading those bikes was as much fun as untangling Christmas lights

not the tent type camping I was used to, but the bed, shower, and air conditioning were great especially since it was hotter than hades out there this last weekend. I hope your summer weekends are filled with fun and adventure, and a lot less bugs bites than mine was.

Conspiring Universe, the flip side

2011-07-20T13:15:00.000-07:00

By now I'm sure that you have recognized that there is no rhyme or reason to this blog. I was hoping to get that point across in the title. Life is a hodge podge of events, loves, and challenges.

Yesterday I posted something I have been mulling over for months now. It's about biking, and so the day that I post all about my wrecks what do you think would happen? I was in another one, this time I was on the other end.

It was horrific, and terrifying and awful. He ran into me, I did not see him coming when I pulled from the drive way onto the sidewalk. He was young, and frightened by the whole event. Nothing was broken, bruised, or even bleeding, but my car was scratched and dented. I was so glad that he was not injured, the rest of it, those are only things. My hubby came out and saw the last part. The kids did not want ice, or help home, he biked off, and I waited and watched until he was out of sight. I was devastated. Looking back I find the humor in my wrecks, I know I was blessed to only have bumps and bruises, some cuts and scrapes...it could have been worse. But now I know from the other side that there is a lot of emotional stuff to deal with when someone runs into you with a bike. I prayed for him, I still am, I'm still shaken and upset I hope he is fine and finds it funny one day. This one is not funny for me, and I'm certain it will never have a funny feel to it.

I wonder though, should I have never posted anything about all the wrecks I've had? Do these things have a way to come back and make you look at it from the other side? I wonder if I am alone in these types of events, but they happen often for me. More often than I would like to think about.

Image found here

So the flip side to the humor, is the terror of what might have been.

Anatomy of a Bicyle

2011-07-18T00:54:00.000-07:00

I have been riding to work on my bike lately, and my hubby has been very helpful in getting my bike back to working order. I have learned how much I do not know about bikes lately. So here is a picture of a bike, broken down a bit, for those like me who do not know all the parts and things that need to be cleaned tightened or adjusted as time wears on your bike.

Over the Fourth of July weekend my hubby and I biked around Santa Cruz, and I found a bike shop that was very helpful in getting his seat completely fixed after I found I was missing a piece. If you are ever down there and need assistance with bikes, check them out Bicycle Shop.

I have now learned how to change tires and replace bike seats. Next on my list of things to do is install a bike rack, but that may prove to be a bit more difficult. I own a mountain bike, not really something that is set up for all the commuting comfort attachments.

Now I ride my bike to work, but my hubby was not so excited for me to begin doing this. A long time ago, in a far away land called Salt Lake City, I had a few accidents. It seemed like once a year I had some form of brush with death, okay maybe it wasn't that bad each time, but the car wreck was pretty dangerous.

I ruined my bike and then proceeded to crash with my mother's bike. Now to be fair, although I did have a rash of wreck way back then, I've been wreck free for years now. I've also not ridden my bike for a while, but really I'm not nearly so reckless as I was back then. Honest.

so there might be some cause to worry about me and bikes

in my defense it was a long long time ago

I still feel bad about ruining my mom's bike

I think I ran into the car on this one, and ended up under their back tire. I'm still not sure how I got out without being hurt. My current bike needs to have it's front wheel straightened out a bit as well, but it's nothing like this one.

Of course I've been dreaming of a new bike, and this is one that I've been looking at.


Belleville WSD - Trek


2012 Allant WSD - Trek

These two bikes are nice, and have bike racks. It would be so much nicer to have bike racks so I can use it for grocery shopping as well as commuting. There are dreams, and then there are plans you make in order to make your dreams come true. I'm slowly on my way there. Maybe one day I'll have better news than to report that I have not gotten into a wreck but have a brand new bike. It would be nice to have a real one, a nice one than my old Walmart Mountain bike thing, although I'm pretty sure I still won't be able to just let go of it, as long as it works I'll be keeping it around.

7300 WSD -Trek

So, for now I will learn how to take apart my mountain bike, replace things, clean chains and all of the maintenance things I had never learned before. I'll also take extra care in not getting run over so that my hubby won't worry to much about me, you know, being crushed under someones tire. I really should get my brakes checked out first though.