If I had a nickel for every New Year I resolved to get more organized, more disciplined, more involved, more...more....MORE!...well, I'd be a nickelaire. But THIS year, it's different. If I had a nickel for every time I said THAT, I'd still be a nickelaire. There's a pattern. And there's always a really good reason for sliding on the resolutions. I'm sick. Seriously, I have Lupus. I mean, that takes more energy than I knew I had. My kids are active. Seriously, they have so much going on that it's impossible to set goals for myself. Something. Seriously, there's just always something.
When I was younger, I watched my mom. I watched but didn't take notes, like I should have. This woman, mother of six, wife of manual laborer/elder of church...this icon of motherhood. She did it. She took care of the house all by herself. I don't remember ever helping. She attended all of our school events. She had supper on the table when Daddy got home. She hummed while she worked and she made work look easy. She was up before us and in bed after us. She didn't complain. She lived her life as if she was exactly where she was supposed to be, doing exactly what she was supposed to be doing. She took pride in her "job" as wife and mother.
I somehow missed the secret to all of this. I complain all the time. Dishes? Ugh. Again? What do you mean we're out of towels? I washed some...oh, a week ago. Food? You people eat constantly! Why is there (fill in blank here) all over the floor?
I harp. Pick up your stuff. Make your beds. Finish your food. Stop snorting at the table. Stop! No! Because! No, again!
I brag. See? Did you see the top of the pantry. Yeah, I dusted it. Did you notice that the crock pots are no longer sitting out? I put them away. Has anyone noticed their abundance of clean underwear in their drawers? Yeah, that was MAMA. Notice!!! You think putting all these fish sticks in neat rows on the cookie-sheet is easy?! Ha!!
So, I decided to be a better wife and mother this year. That's all. None of this losing weight business. Nope, not going to worry about diet and exercise or about writing cards or showering more often or doing less FaceBook or calling my family more often or all of those nickel-making resolutions. Just a better wife and mother.
Of course, being a better wife and mother will entail all of those above-said resolutions. But instead of pressuring myself with the details, I've decided to simply try every day to be more like my mama. Happy. Productive. Involved. Happy. Helpful. Serving. Did I mention happy?
I really do love being a mom and wife. I love the housekeeper thing. I've just let illness and procrastination sully it all for me. But no more. At least....not for today.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Monday, December 8, 2014
Does Dieting Ever Get Easier?
I dislike diets. I know, I know, "diet" just means what we eat. But you know what I'm talking about. These things other people do that work for them and not me. Probably because I'm undisciplined and I bow to my taste-buds, but still. Boo for skinny people!! And yet, I keep trying them. Remember the Slim Fast craze in the early 90s? I know it's still sold and used and making people thin, but in the early 90s, it was in everyone's pantry/fridge. Well, I tried it. (I wasn't even fat. That's how much of a fad it was.) I remember bringing my little chocolate shake in a glass jar (with lid) to school and putting it into my locker to keep for lunch.
About 3rd Period, we get an announcement over the loudspeaker. "Surprise inspection. Drug dogs on campus. Would the following people come to the office please." KIM ROSS !!!!! Yep. The drug dogs had alerted them to my awful Slim Fast. Nice. And that's about how I've seen diet plans since. A waste of time and money and a reason to be embarrassed if anyone found out I was doing it.
Recently, I was diagnosed with Lupus. Lupus is no fun but it's manageable. (No, it's not just you... I skipped into a new subject with little or no segue.) The number one symptom of Lupus is fatigue. Not I've-had-a-long-day-think-I'll-go-to-bed-early fatigue. Think more like I-have-twins-who-have-kept-me-up-7-nights-in-a-row-and-I've-maxed-out-my dosage-of-Nyquil kind of tired. Can be frustrating but still, not the worst thing. Does anyone know what your first prescription is when discovering you have Lupus? Prednisone, which is a steroid. What's a side effect of steroids? Energy! It's wonderful!
So, while on the Prednisone, I was able to look at my life in a new way. And my body. I'd really let myself go. More accurately, I'd let more of myself move in to stay. Gross. And what's that I'm learning about? Arbonne. (Please do not glaze over. This is not a sales pitch.) I used some of the product, loved it, bought into it, and am now living it. Love the stuff. Okay, like most of the other product lines out there, Arbonne has a Nutrition program. I'm selling this stuff now so I figured I'd better try it out.
Well, another major side effect of steroids is hunger. I'm hungry all the time. I can literally have my mouth full of food and be thinking, "I wonder what we have to eat." Also, I'm a big fan of food... but specifically holiday food. Starting a Nutrition program during the holidays while taking Prednisone was perhaps not the smartest thing I've ever done. But I did it.
Last week was my first week on the new diet. Vanilla protein shake in the morning (made with almond milk). Yum! Chocolate protein shake for lunch (you can swap 'em around or whatever, this is just my preference) made with dark chocolate almond milk. Double-yum. Detox herbal tea. Nice salad or something for dinner. Groovy. This is fun. And easy. And tasty. I'm hungry because of the steroid, but I'm not hating life.
Then comes Thursday. Thursday evening was Harding's staff/faculty Christmas party. What makes this party unique from a lot of holiday parties is this one is used to showcase Aramark's new cuisine. It's basically a gourmet tasting party. Two gigantic rooms are filled with food to try (one room for desserts all by themselves). You stand in line from one table to the next and eat as you go. It can take awhile, but the food is unbelievable. Usually, I don't stand in line. I just haven't been able to. So Mark and the kids stand in line and bring me stuff.
This year, I was feeling so good that I wanted to stand in line all by myself (like a big girl). I decided to throw the diet away for this one night because it's once a year and I love it. You know what I ate? Spinach Artichoke Dip, Pork Loin Verde, African Lamb Stew, Etouffee, Shrimp Cocktails, New York Strip in Brown Sauce, Turkey and Dressing in Sweet-Potato-Cheese Sauce, and Breaded Chicken in Sweet-n-Sour Sauce. And four glasses of lemonade. That's all. (And not just one helping... for some of it, I ate several helpings.)
Oh, wait, that wasn't all. After the party, I went to a friend's house because she was having a Pampered Chef Party. Are you familiar with those? You eat. I can't even remember the name of what we had but it was an apple, cinnamon, bread thingy. Talk about blowing your diet.
Friday, I got back on the wagon full-speed. Saturday, not so much. I wasn't feeling well physically and so I gave in to the hunger-hunger I feel incessantly. I can't even tell you what I ate but I know spaghetti with cheese was involved. Then yesterday I had two grilled cheese sandwiches.
I've not neglected the protein shakes (I've just done them AND my own thing). But guess what. I've lost 5 pounds. WHAT?! This Nutrition program gets an A+. I'm back in full swing! Protein shake for breakfast...here I go! I've learned that I can be healthy and make healthy choices and still enjoy the holiday here and there. This is a new freedom and I'm loving it!
Whatever your diet of choice is, go ahead and start it...don't wait until the holidays are over!
About 3rd Period, we get an announcement over the loudspeaker. "Surprise inspection. Drug dogs on campus. Would the following people come to the office please." KIM ROSS !!!!! Yep. The drug dogs had alerted them to my awful Slim Fast. Nice. And that's about how I've seen diet plans since. A waste of time and money and a reason to be embarrassed if anyone found out I was doing it.
Recently, I was diagnosed with Lupus. Lupus is no fun but it's manageable. (No, it's not just you... I skipped into a new subject with little or no segue.) The number one symptom of Lupus is fatigue. Not I've-had-a-long-day-think-I'll-go-to-bed-early fatigue. Think more like I-have-twins-who-have-kept-me-up-7-nights-in-a-row-and-I've-maxed-out-my dosage-of-Nyquil kind of tired. Can be frustrating but still, not the worst thing. Does anyone know what your first prescription is when discovering you have Lupus? Prednisone, which is a steroid. What's a side effect of steroids? Energy! It's wonderful!
So, while on the Prednisone, I was able to look at my life in a new way. And my body. I'd really let myself go. More accurately, I'd let more of myself move in to stay. Gross. And what's that I'm learning about? Arbonne. (Please do not glaze over. This is not a sales pitch.) I used some of the product, loved it, bought into it, and am now living it. Love the stuff. Okay, like most of the other product lines out there, Arbonne has a Nutrition program. I'm selling this stuff now so I figured I'd better try it out.
Well, another major side effect of steroids is hunger. I'm hungry all the time. I can literally have my mouth full of food and be thinking, "I wonder what we have to eat." Also, I'm a big fan of food... but specifically holiday food. Starting a Nutrition program during the holidays while taking Prednisone was perhaps not the smartest thing I've ever done. But I did it.
Last week was my first week on the new diet. Vanilla protein shake in the morning (made with almond milk). Yum! Chocolate protein shake for lunch (you can swap 'em around or whatever, this is just my preference) made with dark chocolate almond milk. Double-yum. Detox herbal tea. Nice salad or something for dinner. Groovy. This is fun. And easy. And tasty. I'm hungry because of the steroid, but I'm not hating life.
Then comes Thursday. Thursday evening was Harding's staff/faculty Christmas party. What makes this party unique from a lot of holiday parties is this one is used to showcase Aramark's new cuisine. It's basically a gourmet tasting party. Two gigantic rooms are filled with food to try (one room for desserts all by themselves). You stand in line from one table to the next and eat as you go. It can take awhile, but the food is unbelievable. Usually, I don't stand in line. I just haven't been able to. So Mark and the kids stand in line and bring me stuff.
This year, I was feeling so good that I wanted to stand in line all by myself (like a big girl). I decided to throw the diet away for this one night because it's once a year and I love it. You know what I ate? Spinach Artichoke Dip, Pork Loin Verde, African Lamb Stew, Etouffee, Shrimp Cocktails, New York Strip in Brown Sauce, Turkey and Dressing in Sweet-Potato-Cheese Sauce, and Breaded Chicken in Sweet-n-Sour Sauce. And four glasses of lemonade. That's all. (And not just one helping... for some of it, I ate several helpings.)
Oh, wait, that wasn't all. After the party, I went to a friend's house because she was having a Pampered Chef Party. Are you familiar with those? You eat. I can't even remember the name of what we had but it was an apple, cinnamon, bread thingy. Talk about blowing your diet.
Friday, I got back on the wagon full-speed. Saturday, not so much. I wasn't feeling well physically and so I gave in to the hunger-hunger I feel incessantly. I can't even tell you what I ate but I know spaghetti with cheese was involved. Then yesterday I had two grilled cheese sandwiches.
I've not neglected the protein shakes (I've just done them AND my own thing). But guess what. I've lost 5 pounds. WHAT?! This Nutrition program gets an A+. I'm back in full swing! Protein shake for breakfast...here I go! I've learned that I can be healthy and make healthy choices and still enjoy the holiday here and there. This is a new freedom and I'm loving it!
Whatever your diet of choice is, go ahead and start it...don't wait until the holidays are over!
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Failure. Bring it.
This is one of those days where I need to remind myself of some things. I need to remember that some of the very great success-stories in history began with very great failures. I need to remember that it's okay to keep plowing ahead when everything in my path is resistant. I just need a "win one for the Gipper" moment. So, here it is.
1.Einstein was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read.
2.Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school.
3.When Thomas Edison was a boy, his teachers told him he was too stupid to learn anything.
4.F.W.Woolworth got a job in a dry goods store when he was 21. But his employers would not let him wait on a customer because he "Didn't have enough sense."
5.A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney because he had "No good ideas"
6.Caruso's music teacher told him "You can't sing, you have no voice at all."
7.Leo Tolstoy flunked out of college.
8.Verner Von Braun flunked 9th grade algebra
. 9.Admiral Richard E. Byrd had been retired from the navy, as, "Unfit for service" Until he flew over both poles.
10.Louis Pasteur was rated as mediocre in chemistry when he attended the Royal College
11.Abraham Lincoln entered The Black Hawk War as a captain and came out a private
12.Fred Waring was once rejected from high school chorus.
13.Winston Churchill failed the sixth grade.
There. I feel better.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Top 10 Lies
I know we all know that television isn't real. Even "reality" t.v. isn't completely real. Magazine pictures aren't completely real. Movies, plots, scenery, costumes, etc... we all realize on some level that there is a line between fantasy and reality. But seeing the fantasy over and over and over helps us blur the line. We begin seeing fantasy as a possible reality. Something others are living but not us. We start wanting to be and do and have what never existed to begin with.
There are a plethora of these fantasies bombarding our senses daily. I would just like to un-blur the lines of what I consider to be the Top 10. These, in my opinion, are the most damaging...and the ones most readily believed.
10. The #10 Lie we are spoon-fed and lap up is that rude is funny. Sarcasm, wit, clever one-liners... I enjoy them as much as anyone else. In fact, the wittier the film/show, the more I like it. But it's because it's scripted and the receiver of the rude-but-funny one-liner doesn't crumple or punch or retaliate. It's because, when the teenager rolls their eyes, it's at the exact right moment and the parent responds for humor more than for reality. Talking about someone behind their back, snarky comments, witty words that make fun, picking on the little guy, bad-mouthing the authority... these things can be hilarious in the "right" setting with just the right facial expressions. It gets a laugh every time. But in reality, I would hope my kids NEVER talk like that. It's disrespectful and rude. In reality, rude is not funny.
9. The #9 Lie is that smoking is cool. Now, I realize most of us know this isn't the case. Our generation and more-so the one coming up after us is acutely aware of the dangers of smoking. However, when we watch a film, we see the "bad boy" smoking a cigarette and it just makes him look sexier. It's a symbol of rebellion. It completes the "street-cred" outfit. No matter how far we've come, Baby, smoking is still depicted as a cool kid's thang. Especially in any foreign flick.
8. The #8 Lie is right up there with smoking. Drinking alcohol. Now, hear me. I'm not saying that drinking alcohol is a fantasy. I am saying that, on television and in movies, drinking a glass of wine has become classy. It's what people who have "arrived" drink together to celebrate or relax or simply to go with their classy meal. This is fine. Except when it's not. Not everyone is able to live in that reality. Some of us have the disease of alcoholism running rampant in our genetic veins and must stay away from alcohol. So we watch these classy, successful, beautiful people drinking their expensive wine and we start to feel like, if we were classy and successful and beautiful, we could do it too...meaning, because we cannot drink alcohol, we will never reach that elite status. Poppycock.
7. The #7 Lie is a doozy. I almost rated this higher but didn't because there are things more detrimental, Sex. Sex is a beautiful, wonderful gift from God that is meant to be shared between husband and wife. I'm not preaching. I'm being rational and speaking from the heart of a mama who doesn't want her children hurt. On film, sex seems so right. Two people who love each other must express that love in some way and sex seems completely appropriate. In real life, sex never washes off. Once you have sex with someone, you can never take it back. I can only speak for the female gender but I'm pretty sure it applies to woman and man alike... there's no such thing as casual sex. Casual sex is a symptom of something damaged. You are afraid to commit, you are looking for love, you do not think highly of yourself, you are trying to be something you are not. You will still carry the experience with you forever. Unless you continue.... then you become numb. That will be detrimental to any lasting relationship you find. Sex on film is...well...sexy. Film doesn't cover all the bases.
6. The #6 Lie we are so ready to believe is that money makes us happy. Now, again, like with smoking, I know we all know this isn't true. We see movie after movie after movie about the rich guy losing...poor guy winning. Great. And then we see a commercial telling us we MUST have this latest item. Advertisements rely on the fact that nothing will ever be enough. Advertisements bank on convincing us that contentment is in fact the fantasy and that buying is the reality. This, my friends, has gotten America in the pickle it's in today. (Not just that but...) Money, purchases, things, stuff, products, materials... we need none of it. None.
We're half-way there.
5. The #5 Lie is that only skinny is beautiful. When did that happen? Skinny is fine if that's how God made you. Fat is only not fine when it's unhealthy. But beauty? That comes in so many shapes and forms and colors and sizes and sounds. Beauty is all heart. I'm pretty sure no one knows how big someone's heart is, physically speaking. On film, even when a show is ABOUT fat not being beautiful, the heroin is "done-up"....perfect skin, hair, clothes, etc... It's physical appearance that matters, or so the lie goes.
4. The #4 Lie running around out there is that religion is boring. This one is a no-brainer. If you have faith, then you know faith itself is the biggest adventure of all. You want an adrenaline rush? Trust God more than you trust yourself. Let God be your seatbelt. It's crazy and chaotic and so not boring.
3. The #3 Lie being shoved down society's throat is about divorce. The lie tells us that divorce can be casual and healthy and friendly and will only truly affect the two going through it. Now, I do not believe divorce is wrong. But I also don't buy into that lie. I believe it's sad and hurtful and hard. On film, people divorce because they "fell out of love" or "were just better as friends" or maybe they just got tired of each other. They get divorced because they "had different dreams/goals/visions" or they both "changed so much" or maybe they just realized there was more fun to be had out there without being tethered to the old ball-n-chain. Divorce should be an absolute last resort. We are allowing our kids to grow up believing that divorce can be casual and friendly and even the "better" option. It hurts for generations. It must happen some times. I know that. But it is never casual. It is never something that is done on a whim. And it doesn't correct mistakes.
2. The #2 Lie that I've seen over and over is "Love at First Sight". This does not exist. Unless you're speaking of the love we have for all mankind and that exists without sight. When you look across the crowded room and lock eyes with that perfect person, what you are experiencing is physical attraction. Possibly a magnetic connection. Maybe you recognize on a metaphysical plane a likeness with this other person. It is not love...yet. Love must be grown. It must be nurtured and cared for and committed to. It is a decision far more than it is an emotion. The emotion comes from making the decision to love someone. Love will not always feel warm and fuzzy. Love does not happen in a split second.
And the number one lie?
1. The #1 Lie...the biggie...the one that I find myself correcting over and over and over with my own children is this. Love and acceptance are the same thing. NO THEY ARE NOT!! I will always love my children. Always. Always. Always. If they murder someone, I will love them. I will not, however, help them bury the body. I will visit them in prison. Because I love them. Love means NOT accepting anything less that what is best for those we in fact do love. If love and acceptance were the same thing, I wouldn't have cause to discipline. Talk to me however you feel like. I love you so it's okay. Bully the other kids at school. I love you so go ahead. Stay out all night with that strange group of kids. I love you so it's okay. In the movies, love means saying, "I'm sorry I judged you. I love you just as you are." And that's the ideal, isn't it. This is so clever because there's so much good and right about those two sentences. We are NOT to judge. Ever. Love always. I can love deeply. I can love someone who has beat his wife. Truly. But accept that lifestyle for her? No, sir. Love doesn't mean everything's okay. It means, I'll be right beside you even when things are not okay.
And that's my Tuesday rant. Live the reality!! :)
There are a plethora of these fantasies bombarding our senses daily. I would just like to un-blur the lines of what I consider to be the Top 10. These, in my opinion, are the most damaging...and the ones most readily believed.
10. The #10 Lie we are spoon-fed and lap up is that rude is funny. Sarcasm, wit, clever one-liners... I enjoy them as much as anyone else. In fact, the wittier the film/show, the more I like it. But it's because it's scripted and the receiver of the rude-but-funny one-liner doesn't crumple or punch or retaliate. It's because, when the teenager rolls their eyes, it's at the exact right moment and the parent responds for humor more than for reality. Talking about someone behind their back, snarky comments, witty words that make fun, picking on the little guy, bad-mouthing the authority... these things can be hilarious in the "right" setting with just the right facial expressions. It gets a laugh every time. But in reality, I would hope my kids NEVER talk like that. It's disrespectful and rude. In reality, rude is not funny.
9. The #9 Lie is that smoking is cool. Now, I realize most of us know this isn't the case. Our generation and more-so the one coming up after us is acutely aware of the dangers of smoking. However, when we watch a film, we see the "bad boy" smoking a cigarette and it just makes him look sexier. It's a symbol of rebellion. It completes the "street-cred" outfit. No matter how far we've come, Baby, smoking is still depicted as a cool kid's thang. Especially in any foreign flick.
8. The #8 Lie is right up there with smoking. Drinking alcohol. Now, hear me. I'm not saying that drinking alcohol is a fantasy. I am saying that, on television and in movies, drinking a glass of wine has become classy. It's what people who have "arrived" drink together to celebrate or relax or simply to go with their classy meal. This is fine. Except when it's not. Not everyone is able to live in that reality. Some of us have the disease of alcoholism running rampant in our genetic veins and must stay away from alcohol. So we watch these classy, successful, beautiful people drinking their expensive wine and we start to feel like, if we were classy and successful and beautiful, we could do it too...meaning, because we cannot drink alcohol, we will never reach that elite status. Poppycock.
7. The #7 Lie is a doozy. I almost rated this higher but didn't because there are things more detrimental, Sex. Sex is a beautiful, wonderful gift from God that is meant to be shared between husband and wife. I'm not preaching. I'm being rational and speaking from the heart of a mama who doesn't want her children hurt. On film, sex seems so right. Two people who love each other must express that love in some way and sex seems completely appropriate. In real life, sex never washes off. Once you have sex with someone, you can never take it back. I can only speak for the female gender but I'm pretty sure it applies to woman and man alike... there's no such thing as casual sex. Casual sex is a symptom of something damaged. You are afraid to commit, you are looking for love, you do not think highly of yourself, you are trying to be something you are not. You will still carry the experience with you forever. Unless you continue.... then you become numb. That will be detrimental to any lasting relationship you find. Sex on film is...well...sexy. Film doesn't cover all the bases.
6. The #6 Lie we are so ready to believe is that money makes us happy. Now, again, like with smoking, I know we all know this isn't true. We see movie after movie after movie about the rich guy losing...poor guy winning. Great. And then we see a commercial telling us we MUST have this latest item. Advertisements rely on the fact that nothing will ever be enough. Advertisements bank on convincing us that contentment is in fact the fantasy and that buying is the reality. This, my friends, has gotten America in the pickle it's in today. (Not just that but...) Money, purchases, things, stuff, products, materials... we need none of it. None.
We're half-way there.
5. The #5 Lie is that only skinny is beautiful. When did that happen? Skinny is fine if that's how God made you. Fat is only not fine when it's unhealthy. But beauty? That comes in so many shapes and forms and colors and sizes and sounds. Beauty is all heart. I'm pretty sure no one knows how big someone's heart is, physically speaking. On film, even when a show is ABOUT fat not being beautiful, the heroin is "done-up"....perfect skin, hair, clothes, etc... It's physical appearance that matters, or so the lie goes.
4. The #4 Lie running around out there is that religion is boring. This one is a no-brainer. If you have faith, then you know faith itself is the biggest adventure of all. You want an adrenaline rush? Trust God more than you trust yourself. Let God be your seatbelt. It's crazy and chaotic and so not boring.
3. The #3 Lie being shoved down society's throat is about divorce. The lie tells us that divorce can be casual and healthy and friendly and will only truly affect the two going through it. Now, I do not believe divorce is wrong. But I also don't buy into that lie. I believe it's sad and hurtful and hard. On film, people divorce because they "fell out of love" or "were just better as friends" or maybe they just got tired of each other. They get divorced because they "had different dreams/goals/visions" or they both "changed so much" or maybe they just realized there was more fun to be had out there without being tethered to the old ball-n-chain. Divorce should be an absolute last resort. We are allowing our kids to grow up believing that divorce can be casual and friendly and even the "better" option. It hurts for generations. It must happen some times. I know that. But it is never casual. It is never something that is done on a whim. And it doesn't correct mistakes.
2. The #2 Lie that I've seen over and over is "Love at First Sight". This does not exist. Unless you're speaking of the love we have for all mankind and that exists without sight. When you look across the crowded room and lock eyes with that perfect person, what you are experiencing is physical attraction. Possibly a magnetic connection. Maybe you recognize on a metaphysical plane a likeness with this other person. It is not love...yet. Love must be grown. It must be nurtured and cared for and committed to. It is a decision far more than it is an emotion. The emotion comes from making the decision to love someone. Love will not always feel warm and fuzzy. Love does not happen in a split second.
And the number one lie?
1. The #1 Lie...the biggie...the one that I find myself correcting over and over and over with my own children is this. Love and acceptance are the same thing. NO THEY ARE NOT!! I will always love my children. Always. Always. Always. If they murder someone, I will love them. I will not, however, help them bury the body. I will visit them in prison. Because I love them. Love means NOT accepting anything less that what is best for those we in fact do love. If love and acceptance were the same thing, I wouldn't have cause to discipline. Talk to me however you feel like. I love you so it's okay. Bully the other kids at school. I love you so go ahead. Stay out all night with that strange group of kids. I love you so it's okay. In the movies, love means saying, "I'm sorry I judged you. I love you just as you are." And that's the ideal, isn't it. This is so clever because there's so much good and right about those two sentences. We are NOT to judge. Ever. Love always. I can love deeply. I can love someone who has beat his wife. Truly. But accept that lifestyle for her? No, sir. Love doesn't mean everything's okay. It means, I'll be right beside you even when things are not okay.
And that's my Tuesday rant. Live the reality!! :)
Monday, December 1, 2014
The Skinny on Products
Most of you know I've recently begun selling the high-end health products of a wonderful Swedish company called Arbonne. I started this business with two goals in mind. Number one, get healthy. I have been diagnosed, mis-diagnosed, re-diagnosed, and simply dismissed from many medical facilities. I've gone from feeling okay to feeling miserable fairly quickly this year. As I sit awaiting the results from a third Lupus test, I am not simply letting my health-status stagnate. Much prayer has gone into my well-being. When I pray for specifics things, I often keep my eyes open for a clue to the Path. I learned about Arbonne through a friend and it looked interesting. I didn't immediately know that this was my answered prayer.
I was impressed by their commitment to healthy ingredients. No artificials. No preservatives. No soy, no gluten, and...this was the deal-maker...no dairy! My brilliant mother, who would've been burned at the stake in another century for her naturalist ways, always taught us the perils of dairy. We are the only mammal who continues to drink milk after being weaned from the breast. The whey in milk is a huge allergen...most people don't realize their body is reacting toward it because we've just gotten used to phlegm and bloating. Yes, I said phlegm. Mucus. Guess what...dairy products multiply the mucus inside of you immediately upon ingestion. Gross. Notice next time you have dairy.
But, like all other good Americans, I bought into the idea that milk is a necessary product... bones, skin, and all that. So wrong. Most every "health" product on the shelves includes milk products. And I used to consider this a good thing! I forgot what my mother taught us and I actually sought ways to incorporate dairy into my daily meals. And I kept getting fatter. Not to mention the feeling-crummy thing. So, when I found that this company doesn't put dairy into their nutrition products and, in fact, adamantly preaches against dairy, I paid attention.
I learned that the reason the sizes of the products are small is because they do not use preservatives. Even in the skin care line? I mean, that's a little bottle of eye cream there. Well, would you rather have your skin-care products mixed with formaldehyde or made with bat poo? If the ethyl alcohol hasn't dried out your skin and burned your pores, then, just buckle up. It will happen.
Did you know that most chapsticks on the market have a drying ingredient in them so that you will have to continue using the product? What about your anti-aging stuff? What chemicals are you putting on your face in order to hide wrinkles? I was overwhelmed when I looked at my own shelves at home. The ingredients on some of my stuff made me sick to my stomach. I had to Google most of the ingredients because, not only could I not pronounce them, I didn't know what they were. They all come with side-affects (side-effects?). Most are synthetic. When a product professes to be "all natural", please investigate what their definition of natural is!
I mentioned that Arbonne is a Swedish company. That alone is good enough for me. Why? Because Europe has banned over 12,000 products from the shelves. 12 Thousand ingredients are not allowed in products that are being sold. How many has America banned? 10. 10 whole products. And formaldehyde isn't one of them. Neither is arsenic.
So, I'm in. I'm not preaching to you or trying to sell you...I just thought I'd journal my journey. I started the nutrition program today. Had a protein shake (vanilla) this morning (and just because it's called a "shake" doesn't mean it has milk). I ate brown rice cooked with two eggs for lunch. I'll confess that this was not as tasty as I was hoping, but fat's not as pretty as I'd hoped either. I'm hoping to make a veggie stew for tomorrow that will be much tastier!
Here's to a thinner and healthier New Year!! When the ball drops at midnight on January 1, 2015, I'll be yelling, "Happy New Me!" :)
P.S. For those of you wondering what that 2nd goal is.... I hope to bring in some much-needed income for my family. So...if you want to order some great product.... :)
I was impressed by their commitment to healthy ingredients. No artificials. No preservatives. No soy, no gluten, and...this was the deal-maker...no dairy! My brilliant mother, who would've been burned at the stake in another century for her naturalist ways, always taught us the perils of dairy. We are the only mammal who continues to drink milk after being weaned from the breast. The whey in milk is a huge allergen...most people don't realize their body is reacting toward it because we've just gotten used to phlegm and bloating. Yes, I said phlegm. Mucus. Guess what...dairy products multiply the mucus inside of you immediately upon ingestion. Gross. Notice next time you have dairy.
But, like all other good Americans, I bought into the idea that milk is a necessary product... bones, skin, and all that. So wrong. Most every "health" product on the shelves includes milk products. And I used to consider this a good thing! I forgot what my mother taught us and I actually sought ways to incorporate dairy into my daily meals. And I kept getting fatter. Not to mention the feeling-crummy thing. So, when I found that this company doesn't put dairy into their nutrition products and, in fact, adamantly preaches against dairy, I paid attention.
I learned that the reason the sizes of the products are small is because they do not use preservatives. Even in the skin care line? I mean, that's a little bottle of eye cream there. Well, would you rather have your skin-care products mixed with formaldehyde or made with bat poo? If the ethyl alcohol hasn't dried out your skin and burned your pores, then, just buckle up. It will happen.
Did you know that most chapsticks on the market have a drying ingredient in them so that you will have to continue using the product? What about your anti-aging stuff? What chemicals are you putting on your face in order to hide wrinkles? I was overwhelmed when I looked at my own shelves at home. The ingredients on some of my stuff made me sick to my stomach. I had to Google most of the ingredients because, not only could I not pronounce them, I didn't know what they were. They all come with side-affects (side-effects?). Most are synthetic. When a product professes to be "all natural", please investigate what their definition of natural is!
I mentioned that Arbonne is a Swedish company. That alone is good enough for me. Why? Because Europe has banned over 12,000 products from the shelves. 12 Thousand ingredients are not allowed in products that are being sold. How many has America banned? 10. 10 whole products. And formaldehyde isn't one of them. Neither is arsenic.
So, I'm in. I'm not preaching to you or trying to sell you...I just thought I'd journal my journey. I started the nutrition program today. Had a protein shake (vanilla) this morning (and just because it's called a "shake" doesn't mean it has milk). I ate brown rice cooked with two eggs for lunch. I'll confess that this was not as tasty as I was hoping, but fat's not as pretty as I'd hoped either. I'm hoping to make a veggie stew for tomorrow that will be much tastier!
Here's to a thinner and healthier New Year!! When the ball drops at midnight on January 1, 2015, I'll be yelling, "Happy New Me!" :)
P.S. For those of you wondering what that 2nd goal is.... I hope to bring in some much-needed income for my family. So...if you want to order some great product.... :)
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
The New Me
Fibromyalgia. How many of you know what this is? How many of you doubt that it is a "real" diagnosis? How many of you know someone with it? How many of you have it?
I have it. The symptoms are crazy. They mimic so many other illnesses. When someone says they have Fibromyalgia, what do you imagine? How do you picture a day in their life? I used to picture a day laying on the couch reading, eating, watching t.v. I used to think of it as the "tired" disease. In fact, I blurred it with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (How many of you believe that one's a fake too?)
Seems there's a lot of opinions on this Fibromyalgia stuff. It's an easy target for the opinionated because science hasn't set clear boundaries in defining it yet. How exciting for me. I'm on the "ground floor" of this disease. I'm a pioneer. There are doctors who do not believe in it; doctors who prescribe medicine for it; and doctors who are honest about it. I finally found that last breed.
But before we get into the treatment, lets get back to the diagnosis. How in the world do you diagnose something that has no scientific definition? It's an ambiguous little feller. But maybe diagnosing is also too far ahead to begin.
Symptoms. If you Google Fibromyalgia, you will get about 1,800,00 results, give or take. For something that no one knows very much about, there's a lot of information out there. You can find a list of symptoms, treatments, cures, etc... You can find chat rooms, forums, those for, those against, etc... You will read about causes. You will get a brain-full of natural remedies. So how do you know what's what?
Talk to someone who has it.
Oh. That's me! The most common symptom is fatigue. But if that were the only symptom, we'd all have Fibromyalgia. That's the thing. All the symptoms are "common" to other ailments. But, as one doctor explained to me, if you take all the symptoms and put them together as a jig-saw puzzle, sometimes you can clearly see a pattern. It's hit-n-miss right now in the medical world, which why a lot of people think this is a "catch-all" diagnosis. "Hmm...well...we don't really know what you have so we're going to stamp you Fibromyalgia and call it a day."
I thought that too.
Which is why, when the first doctor mentioned it, I groaned and thought, "Here we go. You don't have a clue what's wrong with me and you're tired of looking so you're giving me a pity-diagnosis and sending me on my way."
Back to the symptoms. How many of you are familiar with Rheumatoid Arthritis? Migraines? Irritable Bowel Syndrome? The flu? Depression? Anxiety? Carpal Tunnel? Inflammation? Iritis/Uveitis? Lupus? Vertigo? Insomnia? Skin Irritation? Lyme? Welcome to Fibromyalgia?
This is why it is so hard to diagnose and it's sometimes thought to be something else. There is no scientific test for it. There is a way to "feel" for it, however. There are certain nerve points near joints that will be much more tender than in other places. If you're being examined for Fibromyalgia, your doctor will press all over and, if you have it, there will be moments you want to come off that table and punch him in the nose. (I literally raised my voice at the doc and said, "What are you DOING?!" to which he responded, "Oh, you didn't sign up for the deluxe massage?" Great man.)
I am discovering myself all over again. What are my limits? What are my strengths? When do I push forward, and when do I stop? The doctor said to lower my stress-level. HA! Oh, those doctors really have a great sense of humor. Good thing I do too. Did you know that there are things you CAN do with Fibromyalgia? You can smile...laugh...play...read...exercise...pray...sing...and enjoy life to the best of your ability. You are not a pariah and certainly do not have to become a shut-in. There are absolutely days when I don't get out of bed. Sometimes I make it to the couch and that's it. And that's okay. Those are great reading days.
My advice to those who are on this journey with me, don't be hard on yourself. Your central nervous system is already doing that for you. My advice to those who have a loved-one with Fibromyalgia, let them set the pace. Believe them. Love them.
We'll wrap for now. My finger-joints are yelling at me. Time for a warm drink and an episode of "Miss Fischer's Murder Mysteries".
Welcome to my new world, Everyone.
I have it. The symptoms are crazy. They mimic so many other illnesses. When someone says they have Fibromyalgia, what do you imagine? How do you picture a day in their life? I used to picture a day laying on the couch reading, eating, watching t.v. I used to think of it as the "tired" disease. In fact, I blurred it with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (How many of you believe that one's a fake too?)
Seems there's a lot of opinions on this Fibromyalgia stuff. It's an easy target for the opinionated because science hasn't set clear boundaries in defining it yet. How exciting for me. I'm on the "ground floor" of this disease. I'm a pioneer. There are doctors who do not believe in it; doctors who prescribe medicine for it; and doctors who are honest about it. I finally found that last breed.
But before we get into the treatment, lets get back to the diagnosis. How in the world do you diagnose something that has no scientific definition? It's an ambiguous little feller. But maybe diagnosing is also too far ahead to begin.
Symptoms. If you Google Fibromyalgia, you will get about 1,800,00 results, give or take. For something that no one knows very much about, there's a lot of information out there. You can find a list of symptoms, treatments, cures, etc... You can find chat rooms, forums, those for, those against, etc... You will read about causes. You will get a brain-full of natural remedies. So how do you know what's what?
Talk to someone who has it.
Oh. That's me! The most common symptom is fatigue. But if that were the only symptom, we'd all have Fibromyalgia. That's the thing. All the symptoms are "common" to other ailments. But, as one doctor explained to me, if you take all the symptoms and put them together as a jig-saw puzzle, sometimes you can clearly see a pattern. It's hit-n-miss right now in the medical world, which why a lot of people think this is a "catch-all" diagnosis. "Hmm...well...we don't really know what you have so we're going to stamp you Fibromyalgia and call it a day."
I thought that too.
Which is why, when the first doctor mentioned it, I groaned and thought, "Here we go. You don't have a clue what's wrong with me and you're tired of looking so you're giving me a pity-diagnosis and sending me on my way."
Back to the symptoms. How many of you are familiar with Rheumatoid Arthritis? Migraines? Irritable Bowel Syndrome? The flu? Depression? Anxiety? Carpal Tunnel? Inflammation? Iritis/Uveitis? Lupus? Vertigo? Insomnia? Skin Irritation? Lyme? Welcome to Fibromyalgia?
This is why it is so hard to diagnose and it's sometimes thought to be something else. There is no scientific test for it. There is a way to "feel" for it, however. There are certain nerve points near joints that will be much more tender than in other places. If you're being examined for Fibromyalgia, your doctor will press all over and, if you have it, there will be moments you want to come off that table and punch him in the nose. (I literally raised my voice at the doc and said, "What are you DOING?!" to which he responded, "Oh, you didn't sign up for the deluxe massage?" Great man.)
I am discovering myself all over again. What are my limits? What are my strengths? When do I push forward, and when do I stop? The doctor said to lower my stress-level. HA! Oh, those doctors really have a great sense of humor. Good thing I do too. Did you know that there are things you CAN do with Fibromyalgia? You can smile...laugh...play...read...exercise...pray...sing...and enjoy life to the best of your ability. You are not a pariah and certainly do not have to become a shut-in. There are absolutely days when I don't get out of bed. Sometimes I make it to the couch and that's it. And that's okay. Those are great reading days.
My advice to those who are on this journey with me, don't be hard on yourself. Your central nervous system is already doing that for you. My advice to those who have a loved-one with Fibromyalgia, let them set the pace. Believe them. Love them.
We'll wrap for now. My finger-joints are yelling at me. Time for a warm drink and an episode of "Miss Fischer's Murder Mysteries".
Welcome to my new world, Everyone.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Spit-Up, Sex, and Other Stay-At-Home Mama Stuff
I saw a random article about how there is a rise in stay-at-home moms recently. I was so excited! I make no apologies for my belief that moms staying at home with their children during crucial years is the best way to raise healthy, successful families. A rise! That's great! So, I searched for more articles. All I found were statistics telling me that the only reason there is a rise in mothers choosing to stay home with their children is because of poverty, can't find a job, going back to school (so they can have a job), disabilities, and other reasons why they wish they could work outside the home but can't. Talk about crestfallen!
What happened to taking pride in the home? I don't mean the kind of pride that goes before the fall. I mean the kind where you have self-respect for knowing you are doing your best for our family. Before your feathers are completely ruffled, let me also say that I respect working mothers. I know that in today's economy, two paychecks can go a long way toward raising children in a positive environment. Just because I'm for moms staying home doesn't mean I'm against moms working.
How can this be, you ask? I am against moms resenting their lots in life. I have to stay home. I have to work. The family can feel this. You've all heard the saying if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! This is so true. The children can sense your anxiety, anger, bitterness, depression, etc. The younger the child, the more likely he/she will blame themselves for your unhappiness. It's important that you find a way to own your role. If staying home with your children makes you feel like you're not pulling your weight, you're wasting your degree, you're not really working, etc, then instead of finding another role for yourself, simply change your way of thinking and become the best stay-at-home mom you can be.
Where I am not against working mothers, it isn't where my passion is. I want to open the eyes of all the mothers out there who have chosen to stay home, and perhaps give them the validation they've been craving.
I am here to encourage you. You are doing a great work by staying home with your children. They may not thank you for it, but you will see the rewards as they grow. When a parent stays home to take care of kids and house, the home becomes a safe haven. Sometimes we mothers feel like just another fixture on the wall that everyone takes for granted. Everyone just assumes supper will be ready when they come to the table. Everyone simply expects clean underwear in their drawer, enough snacks in the cabinet, clean dishes. And, although you may smell like spit-up, can't remember your last shower, and fell asleep at the dinner table, let's be honest. Your husband simply expects you to be "in the mood" when you come to bed.
What if this wasn't the case? What if everyone in the house had to fend for themselves? Would your children rush through the door after school, talking, smiling, and looking forward to their afternoon if they had to forage and make their own snacks, wash the dishes, make supper, and do the laundry? Would your husband leave the office at 5:01 and hurry home with a smile on his face if he knew that there was no supper waiting on the table for him? That, no matter how tired he was, he'd have to wash, dry, and iron tomorrow's work clothes?
Sometimes this way of life is just the way it goes. I was very sick early in my marriage and there were times when Mark and the kids did have to "take over" the housework. They did it willingly and lovingly, but I always felt an undercurrent of stress wafting from them. I also saw how tired they became; how more arguments broke out, less meals took place around the table, how much less my husband smiled. They did not realize this. They were doing their best to take up the slack. When I was recovered and began to pick up my old responsibilities again, there was a noticeable shift in attitude throughout the house. It's as if everyone sighed with relief all at once. Again, they didn't seem to notice this. But I did. I may be invisible some of the time and taken for granted. But I'm necessary. Moms are necessary.
This is only one of many blogs to come on this subject. I welcome your input. Remember today to look at your role as one of importance and own it!
What happened to taking pride in the home? I don't mean the kind of pride that goes before the fall. I mean the kind where you have self-respect for knowing you are doing your best for our family. Before your feathers are completely ruffled, let me also say that I respect working mothers. I know that in today's economy, two paychecks can go a long way toward raising children in a positive environment. Just because I'm for moms staying home doesn't mean I'm against moms working.
How can this be, you ask? I am against moms resenting their lots in life. I have to stay home. I have to work. The family can feel this. You've all heard the saying if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! This is so true. The children can sense your anxiety, anger, bitterness, depression, etc. The younger the child, the more likely he/she will blame themselves for your unhappiness. It's important that you find a way to own your role. If staying home with your children makes you feel like you're not pulling your weight, you're wasting your degree, you're not really working, etc, then instead of finding another role for yourself, simply change your way of thinking and become the best stay-at-home mom you can be.
Where I am not against working mothers, it isn't where my passion is. I want to open the eyes of all the mothers out there who have chosen to stay home, and perhaps give them the validation they've been craving.
I am here to encourage you. You are doing a great work by staying home with your children. They may not thank you for it, but you will see the rewards as they grow. When a parent stays home to take care of kids and house, the home becomes a safe haven. Sometimes we mothers feel like just another fixture on the wall that everyone takes for granted. Everyone just assumes supper will be ready when they come to the table. Everyone simply expects clean underwear in their drawer, enough snacks in the cabinet, clean dishes. And, although you may smell like spit-up, can't remember your last shower, and fell asleep at the dinner table, let's be honest. Your husband simply expects you to be "in the mood" when you come to bed.
What if this wasn't the case? What if everyone in the house had to fend for themselves? Would your children rush through the door after school, talking, smiling, and looking forward to their afternoon if they had to forage and make their own snacks, wash the dishes, make supper, and do the laundry? Would your husband leave the office at 5:01 and hurry home with a smile on his face if he knew that there was no supper waiting on the table for him? That, no matter how tired he was, he'd have to wash, dry, and iron tomorrow's work clothes?
Sometimes this way of life is just the way it goes. I was very sick early in my marriage and there were times when Mark and the kids did have to "take over" the housework. They did it willingly and lovingly, but I always felt an undercurrent of stress wafting from them. I also saw how tired they became; how more arguments broke out, less meals took place around the table, how much less my husband smiled. They did not realize this. They were doing their best to take up the slack. When I was recovered and began to pick up my old responsibilities again, there was a noticeable shift in attitude throughout the house. It's as if everyone sighed with relief all at once. Again, they didn't seem to notice this. But I did. I may be invisible some of the time and taken for granted. But I'm necessary. Moms are necessary.
This is only one of many blogs to come on this subject. I welcome your input. Remember today to look at your role as one of importance and own it!
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The Fabulous Five
We strive to make memories that will always lead us into the Light
