… but the health food store sure can!

Tonight, I dropped the girls off at Tae Kwon Do and dashed over to the neighboring shopping center where there is a health food store. I am determined, one way or another, to reclaim my health and as we are just about a week before Ostara (and more importantly a few days ahead of Gamer Dude’s monthly check) it seemed a fitting time to start making some major changes in what I’m putting in my mouth each day.

I bought a bunch of supplements. Green tea and chromium to boost my metabolism from its present slow as a slug rate. I plan to (hopefully) be able to have the caffeine in the green tea replace my morning coffee (and the fat and chemicals it contains). An omega 3-6-9 supplement for heart health. Nature’s Plus – Animal Parade Kid Greenz since with my digestive issues (no gall bladder and bowel adhesions) often cause any intake in greens to cause an increase in pain.  And I finally broke down and spent the money on supplements I can found in my research several months ago (Nature’s Plus – Source Of Life Green/Red Bilayer Tabs) because they contain all kinds of trace levels of whole foods.

I also bought some fat free strained Greek yogurt (love this stuff!), local honey (to help the allergies), an acai-pomegranate-cranberry juice blend, and some whey protein powder.  The latter two will be used to make smoothies for breakfast every morning along with frozen and fresh fruit I have to buy tomorrow at my supermarket.  I also picked up raw almonds (a few a day for “good fat”), Guiltless Gourmet Blue Corn Organic Baked Tortilla Chips, and some ingredients for some dishes I’m making this coming weekend.

In other news, GamerDude and I are talking again about a home business idea we came up with 5 years ago and, right now, this is looking like not only do I have to get off my tail and start blogging more regularly here again, but I am going to have a whole new blog/website to get up and running too.  Thus, my motivation for jumping on the bandwagon with both feet and trying to get myself on the path to wellness.  On the bright side, this probably means I’ll be getting a new laptop sooner as opposed to later.

Finally, my thanks to those who took the time to leave kind words on my last post, or who have held me and my family in your thoughts. Words alone cannot express how much it means to me.  The wonderful thing about the Internet (as was summed up in a recent episode of House) is that no one ever has to be alone again.  All of you …  every day … keep me from feeling alone …. and I love and bless you for it.

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:diet, health, life, supplements

As usual, when I am feeling soul-sick, my blog posts dwindle down to the level of little to nothing. For that, I apologize. This is exacerbated by, as Lady Rose mentioned, the lack of a laptop which lessens the time I have to actually sit down and blog. Hopefully, in another couple of months this will be resolved (if nothing else I hope to be able to do it for my birthday in June)

Unfortunately, there are a number of other things that take precedence. There are the family issues to still resolve, the monthly medical bills (a total of 9 prescriptions (and counting) for 3 people, doctor visits, and therapy sessions), getting the taxes done, and hopefully getting a resume together at some point so I can look for a better job.

We first need to do some costly repairs on the car, we need to finally break down and purchase a second vehicle (so that I CAN actually look for another job), and we need to take care of some other impending expenses such as registering Princess Nature for summer camp.

In addition, I am still in the midst of playing catch up with my health. In addition to starting Prozac, I am now also on a cholesterol lowering drug. I went in for my eye exam (and am now the proud owner of a script for bifocals) and will be getting my eyeglasses in mid-April. My sleep study is set for the end of the month and I am trying to make peace with the knowledge that I may just wind up needing a bedside buddy (I think I’ll name him Henry). My follow-up appointment with my primary is on the 19th, where we’ll go over all of my lab results, talk about other aspects of my symptomology, and probably wind up with orders to see other Drs (i.e. a cardiologist). The gynecologist is on the list as well (though I am waiting to see if my labs still show me as non-menopausal in spite of a total hysterectomy and ovary removal).

Additionally, the girls need to get to the dentist (technically so do Gamer Dude and I as we haven’t been in YEARS) for their check-up and cleaning. And, we have to start the process of getting Miss Artistic evaluated for a breast reduction. Which, right now, we are hoping to do right after school lets out in June.

Speaking of the girls. Both Princess Nature and Miss Artistic have some kind of bug. It “feels” viral to me. Sore throat with no obvious signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus pockets), malaise, nausea, and a cough. No fevers, but still I am considering a trip to the pediatrician as it is the time of year for strep. The bulk of the weekend (so long as my Netflix shipment cooperates) will be spent watching Glee with one or both of them (in-between my usual marathon style cooking) while they rest and I force fluids into them.

In other news, I attended a wake last night for a friend of the family. “A” was one of my older cousin’s oldest friends. Since they grew up together and remained friends into adulthood, “A” was often in attendance at family functions over the years and while I didn’t know him well, or consider him a friend of my own, I still knew him my entire life. So, it was incredibly sad to hear that his car was struck on his evening commute by someone who ran a red light.

Beyond that I keep hearing this nagging thought in my head that reminds me of my own mortality. The voice that whispers that none of us know when the proverbial lightening bolt will fall from the sky bringing us to the end of this life. The voice that with increasing volume speaks to me not only of my regrets but of the realization that I have now been living with my life on hold for almost a decade, waiting for our life circumstances to allow me to be the person I want to be in full sight of the world.

Which brings me back full circle to one of the factors of my having been, to one degree or another, soul sick for the past too many years. Too much stress, too much heartache, too much hardship, with too little in my life to fill me back up. Hopefully getting myself back on track with my health will play a role in not only my feeling better physically but also in helping me have the energy to do the things that need to be done in order for me to reclaim the life I want to lead.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:depression, family, health, life, stress

Well, I finally made it in to the Dr today. I went without my check list of issues, but managed to remember most of them.

He is starting me on Prozac for my depression and is strongly recommending therapy.  I don’t have a problem with the idea of a therapist, it’s more the finding room in the budget to pay for it on top of other ongoing medication bills and frequent Dr co-pays I am already juggling.

He is ordering a sleep study, not only because I am having multiple issues with getting any significant amount of restful sleep but because Gamer Dude says that I choke and stop breathing in my sleep.

He is ordering a bunch of blood work (including hormone levels to check on my ovarian remnant situation and tests for rheumatoid arthritis because of the crunchy joints) and has me scheduled for a follow-up visit with him in 6 weeks to go over all results.

Additionally he gave me a muscle relaxant script for my all-too-frequent headaches that don’t respond to anything over-the-counter, told me that I have to get a handle on the stress because its starting to affect my blood pressure, and was very firm in stating that I am in no way to sign up for Tae Kwon Do at this point and simply work on using our Wii Fit to gradually work on getting in shape.

When I go back just before Ostara I will address the other issues that I forgot to mention today.

So I may have failed to honor Imbolc in a circle or with a coven but I did honor part of my goal for myself this year which is to reclaim my true self – my health, my spirituality, my dreams.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:anxiety, depression, health, pain, sleep disorder

As I am still down for the count with a nasty upper respiratory bug – one that includes a diagnosis of both a sinus infection and bronchitis (as well as a delightful fever) I thought I would post the recipe for something my late grandmother used to make for me when I was young.

1/2 cup fresh squeezed (and strained) lemon juice
1/2 cup honey
1 shot whiskey, brandy, honey liquor etc.

In a small saucepan heat honey and lemon juice together until it blends into an even syrup consistency.

Pour honey-lemon mixture into a heat proof mug.

Add 1 shot of liquor and stir well to incorporate.

Take by teaspoons as needed to soothe a painful sore throat and/or to control a dry cough.

Note: This is a family recipe and is posted for informational and entertainment purposes only. This is not intended to treat any particular illness. Please consult your own medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis and to determine the safety of this “home remedy” for your own situation.

Caution: Alcohol should not be used by children, pregnant women, or those for whom it may aggravate a chronic health condition.

Written by Mama KellyTags:cold, flu, health, illness, recipe

Well the bug that Princess Nature shook off for the most part after a day home from school resting has apparently taken up a nice cozy residence in my lungs. I was only able to make i through 5 hours at work as my voice gave out and all the talking for my telemarketing job kept triggering my cough.

In that spirit, this week’s Pagan Video Tuesday is a collection of videos that relate to making herbal remedies for colds and flu.

Stay well

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Care for some herbal cough syrup or garlic oil?

How about some Elderberry tincture?

How about making your own decongestant chest rub?

Written by Mama KellyTags:cold, flu, herbal, herbalism, medicine, pagan video tuesday, remedies

For those interested in getting involved in medicinal herbalism, chamomile makes a good first foray into the art.  It is readily available in any supermarket, has a long history of use, and has application for a wide range of conditions.  Additionally, it has an unoffensive apple aroma and a pleasant flavor and as a result makes a wonderful herb to use as a base when making an infusion that includes more potent herbs.

Chamomile can be used:

• to help alleviate nausea, including motion sickness
• to aid in relaxation before bed
• to help relieve cramps (stomach or menstrual)
• to ease the discomfort of arthritis
• to lessen the severity of a tension headache
• to soothe certain skin irritations  (as a paste)
• to add golden highlights to the hair (as a hair rinse)
• to ease discomfort related to colic or teething
• to lessen the severity of seasonal allergy symptoms

Additionally, chamomile can be used magically for purposes related to:

• healing magic
• love spells
• luck spells
• rites that invoke a Solar deity

Precautions:

• persons with allergies to ragweed may have a reaction to chamomile
• chamomile contains natural blood thinners and may be inappropriate for those with certain conditions or those taking certain medications

This was written as a compliment to a great new feature over at Clan of the Cats called Witchy Wednesday.  This new weekly feature includes sketches of one of my own favorite fictional witches, Chelsea (though after reading about her for like 9 years I feel like I know her), with a bit of comedic commentary about living a Pagan life.

Check it out!!!

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Sources:

http://www.gardensablaze.com/HerbChamomileMed.htm

http://www.altnature.com/gallery/chamomile.htm

http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail13.php

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-951-GERMAN+CHAMOMILE.aspx?activeIngredientId=951&activeIngredientName=GERMAN+CHAMOMILE&source=2

Note:  This article is for informative uses only and is not meant to be taken as specific medical advice.  As always, do not try to diagnose yourself, consult your physician or pharmacist before adding any supplement to your regimen, and be aware that any product is capable of producing an allergic reaction in some segment of the population.

Written by Mama KellyTags:healing, herbalism, herbs, magic

This started out as a comment over at Anne’s blog, The Gods are Bored and grew so long (and so snarky) that it deserved a post of its own.  Anne write about how in her opinion that Whole Foods CEO John Mackey is a moron par excellence.  I happen to agree. But, don’t take it from me, or Anne, read his words yourself.

“Most of the diseases that kill us and account for about 70% of all health-care spending—heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and obesity—are mostly preventable through proper diet, exercise, not smoking, minimal alcohol consumption and other healthy lifestyle choices.”

I understand now .. its suddenly clear … if only Id realized that I could’ve avoided all of my and my family’s health issues so easily. With diet, exercise and of course (I’m sure) shopping organically at Whole Foods.

My daughter doesn’t REALLY need medication for her depression.  My husband didn’t really NEED that spinal fusion surgery, he did that for fun.  Oh and I got BORED and decided that a hysterectomy would break up the monotony.  And I guess if we’d eaten more carrots that 3 of the 4 of us could’ve SKIPPED on needing eyeglasses.

If only I’d shopped at Whole Foods my placenta would’ve behaved and I wouldn’t have needed that emergency C-section I had with my youngest (and she wouldn’t have required that pesky NICU stay).  When my daughter fell off her scooter there wouldn’t have been a need for stitches – even though I could see bone – she would’ve healed up just fine.

And since I can trust in living to 90 or 100 I can always ignore the risks associated with my genetic condition neurofibromatosis. I can ignore routine checkups, colonoscopies, mammograms, blood work, and my kids’ immunizations.

I guess I’d never again have to worry about our allergies or my all too frequent upper respiratory infections and I can finally “just say no” to annual Pap smears – hooray!

But, the brilliance continues …

“Health care is a service that we all need, but just like food and shelter it is best provided through voluntary and mutually beneficial market exchanges. A careful reading of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will not reveal any intrinsic right to health care, food or shelter. That’s because there isn’t any. This “right” has never existed in America.”

Insofar as this lovely but of prose …. technically he’s right.

But, perhaps the fact that food shelter and health care are not guaranteed by the constitution (though one could argue that the right to them is implied by the right to “life”) is the root cause of many of societies ills – literally and figuratively.

In other words Mr. Mackey, that’s the problem.

We live in one of the wealthiest nations in the world and yet too many of our citizens lack a permanent, safe place to call home. Even among those who are lucky enough to have a home, many struggle to continue to pay ever increasing rent, mortgages, and property taxes. It’s hard to stay healthy when you have to constantly find a new shelter to sleep in or, even worse, have to sleep out in the elements.

We live in one of the wealthiest nations in the world and yet too many of our citizens cannot afford to eat sufficient, healthy, and regular meals. Even among those who are lucky enough to never go hungry still often find themselves struggling to find more room in their budgets as food costs continue to rise. It’s hard to stay healthy when you can’t afford to make the “right choices” at the supermarket.

We live in one of the wealthiest nations in the world and yet too many of our citizens lack health insurance. Even among those lucky enough to have health insurance, many struggle to be able to afford to keep it, never mind use it. It’s really hard to stay healthy when you skip on preventative care because you just don’t have the cash to afford to pay the doctor or to afford your copay.

In other words Mr. Mackey illustrates the stumbling block to Health Care Reform perfectly.

He simply doesn’t get it.

Even worse, he doesn’t even care to try.

And that is what makes him a moron.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:health care reform, national health insurance

The thing I am most grateful for this week is Lady Rose’s successful surgery.  Words cannot express how worried I was about her and how relieved I was to see her today.  I hope that her gastric bypass gives her what she wants most – more energy, less pain, and increased health – regardless of what the scale has read in the past and what it may read in the future.

The family and I drove over to her house bearing food for Teacher Man and Angel Girl.  I spent Saturday doing once-a-week cooking in an effort to keep down my supermarket costs this week as well as to give the family a break from the grilled food that has been our staple this summer.  The side benefit of my efforts was that I was able to, with just a little more money and effort cook a bit more than I needed and bring down enough food to keep them in dinners probably for most of the week.

We brought down macaroni & cheese with ham & peas, pasta sauce with sausage, an asian-inspired chicken meatloaf with an orange glaze, and some homemade potato-egg salad.  We also stopped on the way to pick up some edibles for Lady Rose herself – a bunch of calorie free beverages in a wide assortment of flavors and some sugar-free gelatin.

We only stayed about an hour … enough to reassure ourselves that our dear friend was well and sound and would be back to her usual self in no time.  The kids played around a little bit with Lady Rose’s new video game – Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince for the WII. It looks like a lot of fun and I can’t imagine a better diversion for my fellow Potterphile than to spend her recovery period wandering around the grounds of Hogwarts.  Before leaving we invited Angel Girl to spend a couple of days with us next week to give her a bit of a break from playing nursemaid.

Insofar as the rest of the details I will allow Lady Rose tell you herself over at her other blog, The Diet Pulpit.

In the meantime, I want to thank everyone who came by and left comments.  I want to thank everyone who lit candles, said prayers,  and held her in their thoughts.  I especially want to thank those of you who sent allies to her bedside, I told her to be on the lookout for them and believe that when complications arose leading to her being kept in a medication induced coma for 24 hours that they kept her safe.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:gastric bypass, health, surgery, weight

Good morning everyone,

I have finally completed all the hoops I had to jump through for the past six months in preparation for gastric bypass surgery, which is scheduled to tomorrow.  I will spend an overnight at the hospital and will be home by Friday afternoon.  Teacherman (hubby) has Mama Kelly’s phone and will give her a call with an update sometime in the late afternoon or early evening Thursday.

I have been blogging for a few years now about my diet up and downs over on my other blog Diet Pulpit.  I plan on continuing to updatie over the next four weeks during recovery and beyond on my progress.  I also plan to include more information on the whole process and preparation for the surgery, if any one is interested in finding out more about it.  

I have researched gastric bypass surgery for years and the surgeon I am going to is the best.  This decision was made after a lot of thought and soul searching and I know it is right for me.  It is not a magic bullet or quick fix – all the work that goes into losing a lot of weight (over 150 lbs) still has to be done by me.  Gastric bypass surgery is a tool that can help, but only if I put in the work required. 

My reason for deciding to have the surgery is to improve my heath.  Due to my congestive heart failure and rhumatoid arthritis since the age of 2 which casues a great deal of joint pain I have never been able to do much physically, which means I gain weight extremely quickly if I eat much over 800 calories a day.  Being over 150lbs overweight only makes these health conditions worse and can lead to even more health problems.  (Starting weight on doctor’s office scale 308 lbs, preop weight loss required – last weighin was this past Monday, 253 lbs, a totall of 55 lbs lost so far.)

I know some folks won’t understand and some even feel it is the easy way out.  All I can say to those people is they obviously do not have all the information about gastric bypass surgery, they don’t know me very well, and they are not in a position to make decisions for me or know my personal health issues and life experiences.

Most folks though have been very supportive and I truly appreciate their good throughts and positive energy.  Of course, family and friends have the usual concerns about surgery.  All surgery does have some risk, however, gastric bypass surgery is very safe.  Also the professional staff and surgical team that I am going to are extremely qualified, have over five years of experience and an excellant record. 

These past few months have been a whirlwind with all the preparations for surgery I had to do.  Work has been absolutely overwhelmingly hectic because I have had to train someone to do my job while I’m on sick leave for a month recovering while at the same time get the huge workload of stuff done that crosses my desk.  All this has totally consumed most of  my mental and emotional energy, leaving little left over for other things and unfortunately that included blogging.  However, I our readers here mean a lot to me and thank you all for your continued support of our blog.  I truly hope I can get back to blogging a bit more over the next few weeks once I recover a bit and hopefully life will be a bit calmer.

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:health, surgery, weight loss

Since the first green smooth adventure that I shared at Mama Kelly’s house a couple of weeks ago, I’ve tried a couple more combos on my own.

I finally got a ripe mango and tried it with parsley.  Unfortunately I added way to much parsley, so that was all I could taste.  I did drink about three-quarters of it – but it wasn’t really to my liking.

The next combination I made I really enjoyed – it was light, refreshing and very tasty.  I had gotten enough ingredients for a week so I brought one into work with me every day – it really helped me not miss having the usual 2 diet sodas a day at work that I’m trying to wean myself off of.

1 banana
1 serving  frozen peaches (no sugar added)
1 cucumber (skin and seeds removed)
2 oz reduced fat coconut milk
1 TBL of Aloe Vera juice
2 cups of water

I got the frozen peaches because they were on sale for a very good price.  The coconut milk and aloe vera juice are included to help heal gastritis I was recently diagnosed with – both are very healing and soothing for the stomach and overall good health.

Aloe vera juice has a very mild taste and is really more of a gel rather then a liquid.  The smell seemed kinda strong to me so I wasn’t sure how I would be able to handle the taste, but it is mild enough that I could definitely take it alone without a problem.

I am really enjoying my Blendtec Blender and can’t wait to try more green smoothie combinations.

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:green smoothies