It’s no secret we’ve spent the past week moving. With the stress of moving on a very small budget, we were fortunate enough that one of Jon’s friend’s from work was gracious enough to help us with the large things. Thankfully his three boys were eager to help as well. We wouldn’t have survived this move if it hadn’t been for those four boys. Of course, Texas is true to its hot nature, as it ranged between 102 and 105 degrees during the entire move. An overweight and out of shape Kristen made for a very grumpy and less than amused momma for four days. We started moving smaller things on Thursday between Jon and me with Hayden stumbling under our feet the entire time. Friday morning is a complete blur, as it was the hottest out of the four days we were hauling crap back and forth. Friday was also the day our gas service was supposed to be turned on at the new residence. Unfortunately this would be our luck that we would miss the “gas man” from Atmos in between trips back and forth. Saturday morning came just as quick. First item of business was to call and reschedule with the gas company to have someone come back out and turn on our gas. As our luck continues to go south, the representative told me that it wouldn’t be until Tuesday morning to dispatch a technician out to turn on our gas. Are you kidding me?!?!! *insert me cussing under my breath for the weekend and Monday’s holiday* so she was kind enough to give us the first appointment of the day for Tuesday morning. Back to moving all our crap. Sunday we finished moving everything and started the daunting process of unpacking everything in the new house. Monday we spent almost the entire day recovering and relaxing. Now I’ve been pretty sore after a good workout before but nothing to this extreme. Wowzers!!! I’m thankful Jon and I were both off from work all this time as we had no gas which meant no hot water which meant ice cold baths for us. Some continue to ask me, “Why didn’t you boil water?” Obvious answer, “Well considering we had no gas and we have a gas range, this would prove to be difficult!” Of course on the final two nights of no gas and no hot water, we got smart and “nuked” some water in the microwave. Just enough to take semi-luke-warm sponge/washcloth baths. Let’s just say Hayden still avoids bath time, even now that we have gas and nice hot water. LOL Poor guy is probably going to be traumatized from the frigid cold water of the bathtub. Now that we’re all settled in, boxes are unpacked – with the exception of a few in Hayden’s room storing useless toys he never plays with, it’s time I add my touch and make it a home.
On a super awesome note, this move helped me shed 10lbs. After seeing that number drop, it made me stop and think and research what I’m putting into my body as far as foods. I was flipping through a magazine (March 2010 issue of Parenting: Early Years) that I had stashed away for some strange reason. After reading it cover to cover twice, I’m glad I saved it because it has several articles and helpful tidbits of information that will be helpful and very beneficial to me. The article on page 94 “Absolutely happy!” really caught my attention. Especially the part on page 97 about the 4 SNEAKY WAIST INFLATORS. Wow! Looking back to my last series of labs my endocrinologist did, she told me my Cortisol was elevated. Not only does stress increase Cortisol, but so does lack of whole wheat. This would explain it!!! I’ve been under heavy stress with this move and financial woes. But also because I rarely eat whole grains. I had a big “ahh ha!!” moment. Also I’m vitamin D deficient so that also has a factor in my excessive weight gain along with the elevated Cortisol and stress. Bingo! I think my endocrinologist was under the influence of heavy narcotics or something when she diagnosed me with PCOS because I honestly don’t think that has anything to do with what’s wrong with me. It’s all stress and diet related. Why the crap didn’t I catch onto this sooner? With this said, I’m making some modifications and changes in my daily diet that not only will I benefit from greatly, but so will my family.
So see folks, it’s not always a bad thing to hang onto old magazines and be a packrat like I am. Just don’t become a hoarder!! LOL
Jon starts training the person that will take his position at the Hub, tomorrow. Then he’ll start MIT when he’s finished training that individual. After three months of MIT, hopefully a store will open up at a location he wants closer to home and he’ll take that store and become the store manager. It’s exciting because Jon so deserves this huge promotion. He’s never late to work, he’s never called in, never missed a single day out of the 57 days Hayden was hospitalized as a baby, he’s very dedicated to his job and often calls to check on how things are going on his days off and/or vacation. AutoZone is very fortunate to have him as an employee.
I know some of you have asked for our new address. I’m not going to post it here because this is a public blog. But I will send out a mass email and message on fb to make it easier for everyone. I still can’t believe its June 1st already. Halfway through 2011, just means we’re that much closer to Christmas. Eeek!!
Well that’s all I’ve got as far as an “update” for now. We’re without internet service, cable, and direct tv until we can get service setup and/or transferred so for now I’m biting my nails anxious until I have internet service again. If you need to get a hold of me, you can call or txt me on Jon’s cell which is with me while he’s at work in case there is any kind of emergency. (361-655-1714)
XOXO Love y’all!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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3 comments:
so glad yall are settled in and all that stress is over. omg yes we start to count down to christmas LOL ahhhhhh
From one health enthusiast to another, beware of the whole grains! They are actually quite bad for people, including those of us who do not have Celiac Disease. This is why:
A. Grains provoke an inflammatory response in the gut
Lectins are specialized proteins found in many plants and foods, but are found in high concentration in grains (particularly wheat), legumes (particularly soy), and dairy. The most commonly referenced grain lectin is called “gluten”, but there are many others which are found even in pseudo-grains like quinoa. Lectins serve many biological functions in animals, but foods with high concentrations of lectins are harmful even if consumed in moderate amounts.
Lectins are hardy proteins that do not break down easily, and are resistant to stomach acid and digestive enzymes. They migrate through your digestive tract largely intact, and disrupt the intestinal membrane, damaging cells and initiating a cascade of events leading to eventual cell death. (Translation: lectins destroy the cells that line your intestines, leading to small “microperforations” or tiny holes in your intestinal lining.) These holes allow intact or nearly intact proteins, bacteria and other foreign substances to cross into the bloodstream – where they do not belong. As the immune system notices foreign substances in the body, it responds and attacks. The immune response can manifest in an unlimited number of conditions (not just in the digestive tract!) commonly referred to as “auto-immune” in nature.
It’s important to note that these cautions are not just critical for those with a diagnosed Celiac condition. These negative downstream effects happen to everyone who eats grains, to various degrees.
B. Grains spike insulin levels
Grains pack a whopping amount of carbohydrates in a very small package. As most grains are also heavily processed (yes, even whole grains) they are broken down into blood sugar (glucose) in your body very quickly. A high amount of ingested carbohydrate broken down very fast leads to a spike in blood sugar. The body, demanding homeostasis, then releases a massive dose of a hormone called insulin to pull blood sugar levels back down. This is often referred to as an “insulin spike”.
When too much blood sugar is present in the system, your body quickly runs out of places to store it as useful energy, and will store any excess as body fat. In addition, when too much insulin is present in the system, the cells in your body become desensitized to the hormonal “message” insulin is trying to send. Since the message isn’t getting through, your pancreas is prompted to release even more insulin when your body doesn’t need it. Finally, chronically high insulin levels lead to a condition in which your body has trouble releasing the energy already stored in your cells. This is a bad place to be. If (via a diet high in carbohydrates) this pattern continues, insulin levels continue to rise, fat stores continue to grow and the body becomes completely incapable of responding to its own directions.
(continued)
C. Grains have an acidifying effect on the body
A net acid-producing diet promotes bone de-mineralization (i.e. osteopenia and osteoporosis), and systemic inflammation. Grains are one of the highest acid-producing food groups. By replacing grains and grain-containing processed foods with plenty of green vegetables and fruits, the body comes back into acid/base balance (and a more positive calcium balance). Recent research out of Tufts University has also shown that a more alkaline diet preserves muscle mass. We like muscle mass.
D. Grains are “empty calories”
All grains – things like oatmeal, pasta, breads and cereals – have two things in common. They are calorically dense, and nutritionally meager. A small portion of grains packs a whopping amount of calories, almost all in the form of carbohydrates. All those calories, however, contain a miserly amount of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (also called phytochemicals). Compare the calories, carbohydrates and vitamin profile of two large slices of whole grain bread (100 grams) to one cup of chopped, cooked broccoli (184 grams – nearly twice the mass). (Nutritional stats from NutritionData.com)
Note that I'm not saying there is nothing good to be found in grains. They do contain vitamins and minerals in various proportions and amounts. But the serious down sides of grains far outweigh any potential health benefits. Bottom line – there is NOTHING found in grains that you can’t get from a better source with NO down sides (like vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds).
Most of us have been raised to believe that whole grains are good for us. Yes, they are a better choice than consuming things made from bleached flour and the like, but there are even better choices that can be made.
Good luck in your pursuit of wellness.
Health and Strength,
Melissa
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