getting there ...

It has been three days on my new dose of thyroid medication.   I can't really tell a difference yet, but I know that I will get there.  It is hard when you are in this stage ... your tired and really just want to climb in the bed and under the covers.  But I push through it and try to keep moving.  I can function just as long as the numbers aren't running too high.

With having thyroid issues for over 22 yrs .. I have learned to take each day as it comes.  If it is a day that I have a lot of energy, then I try to get things done.  However, if it is one of those days where my energy level isn't really good .. then I do what I can.   I just wish I could learn to lose weight while having this issue.

It makes it harder because like right now, I am up about 10 pounds and no energy to do any exercises.   You go through a kind of depression so I tend to eat more and I want comfort food.  I also find myself eating out more because I dont' want to think about cooking supper. 

That is why I haven't been posting my menu for the week.  I just don't want to think about it ...  and then there is my house and cleaning.  NOT right now!!!   There again .. I do what I can .. the rest will wait on the better day. 

Tomorrow will be one day closer to feeling better .... until then!!!

Test results ....

Just like I thought .. my thyroid is not running where it is suppose to.   My numbers are running high, which means, I am hypothyroid.  Which explains so much .. that is why I am having problems with my energy level.   Also, my problem with swelling ... constipation ... weight gain and the list goes on and on. 

Mostly for me though is a form of depression.  Being in hypothyroid puts you into a weird funk.  I don't feel like doing anything ... my brain doesn't want to work or work at all.   And when it does work it puts you into a fog.  I hate this feeling ....

One good thing is .. the doctor has adjusted my medication and in a couple of days I will be back to normal.  I can't wait!!  I am so excited ....  I will feel like doing something ..

That is why I have been missing in action ... I have just not wanted to get on the computer .. little long post anything on my blog.  I will get back with .. please stay with me. 

My week ....

Where do I even begin?  So much going on ... just haven't had time to post on my blog. 

Went to the doctor today for my Thyroid check up and some other things that have been bothering me.  Of course, they could all be from my Thyroid not running right.  It will be a couple of days, before I find out the results from my blood work.  If my problems arent' from that .. well, this it could be something else.  I am sure that it will be my thyroid being out of wack. 

It is been 10 yrs this month, since I have my thyroid surgery and I found out that I had thyroid cancer.   It doesn't seem like it should be that long ago .. I remember it just like it was yesterday.  I am having a PET CT done in the next couple of weeks to make sure that everything checks out ok.  If this one comes back negative then my doctor said that will be it .. no more test.  WHOOO!! HOOO!!  That will be great!!  It will be nice to put it all behind me once and for all. 

The bad part about going to the doctor today, was I had to weigh in ... well it wasn't good.  I was up a couple of pounds since the last time I was there.   Of course, I am having a hard time this week with swelling.  I can barely get my rings off.  I know .. I know .. I need to be drinking MORE WATER!!  I can hear you telling me that now .. nothing I am not telling myself.  This could be a side effect of my thyroid not being right.  I will have to see in a couple of days ..but this weekend I am going to concentrate on WATER!!

I have a very busy weekend .. so I will be posting my usual next week.  I will also update you on my blood work when I hear from the doctor next week. 

Hope you and your family enjoy your weekend!!  Loving the weather that we are having ....

Monday ....

Today is Valentine's Day .. A day to tell someone in your life that you LOVE them; whether it be your spouse, kids, parents, siblings or a friend.  I think like a lot of other holidays this one is over commercialized.  I want my husband, kids & friends to tell me they love me, when they are not being forced on them.  I don't want flowers, candy or cards because they HAVE too, because everyone tells them too.  I want it because they are thinking of "ME". 
  
With all of that being said ... today isn't the perfect or not so perfect Valentine's Day.  I am sick with a touch of a stomach virus.  Big Bummer!!  I was sick last week, running a fever and a cold.  Of course, we don't do a lot things special on this day ..but I feel bad that I haven't even gotten my kids candy or going to be able to cook them a special dinner.  I guess I will have to make it up to them ....

While being sick .. I have had some time to think about things ... household stuff.  I don't think the new system that I have been working on is going to work out in my house.  Not saying it might not work in someone else home, but it just isn't a fit for mine.  That being said .. I am going to work on a new plan.  Kind of the same as the one I tried but just a little different.  I really want to get my kids helping me around the house and they want more and more things; therefore, they can do things to earn money. 

The system I was trying was one from the great books I read by the SLOB sisters.  Like I said before they have a great system, but it just wasn't working for me.  You use a file box with index cards.  You make a card for each and every chore done in the house.  From each day’s task to things that need to be done by the month and seasonal.  You also have a section for dates to remember and a section for addresses and phone numbers. 

Instead of doing the index cards, I am going to use the same kind of system and put it all into a notebook.  I think this will work much better for me.  I can still have the separate sections, but have a different sheet for jobs that have to be done weekly, monthly and seasonal.  This way when my husband or kids want to know what they can do to help they will know where to look.  I am thinking of hanging the weekly sheet on the fridge – each job can me marked off with the initials of the person who did the job. 

I will keep you all updated on the how the notebook is coming along and I promise I will share when I get it all done.  Hopefully this will help your family too ….

Haven’t thought too much today on my menu for the week … hopefully I will get it done by tomorrow. 

Hope you and your family have a “Great Valentine’s Day”!!!  Tell your family you love them!!!

Recipe Friday ....

Ok ..I just can't put into words how good this dessert is.  It is Heavenly.  I had it this past weekend at my aunt's house at their annual Low Country Boil.  It was amazing.  Hope you enjoy it!!


Blueberry Crunch

1 large can crushed Pineapple
2-1/2 cups Blueberries
1 cup Sugar
1 Yellow Cake Mix
1-1/2 cups melted Butter
1 cup Pecans, chopped
1/4 cup Sugar

Butter 13x9 inch baking dish.  Layer each ingredient in the order given and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes in center of oven.

Weight loss -- Wednesday

These 12 things could be hindering your weight loss journey.   These are very important things to make sure that we are doing what we need to be doing to lose weight and to make sure we don't sabotage ourselves. 

1 - Not exercising enough --  When exercising we have to make sure that we are doing exercises that burn the amount of calories that we are taking in during the day.  Best way to keep up with this is by keeping an exercise journal.  This way you can keep up with the duration of your exercise and keep up with the heart rate.  As they say on Biggest Loser - calories in - calories out!!

2 - Not enough sleep -- There are hormones that are released while we sleep and if we are not getting enough sleep then this could possibly affect the proper sequences of hormone release.  In turn, messing up our losing weight.   Researchers say between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.

3 - Too Stressed -- Well, this one could be me.  Who isn't stressed these days?  Many women, including myself, simply manage their feelings with food, eating mindlessly, because food is accessible and quick soothing resource.  So make sure you find something else to do when you are stressed, such as: take a walk, call a friend, read a good book or take a nice hot bath. 

4 - Skipping Meals -- This is definitely a no no.  I know that people think if you skip meals that you will be saving calories, but you are really hindering yourself.  Skipping meals can lead to overeating later in the day and cravings.  It can also cause our bodies to go into starvation mode and start storing fat.  We don't want this to happen.  They say it is best to eat small meals thought-out the day, every 2 to 3 hours to keep from getting hungry.

5 - Taking in Too Many Calories - - You may think that you have cut down on portions, but in reality you may not be.  Here are some examples:  3 oz of protein - deck of cards; 1 cup of rice or pasta - a baseball; an oz of cheese - 2 playing dice.  Keeping a journal would really help in this area.  There are countless website that will count calories for you. 

6 - Drinking too Many Calories --  I know this one all too well, but I really had an eye opener when I was doing the research for my list.  Did you know that a regular soda has 150 - 200 calories, no sugar fruit juice 180 or sweet tea has 150 calories?   Now that doesn't sound really bad.  Well, if you figure up if you drink 3 servings daily of one from the list that is 3500 calories a week.  THAT IS ALOT!!!  So, make sure you are drinking lots of water. 

7 - Too Lax about Diet and Exercise -- I wasn't too sure about this one until I did some reading.  Well, this could be true and I haven't really thought about this before.   Take for example - if you walk and burn 300 calories, but you go to McDonald's and eat a Big Mac with fries, you are defeating your purpose.  Just doesn't equal out.  We need to make sure that it is balancing out - calories in -- calories out!!

8 - Slipping on Weekends -- I just got through doing this one.  I dont' even want to admit what all I ate this past weekend.  I didn't even want to weigh in this week, because I know it will be a gain.   I read that it is better to increase your intake amount, example: instead of 1300 per day increase to 1600 and this will help balance everything out.  That would not of helped me this weekend.  I am just going to put it behind me and try to do better next time.  I think it would help if we planned better, especially when we know that we are going to be around lots of good food!!  Bring your own snack food. 

9 - You're Diet Impatient --  Well, hello, this one has my name all over it.  I want results .. NOW!!  I have to keep reminding myself that I didn't get heavy over night and taking it off isn't going to happen over night, either.  Even though I really want it to happen.  We need to realize that it takes time to see results.  The thing that will make it happen is being consistent in our calories in and calories out.  Stay focused and on track!!

10 --You Might Have a Medical Condition -- This could hinder your weight loss.  If you have decreased in mobility, it could cause you to eat more, because you are having to sit around.  Also, there are some medications that can cause weight gain.  Please check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any you are currently taken can be sabotaging your weight loss.  I know that having Thyroid conditions can also hinder you.  It can throw up road blocks, but like me, you can't use that as an excuse.  We just have to learn to go around that road block.

11 --You've Reached a Plateau -- This can be a hard one, but you just simply need to adjust your exercise.  Increase it some or just by switching it around can cause pounds to start coming back off.   It could be too that you have more muscle now and it will be a little harder to keep the pounds coming off. 

12 -- You Don't Need to Lose Anymore --  This might seem kind of strange, but it is true.  Your body could be telling you that you are the appropriate weight for your size and height.  If you keep trying to lose more weight than you could lose muscle and slow down your metabolism, because of extremely restrict meal plan to attain and maintain lower weight.  Really ask yourself if you just need to maintain. 

Weekly Menu

Here is my week's menu ...

Monday --  Italian Chicken Penne and Chicken & rice soup
(I made the soup for me .. feeling a little under the weather)

Tuesday --  BBQ pork chops, mashed pot.

Wed --  Homemade Chili (never made it last week)

Thurs --  Roasted Chicken

Friday --  Mexican night

Sat -- left overs

Sunday -- Spaghetti

Household Monday ....

Well, today is suppose to be household Monday .... all I can say is ""HEELLPPP!!"  I am covered up with work and my house is a mess.   If only I could snap my fingers or twinkle my nose and it all be done.  Now that would be nice.

I havent' had time to get my household schedule done .. I am still working on it.  Well, if I am totally honest .. it is sitting on the corner of my desk collecting dust.  I did get it started and I have worked on it .. but now it sits.   I am doing what has to be done at that moment .. until someone calls and needs something else done. 

I just can't let the minor set back send me into a tail spin.  I have been working too hard trying to get myself better organized so that this won't happen.

I just want to get my taxes done .. then that will be out of the way.  It is consuming me right now ...  So hopefully by next Monday I will have my act back together and have a better report on my getting myself organized.  I would say I should go and read the books again .. but heck, I don't have time to do that. 

until next week ....

My new look!!

I want to give a shoot out to Melanie at Elegant Custom Blog!!  She did a fabulous job on my new look!! I love it!!  Please give her a look if you are thinking about or wanting to make your blog look gorgeous.  She is so easy to work with and so fast.  Just simply amazaing ....

Thanks Melanie!!!

Honey-Herb Chicken

This is a wonderful recipe.  It is easy and taste really good.  You can also use this on a pork tenderloin .. it is yummy.  Serve with honey mustard and over some rice. 

1 cup of beer or ginger ale (you can actually leave it out all together)
1/2 cup prepared mustard
1/2 cup of honey
2 tbsp canola oil
2 tbsp onion powder
1-1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
chicken or pork tenderloin

In a small bowl, combine the first nine ingredients.  Pour 1 cup marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add meat.  Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for at least 1 hour.  Cover and refrigerate the remaining marinade for basting.  Drain and discard marinade.

There are a couple of ways that you can cook the chicken/pork.  You can cook on the grill, in a frying pan on the stove or in the oven.  I have done them all and they have turned out just great.  In the oven, cook on about 350 for 20 - 30 minutes, just depending on what kind of chicken.  Make sure however you cook your meat and whether it is chicken or pork, a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees. 

Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.   Serve with remaining marinade or honey mustard; both are extremely good. 




Honey Herbed Chicken w/ rice and honey mustard



Weight loss -- Wednesday

Last week I talked about the small changes that I am making to help me loss weight.  The number 1 thing I am changing is sitting at the table while I ate, a meal or a snack.  That is still going pretty good.  I have still caught myself several times standing while I was sneaking a snack or eating in the car, because I was on the run and didn't plan too well.  I am still working on this ... but I am doing better than before.

#2 - Drinking more WATER!!!  I have to be totally honest here.  I have a really hard time with this one.  I dont' like to drink water.  Not sure why ... I just don't like it.  For one thing, I dont' like walking around with a drink in my hand.  I don't really drink a lot.   Which brings me to my question.  How much water do we really need?  I have read different reports that we should drink 64 oz each day.  Then one report I read said we need to drink half of our body weight.  Ok .. that would be a really really lot of water.  I don't think I could find that much time in the day to drink all that water and then the time to spend in the restroom.   I asked my doctor one time about how much to drink and he told me that my body would tell me when it was thirsty and when it has had enough.  So, how much do we really need?  Will we ever know the true answer? 

I do have to brag on myself.  I use to be addicted to Dr. Pepper's.  Each day was different in how much I drank.  Some days I would only drink one, then some days I could drink as much as six cans.  I loved it!! I loved the taste.  I just decided one day to walk away.  I drank about 1/4 of the can and haven't picked up another can of Dr. Pepper.  I just wish someone would of told me what the withdrawals was going to be like.  Holy cow .. that was bad and I didn't pick the best time of the year to go cold turkey from caffeine.  It was the first week of school.  I think I had a headache for 2 weeks.   It has been almost 1 1/2 yrs since that day and I can honestly say I have not picked back up a Dr. Pepper and I don't want one.  (now to do that with food)

So, I keep telling myself that if I can walked away from Dr. Pepper's, I can drink water.  I just have to keep working on this ... I do drink unsweet tea, hot tea with honey and a little bit of coffee.  That is why this is a journey to losing weight .. one small step at a time. 

Do you drink water?  How do you find ways to drink water, by adding lemons, ice cold, etc?

Step 3 next week .... 

February Bible Reading

How did you do reading the Bible through January?  Dont' give up ... 

1  -  Exodus 1-4
2  -  Exodus 5-8
3  -  Exodus 9/11
4  -  Exodus 12-13
5  -  Exodus 14-15
6  -  Exodus 16-18
7  -  Exodus 19-21
8  -  Exodus 22-24
9  -  Exodus 25-27
10 - Exodus 28-29
11 - Exodus 30-31
12 - Exodus 32-34
13 - Exodus 35-36
14 - Exodus 37-38
15 - Exodus 39-40
16 - Leviticus 1:1-5:13
17 - Leviticus 5:14-7:38
18 - Leviticus 8-10
19 - Leviticus 11-12
20 - Leviticus 13-14
21 - Leviticus 15-17
22 - Leviticus 18-20
23 - Leviticus 21-23
24 - Leviticus 24-25
25 - Leviticus 26-27
26 - Numbers 1-2
27 - Numbers 3-4
28 - Numbers 5-6