Yasar and I want to have another baby.
I believe with all my heart that God has one for us, and is waiting for that right moment to bless us again. But I don't believe He's going to do His work when we expect it. So any traditional fertility treatments are probably not going to happen.
That being said...
Last week, my husband was at a business meeting with other professionals from different occupations. And the speaker was a local chiropractor.
Dr. Josh spent lots of time talking about so many different facets of health, and how they're all controlled by your spinal column.
Including fertility.
DingDingDing! Bells and whistles start going off in Yasar's head.
So I went to my first appointment Monday. They took x-rays (Aunt Flo had arrived that morning, before you ask), and later that evening I went back for the interpretation.
The verdict? In a nutshell, my spine's a mess. And Dr. Josh is going to fix me up, good as new.
Now, going to the chiropractor sucks. I hate the little zappy pads. Not too wild about the rolly table, either. Having the Doc sit on me? Uhhh, well, he's cute, so we'll let that go. Hearing my neck crack? Ugh! Sounds like popcorn in my head!
Will it help us have a baby? Hmmmm...
Also, as a side note, I looked back in my food diary from when we conceived Leila. And I'm trying to mimic that diet again. High fiber, normal fat intake of good, healthy fats. Low on the processed foods. Consequently, the buzz is this will also help Andrew's attention span and impulsive behavior. We're also going to take a stab at eliminating dairy from our diets. With homeschooling, we should be able to get a fairly full picture of the benefits of this new diet.
With us luck!
Showing posts with label Clean Eating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clean Eating. Show all posts
8.12.2009
8.21.2008
Italian Zucchini Stew
This is what we did to consume the abundance of yellow squash & zucchini going bad in the vegetable crisper drawer.
1 large yellow squash, peeled and diced - $0.33
1 large zucchini, diced - $0.33
1 large onion, diced - $0.25
2 chicken boullion cubes - $0.25
2 cups tap water - pennies
1 can italian stewed tomatoes - $0.50
TONS of good italian seasoning - $0.50
shredded parmesan, crusty bread, optional
Combine all ingredients in a good-sized pot. Cook until vegetables are tender. You could puree this, but I like mine chunky. Serve with parm and some crusty bread for a wholesome, frugal, and filling meal.
Serves about 6. Cost per serving $0.36.
1 large yellow squash, peeled and diced - $0.33
1 large zucchini, diced - $0.33
1 large onion, diced - $0.25
2 chicken boullion cubes - $0.25
2 cups tap water - pennies
1 can italian stewed tomatoes - $0.50
TONS of good italian seasoning - $0.50
shredded parmesan, crusty bread, optional
Combine all ingredients in a good-sized pot. Cook until vegetables are tender. You could puree this, but I like mine chunky. Serve with parm and some crusty bread for a wholesome, frugal, and filling meal.
Serves about 6. Cost per serving $0.36.
5.30.2008
Are You in the Zone?
After hearing me whine for a few weeks about being stressed and eating everything in sight, my buddy Ryan (the personal trainer, don't I complain to the right people?!?!) got me some Zone Diet paperwork and started coaching me on getting back into a healthy lifestyle. He hit me at just the right time, too. After inhaling a yummy taco salad and an order of fried ice cream (and don't forget the margarita...oh, I'm drooling right now!) for our anniversary dinner yesterday, I'm just feeling sluggish and loathesome, and prepared to reach out for a solution.
Today was D-day.
Okay, I'll be the first to tell you that the Zone Diet isn't easy. It's complicated, especially for a math-challenged individual such as yours truly. Much like Weight Watchers, you have a tendency to obsess over what to eat, what's it's value (blocks instead of points), plus the added bonus of having to eat carbs, proteins, and fats with every meal. Luckily, I'm one of those detail-oriented people who thrives on this type of thing.
So I've been calculated to have 12 blocks per day. That's broken down to 3 for breakfast, 2 for lunch, 2 for snack, 3 for dinner, and 2 for late snack. And, to make it even more confusing, those 3 blocks for breakfast is actually 3 protein, 3 fat, and 3 carbs. You see what I mean? And I'm not even talking about calculating block value of foods not included on their list (which is pretty short).
The good news? Eating clean for a few months is a great launch into Zoning. It's far easier to block clean foods than processed foods. And you get more volume eating clean.
So today was a good day. I have new incentive to NOT lick the pizza cutter at work (don't worry, guys, that's a figure of speech...though I'm guilty of picking off the errant topping from the cutter). And I've stuck to the plan as I understand it. I'm really looking forward to getting into "the Zone", which the website promises after the first week or so. But, at the same time, I'm a little apprehensive about what this is going to do to our grocery budget. There, again, Ryan manages to inspire me, the man eats everything out of a can...green beans, potatoes, tuna, and he makes it work!
So I'll get back with you in a week, to let you know if the renewed energy is fact or crap. You're also supposed to notice changes in your clothing within the first week. We'll see.
Today was D-day.
Okay, I'll be the first to tell you that the Zone Diet isn't easy. It's complicated, especially for a math-challenged individual such as yours truly. Much like Weight Watchers, you have a tendency to obsess over what to eat, what's it's value (blocks instead of points), plus the added bonus of having to eat carbs, proteins, and fats with every meal. Luckily, I'm one of those detail-oriented people who thrives on this type of thing.
So I've been calculated to have 12 blocks per day. That's broken down to 3 for breakfast, 2 for lunch, 2 for snack, 3 for dinner, and 2 for late snack. And, to make it even more confusing, those 3 blocks for breakfast is actually 3 protein, 3 fat, and 3 carbs. You see what I mean? And I'm not even talking about calculating block value of foods not included on their list (which is pretty short).
The good news? Eating clean for a few months is a great launch into Zoning. It's far easier to block clean foods than processed foods. And you get more volume eating clean.
So today was a good day. I have new incentive to NOT lick the pizza cutter at work (don't worry, guys, that's a figure of speech...though I'm guilty of picking off the errant topping from the cutter). And I've stuck to the plan as I understand it. I'm really looking forward to getting into "the Zone", which the website promises after the first week or so. But, at the same time, I'm a little apprehensive about what this is going to do to our grocery budget. There, again, Ryan manages to inspire me, the man eats everything out of a can...green beans, potatoes, tuna, and he makes it work!
So I'll get back with you in a week, to let you know if the renewed energy is fact or crap. You're also supposed to notice changes in your clothing within the first week. We'll see.
4.12.2008
Clean Crockpot Chicken Chili
1 Lb ground chicken breast ($3.99)
1 large onion, chopped ($0.50)
3 cloves garlic, minced ($0.25)
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed ($2.00)
2 cans chili beans in hot gravy ($2.00)
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained ($0.79)
1 cup TVP, reconstituted in 7/8 cup boiling water ($1.00)
2 packets chili seasoning, or chili powder/cumin/garlic salt to taste ($0.66)
1 Tbsp cornstarch, slurried in 1/4 cup water (pennies)
Brown ground chicken and onions in a saute pan. Add garlic and cook until garlic aroma gets strong. Throw into a crockpot with the next 5 ingredients. Cook for 2-3 hours on low setting. Turn heat to high. Add cornstarch slurry, cook and stir until thickened. Serve over baked potatoes or pasta, or eat as taco meat. Like all chilis, this is even better the next day.
Not sure on the servings, there always seems to be lots of leftovers. For price-per-serving's sake, I'll estimate it at 8 1-cup servings, and $1.87/serving. And you can always pad it with more tomatoes and beans.
1 large onion, chopped ($0.50)
3 cloves garlic, minced ($0.25)
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed ($2.00)
2 cans chili beans in hot gravy ($2.00)
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained ($0.79)
1 cup TVP, reconstituted in 7/8 cup boiling water ($1.00)
2 packets chili seasoning, or chili powder/cumin/garlic salt to taste ($0.66)
1 Tbsp cornstarch, slurried in 1/4 cup water (pennies)
Brown ground chicken and onions in a saute pan. Add garlic and cook until garlic aroma gets strong. Throw into a crockpot with the next 5 ingredients. Cook for 2-3 hours on low setting. Turn heat to high. Add cornstarch slurry, cook and stir until thickened. Serve over baked potatoes or pasta, or eat as taco meat. Like all chilis, this is even better the next day.
Not sure on the servings, there always seems to be lots of leftovers. For price-per-serving's sake, I'll estimate it at 8 1-cup servings, and $1.87/serving. And you can always pad it with more tomatoes and beans.
4.01.2008
Addressing the Waistline
My friend, Melissa, is one of the bravest people I know. I don't get to talk to her often, we live a few time zones apart, combined with me being an early bird and her an insomniac. But we burned some serious rollover minutes yesterday!
We were talking about how frustrating weight loss can be. And, after I got off the phone with her (and played with my attention-deprived son for an hour), I started rereading her blog (http://www.themacmommy.com/). Melissa, I am in awe that you're willing to put your weight, and struggles with it, out there for all to see! YGG!
So, in a show of sisterly solidarity, here goes....
This morning I weighed in at 210.4.
That's such a hard number to look at. This time last year, I had lost 30lbs and was hanging around 202ish. While I'm proud of myself for not regaining that much (I've been doing this Oprah yo-yo thing my whole life), I can't seem to make the weight drop.
Since the start of the new year, I've been more-or-less following the Eat Clean diet (http://www.eatcleandiet.com/). This diet is always expensive and often boring. Lean meats are the key, along with unrefined carbs and lots of veggies, salt-free, of course. Mmmm, spelt pasta. All the things this 3rd-generation-removed Amish girl ISN'T used to! Also, you eat around 300 calories worth of clean food every 2 1/2 to 3 hours, which worked really well controlling my unstable blood sugar.
Then, about 6 weeks ago, I started working out with a friend of mine, a certified personal trainer. And he started to debunk the Eating Clean "myth". Not the types of foods, but the amounts. According to Ryan, I should be eating 2500 cals/day, not the 1800ish I've been doing according to my fitday software (http://www.fitday.com/). Unfortunately, when I do it his way, I GAIN WEIGHT! (Don't take this personally, Ryan. You know I luv ya!)
And lo, here I be, hanging out in limbo. But with your help, gentle reader, the scale will start to reflect something more promising than the last few months. Please give me some words if inspiration, that I may use them to season my plain little chicken breast instead of the salt, pepper, butter, cheese, bacon fat, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, etc. that I'm missing!
We were talking about how frustrating weight loss can be. And, after I got off the phone with her (and played with my attention-deprived son for an hour), I started rereading her blog (http://www.themacmommy.com/). Melissa, I am in awe that you're willing to put your weight, and struggles with it, out there for all to see! YGG!
So, in a show of sisterly solidarity, here goes....
This morning I weighed in at 210.4.
That's such a hard number to look at. This time last year, I had lost 30lbs and was hanging around 202ish. While I'm proud of myself for not regaining that much (I've been doing this Oprah yo-yo thing my whole life), I can't seem to make the weight drop.
Since the start of the new year, I've been more-or-less following the Eat Clean diet (http://www.eatcleandiet.com/). This diet is always expensive and often boring. Lean meats are the key, along with unrefined carbs and lots of veggies, salt-free, of course. Mmmm, spelt pasta. All the things this 3rd-generation-removed Amish girl ISN'T used to! Also, you eat around 300 calories worth of clean food every 2 1/2 to 3 hours, which worked really well controlling my unstable blood sugar.
Then, about 6 weeks ago, I started working out with a friend of mine, a certified personal trainer. And he started to debunk the Eating Clean "myth". Not the types of foods, but the amounts. According to Ryan, I should be eating 2500 cals/day, not the 1800ish I've been doing according to my fitday software (http://www.fitday.com/). Unfortunately, when I do it his way, I GAIN WEIGHT! (Don't take this personally, Ryan. You know I luv ya!)
And lo, here I be, hanging out in limbo. But with your help, gentle reader, the scale will start to reflect something more promising than the last few months. Please give me some words if inspiration, that I may use them to season my plain little chicken breast instead of the salt, pepper, butter, cheese, bacon fat, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, etc. that I'm missing!
3.31.2008
The Best Laid Plans....
Well, so much for getting some gym-time this morning. Andrew was up at 3:30am, complaining of a tummyache. And do you think I have any medicine in the house for that? Noo-ooooo. Poor little guy, he didn't get much rest last night. Someone's due for a long, Long, LONG nap today.
Funny thing, this 24-hour Noggin network. Wonder why they bumped Oobi to 2am? Maybe too much attention from The Soup on E? (Damn you, Joel McHale! You're lucky you're so funny!) It's sad, how they manage to pervert a very cute show. But, I've got to say, they're on the mark with Hip Hop Harry. Stupid Scott makes me cringe!
Hmm, what's for breakfast? 6 egg whites and a piece of dry toast? Hold me back!
Funny thing, this 24-hour Noggin network. Wonder why they bumped Oobi to 2am? Maybe too much attention from The Soup on E? (Damn you, Joel McHale! You're lucky you're so funny!) It's sad, how they manage to pervert a very cute show. But, I've got to say, they're on the mark with Hip Hop Harry. Stupid Scott makes me cringe!
Hmm, what's for breakfast? 6 egg whites and a piece of dry toast? Hold me back!
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