Delusions of... Everything

The Detox Recap

The 21 day detox Handy Man and I have been participating in has now come to an end.  It was extremely successful for both of us but in much different ways.

You can read how it was successful for me here. 

Handy Man lost only a few pounds but that slight layer of fat on his abs is going away and he's gone down two belt holes.  He found out there are certain food combinations he cannot eat without emitting an odor that clears the room of other humans.  His chronic heartburn is almost completely gone.  He stopped sleeping with his c-pap machine (to stop snoring) and I have not noticed any snoring.  He has not had the same feeling of having a ton of energy that I have, but he also has not been falling asleep in the middle of the day either.

Before I started the detox, there were a few things I already knew about myself.  I have always been allergic to milk.  It was not a stomach type allergy either, but a head plugging, sneezing, sore throat reaction.  I already avoided milk and milk products as much as possible, but I wasn't really strict about it.  I also knew that enriched flour did not agree with me.  I had already mostly given up white pasta and most breads, but again I was not super strict about it.  I had a feeling that my morning coffee with sugared creamer was not really agreeing with me either.

So the detox was a great opportunity to really give up these things and see exactly how my body reacted.  As I said in a previous post, it's amazing that I could see such a change in such a short time.  I'm convinced I was poisoning my body with foods it didn't like and didn't handle well.  Never mind that I loved to eat them.  When these so called toxins were eliminated from my diet by body started healing, and quickly.  I was able to start losing weight, which had been virtually impossible before.  I lost a total of 14 pounds in the 21 days.

Here are a few simple things that I plan to continue doing to help keep my body cleansed:

• If there are ingredients in it that I cannot pronounce I'm not eating it.
• Drink a lot of water, my goal is 1/2 my body weight in ounces.
• One cup of Aloe Vera Juice a day.
• One meal in liquid form like a fruit/green smoothie for breakfast.
• Whole grains only, preferably sprouted.  No enriched flour, including wheat.
• Limit sugar, try for foods containing 5 grams or less of sugar per serving.
• Eat plenty of fresh greens everyday.
• Exercise 4 times a week.  This will be the hardest for me to do, I really don't like exercising.

This way of eating is by no means easy.  It takes planning, label reading and lots of pre-preparing to be successful.  But when I think back to how I felt a month ago, headaches, heart palpitations, lethargic, forgetful, stomach aches, gassy, chest pains, aching joints and just feeling overall sh***y, all the planning and label reading is so worth it.  I know there will be times when I will have to partake in non-detox friendly foods, but I refuse to let unhealthy eating become the norm for me again.

I plan to do a weekly blog post about how my progress is going and to share healthy recipes and tips along this journey of turning my diet and attitude around.

Half Way Through

It's the half way point of the 21 day detox I've been doing.  it's not a specific detox, but one that a friend's daughter, who is a massage therapist and student of nutrition, made up.  (I shared the specifics of the detox in this post, in case you want to read about it.)  There are a group of us doing it together and we keep in touch via Facebook.  We encourage each other, share recipes, ask questions and report on how our days are going.

I hate to be all "omg, I feel great", and "I have so much energy", but both those are true!  I'll try to be calm as I share the following observations with you.

• The body is an amazing thing.  That I can change my diet for 11 days and have a 180 degree turn from how I felt 12 days ago proves that.
• My joint aches are virtually gone as are the headaches.
• The knee pain I've had since I "sprained" it almost 3 months ago is gone.
• No more swollen hands and feet.
• My brain feels really sharp and I haven't been forgetting as much.
• The heart palpitations that have plagued me since I've been peri-menopausal are gone.
• I have so much energy that I've exercised 4 times this week and enjoyed tolerated it.  I'm not quite loving it yet.
• My head is no longer all plugged up.  I haven't woken up sneezing once this week.
• The sharp, gassy stomach pains I'd get daily are gone.
• *Gross Alert* I'm successfully pooping eliminating every darn day, sometimes twice.  When eating a lot of beets the daily elimination will be shocking until you realize all that red is from the beets!  TMI I know, but I felt the need to share.

There is no drug that could have taken away all the icky feeling symptoms I had and even if there was I doubt it would work so successfully in 11 days!

Metal Problems

I grew up taking the bus every where.  My mom did not have a drivers license and my dad rarely took us anywhere.  Here are some things I learned, during my formative years (from 1965 - 1977), taking public transportation in Seattle.

It is possible to throw up on the bus without making a mess, if your mom has a large plastic shopping bag.  It is, however, super gross to have to feel the squishy warmth pushed against you.

Homeless people (or "bums", as my mom called them) had metal problems, that's why they bumped into people when walking down the bus aisle, why they talked so loudly and why they stunk so badly.  Yes, metal.  That's what I thought my mom said for years, although I couldn't understand how metal caused those afflictions I stayed as far away from metal as I could just in case.

Some bus drivers are rally nice, some are really crabby.

Nuns wearing habits do not like being called penguins, even if a 5 year old thinks that's what they look like and loudly says so to her mom.

Some people like other people of the same sex.  I found that out around age 8 after watching two men make out on the bus, I mean seriously making out with tongues and everything.  I was so confused, yet amazed.  Much to my mom's mortification I couldn't stop staring.  I had so many questions that she refused to answer until we got home.  But... but... but.  Once off the bus she explained it all to me, told me it was called being gay, that her (and my) favorite cousin was gay.  "That's just the way some people are made", she told me.

A bus driver would stop the bus and make screaming people get off.  If they refused to disembark the vehicle the driver would call the police.

Some people didn't mind spanking or slapping their children on the bus while everyone quietly watched, but pretended not to.

It is possible to carry a Christmas tree home on the bus.

What's the strangest thing you've seen while taking public transportation?

 

The House Where I Grew Up

On Monday I went to my parents house to drop off a gift for my mom.  This is the house I grew up in, left at age 19 and never looked back.  The same house my parents have lived in for 46 years.  The house where improvements were only made out of necessity; installing a new furnace to keep warm; a sump pump to keep the basement dry; and a new roof so pans could be used for cooking instead of collecting water during the rainy season.

Yesterday, while visiting, I was looking around the house trying to find some connection.  What I saw instead was clutter beyond belief, not quite bad enough to be on Hoarders, but it's pretty close.  The clutter you see is organized.  It's neatly stacked on 6 and 8 foot tables, one of which is right in the middle of the already small living room.  The "stuff" is also stacked all along the walls in the dining area and kitchen.  A few months ago my mom told me they took down the dining room table because they never used it.  It's been replaced by an 8' table which has stuff stacked on top and underneath.

I used the bathroom while I was there.  The original linoleum is almost worn through to the subfloor.  The tub enclosure has many of the original square tiles missing and even more are cracked.  I can't see how they can use the shower without water leaking to the basement.  The sink doesn't work, there is a plastic tub in it to catch the water that is then dumped in the toilet.  I just used hand sanitizer that I carry with me.

As a bonus their 3 cats walk all over the counters in the kitchen... uh, yeah.  By the way the coutnters are pink, 1950's pink.  Before you get too excited and think, "how totally cool and retro that must be", it's so not.  In many places the Formica is broken and peeling away.

When I was about 10 years old the dishwasher broke down.  That was 38 years ago.  For a while my mom used it as a cupboard.  I think my dad finally took it out but it might still be there, I didn't go into the kitchen.  There is only so much I can take.

My dad has never wanted to spend money on the house unless it was necessary (read above).  Now that he's been retired for close to 20 years, there is no money for  improvements.  There is barely enough money for taxes and medical bills.

Sitting there looking around I realized I haven't had a connection to the house I grew up in since I left it, I also realized I have no connection to the lifestyle my parent lead and hopefully I never will.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Disbelief, Pain, Fear

Courage, Elation, Relief

Justice is Done

(Photo by Star Wars Son at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park)

Time, Art and a Sprain

 It's already Tuesday March 3!!  Time has flown by since the last time I caught up with all of you.  I went scrapbooking over the weekend and finished my Wine Weekend album!  I'm very happy with the way it turned out and wish I could show it to you.

Yesterday I went to my parents house right after work to deliver my mom her birthday present.  It was a heritage scrapbook of her parents from baby pictures to the point when they got married.  I also included some letters from her mom and her grandma.  Again I wish I could share it with all of you!

After delivering my mom's birthday gift I went to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends.  I saw all the work that her husband has been doing on the house, it looks amazing!  Then we went out to happy hour and spent the next couple of hours talking non-stop.  It was fantastic.  I didn't get home until it was almost my bed time.

It always amazes me how time gets away from me.  I will be catching up with all of you after work today!

All along one of the streets in our little town they put up banners of 11 youth's artwork.  One of the youths is Dancing Daughter.  Last weekend I was able to get a couple shots of her banner.  

Here is DD with her banner.

And here is a close up of the banner so you can better see the art.

She's pretty excited to have her art displayed!

All last week DD stayed at school until 6pm learning the Drill Team routine so she could try out for the team this week.  Unfortunately on Friday night she went bowling with friends, got a strike, jumped up in excitement and landed badly on her ankle! Now it's sprained and she is hobbling around.  Luckily they are going to let her try out without doing all the marching and other hard leg moves.  She will try out doing all the arm movements.  I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

Now time has gotten away from me again and I need to get ready to leave for work!  

Have a great day!

This and That Thursday

Stream of consciousness blogging this morning...

• This day was saved for the Sea World post... Yeah, I haven't edited those pictures yet.
• The sun has been shining in Seattle, hence the reason the photos are not edited.
• Thanks to the sun garlic, radishes, spinach, lettuce and beets are breaking through the soil of my garden!
• We've installed a water feature in the front yard, it looks amazing and I will be blogging about it soon.
• Looks like Star Wars Sun got a job at the Pike Place Market.  Hopefully he will still be working there this summer during Blog Fest West.  We can go harass say "Hi" to him.  Are you planning to attend Blog Fest West?!  You really should consider it!
• Dancing Daughter had a piece of her artwork selected to be put on a banner that will be displayed in our little town.  Here's the article on the B-Town Blog.  Yes, I will be taking pictures!
• Opening night of "Little Shop of Horrors" is tonight.  Dancing Daughter plays a Ronette in her school's Drama Club production.  I'm super excited, she's super stressed.
• I got out of bed at 10:00 last night when I heard DD crying in her room above ours.  I spent 30 minutes calming her down.  She is very stressed about the play, her math class that she fears she is failing, drill tryouts, the upcoming dance show...  I'm sure the list goes on to include stress over friends and boys but we didn't get that far, I was trying to calm her down.

Why is it not Friday?

Sometimes Tuesdays Are Good Days

Today has been great!

When I got dressed the morning I put on a pair of pants I haven't worn for a while and I found two $5 bills in the pocket!

Dancing Daughter was ready to go on time this morning so I wasn't late for work.

At work I happily helped a new employee use Excel.  I love Excel.  Excel is my office boyfriend.  Anytime I can share the Excel love I'm happy.  Yes, I know I'm weird.

Jean Auel's latest book, The Land of Painted Caves, came out today. After work I went to my local, small, new and used bookstore where I pre-ordered the book a few weeks ago.  I haven't decided if I'm taking it on vacation.  It's pretty large!

On the way to the bookstore I noticed a wine store is going in near the Trader Joe's in my neighborhood.  It's not open yet and there is no sign other than "coming soon" in the window.  It's called Decanter Wines.  I can't wait to check it out when it opens!

In the depths of my closet live my summer clothes, mostly consisting of short sleeves and capri pants.  I dug them out and was happy to find that everything from last summer still fits!  Makes packing for San Diego that much easier.

By some manner of pure luck (and Star Wars Son's amazing computer skills) I was able to snag two tickets to Eddie Vedder's upcoming solo tour!  They went on pre-sale today through the fan club.  He will be promoting his new album called Ukulele Songs, that will be coming out soon with a live concert film called Water On The Road.  Just like it sounds it's a whole album of songs played on the Ukulele.  He will be ending the short one month tour in Seattle, at Benaroya Hall on July 15.  To say I'm excited would be an understatement!  Here is a mightly fine picture of Eddie with his Uke!

How was your Tuesday?!

For those that are interested here is a photo montage of Eddie while his new single Longing To Belong plays

 

 

 

Wow

I bet your wondering where I've been the place couple weeks.  I already told you about my sprained knee, which is getting better, but on top of that I got sick and I'm not really sure how it happened.

During the last 4 years our family has gone through many changes... Buying a new house, moving, being broke, renting out a house we couldn't sell, being broke, remodelling the new house, being broke, being turned down for a refinance on the new house, losing my job, being even more broke, job searching for almost 5 months and being broke.  Through all of this stress Handy Man and I managed to stay fairly healthy.  Nothing more than sniffles and maybe some stomach issues, but generally we stayed healthy during a long stretch of heavy stress.

Now things are much better for us, if fact I would say we are very comfortable with where we are in our lives right now.  We are no longer stressed about mortgages, rentals, refinancing, etc.  We are planning a vacation in a couple weeks, we are in a great place.

So why then did Handy Man and I both end up getting the flu this year?  I haven't been this sick since I had the flu that turned into pneumonia when Dancing Daughter was 1, that was 15 years ago.  For a couple years after that I got both the flu and pneumonia shot, but haven't gotten either since.  I just don't get sick anymore.  I learned how to say no more often.  I learned to rest when I was tired.  I learned how to meditate and do things I love for enjoyment.

Not sure what happened this time.  All I can say is I find it amazing that we can go through 4 years of such heavy stress with no serious illness and during this time of prosperity we both get knocked on our asses.

Wow, just wow!

I'm going to work today, even though I want to rest some more.  I have no PTO time to spare, I was out 3 days last week and can't afford to miss more work.

It is really hard for me to listen to myself complain while the people in Japan are digging out from horrible devastation.  While concentrating on healing thoughts for myself, I'm sending out healing thoughts to the victims, families, rescue workers and leaders for a fast recovery. 

I'll Be Back...

I'm not disappearing from blogging again, however I have been taking a break from the computer at home.  

I strained my knee.  I have no idea how, except that I woke up Thursday morning and it was injured.  I don't remember having a crazy night of tossing, turning and knee straining, but who knows!

After sitting at a computer for most of the day at work it just hurts too much to sit at the computer at home.  Yesterday I didn't even check my home email!  If I had a laptop I could sit with my leg elevated with ice on my knee and blog my heart out, but I don't have a laptop so I can't.  Sad.

Yesterday at lunch I was able to log on to my Google Reader and get caught up on your posts, but I'm not sure if the network at work will allow me to got to your pages to comment.  We have a pretty strict computer policy, so I haven't tried yet.

Never fear I'll be back with more posts, photos and general nothingness soon enough.