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  • Worrying Never Helps

    Worrying Never Helps

    I had plans for a different post today.

    I was going to show you some of the fun decorating we’ve done in our house. Followed by some pictures of the furniture remodeling I have planned for this year.

    It was all going to come after I finished my morning plans. Take care of kids, start laundry, clean kitchen, take Prince L to the doctor.

    So I did all that. And after leaving the doctors, I spent my time researching, spending more time with my kids, and just worrying. Well, worrying doesn’t do anything productive, so I’ve finely decided to change my post today – since I haven’t taken any photos yet, and the day has gotten away from me.

    Our doctors visit was a routine well child check. Prince L is 9 months, and we’re in a new area, so I thought it best to get him in and check how he’s growing. He’s also had a cold, and some pretty terrible nights of screaming that have put me in tears myself. I wanted to have his ears checked as well, in case the cold had caused an ear infection.

    The good news – he doesn’t have an ear infection….yet. It’s close to becoming one, so I need to get him better before it goes there.

    The worrying news – he’s dropped significantly on the charts in his weight. In fact, thinking about it, I think he weighed the same today that he did at his 6month check. He was born in the 90th percentile, and had slowly come down to the 70th. Today however, he was down to the 5th-10th percentile. His height has continued to be consistent however (90th percentile…big kid). 

    I love our new doctor. He always has a smile, and completely listens to the 3 Princesses voice their concerns for little brother, and tell him all about their princess dolls, while at the same time actually doing his job of checking up the patient.  He reminds me of our very first family doctor – and yes, I did ask him if I could pack him up in a box and move him with us. I liked him that much.  So I am very happy to find another doctor that makes me feel secure in my children’s health.

    So the new course of action – Calorie Packing my little guy. I’ve had 3 kids who have all grown steady, and could follow what the books say on when to feed certain things. Prince L is going to be different. He’s going to get everything we eat, but in smaller bites, and sometimes mushed up with my baby food grinder.  I seriously love this thing by the way! All parents should have one.

    And the news kept coming…… Our previous doctor found the abnormality, during his 4 month visit – a concave chest (I’m refraining from pictures here, because it can be quite the shocker if you’ve never seen this). At the time, he wasn’t worried, but wanted to keep an eye on it. Well then we moved. Our new doctor has requested we get a chest X-ray done. He said it’s pretty normal to do, so he can see just how far in his chest goes, and whether it might be causing some of the weight problems. More than likely it’s not, but later on it could also cause some heart problems, so it will be nice to know the extent of his abnormality. I am worried though. I mean, have you ever tried to get a 9 month old to sit still? Not to mention I’ll probably have 2 of the other kids with us as well.

    But worrying really never helps. I just need to move into action. For the sake of my little boy, I can’t let the worry of what may happen, what the final outcome may be, cripple me from making the changes necessary for him.

    Did you all read my book review yesterday? The book is called Goodnight, Brian. It’s a very touching story of a little boy who isn’t thriving, and instead getting poisoned from the “special” formula he’s taking. It takes so long to find the problem, that the boy ends up severely disabled with a diagnosis of never being able to walk or talk. After reading that book, and then being given the news that my boy is not gaining weight, was a bit distressing to say the least. If I learned anything from the book though, it’s that love can conquer the impossible. I am now officially done worrying, and moving on to lots of loving!

    Worrying Never Helps. When your child is sick, worrying does nothing.

     

  • Eliminate the Snacking {80 bites Week 4}

    It’s week 4 with my 80 Bites diet plan. We’ve moved on from talking about Quantity to learning about Frequency.

    This last week has been more of a mental struggle for me. I love that I’m seeing results, and feeling better about my body, but I’m longing for snacks, and to not feel guilty whenever I eat something. I think my biggest problem right now is perhaps getting the right foods. Something I should probably take a closer look at, or at least at some vitamins to my diet.

    So back to Frequency.  According to the 80 Bites program, there is a very simple way to cut back the snacking between meals – just brush your teeth.

    Yep. Simple and easy really. You brush your teeth and you won’t want to put anything into your mouth and ruin that clean feeling.

    I was a little skeptical at first. The I decided to pay attention to my eating habits after brushing my teeth. I was pleasantly surprised. After brushing my teeth after breakfast, I don’t really snack during the mornings. Brushing my teeth after lunch though is more of a foreign concept to me. It’s definitely a good practice, but not one I’ve ever done. I’ve also noticed that most of my snacking, happens between lunch and dinner.

    So looks like I’ll be adding a good hygiene practice to my afternoons, in an effort to curb those snacking urges. To tell the truth, I’m excited. I don’t usually snack because I’m hungry, more because it’s “something to do” and “it looks good”.  I guess what I’m saying is I’m a boredom eater. I look to food to satisfy things other than actual hunger. Go ahead, tsk tsk me.

    In regards to last weeks lesson, I have slowed my eating considerably. No longer focused on that next bite.

     
    How’s it Going?
    How Many Bites did you take?90-100/day

    Feeling
    deprived?
    Starting to a little. Just in the amount that I eat, though.

    Weight at beginning of
    diet?
    165

    Weight today?
    161

    Are you still
    motivated?
    Yes. Not as much as I had been, but I think it’s just a phase. It’s that mental block I mentioned above.

  • Counting, but not Calories: The 80 Bites Diet

    Counting, but not Calories: The 80 Bites Diet

    So I finally did it, I decided to diet.

    I’ve never been a fan of dieting. Counting calories and giving up my favorite foods, just have not been things I wanted to do. So I didn’t. Well, I guess I did a couple years ago when I gave up sugar, but I found a lot of yummy sugar-free foods during that time too. I was asked to test out 80Bites, all opinions are my honest thoughts. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you click on and purchase from them.

    Trying to lose weight, but hate counting calories? Try the 80Bites diet. ad

    Anyways – back to this new diet I’m trying out. First off, why? Well because I really needed to lose some weight. Since Lincoln was born I haven’t done much to get back in shape. I had these grand plans of running and eating lots of veggies. The veggies have worked out great, but the running not so much. I find I don’t have a lot of time with 4 kids underfoot, and a husband whose schedule is ever changing.

    Basically, it didn’t matter how healthy I was eating at this point, I wasn’t losing any more weight. I hit a plateau, and it wasn’t changing anytime soon. So what happened next? I stopped eating healthy. I gave in to my sweet tooth. Exchanged water for more milk and juices. Went without some meals, in favor of quick and unhealthy snacking throughout the day.

    Something had to change!

    Then I found 80 Bites. Ha, that totally just sounded like an advertisement didn’t it…ok maybe it is…but really I did find it at the right time for me.

    So how does it work? Well, instead of counting calories, 80 Bites has you count the bites you take. Cool right? I mean, counting your bites is pretty easy. You don’t give up your favorite foods, you don’t change anything actually, except for how much you take in.

     
    I think we’ve all heard it before, but it really is about portion control. Too much of anything, including food, isn’t good for us. 
     
    I started this “Diet” at the beginning of the week. The program lasts 12 weeks and is separated into 4 themes. Each lasting 3 weeks – because as they say (who is they anyway?) it takes 21 days to create a habit.  Each week in the program new information is provided to you with tasks to complete. Week 1 is all about getting started and observing your regular eating patterns.
     
    I really love how simple 80 Bites is to follow. They don’t overwhelm you (a big turn off for me from other diet plans), and they keep it fun.
    The 80 Bites program was developed by Joan Breibart, creator of the first Pilates Certificate program (I LOVE PILATES!!!), and Meredith Luce, dietician for 30+ years!  If that doesn’t qualify for a great diet plan, I don’t know what does.
     
    Once you’ve joined the program, you’ll want to download the App.  The app helps keep track of how much you eat, plus it’s cute to boot! Is it weird I find a talking stomach cute? The program is 100% FREE! 
     
     

    Week 1 Take Aways from 80 Bites

     
    How Many Bites did I take?
    – Well, I’m still trying to remember to count my bites. It may take a bit, but I’m getting better at remembering.
     
    Do you feel deprived?
    – Nope. I’ve even enjoyed some brownies
     
    Weight at the beginning of the week?
    – 165 (that’s right I’m telling the world my weight!)
     
    Weight today?
    – 162 (note, these are my results only, everyone will be different. This includes a dose of exercise in addition to just observing what I eat.)
     
    Has it motivated you?
    – YES! On top of just being excited about this diet, I decided I really was going to start running again. So last night, I grabbed my 4-year-old, and we took a run after dinner. It felt so good, despite being a slow jog and the amazing back pain I woke up with. 
     


  • Guest Post – Relieving Back Pain

    As I settle into my ‘thirty somethings’, I’m noticing that things aren’t functioning the way they used to.  My stomach throws temper tantrum when I over-do it on the dairy, my eyesight is playing tricks on me, gravity is ‘shifting things’ to and fro…and my back…my back is killing me.

    There are many reasons that women suffer from back pain. Pregnancy, osteoporosis, onset arthritis, fibromyalgia, emotional stress (causing tension), large breasts…even the wrong bra…can all be responsible for the unbearable back pain that so many of us have been trying to ‘get used to’.  It’s awful, and often agonizing.
    I’m no Madeline Manning, but I’m still far too young, to feel this old. I don’t want to move like an old lady. Even when I’m an old lady, I don’t want to be moving like an old lady. So, as I do…I hit the books in search of potential solutions to my achy-breaky-back problems.
    First, above all, seek out advice from your health care practitioner. Your doctor will be able to first assess and diagnose your situation. Any medical will first want to rule out potential disease and/or injury before deciding the best approach to treatment.
    After seeking the advice from your doctor, here are some tips for keeping your back pain in check.
    Acupuncture
    This form of traditional Chinese medicine uses needles, inserted along specifically chosen pathways, to unblock energy.  This treatment is said to calm the nervous system and release natural pain relieving chemicals.

    Breathing techniques
    Many people underestimate the power of breathing to help improve health. In relation to back health, breathing techniques can help reduce pain, can have a significant improvement on stress-levels associated with dealing with pain and disability. 

    Vitamins and Minerals
    Eating well, and maintaining a healthy supply of vitamins and minerals…is a no brainer. These nutrients however, go the extra mile.
    – Vitamin D – Chronic muscle pain has been linked to deficiencies in Vitamin D. Dose up on your Vitamin D through healthy exposure to sunlight, or an affordable supplement found through your local drug or health store.

    – Vitamin B12 – This has been shown to help problems with lower back pain, reducing pain and disability. Vitamin B12 is found predominantly through meat, eggs and dairy. For those who are cutting down, or have completely eliminated meat products from their diets – Fear Not! Vitamin B 12 Supplements are also easily tracked down through local drugstores!
    – Magnesium – Tests have suggested this mineral has a dramatic effect on the pain experienced with chronic lower back pain. Consume more magnesium by taking supplements or by eating more green leafy vegetables, dairy products, fish, meat and nuts.

    Capsaicin Cream
    Capsaicin is  found in chili peppers.  Word on the street is that when the skin absorbs capsaicin, it has a pain relieving affect. The good news with capsaicin cream, is that it can be found in nearly local drug or health store, and doesn’t come with the questionable side effects of a pharmaceutical product. 

    Yoga
    Yoga has been all the rage for some time now…but this low impact form of exercise has significant bonuses to just ‘getting fit’. Yoga focuses on creating a sense of balance within your body by developing flexibility and strength. Yoga can reduce pain and decrease flexibility. Don’t be intimidated. Everyone who started, felt silly and inflexible. That’s the point. The point is to push your limits and get stronger! Beginner classes in your community will be easy to find.

    Krill Oil
    Krill is a tiny shrimp that lives in the cold ocean waters in Antarctica. While fish oil has been getting attention for some time now, not a lot of specific attention has been placed on Krill Oil even though it has quite the impressive resume. Studies have proven that krill oil will reduce inflammation, and, by association, a lot of the pain associated with arthritis.
    With such a high Omega 3 content, krill oil is also known to alleviate some of the symptoms attached to premenstrual syndrome, boost immunity and promote cellular health.

    Massage therapy
    Massage is a common remedy (and treat!) for achy backs. A good therapist will use techniques that reduce tension, alleviate pain and provide relief to anxiety and depression. Personally, I don’t think you should even wait for back pain to get yourself a massage. Chances are, even as you read this, it’s well deserved.

    So, those are a few ‘tricks of the trade’. Nothing fancy. But I hope next time I go to pick up my nephew, I’m not stuck moaning on the couch for days afterwards.  After all, I plan on teaching the little guy how to boogie when he grows up!

    *Sandra Goldstein has been working in the nutrition industry for a number of years and prides herself on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When Sandra is not down the gym she likes to watch TV on her couch and annoy her cat.
  • First Aid Kit

    First Aid Kit

    One thing every home needs is a first aid kit. How many times have you gone to grab a bandaid, only to find you used the last one, or you’re out of antibiotic creams?  I know it’s happened to me quite a bit. I suggest going through your first aid kit about once a month, and adding any items running low, or missing, to your shopping list. You don’t want to be stuck in an emergency situation and find yourself unprepared. 

    Home First Aid Kit

    Now where do you start when putting together a first aid kit? To get you started here is what I keep in ours:

    • – bandaids, different sizes
    • – gauze
    • – gauze tape
    • -antibiotic cream
    • – vaseline
    • – anti-itch cream
    • – thermometer
    • – tweezers (I still need to buy some new ones)
    • – small scissors
    • – cotton balls or swabs
    • – hand sanitizer
    • – any medications your family takes 

    The last one is where your First Aid kit will differ from others. We don’t have any regular meds to take, but I do like to keep ibuprofen and infants and children’s Pain Reliever in ours.

    Once you have all the items for your kit, you’ll want something to put it all in. I love my carrying case. It’s pretty similar to one my mom kept in our cupboard growing up – but until I found one for our family, I didn’t realize it’s meant to be a makeup box. That explains the mirror. Everything fits so nicely in it though!
     
    Home First Aid Kit
     
    What’s in YOUR First Aid Kit? Leave me a comment letting me know what I might be missing!