Queen B

Archive for the ‘Healthy shmealthy’ Category

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Well then

In Healthy shmealthy on January 30, 2012 at 6:42 pm

So we haven’t eaten the ox tail yet. That is tonight’s dinner after running the kids hither and dither.

It still smells divine, but let me say this now; Ox tail is by far the most disgusting meat I have ever prepared. I think I would rather clean raw chicken with my teeth than have to separate ox tail meat from ox tail bone and fat again in my entire lifetime.

Dis.Gus.Ting.

That being said, I’m sure it will probably be the most delicious meal ever to pass my lips or something. You know, on account that I want to hate it to justify never making it again.

We shall see.

And since we’re on the subject of disgusting, I wanted to update on my Kombucha scoby. The update is that there is no update. It has totally stalled out. My little jellyfish got all white and there were new little jellyfish starting and it was getting foamy bubbles across the top…. and then nothing. I mean everything is still there: the white scoby start, the jelly fish things, the foamy bubbles. But the bubbles don’t seem to be increasing or spreading or connecting, the scoby isn’t getting bigger, and the new little jellies aren’t pulling their weight.

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Proof positive that nothing is happening.  Sorry for the very glare-y and grainy iPhone photo, but you get the gist, don’t you? Adding insult to injury, Tribe.net won’t let me on the Kombucha thread (the last time I checked) to try to get some answers from people who might know something.  It’s obvious that I know nothing, and I am at a loss as to what has gone wrong, or more importantly, what hasn’t gone right.

Curses!

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Kombucha

In Healthy shmealthy, Nothing to it but to do it on January 21, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Well, there hasn’t been much posting lately, mostly because we’re up to our eyeballs.

It’s high time we started again on the basement, and I wasn’t exactly taking no for an answer. To date, DH has built a new laundry room wall. He decided that it was wasted space having an extra wide walkway/hall. He was so right. It only adds a foot or less, but it will make a huge difference in the laundry room setup. The industrial laundry bin will turn sideways and the ironing board will gain its own space. Laundry is so exciting, I’m not going to waste your time by mapping it out any further.  Also, the laundry room is still ugly with a capital U.G.L.Y., so no pictures.

The biggest part is the door. We opted for a 36 inch white six-panel door to the laundry that will open out into the hall rather than into the room as it was previously set up. No more hitting hubby in the back with the door as he irons in the morning. No need to turn the laundry basket sideways to squeeze through the doorway!! That’s going to be the best. Even better than that?  This will mean the removal of the last black door in the basement.  White doors will reign supreme in the basement!  Woot!!

**For the record, there are still two black stained doors in the house – the door leading to the basement and the door leading to the garage.  All other interior doors upstairs are dark brown… for now.**

We also purchased cabinets from our local ReStore that we will be painting and repurposing as the base for our office space. The idea is to have a counter that wraps the entire room using cabinets above and below for storage and support and supplementing with open shelving as well. Between the major purging we’re doing to gear up for this portion of the remodel, and the increased amount of organized storage this should create, I’m hoping everything will finally have a place when we’re done.

Aside from all of that, I’ve also got my own personal side project going on.  I’m attempting to brew some of my own Kombucha for the first time!  If you follow me on Facebook you already know that of which I speak, because of the gross-to-you photos I post regularly showing the progress.  I don’t know why, but some people don’t have the same level of enthusiasm for slimy scoby as I do.  You know I love a good science project.

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If you really study the above photo you can see that in addition to the fact that what was once just a clear jelly fish looking blob has started to become a solid white colored mass (which is good, I swear), there are small clear (for now) blobs beginning to form on other parts of the surface of the tea.  Right now is one of those moments where I wish I could work photoshop well enough to very quickly and easily add arrows to the photo to point out the beginnings of scoby in that photo.  But I know it would be neither quick, nor easy, so you’ll just have to really look and figure it out.  There are white spots on the glass from dried drips (which I would totally scrub off, but this needs to be left undisturbed and not jostled, so it’s a no-go.  ie. deal with the damned drip marks in the photo), and then there are white-ish tan-ish looking blobs in the liquid.  THOSE are the new growths.  You should be able to find three in the photo.  And YES… it IS exciting stuff to me.  Just tea and sugar and some yeast create sunshine in a bottle?  Why not?!  And yes, I know I’m a complete dork.  Some people have normal hobbies.  I grow various types of edible yeast every winter.  Sue me.

Finally, I just wanted to let you know that I do use other types of the internets for those interested (as well as YOU, stupid loser stalker who thinks I don’t know you’re watching… news flash, I KNOW and I don’t give a shit what secrets you think you’ve unearthed by reading my blog because it’s PUBLIC, dummy).  Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.  Yep, I’m there.  Find and/or follow me at thetinytyrant.  That is all.

Love you (non-stupid loser stalkers)!

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A newbie

In Big time stuff, Healthy shmealthy, Punishment for what? on November 11, 2011 at 5:06 pm

I did it.

I pulled the trigger and got me a new rheumie.  The bottom line is that I feel like utter crap all of the time and I’m not even so good at hiding it anymore.  So I caved and I’m back in full Dr. mayhem again after a three year Dr. hiatus.  And really, I’m kinda/sorta excited about it.  Well, just a little.

The new guy scheduled my appointment less than a week from the day I phoned his office.  A week!!  That is unheard of in my world.  This has been a whirlwind week of planning, and scheduling, and researching, and making lists of symptoms, and trying to retrieve my old files from the previous rheumie (unsuccessfully, btw… good riddance you crappy old rheumie), getting the insurance on board and dotting all the I’s and crossing all the T’s to pull this off.

I went in hopeful but full of anxiety, and really I liked him very much.  He didn’t make me feel like my symptoms were psychosomatic, he didn’t dismiss anything I said to him, he let me rattle off my two pages of symptoms without making me feel like I was keeping him, he agreed to all of the many tests suggested by my nutritionist and didn’t even flinch when I said that I wasn’t really the medicating type, if it can be avoided.  I even told him that I drink Pond Water and he didn’t seem phased by it.

Here’s a fact:  Rheumatologists have very, very soft hands and a very light touch.  Even my old Dr. had that going for her.  He very gently looked at my joints and fingernails, put my arms through some movements that made me feel like I should be doing the wave or the robot with him, and then felt my spine and back and poked me in my sides in a few places to ask if it hurt (it didn’t).  There were some questions about family history which I only have 1/2 of, unfortunately, and took everything I said VERY SERIOUSLY.

Then he sent me for some additional bloodletting with a “don’t be alarmed at the number of vials” and a “see you in two weeks!” and “oh, here’s a sample of a topical that might help with the extreme pain in your neck.”

My favorite part?  He finished up with “We’ll have you feeling like a human again in no time.”

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Then someone told me there were 16 blood work orders, which is a two digit number, people.

THEN, I plumb lost my mind… on account that I was on the pokey end of that deal.  However, I didn’t cry, and I didn’t bite anyone (yes, I have…), and I lived to tell it, so apparently it all worked out.

The end.

PS.  I’ll let you know when I get my results, I think I’m gonna get some good stuff (info) out of this!

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So about those results

In Healthy shmealthy on November 2, 2011 at 10:31 pm

I didn’t say much, because I didn’t want to worry anyone unnecessarily, but there were a few small things from all that blood work that I need to work on.  And more importantly, that mammogram I had.

I had to go back for magnification views on some calcifications that the radiologist saw in the original views.  Luckily, they were able to determine that the calcifications were benign from the magnified views, and I didn’t have to endure any additional testing.  I had prepared myself for that, should the results have been different.  Needless to say, a weight has been lifted.  As in what feels like the weight of the world.

I’ve cleared my first hurdle.

I also have elevated cholesterol, an under active thyroid, and a mildly abnormal result from my cervical test.  I received each piece of news in a separate call from my physician’s office, and obviously it was upsetting.  Well, that might be putting it mildly.  The first call was upsetting.  The subsequent calls were more like being hit in the chest with a wrecking ball repeatedly.

At this point I’m done worrying and I have a plan that is already being put into motion (trust me when I say that it’s much easier to say that now that I’ve gotten past one major hurdle with my body intact and good news still ringing in my ears).  It will involve a great deal of change, some additional visits to the doctor, a fantastic nutritionist, a new rheumatologist (and determining whether he’s gonna be on board with my plans or not), lots of tests to learn lots of things about my body and its workings, and a boatload of reading and research (most of which I’m not even doing myself at this point because I have wonderful support).

I have faith that I will be coming out better on the other side.  Mostly because I can’t go on like I have been:  in constant pain, chronically exhausted, lethargic, depressed and occasionally hopeless, but also because I believe that it can be better if I’m committed.

I’m all in.

And also, there has been Halloween!  Another post, perhaps?

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The life cycle, Frank style

In Big time stuff, Healthy shmealthy on October 25, 2011 at 2:49 pm

The other day my daughter found a dead Robin (#1) in the back yard.  When dear husband went to “help it fly into the woods” the following morning, he found another dead bird (sparrow, he said, but he knows nothing of birds so in reality it could’ve been a wren or chickadee or a damned hawk for all I know) on the back patio.  Sad, for sure.  We wondered if any of the neighbors had recently spread insecticide or something because of a similar occurrence related to insecticide at the old house resulting in mass death of birds and frogs.  It was carnage and it still bothers me.

As a side note, my husband commented that birds do not launch into the woods quite as readily as small critters with fur.  Just so you know.

Yesterday as I was sitting quietly in the kitchen minding my own business, a Robin flew so hard into the glass door that I jumped and yelled “OH GOD!” thinking instantly that I had figured out what happened to the dead Robin (#1) and possibly the “sparrow” as well.  When I looked, the current Robin (#2) was sitting on my deck, right by the slider window looking extremely stunned.  I was shocked to even see it upright, the impact was so loud.  Then it opened it’s beak and started panting (which I’m pretty sure birds don’t actually do) and other things that I can’t repeat and certainly couldn’t watch.

I left the room for the bird to either recover or die, neither of which I could be a part of.  I certainly couldn’t sit and watch it die, if that was the direction things went (and it looked as if that was how it was going).  It made me cry.  I don’t think I’m so good with death.

After I cried it out,  I did one of those peek-between-your-fingers-type looks and I found that the bird hadn’t died.  It actually ended up shaking it off and flying away after about 45 minutes while the kids and I watched in amazement!  Go figure.

This morning I got up extra early for my blood work and mammogram.  I had to fast from last evening.  Not even a drop of water!!  I can’t tell you how many times I woke up with my entire mouth dry and stuck together, needing a drink of water last night.  I know it’s negligent to say that I am not entirely certain what all the blood was being tested for, but they took no less than 7 full test tube vials full.  It was a lot.  In fact, I don’t know that any testing has taken that much blood from me.  Not even all the zillion tests the rheumatologist ordered.  It was confirmed by the phlebotomist today that I have small veins.  Great.

One thing I asked for was the CA125.  I have a friend, you know.

Immediately following the blood-letting, I was led to radiology.  I had my very first ever mammogram during breast cancer awareness month, ironically.  No, I didn’t plan that.  Those images sure can look scary to the untrained eye when you’re standing there half naked and unsure.  The woman told me that she only needed four images, and then she took six with no explanation.  That didn’t help with the uneasiness, of course.  We shall see what comes of it when the Dr. give me a call.

The good news is that I get to make lots of new blood.  The bad news is no cookies.

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Not dead yet

In Big time stuff, Healthy shmealthy on October 21, 2011 at 2:36 pm

I made it through the dreaded Dr. appointment, and it didn’t kill me.  Surprisingly.  Of course, he ordered a bunch of tests that I’m not thrilled about, but only because I’m a big baby and I don’t like to give away any of my blood.  Unless it’s voluntarily, and even then only because I’m sick of that old blood and I’m in the mood to produce some new blood.  OR I see that if I do they’ll give me a cookie.  The LAB never offers me a cookie for my blood, in fact they don’t even graciously accept my compliment when I tell them that they are a good phlebotomist because their abuse on my veins didn’t even actually hurt that much.  Even though I insisted that a baby sized butterfly needle be used, and still appear pale and clammy from the procedure.  You’d think they could cut a sister a break and be gracious.

On Tuesday, I’m going to withhold my compliments (assuming that they don’t hurt me, of course) until they offer me a cookie.  We shall see who cracks first.

(Based upon the fact that they are testing my blood sugar, the odds are not in my favor.)

I’ve been absent, don’t you know?  Maybe it wasn’t even recognized.  I’ve been consumed by my other endeavors.  Some good, such as working on my photography skills (no examples as my practice subject matter is as exciting as photographs of my steering wheel and handicapped signs while my girl kicks a ball) and joining the gym (swimming A LOT), and some not so great such as my previously mentioned doctor appointment and mundane activities including mulching the leaves from the yard with the lawnmower, working, and cooking meals.  Is it me, or do the mundane take up an inordinate amount of time?  Life seems so lopsided sometimes.

With the frost last night, I can safely assume that the sun tea season is officially over.  It has been suggested that I purchase some of those special light-bulbs to combat S.A.D. sad as the dark season closes in.  So far that hasn’t happened, but I have not missed the clues.  I’m star gazing in the morning on my way to work rather than joyfully watching the sun rise.  Also, my right hand is cold all the time and without relief.  But, these things are all tolerable and I’m not sure a special light-bulb will matter.

In related news, my Rheumatologist is leaving the area.  I got a letter from her as I was walking out the door for my doctor appointment, remarkably.  That only means that if I decide to revisit all of that auto immune nonsense again it will be like starting over.  Which… ugh.

What’s that about a continued Dr. hiatus?  Why, yes, I don’t mind if I do.

We’ll let the phlebotomist and lab techs be the judge of that.  I better get a damned cookie.

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So here’s the thing

In Healthy shmealthy, Punishment for what?, Self-deprecating humor on October 11, 2011 at 3:39 pm

When you take a Dr. Hiatus, as I have done, the sad part is that eventually it has to come to an end.

Next week Wednesday I have an appointment to see my special lady doctor, and it’s been a long time.  Rumor has it I’m of the age I’ll be recommended to get a mammogram.

It has been so long now that I’ve kept my head in the sand, drinking my pond water and popping my vitamins, that I have to admit that I’ve got myself scared.  To see a Dr.

I’m experiencing major anxiety.  Like MAJOR.

I just had to get that off my chest.

***there is nothing “new” wrong with me, I have simply scheduled a long overdue checkup… so don’t anyone freak out, K?***

That is all.

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The Wagon

In Healthy shmealthy, Nothing to it but to do it on May 2, 2011 at 1:05 am

So maybe tomorrow I’ll try to get back on it.

On a different note, my boy arrived home safely from Washington DC tonight.  He was happily sleeping in his own bed before we heard the news about Osama Bin Laden’s death.  Not that he would be allowed to gather with the masses (since it was a closely guarded school trip), but what an electric experience it must be to be a part of what’s going on in DC right now.  Participating in the celebration would be so profoundly moving.  I almost wish he was there for one more day.

Well, not really, because I missed him SO MUCH.

By the way, I’m of course obsessively glued to the television and can’t get enough of the coverage, even though it is well past my bed time.  I don’t even care that CNN is repeating themselves just to stay on topic.  What amazing and unbelievable news.

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VS.

In Healthy shmealthy on April 3, 2011 at 5:50 pm

When I practice yoga at a yoga studio, I have the advantage of a trained instructor checking my form and helping me to adjust.  I have a friend with me for company and moral support.  I have the soothing sounds of whatever type of music it is that they play in that place.  I have all the necessities provided for me; mat, blocks, straps, blankets.  There’s lavender-scented eye pillows for Savasana and a neck pull, to boot.   There is hot tea.  There is the atmosphere.

When I practice yoga at home, I get to wear my favorite old hole riddled yoga pants.

It’s a toss-up.

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What a day

In Big time stuff, Healthy shmealthy, Punishment for what? on March 19, 2011 at 11:15 pm

It was a perfectly lovely day today, wasn’t it?

It made me think that I should run outdoors.  I have since decided that running = the perfect way to ruin my perception of a perfectly lovely day.

It did make it a tad easier to order a cheeseburger for dinner, though.

My daughter has been sick for a week and a day today.  First it was a fever, then coughing, and then vomiting.  Now we have a lingering cough with occasional vomiting induced by gagging due to the coughing.  It’s not been a lot of fun, in case you were wondering.

She is my main running partner, but coughing and running are not a good match so she rode her bike to keep me company.  It was really nice to have company, and in all honesty I probably would’ve quit running a million times if she hadn’t been circling me on her kick ass retro red bicycle.  At some point I reminded her that if I passed out in the road, she would need to fish my phone from the pocket of my windbreaker and call 911.  It was that bad.

I’ve decided that my poor eating habits are having a serious impact on my running.  And by that I mean a negative impact.

You’re welcome for the clarification!!!

I’m weighed down (in more ways than one), sluggish, and slow.  It makes it more painful, much more difficult, and less enjoyable.

I may have just had an epiphany, in case you didn’t notice.

Dammit.

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