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Grilling Goodness – Take 17

Posted on June 13, 2009 9:16 am by TheAngelForever

1. What’s the heaviest thing in your purse? It depends on whether I have things in the diaper bag or my purse. Most of the time it would be my double pack of EpiPens just in case I need them thanks to my walnut allergy.

2. Do you mostly use cash or debit/credit cards? Hardly ever have cash on me. I need to make an effort to keep at least a few dollars for emergencies.

3. Do you cut your hair shorter in the summer or pull it up a lot? I just had my hair majorly chopped before going to Disney World. It is about shoulder length when it curls up. I can pull it back when it is really hot, but most of the time it is in a headband.

4. Do you like your man scruffy or clean shaven? Hubby knows that I am not into stubble or face fuzz.

5. What have your children done/said to embarrass you lately? Let’s just say it involved a certain kindergarten kid and inappropriate behaviors that resulted in a phone call home.

6. Do you use plug-in type air fresheners around the house? No, most make me sneeze.

7. Do you have any interest in the NBA or NHL finals? (Do you even know who’s competing?) No real care about the NBA. I have to admit I have hardly followed the NHL this season. Used to follow hockey a lot — before marriage and kids. Of course last night my philosophy was anyone except the Wings. Goes back to AHL days for the reason.

8. What is weighing heavily on your mind lately? Not sure what to do about 1st grade next year for kindergarten kid. Will be spending a lot of time this summer researching all of our options.

Head over to Golden Goodness to play along!

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Calcium, Vitamin D and Fish Oil . . . oh my!

Posted on June 12, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

In recent months, I have been trying to spend more time taking care of myself. Most of the time, this means working out either with EA Sports Active or Leslie Sansone. If you had asked me a few short months ago what I thought of exercise, I would have complained. Now I know that it makes me feel better. I have energy and love knowing that I did well when I am sweaty. Who knew that I would ever feel that way.

Another part of this was finally making an appointment for a physcial. It had been a LONG time since I had done this. I finally made the appointment and had the papers for blood work to do before seeing my doctor. She warned me that since I am still nursing JSL my numbers may be elevated in triglyceroids and cholesterol. I went the Saturday morning before my appointment early in the morning since I had to fast for the tests. In addition to the CBC, the doctor also wanted a lipid screen, A1C (my mother is diabetic), kidney function (I have gout), TSH (thyroid was enlarged when pregnant), and Vitamin D levels.

I went last week to see my doctor. My blood pressure was fabulous and she was happy to hear about my lifestyle changes. Of course, she was most thrilled that I had lost almost 30 pounds and was exercising regularly. The day I went I was quite sore after just starting EA Sports Active. The nurse went to track down my test results. As expected, my triglyceroids and cholesterol levels were slightly elevated. Most likely they are due to nursing. The part she was not happy with was the low good cholesterol number. In addition to that, my Vitamin D numbers showed that I have a major deficiency. This has become something that more doctors are looking into now with people using sun screen all the time and blocking the much needed Vitamin D into their body.

At the end of the appointment, I left with a list of vitamins to get and how much to take each day. Here is my new routine. Each morning, I take 3 Fish Oil capsules with Omega-3 Fatty Acids, 1 Calcium w/D, 4 Vitamin D, and a multi-vitamin. At dinner each night, I take 3 more Omega-3 Fatty Acids and another Calcium w/ D. For those keeping track, that is 13 vitamins each day. Below is a photo of my mini-pharmacy which also includes my inhaler and allergy pills that I take for a few more weeks (still boosting up my lungs after the allergic reaction to walnuts at Disney World).

In three months, I go back for a recheck on my lipid test along with the Vitamin D levels. With any luck, the combination should help get everything back on track. The best news is now that I know about the Vitamin D and work on it I may have more energy. I always assumed the exhaustion was from being an overtired Mommy. Sure, that may have been part of it, but my extremely low levels were a huge factor.

So my question for you this week:

Do you take vitamins daily? If so, what do you take and are you good about taking them regularly.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #52

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A Figment of my childhood imagination

Posted on June 2, 2009 9:42 am by TheAngelForever

While at Disney World a few weeks ago, memories from my childhood came flooding back. I recalled going on certain rides with my parents, eating at specific restaurants, shopping at many stores. Of course, these memories were more powerful since my parents joined us on our Disney adventure.

It was only fitting that Papa was with NHL the first time he went on the wild rides at Disney World. He went on the Tower of Terror with NHL and JL. I think Papa and NHL enjoyed the ride compared to my then green looking husband. Papa also went with NHL and I on Expedition Everest. As we were winding our way through the line to the coaster, Papa told NHL a story. The story was about my first time on Space Mountain (currently closed and being refurbished).

I believe i was also in kindergarten. We had gone to Disney World with some family friends. My father asked me to go on Space Mountain with him. As incentive he made a deal with me. He told me that if I went on Space Mountain I could have ANYTHING I wanted afterward.

Dangerous promise no?!

Well, I took the bait and went on the line with him. I still remember being spooked out by the movies that they showed on the line. Add to this the fact that I was by far the shortest and youngest person on the line. When we got on the ride and sat down to start I told my father something. I told him that I had to pee. His fatherly words still remain fresh in my head. He told me to pee since there was no going back.

My father said I was fine with the ride when I got off, that was until I saw my mother. I went crying to her arms. Then the conversation turned as we had to finalize my deal for the ride. I told my parents that I wanted a Figment stuffed toy. We eventually went back to EPCOT. My father tried to get me to pick the small Figment, but my mother reminded him that he had said I could pick anything. Boy was he lucky that I settled on the medium sized Figment, or they may have had a life sized one to haul on the airplane.

Figment still has a special place in my heart. When we went back to EPCOT this time I had to ride the Journey into Imagination and spend time looking at Figment merchandise. I opted to get myself a new Figment keychain.

In case you were wondering, this memory has taught me something as a parent as well. NEVER promise your child anything they want to pick out when orchestrating a bribe. Always be sure to set limits on items that may be purchased. After all, your child may not be as nice as I was about the terms of the agreement.

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Feeling the burn from EA Sports Active

Posted on May 31, 2009 3:45 pm by TheAngelForever

Last night JL and I finally took the plunge. My breathing was good enough from the new medicine, so we broke out the EA Sports Active for our Nintendo Wii. Both of us were quite intrigued since we have not heard a bad review for it yet. Before we left for Disney World we pre-ordered it and were surprised to find it had arrived at our house before the scheduled release date.

I was the one that "plugged" in, while JL worked out along side me. The workout for beginners was about 25 minutes long. It encorporated walking, running, toning along with the dreaded lunges and squats. What I really liked was that the "trainer" was personable and did not loop the same phrases like the WiiFit does. That looping of compliments and motivational phrases drove me bonkers with the WiiFit and quickly made me stop using it. The leg pouch fit nicely around my thigh and really seemed to register my movements with the Wii.

Half way through the work out I really was feeling my muscles burning. Of course, leave it to JL to mention that I also had sweat pouring down my back and face. Lovely, but I knew I was really getting a good workout. During the time it registered that I burned 153 calories and kept track on my journal for the goals. All I had to do was follow the easy instructions before each exercise and figure our where to wear/hold the WiiMote and nunchuk.

JL and I were so impressed that we went out to get another EA Sports Active accessory kit. This way we can both workout together while keeping track of things on the Wii. Of course, when we went out I was still feeling the burn. Walking and especially climbing strairs is tough today. The muscles in my upper thighs are feeling the pain today. Of course, I love this since I know it is a good type of burn from using the muscles and working them out. I would often feel this when I use the third mile of Leslie Sansone’s 5 Day Slim Down mile three that concentrated on legs with squats and lunges.

Another neat feature with the program is you can participate in the 30 day challenge. The first challenge just ended and a lot of the people did amazing. One participant included Alison Sweeney, the host of The Biggest Loser. She used the program to get back into shape after having her second child. Starting tomorrow there is a new June challenge. JL and I may try this since it looks like a great option. Of course, I still plan on wearing my pedometer and power walking with Leslie Sansone.

Happy exercing all!

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Grilling Goodness – Take 16

Posted on May 30, 2009 9:19 am by TheAngelForever

1. If you had 10 hours at home alone, what would you do? – What is time alone? I do not understand . . . seriously! IF I ever had that much time alone I would probably sleep some, knit, and work out. Basically do things that are hard to do with all three boys around.

2. Do you have a fond memory of your dad? – Yes, it has been especially fun watching my father as a grandfather. He is much more relaxed and really plays with the kids. He was great when I was growing up, but more stressed with work and everything.

3. Do you prefer the pool or the beach? – Pool all the way. Not into dealing with sand or that many hours in the sun with dirty water.

4. What’s the furthest you’ve driven for one day of fun? – One day? Hmmm. . . for one night I have traveled 4-5 hours for a hockey game. Of course, this was before being married and having kids.

5. Solid, clear solid, clear gel or aerosol? Deodorant of choice, that is. – Since they no longer make my clear semi-solid –> I am forced to go with clear gel that is unscented.

6. Do you tan or burn/peel? – Thanks to putting a ton of sun lotion on I try not to let my extremely light red headed skin burn.

7. What’s your favorite pasta-based meal? – Veggie lasagna with lots of vegetables in it. You know, so little pasta is actually involved.

8. Do you wax or pluck your eyebrows? – Just had my eyes waxed after a long hiatus (having kids with me all the time makes it tough). Please note I will never have them threaded again – OUCH!

Head over to Golden Goodness to play along!