Did you really think I would use a pic with poo?
“Can we leave, I have to poop?”
“Can you wait til we get home, or do you really have to go?”
“No. Gotta go.”
“Then, go!”
Returns to table… me, “Did you go?”
“Yes, but now Continue reading
“F#(% A Brownie!” Sorry, but, that was the initial, primal thought I had at 2:39 last night when all I wanted was a good night’s sleep! Nausea. Upset stomach. Pain. Hot and Cold Flashes. Explosive…. NOT a good night’s sleep. Damn my weak will power! I love brownies, but I hate can’t live with the way they make me feel. I know it’s not just the brownies, it’s the processed wheat flour in everything I ate yesterday.
So, why in the world did I eat it?? Well…. Continue reading
Growing up as an athlete, weight was not a problem… until my teen years. I stayed fit multiple ways; there was soccer, gymnastics, swimming, roller skating and ice skating, field hockey, tennis, weight training and the list goes on. As an adult, I controlled my weight by eating healthy, walking, weight training, waitressing, bartending, nursing, biking, swimming, pilates, yoga. I even taught pilates for a year when Drew Elizabeth was a baby. Best shape I’ve ever been in, and I was 35 and had 2 kids! I love pilates and thought I’d do it forever, but then I started my graduate program, and my exercise habits took a slow slide into the dumpster.
I was over 40 when my weight was creeping up, quickly, and I felt like a prisoner in my own body. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong… I gained 30 pounds in 8 months! It all started just after my brother’s wedding in April 2012. My goal has been to get back into that dress.
April 2012, 40 years old and feeling good (before the gain).
So, when I hopped on the scale at the Y in January, I thought it was broken. I know that sounds like a joke, but, I really did. I went to my friend’s house. I told her I needed to use her scale, because I didn’t own one and the one at the Y had to be broken. I came back down the stairs stunned.
The scale wasn’t broken.
I gained 30 pounds in 8 months! WTF! How the hell did that happen???
I had a plan. I joined the 3 month weight loss program at the Y. I went to cardio classes at 5:30am, which is almost impossible for me (Fibro is a chronic fatigue disorder), but I did it. I was doing weight training, I was walking. I was working out 6-7 times a week, even won highest attendance in that contest. I lost 4 pounds in 3 months… What?? That’s it!! 4 pounds! I have never had trouble losing weight. It’s never been easy, but I know how to get it done. Well, I thought I did. I was struggling.
Off to the doctors… primary doc, endocrine doc, neither of them thought there was a medical problem. Katie was just gaining weight, it happens when women turn 40. WHAT!?! NO! That was not acceptable. But, what was I to do. I kept struggling.
In March 2014, I was heavier than I had been when I was full term pregnant with either of my children. This couldn’t be happening. How was this happening. I was crying almost every day when I got dressed. I didn’t want to get dressed. I was so depressed and disappointed with myself.
I went to a friend’s 50th birthday party and a college roommate’s wedding that month. I was so very happy for them, and I hated how I felt inside and how I looked on the outside.
I hid. These are the only pictures I can find of me at that time.
Top right, February 2014, before I knew, I was swollen and inflamed. Left and bottom right are about 4 weeks into my purge. You can see my face is a bit less swollen. But, my stomach was so upset in both of these pictures. I can still remember, and it was almost 7 years ago.
I had an epiphany one day reading a Fibro blog, I clicked on a link to yeast allergy because I was somewhat familiar. I was worried I might have some of those symptoms. OMG… Did I have some of the symptoms??? I. Had. Every. One.
Let’s see if I can remember them all…
It. Sucked.
So, what to do? Fortunately, I’ve got this friend… Thank God I have all kinds of knowledgeable friends. Remember, Kathy, the allergy RN from my allergy posts? She got a text real quick… not only did she agree with me, she thought the same thing when she’d seen me the previous week.
So, how do I fix it?!?!? Avoid the following:
So, basically that leaves veggies and meats, with no marinade. I did come up with some good dinners like this one. This was actually last nights, and it was yummy.
Chicken with fresh lemon, garlic, salt, pepper, italian spices over baby spinach with peas and sweet potatoes. Now that I’ve changed, I think this is scrumptious. Actually, it was!!
I’ve learned more about cooking with dry spices, and now wouldn’t do anything else.
I’ve learned that I prefer to put my meat on a bed of greens, and don’t really need salad dressing if I have it that way. Good luck finding salad dressing without vinegar or soy. Soy is a huge inflammatory. I avoid it at all cost, along with the other inflammatory foods.
What I’ve learned in my research over the past few years is that inflammation is the root of most health issues, including obesity. Now that I know that, I look back at the struggles I had in my life with my weight, my fibro, my asthma, my skin, my irritable bowel, my anxiety, and it all makes so much sense. It was all because of food intolerances and gut imbalance that I knew nothing about. I know I’m not alone… look at the obesity epidemic in this society.
I encourage anyone that has weight challenges to learn about inflammation and leaky gut syndrome. Knowing this knowledge will change your world.
Besides diet changes, what should you do:
There wasn’t anything easy about it. I honestly didn’t think I’d see the day I got back into the dress I wore to my brother’s wedding. But I have, comfortably.
This was part of my journey that was and continues to be a real struggle. I wanted to share, because I think there are an awful lot of people out there going through what I went through. You don’t have to.
Of all the chapters I’ve lived, I must say, this was a really tough one. I have learned an awful lot from this part of my journey, and now I can share some pretty important health information with others.
I knew I needed to write this post when I first learned what was going on. I prayed my journey would have a happy ending. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I’m writing and telling you all about the successes. I hope it helps you!
January 2016, 44 years old, 50 pounds lighter than my max weight. BAM! HELL YEAH!
If you are like me, you are always looking for a healthy snack for the kids.
So, I’ve decided to post healthy snack ideas for us all to enjoy.
One of Joshua’s favorites is Pears with Cinnamon!
There is no secret to figuring this one out. Just cut up a pear, and sprinkle a little Cinnamon Sugar on it. (You can do the same thing with apples.)
Pears are not only a tasty snack, but great for overall health. Pears are a great source of fiber (6 gms), Vitamin C (7mg), Vitamin A (38 IU), and potassium (190 mg). The fiber is great for keeping the GI track and bowels moving. The Vitamins A & C are great for the immune system. These vitamins are also good for skin, eyes, bones, cardiovascular health, and preventing cancer. Potassium is good for many things, but most of all it is good for the heart! What is the benefit of the cinnamon? According to some sources, cinnamon may reduce inflammation, fight bacteria, and may be a good antioxidant as well. Most of us have discovered that cinnamon is also good for moving the bowels. 😉
Pears with a sprinkle of cinnamon are a great snack. Healthy and Tasty all in one!
So, the next time you are looking for a healthy snack for your kiddos, think about cutting up a pear and sprinkling a little cinnamon on it. You and the kids will be glad you did!
Hope you are enjoying the journey!
From infants to teenagers, constipation seems to be a problem for so many kids! I had a visit with a 9 year old and her mom about her stomach pain related to constipation problems. As soon as I left the room I realized that Dr. M was seeing a 2 month old for ongoing constipation issues. Then, at the end of the day, Dr. T’s first call of the evening came in before we ever left the office, and it was about a 3 month old with constipation problems. So, you see, this is a daily problem in pediatrics. Anyone that works in pediatrics will tell you that we talk about poop everyday, sometimes all day. Inadequate nutritional intake and hydration is usually the problem.
In my house, my kids are 2 for 2 on this topic. Drew Elizabeth has been as regular as clockwork until just a few months ago. I’m sure most of you remember my Paranoid Mom post about Drew Elizabeth’s chest pain. She has never had a problem in the past, but in the past few months she hasn’t been eating her veggies as she should, and as she used to for the past 5 years. Kids…I can’t always explain why they do the things they do… I usually have more problems with my own than with yours! 😉
My poor Joshua has had constipation problems since he was an infant. Joshua is the child that taught me all about children’s constipation. Well, Joshua and a PNP GI specialist ;-)! Joshua eats an apple almost everyday. He loves apple slices with cinnamon; I highly recommend this, it’s great for the bowels. Even with adequate fruits and veggies, Josh still doesn’t drink enough water (hence, the importance of hydration) to keep himself regular.
Most kids do not eat enough fruits and vegetables. For proper nutrition information, you can check out Let Them Eat Cake…For Breakfast?? Not only do most kids need to eat more fruits and veggies, they need to drink more water. Yes, I’ve tried to cover that too, you can read more about hydration in The Importance of Hydration. If adequate amounts of fiber and hydration don’t help your child with their constipation problems, I would recommend an evaluation with your child’s medical provider. Ongoing constipation can cause the large colon to expand and cause nerve damage and leaky gut and multiple other systemic problems that don’t even seem related to the bowels, but they are. Our immune system is centered in our gut, a healthy gut really matters.
By definition, constipation is having 3 or fewer bowel movements in a week that are hard, dry, and usually hurt.
A few facts about constipation:
So, what can you do to help your child with constipation?
Babies make the world a happier place
At 5:46am, I will have been riding this train called Parenthood for 10 years! Oh My, What a ride it has been so far… 😉 If anyone thinks it’s easy, I beg to differ!! I remember 10 years ago I started having contractions at the beginning of NYPD Blue. For those of you that remember, NYPD Blue was on Tuesday nights at 10, well, I contracted about every 8 -15 minutes throughout the show. I called my best friend, who was so excited. She was going to forget about her fear of blood (I’m talking pass out kind of fear 😉 ) to be there when this new little bundle was going to enter this world. My husband didn’t quite get this was the real deal, and thought he was going to take a Benadryl and go off to sleep. I had to explain that I thought it was going to be a long night, and Benadryl was not a good idea! Well, it wasn’t too long, I was having contractions every 2 minutes as we were on our way to the hospital at midnight. And, wouldn’t you know it, we pulled right up on a cop half way there. Morgan was so excited, he wanted to throw on the flashers, and speed past him. I dared him to pass. That was the last thing I wanted to deal with… This baby wasn’t coming quite that fast.
I wasn’t at the hospital for more than 4 hours, before my Joshua made his entrance, Thank GOD it was quick!! There are a few things that needed consideration during this birthing process….DRUGS!?!? I needed to decided if I wanted an epidural, or no epidural, this $#!+ hurt!!! I’m not going to bore you with all the details of my birth story, we each have our own….and, each is definitely a Rite of Passage!
Speaking of Epidurals… a topic for any of you still in the baby making phase of parenthood. I think women should decide if they want an epidural with no persuasion from husbands, mothers, in-laws, etc. This is a personal decision!! There is nothing wrong with having an epidural, each person tolerates pain differently, and has different philosophies about pain. If labor is long and difficult, an epidural can be quite beneficial for mom and baby. If mom is too stressed during labor, baby can be stressed during labor. One thing to remember is that it takes time for the epidural to wear off after the baby is born. If a woman is induced, she should consider that the contractions induced by Pitocen (the hormone used to stimulate uterine contractions) can cause some really powerful and painful contractions. Now, don’t get me wrong, contractions are a 15 on a pain scale of 1-10 with or without Pitocen, but with your body being forced into something it isn’t quite ready to do naturally, it just seems to make the contractions more forceful. I’ve had friends that have had babies and needed Pitocen, and had no epidural. My hats off… it is an amazing feat, just plain amazing! I had no Pit, and my contractions hurt like He!!, No ifs, ands, or buts about it…Any woman that gives birth and doesn’t have an epidural can tell you, CHILDBIRTH HURTS!
When to go without an epidural?? I went without an epidural because I was blessed with quick labors. Joshua was born 4 hours after I got to the hospital. This baby wasn’t waiting for the sun to come up or an epidural, he was in a hurry to get out and see what this world was all about. Believe me, I thought about it, I have some back problems that made things a little iffy, and helped make my decision. If labor is quick, then, my personal opinion is suck it up, and get it over with. The movie Fast and Furious was in theaters, that was what Joshua’s birth reminded me of… He was 3.5 weeks early, 6#4oz, and 21.75″long, born in less than 8 hours from my first contraction. 1.5 hours of that was pushing…ughhh!! All I could say, that was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life! At least that’s what I thought at the time, but the actual parenting thing is much harder! All that pushing causes the baby to spend longer in the birth canal, causing a nice little cone head… it usually returns to normal within 24-48 hrs. The little hats they have in the hospital are necessary to keep their body heat in because babies are learning to regulate their body temp, but the hats are perfect to cover up that little cone head until it is a little cuter. One of the best things in the world is the downy softness of a babies head! Enjoy it when you can, it only lasts a few months.
Aunt Shell made it and thought it was an amazing experience; and there actually wasn’t all that much blood…We love Aunt Shell, she’s tops! 🙂 Aunt Kathy also made it in time, and was the first to say It’s a Boy!! (yes, we impatiently waited to find out). She was also the first to notice that Joshua looked just like his Daddy! Well, I do love the daddy, so that’s ok, I guess!
Another question that comes with babies – Breastfeeding or Bottlefeeding. This too is a personal decision for parents, but I am going to have to say the decision does have to weigh Mom’s feelings the most. Breastfeeding takes dedication! It can be one of the most rewarding things you ever do (it was for me!), but for some women, it can be very difficult. Breastfeeding can provide so many benefits to a baby, such as: increased immunities through breastmilk, help with allergies, management of cholesterol later in life, help with lifelong management of a healthy weight, help decrease ear infections, more easily digested by immature GI system, and the bonding experience is priceless, and there are so many more…. Yes, I am an advocate for breastfeeding, I am also a lactation consultant. As a practitioner, I support whatever decision Mom makes, no questions asked! I have helped so many moms and babies through their breastfeeding difficulties. For the mom that is dedicated, breastfeeding can work out. There are some women that are not capable of producing an adequate milk supply for their child. This happens when women have insufficient glandular tissue for adequate lactation. This is real, I have friends that have had this grueling experience. I enjoy a blog by a female pediatrician that expresses the distress from a mother that was unable to produce an adequate supply for her child. Check out her struggles, at Confession of a Dr. Mom. The information I have read so far on her blog has been awesome!
My Joshua, in Gryffindor tie with wand in hand! LOVE HIM!!
My Boy has changed my world, he has taught me that there are rules to parenting that don’t always fit every kid. Just when you think you know what you’re doing, the kids forget to read the book and respond appropriately….ugh! So, Fast and Furious has been going on for about 10 years….and hopefully will continue for many, many, many more!
All I really wanted to say was Happy Birthday to my Joshua! The catalyst that started this unbelievable journey called parenthood!
I LOVE YOU JOSHIE!! 🙂
Two thumbs up for cake for breakfast!! I was lucky enough to spend the morning taste testing wedding cake with my brother and future sister-in-law, Yummmm!!! We laughed about having cake for breakfast. Sarah said, “this would be a good one for your blog”…I think she was right. The smart one was Sarah’s mom, who ate an egg before our mini cake marathon. Eggs are a great source of protein, so that was a good idea. So, when I thought about today’s daily dose of helpful hints, I figured I would write a bit about some nutrition basics.
So, is it really OK to eat cake for breakfast?? Not regularly, but I believe anything and everything is acceptable in moderation. Cake for a special occasion, birthday, or on vacation is no big deal no matter what time of day as long as we follow healthy eating habits and live a healthy lifestyle most of the time.
I usually let the kids go a little overboard when we are on vacation…why not, it is vacation. BTW-That’s how I get away with eating Key Lime pie for breakfast! Have you ever heard the song Kenny Chesney wrote about Key Lime Pie? Great song, it used to be the theme song in the Pilates class I taught. A little encouragement while we were exercising. 😉 My, My, My, Key Lime Pie…. (if you want to hear the song, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jle9Pe2NWFg)
So, now that I have you thinking about cake and pie (sorry), I’ll tell you about some Daily Nutrition Basics for everyone:
I tell my patients that they should follow these basic rules, everything else is alright in moderation. Living a healthy lifestyle consists of healthy eating habits, as well as staying active and getting regular exercise. Yes, it’s ok to have sweets, but not all the time.
I hope these basic rules will help you keep your family happy and healthy.
So, while you enjoy the journey…. Let them eat cake!!! 😉
Good morning everyone!
I had someone ask about the proper amount of fluids for a toddler. I thought others may have the same question, and a short blog is just the answer.
Toddlers will usually self-hydrate adequately if given proper nutrition and a sippy cup of water during the day. Toddlers usually need half of what school aged kids need, therefore approximately 40 oz/day. Juice intake should not be more than 4-6 oz/day. All juice should be 100% juice, with no sugar added. Juice can be diluted with water, so it can go twice as far. Dilute half water and half juice for a total intake of 8-12 oz of fluids. (I’m not going to address the recent issues with arsenic in juice, that’s for another day.)
Having fun coloring, and I have my sippy cup!!
Remember, proper nutrition is always key to good health. Adequate amounts of fruits during the day provide extra hydration. Toddlers should be getting 2-3 glasses of milk a day. Milk intake should not exceed 24oz/day to avoid absorption problems in the GI tract which can lead to anemia.
Dark and/or strong smelling urine, constipation, and dry skin can all be a signs of inadequate hydration.
I hope this helps you enjoy the journey!
Tonight’s dinner table conversation landed on the topic of how much water Joshua is NOT drinking during the day. Drew Elizabeth isn’t much better (but got a reprieve because she was at Bible study). When Joshua and Morgan asked me how much water he (Joshua) should be drinking. I told them that he should have at least 60-80 ounces every day. A surprised Josh said, “What? How is that even possible?” I took a deep breath…. Then, I told him if he actually drank the water bottle he kept on his desk at school, it wouldn’t be hard at all. I explained that if he drank one full water bottle at lunchtime, after morning recess and again at afternoon recess he would probably drink most of his daily requirement. I reminded him this would be the perfect time to have a big drink of water. After being outside playing for 15-20 minutes, there is no doubt he is thirsty. The rest of his fluids could be obtained through milk, lemonade, juice, fruits, etc. “Oh, yeah!?!” was his only response; translation to my ears, “YOU WIN, MOMMY!” 🙂
Encourage your children to drink water starting at a young age. School aged children should drink approximately 60-80 oz of fluid a day. Fluid intake can include any fluid that does NOT contain caffeine or carbonation.
Please give a sippy cup of water to your toddler. My children always had a sippy cup of water with them when they were little, even when they went to bed. Once they outgrow the sippy cup stage, get them their own water bottle. Kids love to have their own things, and a reusable water bottle is good for our planet!
Newborns should not have water. They need 100% of their intake to contain calories for proper growth and development. Children do not need extra water during the first few months of life, they get all they need from formula and/or breastmilk.
During the hot months of summer and during exercise, you need extra hydration. For every hour that you sweat, you should add 16oz to your daily intake.
In future posts I’ll address the importance of hydration for constipation, dry skin, allergies, headaches, and other health issues.
Thanks for enjoying the journey with me!
Health and Wellness w Katie 