Signing Off of my blog for awhile

I am going to stop writing my blog for awhile....not sure when I will return....I hope that you will friend me on facebook so I can still stay in touch .......I have some bloggers all ready as friends.....friend me........Ellen Gans........mention your blog name so I know who you are......miss you all and have enjoyed reading ALL of the blogs.......if you do not have facebook please start a page...it is fun...and informative....I have been on facebook longer then blogging and really enjoy that way of communication..........

Best wishes to all of you......

Time for What I learned today

When the dogs come running out of the house and you smell smoke, the pot of farro you left on the stove is probably burning and the fire alarm will go off shortly. Never go outside thinking you will remember to go back in the house and turn the stove off in 20 minutes. Lesson definitely learned

And it was my new wolfgang puck stainless steel 2 quart pan!

Fiddleheads and Ramps

I have been eating many more vegetables since I finished my detox. The variety of these delicious foods is astounding. I made a pledge to myself to try vegetables that have never passed my lips before. So while at the farmers market this Saturday I bought fiddleheads and ramps.

The vendors we kind enough to tell me how to prepare both. The ramps are wild leeks. Garlicky and with a strong onion flavor at the same time. The entire plant is edible. Bulb, stem and leaf. Great for salads, eggs, and fish dishes.

The fiddleheads taste like asparagus and can be grilled, sauteed, steamed and boiled. Delicious with oil and garlic, scrambled in eggs, or sauteed with roasted potatoes and bacon.

Both are only available in the early spring and provide enormous health benefits.

Jenny G and my nephew Eric were brave enough to try the ramps but I was the only one to eat the fiddleheads....to bad for the family that does not taste.....more for me!

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman is my new boyfriend. I saw his butt. And his muscles. I fell in lust.

Finally sleeping through the night

We finally figured out what was wrong with my Cavalier...Belvedere....to many heart medications were making him dehydrated, causing him to release kidney enzymes, which made him vomit.

The solution was so simple. We stopped giving him the water pill. He now sleeps through the night and so do I.

Hooray!!!!!!!!

Learned something new again

Underarmor shirts will retain the stinky sweat smell if you wash them in detergent and dry them using dryer sheets. The solution is to soak the garments in baking soda and water and dry without using dryer sheets. Thank you Underarmour.com for that tidbit of information.

The Detox

I did the 21 day detox that Robin Quivers from the Howard Stern show did "21 pounds in 21 Days"....is doing......I have to say, while it wasn't easy, I was able to follow the program and the benefits so far are good.....I have lost 18 pounds, my skin is radiant, softer....my head is clear.....no foggy brain...no need for coffee pick me up first thing in the morning or at 3pm. I am living on less calories, but still getting nutrition with the food I do eat and the powder drinks.... a green powder for all the veggie nutrients, and a berry powder for all the fruit nutrients I need, a protein powder for the days I do not eat animal protein. The powder drinks can be used forever to ensure I get the nutrients my body needs.

With the weight loss comes energy. With the energy comes activity. Activity leads to calories burned and STUFF getting accomplished. I have cleaned out every cupboard and closet in the house. The clutter hidden for years in those places is now going to be sold at a garage sale or given away to the Salvation Army. All of it is usable, except to me. The clutter was not used for years therefore I do not need or want it.

My workouts are easier. I sleep better. I am not looking for food at night, or snacks during the day. The program insists that some form of nutrients are consumed every two hours, along with 8oz of water and/or herbal tea. My understanding is eating every two hours helps keep hunger at bay and keeps the body metabolism burning. The powder drinks help prevent cravings too.

The program is expensive to do. The powder drinks are $25-$30 per drink, then there are enzymes, colon cleansing, liver cleanse, kidney cleanse items to buy. An enema bag, colonic ( which I did not do), dry brushing ( which I love), bathes with Epsom salts, baking soda, and either lavender or peppermint oil, and juicing with vegetables. If you do not own a juicer the book and author highly recommend purchasing one. That item is very expensive.

I joined an online support group to get through the 21 days of not eating solid food of any kind. The website and the other people that were detoxing were extremely helpful and great at giving advice and suggestions that worked for them. This may not be for everyone but it did work for me so far. I am finished with the detox part and today is my last day of the maintenance.

We shall see what the future brings and if I can continue with the eating pattern I have embraced. Eating as much RAW fresh veggies and fruits, less animal protein, no red meat, more herbal teas, and much smaller portions.

Not that this has happened to me....

DAy 21

Today is the last day of my detox program. I feel terrific, am 17 pounds lighter, and have a different approach to food that hopefully will last a long time. Throughout this detox I read and researched the need for food and how to look at it as fuel, change my eating behavior, and cooking techniques.

G man has benefited from this research and change all ready. I have been cooking with less oils, less amounts of food, and using better foods. More veggies, fruits, nuts, and whole grains. Less animal protein, mainly red meat, but more fish.

I have yet to eat all the goods foods. The detox program is 30 days....the first 21.... no solid foods are eaten....all nutrition comes from fruit and veggie powders. Herbal teas and distilled water are main sources of fluids. No protein at all, unless no weight loss is desired.

Several days in the beginning were awful, I experienced incredible muscle fatigue and general tiredness.....symptoms that alot of people doing this program felt....then I could feel myself gaining energy, noticed my skin changing for the better, and experienced an overall feeling of relaxation. Today I feel terrific, I have an abundance of energy and am looking forward to ending the program and eating solid foods. I have not had coffee or beer in 21 days...and really do not miss those drinks......

The downside to this program for me was not having the energy to workout......but I will begin again once I have some protein......oh I forgot to mention that the mental clarity I have is incredible I can not explain it really...it is just that I feel no more foggy brain. I feel focused and have the ability to see what I have to do.... rather then walking around looking at projects and wondering how I was going to accomplish them....

For me this program has worked.....it may not be for everyone...but I see the benefits and can call it a success.

Terri the Westie July 1991-April 9 2009

We had to put my sweet furry Westie to sleep last night...it broke my heart but had to be done. She stop eating her food 4 days ago, ate a little bit of burger for a day then stop eating and drinking all together. She was vomiting and urinating on herself too. I called the vet and he said it sounded like her kidneys were shutting down.

G man and I decided we had to prevent any more suffering. Like the vet said we can't get her into hospice care and make her comfortable till she goes on her own. So we did what no animal lover wants to do and had her put to sleep.

She was really my dog. We had a special bond. I understood her communication of barks and pawing, her running around when excited or wanting to play. She understood me. My moods and when I needed a snuggle partner. I'll miss her.

My only regret is that she died stinky and unbathed. I did not want to add to her stress by bathing her after she started vomiting and peeing on herself. She hated baths, terrified of them really. She would tremble and cry and really get stressed when ever I had to bathe her.

After we came home G man and I attempted to de stress in our own ways. I was sitting in my favorite chair thinking. My father in law, who passed away almost 4 years ago, popped into my head. He was wearing a very sharp looking blue suit. ( he always dressed nice) Next to him was my Terri ,my westie, clean and white and sleeping peacefully. He was petting her and with a big smile on his face. My dad ( he died almost 6 years ago) was there too with our other dog Twink ( she died 6 years ago). I know she will be happy where she is now.