A Gluten Free Dinner - Tilapia and Zucchini

Tilapia, Sushi Rice, and Zucchini with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Serves 2 (plus extra rice)
389 Calories per service

Sushi Rice (Village Harvest Koshihikari sushi rice) - Serving size is 1 Cup cooked rice

Rinse 1 cup dry rice and soak in 1 1/4 cup of cold water for 30 minutes.
Add 1/4 cup of chicken broth and some Mrs. Dash seasoning
Simmer for 20 minutes (adding liquid as needed)

Tilapia and Zucchini with Sun Dried Tomatoes - Serving size is half of the contents of the skillet

Heat 1 teaspoon of EVOO in a nonstick skillet.
Add 2 tilapia frozen filets (I use the Sams Club ones).
Cut 1 small zucchini in half lengthwise and then cut into 1" pieces and add to the skillet.
Add 2 tablespoons chopped garlic.
Toss in  1/4 cup of sun dried tomatoes.
Flip tilapia over after a minutes or two and season with Mrs. Dash.
Add 1/4 cup chicken broth and cover.
Cook 5 to 10 minutes based on thickness of fish (check for doneness).
Season with salt and pepper.

Hashimoto's and going Gluten Free

In March of 2012 I was in a car accident that caused me to my left wrist (my dominant hand).  I suffered a lot of pain, shock, panic attacks, and gained back all the weight I had lost in 2011 (25lbs).

 In May of 2012 I was diagnosed with low thyroid function by my GP.  My most obvious symptom was chronic exhaustion, but looking back I had dry skin, dandruff, trouble focusing, and (after reviewing medical records a year later) reduc.d vision.

I was getting married in October of 2012, but I kept gaining weight, no matter what I ate or did.  It was so frustrating.  By the time we got married I had gained 40 lbs from the time I bought my wedding dress in January.  I still get sad every time I think about it, because it barely fit and it wasnt nearly as perfect looking on my oversized body.  Thats what happens when you go from a size 8 to a size 12.

Picture 1 is the day I bought my dress in January 2012 and Picture 2 is my wedding day in October 2012

After working with my GP for a year, I still didn't' feel like myself.  I didn't feel like I needed 20 hours of sleep in a 24 hour day anymore, but I was still exhausted all the time and I was still gaining weight.  In March of 2013 I started seeing an Endocrinologist.  He ran some tests and did a sonogram of my thyroid and diagnosed me with Hashimoto's.  Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease in which your body attacks your thyroid, causing low thyroid function (although some Hashi's patients fluctuate from hypo to hyper).

I am now taking Levothyroxine at .150 micrograms 6 days a week.  I still have hypothyroid symptoms, but the Endo says my bloodwork is "in the normal range."

I have talked to a lot of people who have thyroid problems and many say that they never felt "right" even after years of medication.  I have talked to people who have weight problems all their lives.  I have read and read and read (I am a librarian after all) and I have learned alot, but mostly I have learned that thyroid patients are all different and Endos are all different, so it takes a lot of work to find the right lifestyle balance and a doctor that will work with you for optimal results.

My current doctor, Dr. Boehm, is not my ideal doctor.  I have seen him twice and I know I need to look for someone else to treat me.  I keep gaining weight and he refuses to discuss my weight, diet, and health with me.

Since my wedding in October I have gone up another clothing size and I now wear a size 14.  I am unhappy at my size and I have started using MyFitnessPal to watch my calories and try to lose weight.  I know it will be a struggle.

I have read that some Hashi's patients need to take in significantly fewer calories than the standard person working at weight loss and need to exercise 3 times as much for similar results as a non-Hashi's patient (like everything, some people disagree).  Lots of what I have read focuses on the importance of a gluten free diet for thyroid patients.

I started working towards a gluten free diet on May 28th and to date have only miss-stepped 3 times that I know of.  So far the hardest part has been the lack of cakes and cookies (which I don't need anyway, but I am addicted too) and easy to prepare meals without having to cook from scratch.  I did make a trip to Little Rock (45 min from my home) to shop at a health food store and I was able to pick up a few ready to eat items.

This is going to be an interesting journey...

Keeping Up with Social Media and Technology

I always say I am going to post a new blog, tweet a new  tweet, edit my website, etc and it rarely happens.

In today's digital world there are so many ways to participate and be active, but the more technologies  apps, etc that are launched, the harder it is to maintain your online presence.  There are plenty of tools out there that claim to make it easier....but they are just one more thing to remember.

Today I am working to update my website which is sad and pathetic because I probably last updated it a year ago. ...So today I am updating my personal website.

30 Days of Thanks: 2012 Edition

I noticed this year that a number of people were posting something they were thankful for during each day of the month of November in honor of Thanksgiving.  I really loved the idea of sharing what I was thankful for and having to really ponder my appreciation of things/people/etc.

I never have been good at keeping a journal.  I have started many journals over the years, only to forget about them after only one or two days.  This should be fairly obvious to those who might read this blog, as it has been several months since I have posted anything.  I love the idea of journaling, but boy am I forgetful!  Several times during this month I have found myself having to play "catch-up" for several days worth of Thanksgiving, simply because I haven't made time to do it on previous day or because I had forgotten.

Here is my 30 days of Thanks compiled:

Day 1: I am thankful for my parents and grandparents who are always there for me.
Day 2: I am thankful for my amazing husband who loves me regardless of my flaws
Day 3: I'm thankful for Novella and Faraday! Their unconditional love, puppy kisses, and cuddles are priceless!
Day 4: I am thankful of the warm fire that is keeping my toes warm tonight.
Day 5: thankful for my right to vote, even if most of the time I would rather write Novella in as a write in option!
Day 6: thankful for peanut butter choc. Chip cookies
Day 7: thankful to have found my calling as a librarian and my opportunity to do what I love!
Day 8: thankful for my home that I get to enjoy with my family
Day 9: thankful for heating pads and chocolate chip cookies!
Day 10: thankful for my education
Day 11: thankful for my friends, even thought don't get to spend as much time with them as I would like
Day 12: thankful for the ability to read because it gives me joy everyday!
**My forgetfulness shows itself here.  I ended up posting days 10,11, and 12 at the same time.
Day 13: thankful for technology that makes life convenient and entertaining ....(even though sometimes I think we rely on it too much).
Day 14: thankful for McDonald's sweet tea!
Day 15: Thankful for good food, the ability to eat it, and the ability to cook it.
Day 16: thankful for central heating tonight! So cold!! Brrrr.....
Day 17: evidently today is National Premature Baby Day. Since I was a preemie, weighing 2 lbs 11 oz when I was born, I am thankful to be alive and healthy!
Day 18: thankful for sleep when it comes
Day 19: thankful for my ability to learn and experience new things every day.
**There goes that forgetfulness again....I posted day 18 and 19 together
Day 20: Thankful for love, in all its forms
Day 21: Thankful for a handy husband!
Day 22: Thankful that my husband and I have good jobs, in an economy and geographic area where many do not
Day 23: Thankful for photographs that help me keep my memories alive
Day 24: Thankful for my ability and capability to help others
Day 25: Thankful for the joy that the winter holiday season brings
Day 26: Thankful for the access to information that helps me curb my appetite for knowledge
Day 27: Thankful that we live in a democracy,that while not perfect, is so much better than the environment of so many others around the world.
**Ouch!  I forgot for over a week!  Here is 8 days worth of thankfulness!
Day 28: Thankful for laughter
Day 29:Thankful for my sanity and patience (when I manage it)
Day 30: Thankful for days off work when I get them.  Time to relax is very necessary! 

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Ingredients: 

2lbs chicken - cut in small chunks

2 jars Alfredo sauce (I used Bertolli)

1lb penne (use corn penne for gluten free)

1/4 cup hidden valley ranch dressing

1 large bell pepper

1/2 large onion

3 Tbs chopped garlic

2 cups chopped tomatoes

1/2 jar of Buffalo sauce (I used Frank's)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 parmesan cheese

1/2 pkg of cream cheese

Pepper and salt to taste

Directions:

1.) Saute onion, bell pepper, garlic, and chicken in the olive oil.

2.) When chicken is cooked through boil pasta in separate pot.  

3.) While pasta is cooking, add alfredo sauce, cream cheese, and ranch dressing to chicken mixture and simmer.  Add pepper and salt to taste.

4.) When pasta is finished, drain and add to sauce mixture.

5.) Add buffalo sauce (I use 1/2 a jar, but you can use as little or as much as you like) and cook for 5 minutes.  

6.) Add the parmesan cheese before serving.

*Note: Our family loves this recipe for dinner!  The guys fight over the leftovers.  If needed you can cut this recipe in half, but it all gets eaten at our house!

The scariest nightmare ever

I woke up this morning like today was any other day.  About 7:00 am I took a shower and then lay down for a few minutes because I got too hot.

Not intending to, I fell asleep.  Only it was like no sleep I have ever had.

I dreamed.  No, not a normal dream.  No, not a happy dream.  I didn't even know I was asleep.  I guess I was in an odd in-between state, because for part of the time I was asleep I knew I was laying in bed.  What made this dream so different, so awful?

During my dream state, I thought I was awake.  However, what made this dream so frighting was that I couldnt move.  I thought I was awake and paralyzed.  In fact, during a portion of the dream (when I didnt know I was in my bed) I was in a crowded room with people I know and no one would help me.  I had no control over my limbs and I couldnt speak, but I could hear.

There is nothing scarier than thinking you are awake and thinking you cant move.  Towards the end of my dream-like state, I knew I was lying in my bed.  I knew I was in my house.  I still couldnt move or speak.

When I was finally able to realize I was awake and that I could move, it was almost too good to believe.  I truly believed that I couldnt move and that their was nothing I could do and no one to help me.

I had been in this state for over 3 hours.

Planning a Wedding: My Sanity Will Survive Pt 1

My current fiance proposed on Thanksgiving day in 2011 and we are getting married on October 6, 2012.  At the time of our wedding we will have been together for 3 years, been raising a teenager for a year, and been homeowners for a year and a half.  No one can say we are "starting our life together" in a "normal" fashion.

Valentine's Day 2010

I started my wedding planning early .... in January.  The first step I took in planning my big day (not including those bridal magazines) was to buy my dress.  I knew that my dress would set the tone of the day and it had to be perfect!  I think I tried on 50 different dresses at 3 different shops before I found the one!

Michael and I knew from the outset that we wanted our wedding to be outside.  Neither of us feel like the inside of a church is ever "pretty" and we felt that a garden wedding was more suitable to our personalities.  I  live in Arkansas, which is full of beautiful parks and nature and we live near Hot Springs, AR which is full of beautiful historic homes.  I never thought it would be hard to find a venue, but boy were our options limited!  Most of the outdoor venues in our area either did not have a backup location in case of rain or limited us to less than 20 guests!  Finally we found it, the Old Mill Wedding Chapel. The Old Mill had a beautiful garden area, an indoor chapel, and a great indoor reception hall that was pre-decorated and gorgeous!

Next: Vendor Options for the Big Day