by Todd Burpo.
This is the book I read for May, even though I actually read it in April...or was it March??? Doesn't matter....
I first heard about this book from one of my online friends and then one of my clients talked about it during her massage. She had recently lost her dog and it impacted her greatly and I could tell how much this book had helped her. I decided to go to Barnes and Noble after work to buy it.
I walked around Barnes and Noble looking for the book, having no idea what it looked like. I am so not the type to ask for help in a store and I was about to give up. But then I said a little prayer of, "God, if I am meant to read this book right now, show me where it is." I kid you not, I literally lifted up my face and it was right there. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I tend to think it was a little bigger that that. :)
This book was written by a father, who also happens to be a preacher. His son had a near-death experience and this book is about what the little boy revealed to his family about visiting Heaven. (I just got goosebumps when I typed that!).
I am not going to give any specifics here, because my client pretty much revealed the whole book to me during her massage. It didn't ruin the book for me by any means, but I definitely would have preferred not knowing all about it beforehand.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wherein I Make a Decision
So, as you know, I have wanted to be a doula for a long, long time. I have been debating for years now whether or not I should actually take the steps to become a certified doula (which is not required, by the way).
I have rolled this idea around in my head for so long that I almost couldn't distinguish between an actual desire to doula or just wanting to check something off of my list.
Although I am extremely passionate about natural pregnancy, labor and birth, at this time in my life I am not going to pursue a career as a doula (I am on a different path that is even more exciting!). I have many factors that helped me reach my decision, none of which are particularly insightful or interesting so I will spare the details.
That being said, I am opening my door to accept a handful of clients each year. I have the knowledge and practical skills and experience to help guide me, but I will also be extremely choosey in the people I will support because I have decided to provide this service free of charge. Yes, you read that right. Free.
Most doulas in this area charge $400-500 whether they hold a certification or not. Many women cannot afford that. There is no way I would have been able to hire a doula for Chloe's birth had she not been willing to do a partial trade with me. Because I am so passionate about unmedicated birth, I want to reach out to those women who want to do it, but need that extra support they may not be able to afford.
So, there you have it. If you (or someone you know!) has the desire to experience the power of birth, send me an email! katy526@gmail.com
I have rolled this idea around in my head for so long that I almost couldn't distinguish between an actual desire to doula or just wanting to check something off of my list.
Although I am extremely passionate about natural pregnancy, labor and birth, at this time in my life I am not going to pursue a career as a doula (I am on a different path that is even more exciting!). I have many factors that helped me reach my decision, none of which are particularly insightful or interesting so I will spare the details.
That being said, I am opening my door to accept a handful of clients each year. I have the knowledge and practical skills and experience to help guide me, but I will also be extremely choosey in the people I will support because I have decided to provide this service free of charge. Yes, you read that right. Free.
Most doulas in this area charge $400-500 whether they hold a certification or not. Many women cannot afford that. There is no way I would have been able to hire a doula for Chloe's birth had she not been willing to do a partial trade with me. Because I am so passionate about unmedicated birth, I want to reach out to those women who want to do it, but need that extra support they may not be able to afford.
So, there you have it. If you (or someone you know!) has the desire to experience the power of birth, send me an email! katy526@gmail.com
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Prayer Request
We received some very heartbreaking news this weekend. Ryan's Aunt Becky, who had been in remission from breast cancer for a year and a half, has found out she has Stage 4 liver, rib and lung cancer. Her bloodtests in January were fine so this is obviously an aggressive, fast moving cancer. Her biopsy is tomorrow but the prognosis is poor, regardless of type of cancer. Depending on type of cancer, they will either treat in an effort to prolong her life or treat to keep her as pain-free as possible.
This family is the same who lost Grandpa suddenly in November from a ruptured aneurysm, which is also the last time we saw Aunt Becky, as she lives in North Carolina. Rather than talk about how this will affect the family, I'd much rather tell you little bit about Becky and ask for your prayers for her and her family as they face the news.
First of all, Aunt Becky is probably my favorite in-law. I say that here because I know that no family members on that side of the family read this blog. She is such a genuinely nice person who is honestly interested in every single word you have to say. She is a very special person, who happens to give the tightest, longest hugs in the history of mankind. And to watch her love on my children, oh, there's just nothing better. She's the one who introduced me to "getting their sugar" by feasting on their little necks, which is one of our favorite things to do. I had never heard that term until Aunt Becky came to town.
Aunt Becky is in her forties with three children, Brandon, Lindsey and Nicholas. Lindsey had a birth injury which resulted in Cerebral Palsy. Lindsey is in her twenties now, is non-functioning and requires 24 hour care. Becky is the perfect mother for Lindsey and her challenges and needs. She has devoted her life to her family and has taken a backseat to everybody without complaint. She only started working outside of the home about five years ago.
Aunt Becky, Grandma, and now my Mother-in-Law (Terry) are going on a cruise the first week of May. Originally, it was just going to be Grandma and Becky to celebrate Becky's remission but with the recent development, Terry will be joining them. Becky's oncologist advised Becky to go on the cruise, which to me was very telling of the prognosis.
I am heartbroken for the entire family, in many ways Becky is the breath of fresh air that everyone on that side of the family needs. She's the one who always thinks positively, whereas everyone else can have Doom & Gloom personalities. I am heartbroken for Becky, as a mom I just don't know how you prepare to say goodbye to your children who are so young still. I am heartbroken for Grandma and Terry who have suffered so much since Grandpa died. I'm not sure Grandma will be able to function with this stress as she has many health issues herself.
I would ask you to cover this family in prayers, they all need strength and comfort in the following days, weeks, or months. Please also pray for all of us who will have to make the horribly painful goodbye phone call. Pray that we will find the words we need to say and that they will bring Becky comfort and peace.
This family is the same who lost Grandpa suddenly in November from a ruptured aneurysm, which is also the last time we saw Aunt Becky, as she lives in North Carolina. Rather than talk about how this will affect the family, I'd much rather tell you little bit about Becky and ask for your prayers for her and her family as they face the news.
First of all, Aunt Becky is probably my favorite in-law. I say that here because I know that no family members on that side of the family read this blog. She is such a genuinely nice person who is honestly interested in every single word you have to say. She is a very special person, who happens to give the tightest, longest hugs in the history of mankind. And to watch her love on my children, oh, there's just nothing better. She's the one who introduced me to "getting their sugar" by feasting on their little necks, which is one of our favorite things to do. I had never heard that term until Aunt Becky came to town.
Aunt Becky is in her forties with three children, Brandon, Lindsey and Nicholas. Lindsey had a birth injury which resulted in Cerebral Palsy. Lindsey is in her twenties now, is non-functioning and requires 24 hour care. Becky is the perfect mother for Lindsey and her challenges and needs. She has devoted her life to her family and has taken a backseat to everybody without complaint. She only started working outside of the home about five years ago.
Aunt Becky, Grandma, and now my Mother-in-Law (Terry) are going on a cruise the first week of May. Originally, it was just going to be Grandma and Becky to celebrate Becky's remission but with the recent development, Terry will be joining them. Becky's oncologist advised Becky to go on the cruise, which to me was very telling of the prognosis.
I am heartbroken for the entire family, in many ways Becky is the breath of fresh air that everyone on that side of the family needs. She's the one who always thinks positively, whereas everyone else can have Doom & Gloom personalities. I am heartbroken for Becky, as a mom I just don't know how you prepare to say goodbye to your children who are so young still. I am heartbroken for Grandma and Terry who have suffered so much since Grandpa died. I'm not sure Grandma will be able to function with this stress as she has many health issues herself.
I would ask you to cover this family in prayers, they all need strength and comfort in the following days, weeks, or months. Please also pray for all of us who will have to make the horribly painful goodbye phone call. Pray that we will find the words we need to say and that they will bring Becky comfort and peace.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Can I Get An AMEN?
April's book (that I actually read in March) was Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. It is half nutritional information/half cookbook. It has so much information, in fact, that I am having to re-read it because the first time around I went on brain overload.
This book completely sums up why America is fat and sick, why our grocery store food is so unhealthy (even our fruits and vegetables!), and how scary our basic survival is becoming given the poor state of the foods made available to us. Our food is soaked with pesticides, has been genetically engineered, is injected with antibiotics or given hormones (and really, this list could go on and on) and we all need to be made aware of what is happening. Just look at cancer statistics from 100 years ago, compared to now. Our food is killing us, people, and unless we force change to happen it's only going to get worse!
As a (basically) single income household, we simply cannot afford to eat 100% organic. I wish that we could, but it's just not possible right now. We do have plans in the next few years to have a 3 acre organic farm, but for the right here, right now, I just cannot shop 100% organic. But I do the best I can and I do a fairly good job of it.
For anyone local, here are some great resources for local and sustainable farming, as well as reasonable packaged goods:
Faye Farms, Udall, KS. This is where I buy our raw milk, local honey, farm fresh eggs and some fabulous smelling handmade soaps. She also offers frozen pork, chickens and ground beef. You may call her to set up a farm tour where she will show you around and show you her sales room, which is an "on your honor" system. You can find her on Facebook under Faye Farms or you can just call her at (620)782-3840.
Schenker Family Farms, McCune, KS. Although this is definitely not super local, they do deliver to the area. They offer all kinds of meat products and jams/jellies! You can find them on Facebook under Schenker Family Farms or visit www.schenkerfarms.com. They do provide grass fed ground beef at Kountry Kupboard (see next listing).
Kountry Kupboard, Rose Hill, KS.A small shop just outside of Rose Hill, Bonnie stocks everything from vitamins, gluten-free products, bulk grains, skincare, green cleaning products...you name it, she either has it or can get it for you. And her prices ROCK! Think Green Acres, but much smaller and much less expensive! She's a little off the beaten path, but so worth it! She only accepts cash or check, so be aware of that when you go. She is not on Facebook but you can visit her website at www.kountrykupboard.net or call at (316)733-2544.
Back to the book....
This book can be a great resource for anyone wanting to take baby steps to boost their family's nutrition. You will also learn a lot about things you may be feeding your family that are unhealthy and perhaps even dangerous. I know a lot about nutrition (remember, I am the nerd who reads for information, not pleasure), probably more than the average person and I learned so much from reading this book! Highly recommended if you want to change some things in your life!
This book completely sums up why America is fat and sick, why our grocery store food is so unhealthy (even our fruits and vegetables!), and how scary our basic survival is becoming given the poor state of the foods made available to us. Our food is soaked with pesticides, has been genetically engineered, is injected with antibiotics or given hormones (and really, this list could go on and on) and we all need to be made aware of what is happening. Just look at cancer statistics from 100 years ago, compared to now. Our food is killing us, people, and unless we force change to happen it's only going to get worse!
As a (basically) single income household, we simply cannot afford to eat 100% organic. I wish that we could, but it's just not possible right now. We do have plans in the next few years to have a 3 acre organic farm, but for the right here, right now, I just cannot shop 100% organic. But I do the best I can and I do a fairly good job of it.
For anyone local, here are some great resources for local and sustainable farming, as well as reasonable packaged goods:
Faye Farms, Udall, KS. This is where I buy our raw milk, local honey, farm fresh eggs and some fabulous smelling handmade soaps. She also offers frozen pork, chickens and ground beef. You may call her to set up a farm tour where she will show you around and show you her sales room, which is an "on your honor" system. You can find her on Facebook under Faye Farms or you can just call her at (620)782-3840.
Schenker Family Farms, McCune, KS. Although this is definitely not super local, they do deliver to the area. They offer all kinds of meat products and jams/jellies! You can find them on Facebook under Schenker Family Farms or visit www.schenkerfarms.com. They do provide grass fed ground beef at Kountry Kupboard (see next listing).
Kountry Kupboard, Rose Hill, KS.A small shop just outside of Rose Hill, Bonnie stocks everything from vitamins, gluten-free products, bulk grains, skincare, green cleaning products...you name it, she either has it or can get it for you. And her prices ROCK! Think Green Acres, but much smaller and much less expensive! She's a little off the beaten path, but so worth it! She only accepts cash or check, so be aware of that when you go. She is not on Facebook but you can visit her website at www.kountrykupboard.net or call at (316)733-2544.
Back to the book....
This book can be a great resource for anyone wanting to take baby steps to boost their family's nutrition. You will also learn a lot about things you may be feeding your family that are unhealthy and perhaps even dangerous. I know a lot about nutrition (remember, I am the nerd who reads for information, not pleasure), probably more than the average person and I learned so much from reading this book! Highly recommended if you want to change some things in your life!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
*crickets*
Wow! I'm not talking to myself afterall! I recently changed my settings for the comments section and didn't realize I had several waiting for my approval! Made me feel good, I was getting paranoid about spilling my guts without any kind of feedback from anyone. So, thank you if you have left a comment for me in the past month or so, I just now found them all tonight! On Tucker's blog, it notifies me via email when I have a comment waiting for approval so I need to do some poking around on this one and fix the problem. I am so not computer, or blog, savvy!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
My Answer.
Now that I have managed to blab about this over several posts, I do believe this will be the last. If anyone is still hanging in there, thank you for reading my verbal diarrhea. I didn't purposely drag this out, my intention was to make one post but I just kept thinking of more things I needed and wanted to say.
I reached my "OH, HELL NO" weight last summer and I remember trying to figure out what I was going to do. I love eating low carb, problem was, I wasn't sticking with it long enough for it to work for me. I needed to do something more strict, something with faster results because I am a total instant gratification junkie. Patience is not a virtue of mine.
I want to preface the unveiling of what program I am doing by saying that I researched the hell out of this before I started. I had multiple online friends who were successful on this plan, and come to find out, a handful of relatives as well. I have been doing the homeopathic version of the hCG (aka Simeon's Protocol) diet. Please be aware that there are all kinds of imitation versions of this diet out there, most of which are a complete debacle of the original program. Other than taking the homeopathic supplement rather than prescription, I have followed the original program written by Dr. Simeons in the 1950s.
In a nutshell, it is a low calorie, low fat, low carbohydrate diet in conjuntion with taking a homeopathic hCG supplement (it can also be done by taking actual hCG, which is prescription medicine).
I am a skeptic by nature, and a large part of me didn't believe this was going to work for me. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I was going to try it to prove it doesn't work or that I would feel like crap on it. When I asked my mom, who has her doctorate in homeopathic medicine, if she could obtain the supplement for me, she was skeptical as well.
The program works in "rounds", meaning you follow the restrictive diet for approximately three weeks and then maintain your new weight for six weeks and then you repeat until you have reached your goal weight. My first round I lost 20 pounds! That was enough to convince my mom to start the diet as well. To date, I have lost nearly 50 pounds and my mom has lost nearly 60! I am closing in on my goal and I am thinking I should be there around June. I feel fantastic, even when I am on the restrictive/weight loss part of the program.
We have been so excited about our losses and how great we feel that we decided to start offering this at our clinic. I don't want these weight loss posts to be misconstrued as advertisements for our business, but if anyone would like more information about the program we offer, you can email us at hhcgquestions @ gmail dot com.
For the first time in years, I feel hopeful and confident that I can be thin for a lifetime. For me, this was the answer I had been searching for and I am so glad I decided to try one last time to succeed. I am still in the process of losing, but I will post some before and during pictures soon!
I reached my "OH, HELL NO" weight last summer and I remember trying to figure out what I was going to do. I love eating low carb, problem was, I wasn't sticking with it long enough for it to work for me. I needed to do something more strict, something with faster results because I am a total instant gratification junkie. Patience is not a virtue of mine.
I want to preface the unveiling of what program I am doing by saying that I researched the hell out of this before I started. I had multiple online friends who were successful on this plan, and come to find out, a handful of relatives as well. I have been doing the homeopathic version of the hCG (aka Simeon's Protocol) diet. Please be aware that there are all kinds of imitation versions of this diet out there, most of which are a complete debacle of the original program. Other than taking the homeopathic supplement rather than prescription, I have followed the original program written by Dr. Simeons in the 1950s.
In a nutshell, it is a low calorie, low fat, low carbohydrate diet in conjuntion with taking a homeopathic hCG supplement (it can also be done by taking actual hCG, which is prescription medicine).
I am a skeptic by nature, and a large part of me didn't believe this was going to work for me. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I was going to try it to prove it doesn't work or that I would feel like crap on it. When I asked my mom, who has her doctorate in homeopathic medicine, if she could obtain the supplement for me, she was skeptical as well.
The program works in "rounds", meaning you follow the restrictive diet for approximately three weeks and then maintain your new weight for six weeks and then you repeat until you have reached your goal weight. My first round I lost 20 pounds! That was enough to convince my mom to start the diet as well. To date, I have lost nearly 50 pounds and my mom has lost nearly 60! I am closing in on my goal and I am thinking I should be there around June. I feel fantastic, even when I am on the restrictive/weight loss part of the program.
We have been so excited about our losses and how great we feel that we decided to start offering this at our clinic. I don't want these weight loss posts to be misconstrued as advertisements for our business, but if anyone would like more information about the program we offer, you can email us at hhcgquestions @ gmail dot com.
For the first time in years, I feel hopeful and confident that I can be thin for a lifetime. For me, this was the answer I had been searching for and I am so glad I decided to try one last time to succeed. I am still in the process of losing, but I will post some before and during pictures soon!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Disclaimer.
For the past twelve years (has it really been that long?), I have carried around a disclaimer for my weight. I have worked a casual "I haven't always been this way" into conversation more times than I care to admit when talking to new(er) people in my life. For some reason, I have found it necessary to let people know I haven't always been an obese, out of shape person.
I used to be thin.
I used to run on a regular basis.
I used to be a size four.
Used to be. Used to be. Used to be.
As if that would somehow make things different. As if that disclaimer would make me exempt from judgement. The truth is, if I was talking to someone who didn't care to know me at my size, then I shouldn't care to know them at all.
That's easy to say, but it's hard to do. I do care what people think. Sure, it's easier to write somebody off if they are shallow enough to judge on appearance alone, but that doesn't mean that it won't affect your self esteem to be rejected in such a manner.
Yet, I continued to try to validate myself and excuse what I had become. I continued to seek others' approval and I continued to place blame where it didn't belong.
Blame my age.
Blame my job.
Blame my hormones.
Blame my stress.
Blame my happiness.
Blame my lack of willpower and self control.
Blame the fact that I'd rather watch Food Network than do Yoga Booty Ballet.
Blame, Blame, Blame.
But things are changing and I am excited. Once my goals have been reached, my disclaimer will remain the same, although the intent will be profoundly different.
I haven't always been this way.
I haven't always been this motivated.
I haven't always been this excited.
I haven't always been this hopeful.
I haven't always been this healthy.
....to be continued.
I used to be thin.
I used to run on a regular basis.
I used to be a size four.
Used to be. Used to be. Used to be.
As if that would somehow make things different. As if that disclaimer would make me exempt from judgement. The truth is, if I was talking to someone who didn't care to know me at my size, then I shouldn't care to know them at all.
That's easy to say, but it's hard to do. I do care what people think. Sure, it's easier to write somebody off if they are shallow enough to judge on appearance alone, but that doesn't mean that it won't affect your self esteem to be rejected in such a manner.
Yet, I continued to try to validate myself and excuse what I had become. I continued to seek others' approval and I continued to place blame where it didn't belong.
Blame my age.
Blame my job.
Blame my hormones.
Blame my stress.
Blame my happiness.
Blame my lack of willpower and self control.
Blame the fact that I'd rather watch Food Network than do Yoga Booty Ballet.
Blame, Blame, Blame.
But things are changing and I am excited. Once my goals have been reached, my disclaimer will remain the same, although the intent will be profoundly different.
I haven't always been this way.
I haven't always been this motivated.
I haven't always been this excited.
I haven't always been this hopeful.
I haven't always been this healthy.
....to be continued.
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