About flamidwyfe

I am a midwife working in China. I am from south Florida. I love traveling and catching babies!!

It’s a Quickie

Just a quickie update… I’m doing well, maintaining my weight. Nick is on the mend after his frightening illness. I’m hoping to be back to regular blogging after next week.
Things that have made blogging difficult:
Having a 9 year live with me Monday-Friday… School ends next Friday so she’s back to her mommy full time then!
Commuting 70 miles ONE WAY to work 3 times a week. I leave home at 655 am and get home after 6 pm.
I know they are excuses, but I’m committing to be back on track June 3. I want to run again… The 9 year old refuses, lol.
Things I have been doing… Eating clean. Walking 3-4 times a week about 5 miles with a friend on the mornings I don’t commute. Lots of family time.
Here’s to a great week!
Ciao!
My mom (GiGi) and granddaughter Sofia. May 17. Mom turned 82 and Sofia turned 5.

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Me and my 3 at the birthday party. Nick did the cooking at his restaurant and I have to say the Sea Bass was AMAZING!

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It's Not Genetics

Reblogged from NoTimeToW8:

Click to visit the original post

Three of America's biggest killers are listed on this ecard, and they are all preventable. Walking, jogging, and running along with a healthy eating plan are perfect ways to reverse the damaging effects of these conditions, or even prevent them all together. As always though, you should always seek the advice of a medical professional before embarking on a new fitness routine.

Time flies by…

Can’t believe how fast time goes between posts! Nick is home. He still has the PICC line in and is receiving home nursing care for his medication and dressing changes. He’s still in quite a bit of pain from his incision, but healing and much better!

I’ve done a lot of walking the past couple of weeks. Long walks on my days off 7-8 miles most of those mornings and then 3 mile walks at night on the days that I work. I also got in a bike ride this past weekend.

Weight is about the same. A bit frustrating to say the least :( I am eating per Dukan/Paleo so it’ll come off.

That’s my update… I hope everyone is having an amazing week!

Ciao!

What a Week and a Half

It’s been 10 days of up and downs, but things are improving!

Last Sunday a bike ride after church and then a drive 70 miles north to Melborne to visit Nick in the hospital. Very sick, my boy :(   He had surgery for this unknown infection in his left leg at 0700. Ask for prayers for healing… so many responses… THANK YOU!

Monday drive 70 miles south to job at the birth center. Call on my drive home, Nick being rushed back into surgery after spiking at 104.6 temp.

Tuesday drive 70 miles north to see Nick. Things not looking good. Surgeon says he may have to amputate to save Nick’s life. Lots and lots of prayer and healing energy, lots of emails and messages on facebook… my friends are AWESOME! Still no work on what this infection is.

Wednesday. Drive 70 miles south to birth center drive. In the late afternoon we’re told that it’s Group G strep… I’ve never heard of it. Conversation with my friend Julie so positive and full of light. Great suggestions! She also sends texts which I forward to Nick. I go to my Wednesday night bible study and everyone asks how Nick is… prayers said, uplifted by everyone’s spirit and positivity. Go to wifi cafe to read up on this G strep and it doesn’t look good. The first study I read 1 in 5 die. 2 of the 4 that survive have amputation. I decide to meditate on his leg and body being WHOLE. I went home, tucked Sydnie into bed and went for a 45 minute run… forgot to set the RunKeeper, but think it was about 3 miles total.

Thursday… NO IDEA WHAT I DID… LOL Oh wait! Tiffany and I ran the billing business all day… sheesh, I have NO BRAIN! Nick got his PICC line. That is an indwelling catheter in his subclavian artery so they don’t have to keep poking him for blood draws and resticking for IVs every 72 hours. Nick will be receiving long term antibiotics through this port for approximately a month.

Friday… Drive 80 miles to my college teaching job. Had a GREAT class. I really, really love teaching midwifery. LOVE IT. Then 10 miles north to the birth center to hook up with my girls and a 180 mile drive across the state to the west coast to see the mother of US midwifery Ina Mae Gaskin’s film premier and a meet and greet with her. Thank you boss lady, Miriam, for the trip… you’re the best… I still think the highlight of the trip was the stop at the TACO TRUCK in the middle of nowhere (South Bay) on the way over. FYI: I only ate the pork with the onions and cilantro… yum!!! Then 180 miles back to the birth center, where I spent the night, exhausted!

Saturday… Drive 70 miles north to home. Catch up on housework, saw the grandkids, did a nice bike ride. Nick improving. Doc cautiously optomistic. No temp over 100 for 3 days!!! Woo hoo!!!

Sunday… rode my bike to church 4.25 miles. Then rode it home, but took the long way…

Gorgeous day for a long bike ride!

Gorgeous day for a long bike ride!

My butt hurts, LOL. But it was a GORGEOUS ride! Lots of time to think and not think and just enjoy the wind in my hair. Nick update… surgeon says Nick is doing so well, he MIGHT go home this week! Last Tuesday he told him he’d be in hospital for at least 3 weeks! He will keep his PICC line in and continue on the long term antibiotics, but be at home. This is awesome news!

Monday… 70 mile drive to birth center job. It’s EARTH DAY and we’re celebrating. So much fun! Nick is still doing well and is waiting on news whether he gets to go home this week.

On the Dukan front… I’m eating very well, but my weight isn’t budging. I was starting to get VERY discouraged, but had a pep talk with myself. I know the Dukan Diet works… I mean everyone that follows this blog knows that. I also know that stress causes cortisol levels to rise, which makes it difficult to lose weight… I’m thinking my cortisol levels are through the roof this past week and a half :) My weight is 164. I’ll take that, for now. I’m focusing on my boy and that’s what is important. I’ll just keep eating right and it’ll happen.

So that’s the update. Waiting on word on whether he is going home today. My mom and sis are on the way there now. I’ve been skyping him on days I can’t be there. And I am so grateful for the technology that we have!

Skyping with Nick

Skyping with Nick

My bike... a gift for which I'm grateful :)

My bike… a gift for which I’m grateful :)

Ina Mae Gaskin at her movie premier.

Ina Mae Gaskin at her movie premier.

So that’s my week… what have you been up to? How is your exercise and food choices going?

Ciao!

Dukan – Update

A quick update as my week has been full of ups and downs.

Three deaths this week. My friend’s husband, a classmate from high school and my brother-in-law’s mom… Grandma Rosie. Today is her memorial and I’m looking forward to seeing extended family.

My son fell last week and cut his knee on a piece of glass. He had sudden onset of fever and pain at work late Saturday night. He was admitted at 230 a.m. and was in surgery at 8 a.m. He went back into surgery last night due to his temperature being 104.6. The surgeon seems to think it is strep and that if they don’t get it under control, he may lose his leg. This is a NIGHTMARE! I ask that everyone keep him in their thoughts and prayers.

On a happier note… I had a lovely bike ride with Natalie on Sunday after church (11 kms) and then had the kids and grandkids over for dinner before heading up to see Nick.

From left: Celeste, Sadie, Jose, Sydnie, Ariana, Shane, Sofia and Faelynn.

From left: Celeste, Sadie, Jose, Sydnie, Ariana, Shane, Sofia and Faelynn.

Ribs in the crockpot... they were yummy!

Ribs in the crockpot… they were yummy!

Weight: 166 – Saturday was a BAD food day… shamefully bad, although gluten free. I’m working on it. I’m really working on not comfort eating. I’m hoping for a better week!

Ciao!

 

Dukan – Cosolidation Day 333

Monday was a travel LOTS day :)

Drove the 70 miles to work after having a nice breakfast of 2 scrambled eggs with a half sauteed onion.
Angie took this pic of me… I need to get back out and run… thighs are looking a little thick!!

Work Monday 4/8/13

Work Monday 4/8/13

Lunch was 3 slices of rare roast beef… YUM! And a couple of cups of coffee.
Snack: 2 boiled eggs
I then raced north to get Sydnie from after school care and picked her up dinner then raced back south 35 miles to teach a class at a hospital. Had a great time meeting a few couples that are now more prepared to have a good birth experience!
Then the drive home at 9 p.m…. forgot to eat dinner!!! So I had a FF Greek yogurt with splenda and flax seed.
I then went out for a quick walk before bed.

Water intake: 2700 mL
Exercise: 25 minute walk :(
Weight Friday: 168
Weight Monday: 167 Argh!

I did take a 6 mile bike ride along the ocean road on Sunday morning and it was glorious… perfect weather! Glad I’ve got the bike in working order.

Ciao!

Memories of Europe & Sea Salt

Yesterday morning I was grinding sea salt onto my breakfast and realized that my grinder was almost empty. I was flooded with the memories of the trip that brought that container of Spice Islands Sea Salt my way.

In the summer of 2009 (yes, nearly 4 years ago) I was living in Abu Dhabi and was meeting my son in Amsterdam for a 3 week EuroRail vacation. I asked him to bring a shaker of Spice Islands Sea Salt with him, since I couldn’t find it over seas… he brought 2 bottles…. This is what is left of bottle number 2:

Spice Islands Sea Salt

Spice Islands Sea Salt

It has reminded me of the amazing trip we had… so much fun traveling with my son… He’s so UNNEEDY and a foodie, so we ate well… here’s some pics…

Nick and me in Bruges.

Nick and me in Bruges.

Roma

Roma

I'm also reminded of how much weight I've lost :)

I’m also reminded of how much weight I’ve lost :)

I think 2 bottles of Sea Salt in 4 years isn’t so bad… and the memories of how they got to me are awesome… Nick… mom needs another bottle of salt!

Ciao!

Dukan – Consolidation Day 330

Friday was a travel south day. I went to my friend Janice’s to help her out with some office stuff and to get filled up on friendship. I love hanging out with her. I got a lot of work done.

I also chatted via IM with Cathy and we’re going on a conference cruise next February. I’m DUPER excited about that. It will be our 3rd cruise together.

Breakfast: 2 fried eggs, bacon and coffee
Lunch: shredded pork and a handful of jalapeño cheese cubes
Snack: Cottage cheese with flaxseed meal
Dinner: Arabic food: mixed grill (chicken, lamb, filet Mignon) Yummy dinner!

Then home at 11 pm and to bed.

Weight, same as yesterday 168. My friend Cathy is pulling ahead!

Ciao!

Dukan – Consolidation Days 328 & 329

The week is going well!
Wednesday is a workday in Delray… Commute of 70 miles. I listened to a couple running podcasts while driving for some inspiration.

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs with ham. 700 mL water, coffee
Mid-morning: 500 mL water, coffee
Lunch: 1 boiled egg, chicken breast, 500 mL water
Afternoon: 20 Oz Coke Zero
Dinner: Eggs and bacon (Sydnie requested)
Evening Snack: FF Greek yogurt with Splenda and flaxseed meal
45 minute fast walk at 8 p,

Thursday a day off. Spent the morning at Panera’s and catching up with friends by phone. Spring cleaning of my apartment and finished a novel in the afternoon. Nice and relaxing.

Breakfast: Fried egg and bacon
Lunch: 3 slices roast beef and FF cottage cheese
Dinner: Pork shoulder steak and onion with curry powder… Yum
Snack: FF Greek yogurt with Splenda and flaxseed meal
Total water: 2 liters

Dinner…

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I hope everyone is having a great day!!

Ciao!

Edited… Forgot the weights, lol
Wednesday: 169
Thursday: 168
Down 5 pounds from Sunday :)

Dukan Diet – Consolidation Day 327 – Day 2 Attack

Had a pretty awesome day. On Tuesdays I work from home, so that I’m not commuting south 3 days a week. I did most of my work from Panero’s this morning. Lovely coffee, fast wifi and everyone leaves you alone.

I then had lunch with my pastor, Rick Evans. So refreshing to spend time with someone who practices what he preaches.

Then I did work from Dunkin’ Donuts (my wifi at home is slow as sludge!) and then picked up Sydnie, borrowed a bike rack from childhood friend, Natalie (who is also Rick’s wife) and then picked up my bike from my bestie, Denise! Good to see her and Loca, her shepherd,  who is on her 9th life… I thought she had died while I was in Australia, so what a surprise when she started “talking” to me. Then off to fill the tires… Now I can ride again. Yay!

Breakfast: 2 boiled eggs
Lunch: Steak salad (so technically not attack, since I had approx. 1/2 cup greens)
Dinner: Stir fry – sausage with onions and garlic
Snack: FF greek yogurt with splenda and flaxseed meal

Tuesday morning weight: 172
Wednesday morning weight: 170 :D
I love Dukan ;)

Ciao!