It’s a Quickie

Posted on May 23, 2013 by flamidwyfe

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.

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!

Time flies by…

Posted on May 1, 2013 by flamidwyfe

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

Posted on April 23, 2013 by flamidwyfe

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!

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

My bike… a gift for which I’m grateful

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 – Consolidation Day 330

Posted on April 6, 2013 by flamidwyfe

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

Posted on April 5, 2013 by flamidwyfe

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…

I hope everyone is having a great day!!

Ciao!

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

Australia Wrap Up & a Dukan Update

Posted on March 31, 2013 by flamidwyfe

So, we’ll start out with my wild adventure down under

I stayed 3 full days after the baby was born. On Saturday I went snorkeling with a group from MeetUp.com. And had an awesome time. Great way to wrap up 4 weeks in Adelaide.

I then rented a car and started out on the Great Ocean Road from Adelaide to Melbourne. It was a long, but lovely 700 mile drive.

Fun things to see…

Then I got to Melbourne and stayed a few nights with Kay. A Scottish midwife I met in Abu Dhabi. We went for a long walk and lunch down by the water…

The second night we met Melissa a Kiwi midwife I met in Abu Dhabi and Jax, a friend of a friend for a Thai fusion dinner…

Then it was off to Malua Bay to see Gen, Dean and Gracie. I met this lovely family in Abu Dhabi, as well…

We hiked, went to the zoo, BBQd breakfast at the sea, hiked some more, burned a bonfire, FUN!

Then off to Sydney to meet up with Gail. Gail was my trainer in Abu Dhabi and my neighbor. And she is one of the funniest people I know. She invited me up for “tea” one night and so I ate dinner and went up to her flat only to find that “tea” is dinner. She’s called me Dickie since then… I’m sure it’s derogatory, but she says it with sarcasm and love at the same time

We drove from Sydney to The Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, in 16 hours… Long ass day, but wonderful company! She lives about 30 minutes from Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo!! We went with Gail’s daughter Olivia and her wee little man, Angus. What a fun day!

And after cuddles and see ya laters, it was time for my 6 week Australia Adventure to come to a close. I flew out of Brisbane with ZZ Top, no kidding. On my second favorite plane…

And, no, I didn’t get pics of ZZ Top, I try to think how I’d feel if people were interrupting me for pics.

And now I’m home a week. It’s Easter. I had a lovely day with my mom and Tiff, Joey and ALL the grandkids at church and then a wonderful dinner at Jenni and Chris’ house.

Now my update. I’ve gained 18 pounds since I’ve come back to the States in September. 9 of them in Australia. The first 9 creeped up. I’m freaked out. My clothes still fit, but are snug. I noticed my undies were snug last week and couldn’t imagine what was up. Then I got on the scale. I have stayed gluten free. In Australia I logged more miles on my RunKeeper app than any other 6 weeks in the past year. I hiked almost every single day! i swam and snorkeled. I climbed a freaking mountain!!!

I’ve done a few things that I need to rein in… 1. Too much full fat cheese. 2. Replacement foods (in Australia I splurged on GF pretzels, muffins, crackers… One night I ate GF crackers with organic honey!!!) 3. Wine. I’ve had a couple glasses a week, which is a lot for me. Moscato… Damn you, Cathy Cook! LOL

So, starting tomorrow, I’m doing 4 days of attack and then alternating PP (Pure Protein) and PV (Protein Veggie) days until it’s off. And I’m going to blog EVERY.SINGLE.DAY… To hold myself accountable and to get the support I need from all of you.

So, I’m back… Daily posts. Looking forward to getting back on track!

Ciao!

Almost Heaven

Posted on March 2, 2013 by flamidwyfe

What’s better than organic, nitrite free bacon and eggs for breakfast? This…

Bacon and eggs fried with leftover turkey skin from the organic bird I cooked two days ago. OMG GOOD!!

Dukan – Pure Protein Thursday

Posted on February 22, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Consolidation Day 286
Weight: 151 lbs/68.5 kgs

Thought I’d throw a Dukan PP day out there! I’m still going strong. Sticking mostly to the Consolidation plan.

Breakfast: 2 eggs fried in coconut oil, 250 mL water
Mid-morning: 4 slices of the yummiest bacon and a cafe con leche
Lunch: 2 big slices of roast beef, 500 mL water
Dinner: 3 pieces of baked chicken. Baked the chicken in a TBS coconut oil and sliced 1.5 onions and 4 cloves of garlic… Delish! 500 mL water
Before bed: Fat free Greek yogurt with chia seeds for fiber
Will finish the night off with another 500 mL after my run.

Met an amazing person today at the coffee shop. No seats available so I offered to share my table. I love when you two people wind up in the same place for a reason… I had a wonderful 3 hour conversation… SO NICE TO MEET YOU, STAR

Went for a walk in Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary. Sadly, this park is closing due to budget constraints. Got to feed and pet and hold hands with a couple of kangaroos and wallabies. So much fun!

Now I’m going out for a run!

Ciao!

Travel – Australia

Posted on February 21, 2013 by flamidwyfe

G’day Mates!
So I’ve been in Australia, on business, for 10 days and thought I’d share some of my pictures with you. I can’t express the happiness I have strolling through a park and seeing koalas hanging out in the tree. Not a zoo, just a national park. And the kangaroos and cockatoos and kookaburras and Galahs. Pretty awesome

The family I’m staying with eat all organic and mostly gluten-free which is wonderful. Good healthy eating, lots of hiking and fresh air! I met some people from Meet-Up here and have hiked a couple of times with them.

Here’s the pics…

Three koalas in a tree

Magpie… You lookin’ at me?

I made yummy gluten-free coconut muffins…

And another sunset…

So, that’s the first ten days… I’ve got a few recipes to post, hopefully in the next couple of days!

Ciao!

Recipe – Paleo – Coconut Muffins

Posted on February 16, 2013 by flamidwyfe

I made these with the kids of the family I’m visiting in Australia. They are a large family so we made 6 times this batch for a total of 36 muffins! I’m eating a warm muffin now, as I write this post… Mmmm!

COCONUT MUFFINS
Makes 6 muffins

Ingredients
3 Eggs
2 TBS butter (melted) **learned a neat trick from the kids today… Put your butter in a bowl, then place it in a bowl of hot water and let it melt… Prevents browning!!)
1/3 c sugar (I used organic rapadura)
1/4 tsp salt (I used organic sea salt)
1/4 c coconut flour (not meal! Must be flour)
1/4 tsp baking powder
3 TBS grated coconut

Blend together eggs, butter, sugar and salt.
Combine the coconut flour and baking powder and then whisk into wet ingredients, ensuring no lumps.
Fill muffin tins halfway with the batter.
Sprinkle the grated coconut on top.
Bake at 400F for 15 minutes.
Enjoy!

Flamidwyfe's Blog

Midwifing in the Far East and travelin' the World!

Category Archives: Paleo Diet

It’s a Quickie

Time flies by…

What a Week and a Half

Dukan – Consolidation Day 330

Dukan – Consolidation Days 328 & 329

Australia Wrap Up & a Dukan Update

Almost Heaven

Dukan – Pure Protein Thursday

Travel – Australia

Recipe – Paleo – Coconut Muffins

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