Dukan – Consolidation Day 400 or so

Posted on July 15, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Wow, what a few very busy weeks! I am working 4 part time jobs, so time for breathing, much less blogging, is in short supply!

I’m working at the birth house 2 days a week, teaching midwives to be at the college 1 day a week, running my billing business with my daughter 1.5 days a week and teaching seminars and workshops on the weekends!

4th of July was fun! Fireworks riverside in my home town and a move from my small apartment to a big house to accommodate my daughter Tiffany and her husband and kids.

One of my rooms is being set up with a studio and I plan on offering childbirth education, nutrition and exercise education, yoga, massage and other complimentary therapies from there. I also have a good sized pool and plan on offering aqua natal classes, as well.

12th of July was my middle child Jenni’s 30th birthday. I’m still in my 40’s (49) and have two kids in their 30’s I love it!! We had a wonderful Outback Steakhouse dinner together.

I’m back to running and I’m happy about that. My daughter has a boxer mix named Kapone and he’s my running mate 😀 I’m doing interval running and building back up my distance. The area I live in is the only hilly area in south Florida! And they are little hills, but hills none the less. I’ve also been doing a lot of bicycle riding. So the really good news is I’m back under my True Weight 😀 WOO HOO!!! Even though I was eating well, staying gluten free and eating minimal replacement foods, I was struggling with getting my Australia weight off. The problem was I wasn’t getting enough fiber, water OR exercise!! I put all 3 back in and it’s come off. I’m very happy!

I’ve been honored to serve a few women the past month or so at their births and the wonder of it stills overwhelms me. I love that after nearly 20 years in this business I still tear up, get goosebumps and am elated when a baby comes earth side. How fortunate am I to be blessed with such a great task in life?

And finally, a prayer answered, so quickly and clearly I almost missed that it was answered. On Friday night I prayed for clarity on a friendship. I got the answer 8 short hours later when said friend violated one of the moral and ethical codes friends just don’t violate. And even though they wanted to maintain our friendship I couldn’t because of who I am. I’m mourning the loss of that friendship, but I’m grateful that my prayer was answered and I now know that I’ve freed myself up for better things to come and I’m so excited about that! Lesson learned: God does answer prayer, we just need to have our eyes and ears open to hear the answer 🙂

Here’s some pics from the past few weeks:

View during morning walks:

Bargain on gas using our Winn Dixie grocery store fuel perks card!!

Best coffee ever, the old fashioned way!

My new bedroom…

Kapone and I, out for a ride…

Sofia using one of our moving boxes for a sofa 🙂

Love my job!!!

And Sofia before church this morning… When everyone else was still sleeping, she snuck in the kitchen while I was quietly sipping my first cup of coffee and asked if I would do her hair…

Dukan Days 5-8

Posted on June 25, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Down another 3 pounds to 173. 😀

Busy last 4 days. I taught midwifery students on Friday and did a state board review for graduate midwives on Saturday.

Saturday evening a friend and I went to see my coworker Jess kick butt in a roller derby bout…

I’m staying at my friend Janice’s dog sitting 4 dogs…
Snuffy the grumpy dog:

This is Strat aka DooDoo aka Doodie:

I’ve been eating well, including a lovely sashimi dinner with my niece Charity as the big fat full moon rose over the ocean last night.

My iPhone did no justice to the beauty, lol.

Lunch poolside today and back to the grind tomorrow… Been a nice 4 days 🙂

How was your weekend?

Ciao!

Awesome, Useful TED Talk

Posted on June 22, 2013 by flamidwyfe

I get mail notifications a few times a week about new TED talks… some I watch, most I don’t. This one… worth the 5 minutes and 45 seconds. Some pretty useful tech tips in here for using your computer and smartphone at home and the office. I knew a few, but some of them will really come in handy!

TED Talk about hand tech stuff!

Dukan Attack Days 1-4 and PV Day 1

Posted on June 22, 2013 by flamidwyfe

I’m doing the Dukan dance 😀

I was up 17 pounds over my Dukan True Weight, 27 pounds over my goal weight and when I had to suck it in last week to put on those size 8 jeans I worked my ass off to get into, I took control and jumped back in.

Problem… been eating too many gluten free replacement foods. Like Mary’s Gone Crackers. Oh, and maybe a bag of Fritos Originals once a week, or so. And maybe a glass of wine or two a week. And it adds up… I maintained at the 148-152 for over 6 months and then I got complacent. And I don’t mean eating poorly… because I don’t eat poorly at all, ever… I mean adding in too many carbs and probably too much fat and not paying attention.

Funny enough, I’ve had PLENTY of exercise. Although I haven’t been running, I walk 4.5 miles 4x a week. And bike ride more than 10 miles on Sunday. And I gained 12 of those pounds above in Australia where I was more active than ever! Hiking, climbing, snorkeling and swimming nearly every single day. And walking each night with the family I was staying with after dinner. Carbs… they don’t like me.

Weights for the week:
6/17 – 82.5 kg – 182 lb
6/18 – 81.2 kg – 179 lb
6/20 – 80.6 kg – 177.75 lb
6/21 – 80.0 kg – 176.4 lb
Nearly 6 pounds off in 5 days… happy girl 😀

Food today:
Breakfast: 2 hard fried eggs and 3 slices lean bacon (yes, I know bacon isn’t Dukan… not giving it up!)
Lunch: 4 slices of london broil roast beef slices & 4 slices of low fat Cheddar rolled up together
Snack: 2 boiled eggs
Dinner: 7 oz. chicken breast stir fried with onions and spices
Snack: Fat Free Greek yogurt with 1 pkt Splenda and 2 Tbs flaxseed meal

Feeling better about things… back on track. Gotta look fab for my 50th bday which is a short 5 months away 🙂

How is everyone else doing?

Ciao!

A bit of a rant and an update

Posted on June 20, 2013 by flamidwyfe

It’s been 4 weeks since I’ve written a post… Yikes! I’m back on track with Dukan, but will write about that tomorrow… Today, a rant that’s been brewing for 9 months… That’s the sum total of my time back in the States. I know the response that I’ll get out of some people (if you don’t like it, move away, lol) but this is MY country and my rights include freedom of speech 😀

Cell phone communication in the United States SUCKS!! I fly in, turn on my cell phone at MIA (Miami International) and I have ONE BAR… Can’t call ride from baggage, have to walk around outside to be able to hook up with ride, who is ALSO experiencing shitty cell service!

I can’t speak on my cell phone at home. AT ALL. I have to go outside (difficult in this rainy season in Florida) and sit on a fallen palm tree across the road and even then, I have a shitty connection. I am constantly sending texts (so much so I’ve programmed the response as a text) that says, “At home, shitty cell service, text only”. Sad 😦

Traveling to Nashville, TN for a conference last month, I tallied my dropped calls. I know, why would you do that? To see if I really is the cell service. Over the course of my two day drive, on MAJOR HIGHWAYS, I dropped TWENTY NINE CALLS… 29!!!

In Abu Dhabi I could be dune bashing in the middle of the desert. Nothing but sand, camels, Hummers and Jeeps for MILES and I never ONCE dropped a call…. NOT ONE TIME, EVER! Not when we were in town, not when I was at home, not when I was driving out in the wadis… Not a single, “can you hear me now”, not a single dropped call.

Every single city in China… Again, not a single dropped call, hard time hearing, tilt your head to the left to hear every single word, EVER. I even had cell and Internet service in the bloody SUBWAY!!!

Is it because we don’t have enough cell towers? Am I safe from being tracked at home with pings (I say this tongue in cheek). Is it because certain companies own the towers and don’t want to share? How about the fact there are far too many cell companies? Blah, blah I hear some of you saying that having multiple companies keeps the rates down… To that I say BULLSHIT! In Abu Dhabi I paid $40 USD a month for unlimited calls, text and Internet. In China I paid $25 USD for the same. What are you paying for AT&T for the same service? For dropped calls, for sketchy service, for not being able to make an emergency call in some places, if you need to?

We’re suppose to be the most technologically advanced country in the world… News flash, we aren’t. We’ve got a long way to catch up… I wish we would!

Ciao!

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 – Update

Posted on April 16, 2013 by flamidwyfe

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.

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

Posted on April 9, 2013 by flamidwyfe

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

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!