13 Hours of Rain

It is quiet this morning. All of you are off to school. I am devoid of employment, again (November may be a zero pay cheque month). And I should do some housework. Yet I sit here, hearing the clickity-clack of my keyboard with a smile on my face. I. Am. Not. Busy. Busy. Our culture is way too busy. And any free time we have, we tend to spend in front of a screen (I'm guilty here). Times have changed. There are numerous ways that I can keep track of events at your school. Facebook. Twitter. You Tube. Website. School Newsletter. Teacher Newsletters. And a class blog. The sad thing is that many someones out there have to make sure that all the feeds, either virtual or real, are updated and kept consistent. Oh. My. Word. I guess I am more old fashion since I read only the paper updates and, yes, the class blog. Lately, I've encountered a few exhausted parents. Parents who are running all over this city or this corner of the prairies, transporting their children from here ...

I am a worrier. And I struggle with mild anxiety. Though, I don't think I worry as much as I used to. As for anxiety, I define it as "mild" because it isn't mentally paralyzing. While my anxiety aggravates my gut and makes me prone to panic attacks, I have discovered ways to cope. Is it just me, or does it seem that mental illness is on the rise? On both sides of your family, there are people who struggle with mental health issues. It isn't something people like to discuss, as the subject is still "taboo", especially for people of Asian ethnicity. We are quick to admit our physical ailments such as diabetes or heart disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease. But depression, anxiety, bipolar or obsessive compulsive disorder? Umm... (((Let's not talk about that too much.))) Back to my question. Is mental illness on the rise? I think so. Personal experience and observation combined with some research supports my tentative yes. Please note, the ...

It is year in review time. And since my current stage of life doesn't lend itself to staying up until midnight to clink the champagne glasses, I feel the need to mark the moment through words instead. I did a quick perusal of my previous blog posts and read a few of my private journal entries over the year. A few thematic elements jumped out at me. I list them below in no particular order: Perseverance. There were a few incidences over the past couple of years that strongly tempted my husband and I to attend a new church. This is a hard thing to admit in this space, as I know some of my readers frequent our place of worship. So why admit it? Because, let's be honest, as Christians, we do struggle with some element of our church experience, whether it is the preaching, leadership, worship style, certain individuals or groups, theology, vision, etc. And there are times when you wonder why in the world you decided to attend your church in the first place, especially in the fac...

Life is full of changes. And when I have a certain rhythm going on in life, potential changes to that rhythm require adjustment. So, change can stress me out. Yet, I also welcome change. It implies a new season, a new way of thinking, a new approach to life. My view on food is changing. Back in the day I thought low-fat and multi-grain was the way to go. Now, I am not too sure. As I do sporadic reading, visit Naturopaths and listen to people who have made significant lifestyle changes, I am questioning the health kicks of the past. For instance, take fat. Fat is not that bad of a thing any more, as long as it is good fat. So, I cook with more healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, and butter. I eat more nuts and avocado. And while I still purchase lean meat, I am more lenient on my consumption of good 'ole bacon. And while I am eating more fat, I am attempting to lower our family's sugar consumption, especially refined sugar. Our society's overindulgence of sugar ...

I've been contemplating the issue of diet and learning to control disease through food (or elimination of certain food) instead of reaching for the opaque vile full of pharmaceuticals. It is challenging to do such. And while a more natural way of addressing illness is becoming more popular in today's day and age, it is still considered alternative medicine. I can get 10 minutes of my doctor's time for "free" and receive a prescription for $5, covered under our drug plan. Or I can see a Naturopath for 30 minutes at $80 and receive suggestions for supplements that can cost up to $100 per month. Thankfully, your Daddy's health plan covers Naturopaths up to 80% (though the supplements are not covered). I believe I am finished accessing the services of my Naturopath for the time being. Why? I think she has done all that she can for me. She has provided me a tool kit of possible supplements to consume as well as sound dietary advice to follow. Do I think she was w...

It has been 16 days. That is sixteen days since I last took my prescription drugs for my stomach. I feel almost awesome! (Well, maybe that is exaggerating a bit, but is sounds better that almost normal.) I have never been able to fully follow the advice of my Naturopath. Cutting out all grains was a tall order. And while I can do without many, many grains, rice is too much of a staple for me to eliminate. Removing eggs from my diet was quite difficult. I like my (rice) pancakes too much. And eggs are a quick (and cheap) source of protein for me, especially since we are on a one income budget. But I have managed to cut out dairy (and I've been gluten free for some time now). And that in itself is an accomplishment. And you know what? My stomach isn't as sore anymore. I am learning to listen to my body and treat the symptoms more naturally. Organic Ginger Tea soothes my gut when I am having a mild episode of the burn. Occasionally chewing gum gets me swallowing, which coats...

This is my new decaffeinated friend: Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger Aid Tea . I steep it for 10-15 minutes and add some honey. Mmmmmmm. It soothes my stomach. Plus, I love the little inspirational word(s) on each individual tea bag label (the part that is attached to the string and dangles over the edge of the cup). Today, the words were, "Be Well." I am thankful for the tea and motivation to seek God for His healing.

Trail mix is my snacking companion these days. With grains and dairy mostly gone from my diet, my snacks have been left wanting. So I started to eat more trail mix. But I encountered a problem. The pre-combined varieties had ingredients that were on the "avoid" list (e.g. soy). Or they contained foods that tend to bother my gut if consumed in larger quantities (e.g. peanuts). Solution? Custom "Bulk Barn" Trail Mix. Son, you and I visited the Bulk Barn today to pick up several sale items to create my own yummy concoctions of dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. My ingredient list included dried cranberries, dried blueberries, banana chips, natural almonds, natural cashews, and pumpkin seeds. Oh yah! I am thankful for the Bulk Barn and $3 off coupons!

I wouldn't call it an epic fail. Rather a challenging attempt with little compromises here and there. To what do I refer? The diet. The CDEFG-Free Diet. I'm on day nine. And it's difficult. Very difficult. Going Gluten-Free is a breeze in comparison. Even Dairy-Free is manageable. But no grains, no eggs? How does one do our family's traditional once-a-week pancake meal? Or what is supposed to sop up the yummy curry when we consume Indian cuisine? That being said, I haven't given up entirely. I have made several significant changes in the last week. I stopped baking for myself to reduce my grain temptation. I'm in the process of reconceptualizing breakfast and eating things like soup or nuts & fruit. I eat more oven-roasted meals instead of meals that are drenched in sauces. I am caffeine-free. I have completely stopped all my prescription drugs in attempt to truly assess my symptoms and treat the acid reflux more naturally. And I take more naps to let my b...

Yesterday was my “Shrove Tuesday” so to speak. I ate three huge helpings of Apple Cinnamon “Wheat-Free” cake smothered with butter cream icing, brown sugar glaze and pecans (created by moi as buying a GF cake for one’s birthday is nearly impossible). I consumed a plateful of gluten-free pasta with homemade chili. And a day before, I had a large helping of flourless chocolate cake compliments of my dear sister-in-law along with great decaf coffee. Oh, de-li-cious! Today begins the CDEFG-Free diet*. No Coffee/Chocolate. No Dairy. No Eggs. No Fish. No Grains. I have also labeled it as the “No Fun” Diet. The purpose? To provide my stomach a chance to heal. My stomach journey has been a frustrating one, to say the least. More than 18 months ago, something happened to my digestive tract. I started to experience heart burn everyday (as opposed to the occasional once-a-month incident). One day, it was so bad, that I checked myself into emergency to make sure I wasn’t having a hear...

It never seems to fully go away. The burn. The mid-morning burn that causes discomfort in my chest. I'm taking meds. I'm consuming herbal supplements. I'm trying to remain calm. And I'm avoiding gluten like the plague. But more often than not, I don't feel well. I've been trying to seek answers. Naturopaths. Medical doctors. Internists. Friends. Family. Research. Food Journals. Prayer. But lately, the doors of answer (and clarity) seem to be closing on me. Appointments have been cancelled due to miscommunication. A particular doctor is not available in a near-by city during a scheduled trip. And family and friends have all kinds of advice, some that are clearly contradictory (e.g. on one hand, some people advice eliminating dairy completely while others advice I should eat more!). Last Sunday, our pastor shared this verse: "Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory," Psalm 50:15. He went on to challenge us...

It has been over a year, and I am still struggling with acid reflux. In January, I was diagnosed with GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, were stomach acid causes damage to the esophagus. I was told to make some lifestyle changes such as avoiding fatty foods, citrus, caffeine, mint, and spicy foods. In addition, I was prescribed Nexium , a proton pump inhibitor (shuts down some of the acid pumps in the stomach), and Ranitidine , commonly known as the over-the-counter (OTC) drug Zantac . Sounds good? No, not really. Why? Because I still don’t feel 100% normal. When I approached my M.D. with my concerns, she informed that this may be chronic and some relief is better than no relief. And if I experience larger attacks, I should just up my medication and add more OTCs to my day. Drugs, drugs, drugs. Not my style. I decided to see a Naturopathic Doctor in August. I walked away from the appointment with hope. I was impressed with her holistic approach. The appointment was not ...

Dear Lord and Father, So, I've been diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a condition where the stomach contents spill back into the esophagus, causing heartburn. I've been advised to avoid spicy food, sleep upright, maintain my weight, and reduce my stress. Doctor, please tell me something I don't already know! Here is my annoyance and frustration. (1) I hardly eat spicy food except once or twice a week. And the food isn't really that spicy. Rather, it's flavorful. (2) I try to sleep upright, but it bothers my neck, which is currently under chiropractic treatment for the past year. Thus, I sleep in such a way that is comfortable for my joints but unhealthy for my GI tract. What is a girl to do? (3) I religiously weigh myself and I am twenty pounds lighter than 1.5 years ago. Shouldn't that make things better instead of worse? (4) I try very hard to reduce my stress with exercise, personal time,...

Lately, I started to track my calorie intake. It's not because I desire to be thinner per se . I just need to loose the stubborn amount of weight I've gained from indulging in too much good food and delectable desserts during my holidays. Plus, it is a great way to be reminded of healthier food choices and smaller portion sizes. However, there are moments when temptations arise and I want to snitch something unnecessary. While I am not as hard on myself as in the past, my mind often cautions me with these words, "Stop while you are ahead." What do I mean by this? Well, it is just my reminder to stop before I overstretch myself and overload on unnecessary weight-gaining calories. Usually my self-talk works and I stop. Now this post isn't about weight loss. Rather, it is about the ongoing process that I am experiencing in letting go of my children's infant years and moving on to embrace the years to come. Honestly, that last few months have been challenging ...

Coming back from our holidays was difficult. Our time away was lovely and chaotic: lovely in the sense it was  wonderful to connect with family, chaotic in the sense that it can be a  challenge traveling with two energetic preschoolers. Then we returned home and WHAM-O, all the reminders of our home improvement projects hit us SMACK-DAB in the face. Oh boy. All I wanted was time to r-e-l-a-x. We've been back for about two weeks now. And in that time frame, projects have been shelved for the sake of health. Kitchen refacing dreams are on next year's list, again . Dining room painting may happen before winter, if we're lucky (and I, the painter, get motivated). Garden beds for Spring 2013 might be built if we ever find a way to secure some cedar in this town. In the meanwhile, we are focusing on minor touch-ups/repairs, which is enough work in itself. So, why is this blog-worth? Well, I believe I am learning some lessons through the process, compliments of friends and...

I was at my chubbiest thirteen years ago. I wouldn’t say I was fat, but I was definitely wide. I wore double digit sizes and weight loss was an insurmountable challenge. To be honest, I was ashamed of the way I looked. However, I didn’t think I could do anything about reducing my size except for radical dieting and over-the-top exercise routines... To read the rest of this post, join me at Our Journey Home ! Thanks for visiting!

I'm losing it! I'm actually losing it! Not my mind, but those last few post-pregnancy pounds that I need to shed before autumn hits. Weight loss was much easier after the birth of my first child. But the second time around has been difficult. I finally got myself to "5 more to go" before summer hit. Then I went to visit family. OH NO! All the desserts and yummy food added two more wretched pounds to the scale. I was discouraged and frustrated. Thus, a couple of weeks ago, I got serious. I started to track my calorie intake via myfitnesspal . I increased the intensity of my weekly exercise by jogging three times a week for 25-30 minutes. And I became more consistent in drinking my daily quota of water. The result? I've lost four pounds in two weeks! :) It is possible!!! There are a few things that I have learned about reducing calories through this process: Watch your condiments . All those little things like salad dressing, jams, mayonnaise, sour cream and bu...

LAUGHTER  I've been pondering about mental illnesses, such as depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, etc. Many people on both sides of our family are diagnosed with various mental illnesses. Several of them are on medications for their problems. Now this post is written in NO WAY to judge the validity of any one's diagnosis. I am NOT an expert on mental illnesses. I just have second hand knowledge by observing various individuals and working along side special education teachers. Rather, this post is written to process incidents in my own life. I had an absolutely positive attitude on Election Day, for which I am thankful. My spirits were high and joyful. This day contrasted with the preceding and seceding days, where I felt overwhelmed, discouraged, and negative. Why is that? After doing some personal reflection and analysis, I have come up with six key elements that assisted in transforming a usual day into a superb day. SLEEP. My son had a good night, which m...

One of my favourite units to teach in the old Science 9 curriculum was Soil Science . Okay, Soil Science wasn't technically in the curriculum. But it was an extension of one of the required units. And since I was teaching a group of talented, somewhat gifted, science students, I decided to explore something unique. Keep in mind, I have no formal training in Soil Science . So I learned alongside the kids. We mucked around in the lab examining soil samples under the microscope trying to figure out what kind of soil we were working with. We studied soil maps of our province (and now I realize, I have lived in three different soil zones in the course of my residency in this province). However, my fondest memories of the unit was the exam that I created with much thought and intentionality. I gave the students an excerpt from the  Lord of the Rings to analyse for soil types. Many students were ecstatic when they reached the question. "We get to read Lord of the Rings in Scie...

I had an epiphany on Saturday, a moment of clarity in which I realized I need to make some positive changes in my life to reduce stress and improve my mental health. Essentially, I must take care of myself if I hope to take care of others. It is crucial that I invest time in things that energize me so I can embrace the good, bad, and the ugly of mothering. I believe that mothers struggle with taking care of themselves. The moment we conceive, we are thinking of the little life inside of us. We adjust our lifestyle to result in the healthiest pregnancy possible. We hope and pray, as we labour through hours of pain, that our newborn child will be strong and resilient. Once our bundle of joy (and tears) arrives, we give of our own body (if possible) to nourish the child at all hours of the night and day. We are consumed with feedings, elimination patterns, and infant development. We give, give, give. And if we have more children in our life, we give more. On top of that, if we have ...