Is it Selfish for me to take care of myself?

I haven’t written anything for a while. I can summarize the week in one word STRESSFUL. It all started when the one daughter, who’s watching her sister’s kids until a nanny is found, calls in a panic. She’s been having anxiety attacks and ran out of her medication. (Because she took too much!) So, she took off in the truck we loaned her and was making a fast trip back to fill her prescription early (which I told her they wouldn’t do) and she got lost! She calls me up crying because she doesn’t know where she is. I told her to call her sister and she could direct her better than I could to the main interstate. Then, she calls me back and said she doesn’t have enough gas in the truck because she drove too far in the wrong direction and doesn’t have any money. Finally, she calls me back and tells me she’s an hour away from us and she’s leaving the truck in Walmart’s parking lot. She called her sister to load up all the kids and come get her because her sister needed to go to work soon and by the time I got there and drove her back she’d be late. But, she needed me to drive the truck back and stay with her because she couldn’t handle everything. (She couldn’t fill her prescription early, as I told her) My main concern was staying on my food. So, I packed up all my food I needed for smoothies and I marinated some mushrooms and tomatoes. I left the blender for my husband, because he makes himself smoothies every morning. Well, guess who doesn’t have a blender? I ate fruit and salad with the marinated veggies. But, then I started to get hungry because I just didn’t have enough filling food and I couldn’t get out to the store without bringing a one year old, a two year old, a six year old and two eight year olds with me. Well, I started eating things I shouldn’t have. Like little bags of chips (my daughter works for Frito Lay and her pantry is full of these) and then left over’s from the kids meals.
As if this wasn’t enough, I get a phone call at one in the morning from my son in law. He said my daughter, who had a miscarriage four days earlier, was bleeding heavily. (He said the bathroom looked like a murder scene) So, he called for an ambulance and he wanted me to come over and watch the kids so he could get to the hospital. I reminded him I was 2 hours away. I asked him if he called my other daughter who lives next door to them. He said he couldn’t get a hold of her. So, I called and called until she answered. And she rushed over. I couldn’t sleep that night worrying what was happening. I finally called back at 4 am. And she was doing fine.
OK, Then my daughter who’s “Babysitting” informs me that she made an appointment for her two year old to have the dentist work on his teeth in the OR at the hospital. But he has to have his pediatrisian fill out a form first. So, he needs to go to the doctor and then to the hospital early in the morning. So, we had to load up everyone in the truck with overnight bags and drive them back to my house for several days! (And she could get her medication which was now due). All the grandkids stayed for three nights! House was trashed!
I would estimate my meals averaged about 80% raw. But, with the stress and 20% bad foods my numbers were up:
Monday 2-15-10, 16th day, weight 198.4, Blood sugar 203, Blood pressure 129/89, Pulse 77
Tuesday 2-16-10, 17th day, weight ?, Blood sugar 225, Blood pressure 140/112, Pulse 78
Wednesday 2-17-10, 18th day, weight ?, Blood sugar 194, Blood pressure 145/91, Pulse 75
Thursday 2-18-10, 19th day, weight ?, Blood sugar 234, Blood pressure 130/90, Pulse 82
Friday 2-19-10, 20th day, weight ?, Blood sugar 227, Blood pressure 141/91, Pulse 76
Saturday 2-20-10, 21th day, weight 203.2, Blood sugar 203, Blood pressure 139/98, Pulse 84

In evaluating things, Next time, I could bring my blender and my scale with me. When I don’t weigh myself, I think I’m doing fine and the weight creeps up. Or, I could just tell everyone to deal with it themselves! I don’t know why I can’t just do that, because it feels selfish to me. But, my daughter who’s looking for the nanny, got mad at her sister and told her not to call me for anything again. (She won’t even answer my phone calls now!) Peace and no drama!

Even Great Healthy Foods Can Be Bad For You

I gained weight from the raw vegan potluck. My vitals aren’t very good today either. But, what did I expect. One thing I learned is that even great healthy meals can be bad for you, if you over eat which puts stress on your body. I didn’t eat until late today because I didn’t want to eat until my blood sugar was down.
15th day: Phase 2, Day 13: Sunday 2-14-10,
Weight: 198.2 lbs, +1.4 / - 15.8 total, BMI: 31.04
8:45 am, BP: 152/103, P: 101, BS: 247
Breakfast: None
12:30 pm Hcg
BP: 131/90, P: 85, BS: 212
3:45 pm BP: 129/91, P: 85, BS: 185
7:00 pm BP: 147/101, P: 75 BS: 170
Dinner: green smoothie (Mango, Orange, Strawberries, Banana, apple, spinach)
Raw Vegan Crumb Donut, Brownie Bites
10:00 Raw Vegan Crumb donuts, brownie bites

Raw Vegan Potluck

I’m so excited; I got to go to a Raw Vegan Potluck tonight. I found the group on meetup.com. My husband and I drove two hours to get there, but it was so worth it! It was a valentine party with 2 ladies entertaining us with their multi-talented musical abilities. I brought Kale Chips, Rawioli’s with a marinara sauce, Raw Vegan crumb donuts and brownie bites. There was so much food! I was in heaven! And hungry! There were all kinds of salads, lasagna, wraps, sushi, Pad Thai with kelp noodles, Coconut noodle soup, flax crackers and guacamole, veggies and raw BBQ sauce, and huge nut balls. And the desserts were to die for! They had the best pumpkin tarts, raw vegan chocolates and non-eggnog. I took a little bit of everything! But, that was way too much! Before I knew it my stomach was hurting. After all, I had only eaten two apples yesterday and not very much the last 11 days. I never knew you could overeat on raw vegan. Well, you can! I guess you really can have too much of a good thing! People kept coming in late with more and more dishes. I just couldn’t even look at it anymore. Next time I’m going to be picky and only eat what I really want. And not over do it! But, I sure had a blast! I only wish I had more time to get to know more people. There must have been 75 people there.

14th day: Phase 2, Day 12: Saturday 2-13-10,
Weight: 196.8 lbs, -2.4 / - 17.2 total, BMI: 30.34
8:00 am, BP: 149/94, P: 105, BS: 262
11:00 am Hcg
Lunch: green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, spinach, kale)
Dinner: Raw Vegan Potluck

Raw Vegan On A Busy Stressful Day

I found out my daughter miscarried her baby last night. And my other daughter lost her babysitter and called for help so she could still go to work. So, I was helping another daughter get her truck fixed and packed up with her two kids, so she could drive the two hours and help her sister with baby sitting. So, I’ve been on the run since early this morning. When I got hungry about 1:00 pm, I realized I hadn’t taken my vitals or brought anything with me to eat. With fast food restaurants and their smells at every corner, I was tempted. But, I went to the grocery store instead, determined to stay the course. As I glazed over the fruit, my stomach was so hungry I didn’t think a piece of fruit was going to do any good. But, I decided to eat an apple first, and then see how I felt. The apple tasted so good. It was sweet and filling! Yes, that’s right, it was filling! I wasn’t hungry anymore. I was able to finish my errands; visit my daughter, who miscarried, go grocery shopping and pick up another daughter and bring her to her friends for a sleep over.(Yes, I have a lot of daughters: 7!)During all this I became hungry again about 4:00 pm. I ate another apple I bought and continued with my day. I decided this would be a good time to have an apple day since my weight loss had stopped and I already ate 2 apples anyway. Well, later that night I wasn’t even hungry. So, that’s all I ate the whole day- 2 apples! I promised myself I would listen to my body and only eat when I was hungry, not just because it was time to eat or because someone made something for me to eat. Sometimes my husband makes me a green smoothie in the morning and I save it until I’m hungry, usually in the afternoon. Another great successful day!
13th day: Phase 2, Day 11: Friday 2-12-10,
Weight: 199.2 lbs, +.4 / - 14.8 total, BMI: 31.20
7:00 am, BP: 138/90, P: 100, BS: 202
Breakfast: None
1:00 pm 1 apple
4:00 pm 1 apple

Blood Pressure Brought Down on Raw Vegan Diet

My weight was the same for the last 2 days and then today it was up .8 of a pound. But, you know what I’m so excited about my blood pressure and blood sugar that it doesn’t bother me! My blood pressure is better on raw vegan than when I was on my blood pressure medication! And considering I haven’t taken my blood sugar meds or insulin, my blood sugar is coming down very steadily. All in all a great day!
12th day: Phase 2, Day 10: Thursday 2-11-10,
Weight: 198.8 lbs, +.8 / - 15.2 total, BMI: 31.13
11:15 am, BP: 117/87, P: 77, BS: 187
Breakfast: None
11:00 am Hcg
3:00 pm: BP: 136/87, P: 71, BS: 156
Lunch: green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, beet, spinach, kale)
7:00 pm, BP: 139/91, P: 868 BS: 168
Dinner: Broccoli Mushroom Salad (Broccoli, mushroom, red onion, raisins, sunflower seeds, Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, paprika, salt, pepper)
12:45 am BP:124/96, P:86, BS: 187

Is Inflammation The Cause of All Diseases?

I’ve been reading a lot of articles today stating all disease is caused by chronic low grade inflammation. The articles listed every disease & disorder you could think of including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and stroke. As we go through life our body fights one infection after another causing inflammation. And when we eat the wrong types of food it causes low grade inflammation. This chronic low grade inflammation can also be inherited or have genetic factors. The body responds by increasing inflammatory cytokines which leads to increased levels of insulin resistance. This interrupts the digestive process of glucose. The body then converts the excess glucose into fat storage. Fat storage in turn increases the inflammatory cytokines and a vicious cycle is created. This is why a lot of people have trouble losing weight and develop degenerative health.

What’s the solution?
Eating healthy foods will increase our immunity and protect us from both inflammation from infections and inflammation from eating the wrong types of food. The wrong types of food include processed and highly refined foods like; white sugar, white flour, hydrogenated oils and other bad fats including deep fried and rancid oils and other foods that cause an acidic condition.

What kinds of foods are anti-inflammatory?
Anti-inflammatory foods include high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. Choose dark green leafy vegetables, green and brightly colored fresh vegetables and fruit like these:
Spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cayenne peppers, winter squash, carrots, shitake mushroom, sweet potato, avocado, olives.
Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, peaches, mangoes, cantaloupe, apples, tart cherries, papaya.
Turmeric, ginger, oregano, rosemary, green tea, red onions, garlic, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, kelp, almonds, almond butter, hazelnuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, evening primrose oil.
Extra Virgin olive oil, coconut oil, omega- 3 fatty acids.

What I find very interesting is these foods are the exact foods I have been using to cure my diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

11th day: Phase 2, Day 9: Wednesday 2-10-10,
Weight: 198.0 lbs, -0 / - 16.0 total, BMI: 31.01
8:20 am, BP: 122/92, P: 94, BS: 192
Breakfast: None
11:00 am Hcg
2:05 pm: BP: 134/93, P: 95, BS: 176
Lunch: 2:05 pm: ½ glass green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, grapes, spinach, kale)
7:00 pm, BP: 125/93, P: 87, BS: 173
Dinner: Broccoli Mushroom Salad (Broccoli, mushroom, red onion, raisins, sunflower seeds, Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, paprika, salt, pepper)
12:30 am BP:135/85, P:87, BS: 184

Hcg Raw Vegan Diet Is The Best Diet

When I did the Hcg Diet with the Simeon Protocol, it took me 28 days to lose 16 lbs. With Hcg Raw Vegan Diet it only took me 8 days to lose 16 lbs. I can't wait to see what I can do in 20 more days!

10th day: Phase 2, Day 8: Tuesday 2-09-10,
Weight: 198.0 lbs, -1.0 / - 16.0 total, BMI: 31.01
10:15 am, BP: 143/98, P: 74, BS: 194
Breakfast: None
2:00 pm: BP: 135/94, P: 87, BS: 183
Lunch: 5:30 pm: 1 glass green smoothie (Banana, apple, grapes, spinach, kale)
8:00 pm, BP: 140/96, P: 79, BS: 167
Dinner: Berry Salad (Lettuce, Spinach, blueberries, blackberries, OJ, Rice Vinegar)
10:45 pm, BP: 125/94, P: 92, BS: 215

15 lbs lost in 7 days. I’m Now Under 200 lbs!!!

Can I say this out loud? I’m now under 200 lbs! I haven’t seen under 200 in 20 years! It’s going to be great when I go to the doctors and the nurse weighs me. She’ll be sliding that big weight marker down to the 200 mark and I’ll say, “No, you’ll have to slide it to the lower notch now!”
I have 18 more days of weight loss before I go back to the doctors. I really want to show him I made a great choice of canceling my meds. Well, OK, Maybe I’m asking too much. I hope he’ll just not be mad and start lecturing me and maybe even cancel me as a patient because I want to still monitor myself by tests. My numbers are just as good, if not better than when I was on the meds, but, with no side effects and depression. I just know if I get this weight off, my diabetes will be in control.
My husband just informed me that I didn’t snore last night. In fact, he had to lean over to see if I was still breathing, because he said I usually breathe hard! Me! I don’t snore! Do I? Well, I guess I don’t anymore!

9th day: Phase 2, Day 7: Monday 2-08-10,
Weight: 199.0 lbs, -1.4 / - 15.0 total, BMI: 31.16
9:45 am, BP: 132/98, P: 77, BS: 191
Breakfast: None
Hcg 5:00 pm
5:30 pm: BP: 126/87, P: 89, BS: 150
Lunch: 5:30 pm: 1 glass green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, orange, beet, spinach, kale)
Dinner: None - Not hungry and to late
9:50 pm, BP: 132/95, P: 85, BS: 157

Green Smoothies For Depression

I didn’t lose one pound from yesterday and you’d think I’d be disappointed, but I am so happy I could cry for joy. I feel sooo… good! I’ve eaten raw vegan before, but now I know I didn’t eat enough greens. GREENS ARE SUPERFOODS!
I found out through some research that when you have a stroke in the right brain hemisphere, you have a tendency to suffer from depression brought on by the physical damage to this area of the brain. Let alone the emotional depression that one suffers from the disabling effects of a stroke.
I have suffered depression in the past and my sister committed suicide from depression. So I’m very familiar with the affects and the medications. I was a bit worried after the stroke because of several depressing and crying moments. But, I didn’t want to go the medication route of deadening my feelings again. So, can you see why I’m so happy today! The side benefit of the journey to cure my diabetes is, I’m not depressed anymore!

8th day: Phase 2, Day 6: Sunday 2-07-10,
Weight: 200.4 lbs, -0 / - 13.6 total, BMI: 31.38
8:00 am, BP: 125/86, P: 86, BS: 191
Breakfast: None
1:30 pm Hcg2:15 pm: BP: 127/86, P: 79, BS: 167
Lunch: 2:45 pm: 1 glass green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, orange, spinach, kale)
8:15 pm, BP: 127/86, P: 79, BS: 155
Dinner: Cucumber Tomato Salad (Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, cumin, sea salt, lemon juice, olive oil)

My leg is now Strong again after the stroke.

Today, while walking into Walmart, I realized my left leg wasn’t dragging anymore. In fact, it was strong with every step! I also feel my mind is a lot sharper. And my recall is much better. Now, if I can just get my left fingers to work better.
I did have a tough moment today. My husband cooked some Mexican Soup. It filled up the whole house. It was very temping! I just stayed in my room and didn’t get to eat until 4:oo pm when the smell died down. This was my first weekend with everyone home. Maybe, I should make up food on Friday’s, so on weekend's I can rush in and out of the kitchen fast to prevent temptations. It was funny though, how I wasn’t really hungry until 4pm. I think my stomach has shrunken.

7th day: Phase 2, Day 5: Saturday 2-06-10,
Weight: 200.4 lbs, -1.0 / - 13.6 total, BMI: 31.38
8:15 am, BP: 133/95, P: 90, BS: 222
Breakfast: None
4:00 pm Hcg
Lunch: 4:00 pm: 1 glass green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, spinach, kale)
8:35 pm, BP: 128/92, P: 96, BS: 198
Dinner: Cucumber Tomato Salad (Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, cumin, sea salt, lemon juice, olive oil)

I lost 12.4 lbs in 4 days!

I just can't tell you how much better I feel! But, I will try. I lost 12.6 lbs in 4 full days! Yeah! I've never lost weight this fast. So much faster than the regular Hcg protocol. It must be all the weight I gained taking my meds. I think it must of been a lot of water weight, but I drink a gallon of water a day. So, go figure! My blood sugar is coming down a lot faster than I expected. My blood pressure is still high. Hopefully when I lose more weight, it will come down.

6th day: Phase 2, Day 4: Friday 2-05-10,
Weight: 201.4 lbs, -1.6 / - 12.6 total, BMI: 31.54
9:20 am, BP: 134/94, P: 82, BS: 191
Breakfast: None
12:00 pm Hcg
Lunch: 1:30 pm: 1 glass green smoothie (Banana, Orange, apple, spinach, kale, broccoli)
7:20 pm, BP: 155/103, P: 77, BS: 150
Dinner: Mexican Soup (Tomatoes, carrots, celery, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, Mrs. Dash extra spicy)
11:10 pm, BP: 138/104, P: 74, BS: 178

Hcg and Raw Vegan

So, I started the Hcg protocol.
The loading days where hard to figure out raw vegan meals on short notice. I was supposed to load with a lot of fat, so I compromised and ate what I had.
Sorry, for so much details. But, If I don't I won't remember.

1st Load Day: Phase 1: Sunday 1-31-10,
Weight: 214.0 lbs, BMI: 33.51
7 am: BP: 130/93, P: 78, BS: 143
Meds: Hcg, 10 mg Benzepril, 500 mg Metformin, 100 mg Januvia
Breakfast: Almond Butter
Lunch: Soy Sloppy Joe mix with baked corn chips, Salad: lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, olives, blue cheese dressing
Dinner: 2 marinated portabella mushroom sandwiches on whole wheat with raw feta cheese, pretzels.
7:40 pm: BP: 125/94, P: 82, BS: 166
Meds: 1 unit ReliOn insulin, 500 mg Metformin, 325 mg Aspirin
Started Severe Burning with peeing

2nd Load Day: Phase 1: Monday 2-01-10,
Weight: 211.6 lbs, -2.4 / -2.4 total, BMI: 33.14
8:50 am: BP: 128/93, P: 76, BS: 148
Meds: Hcg, Discounted all prescription meds!
Breakfast: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, Strawberries, apple, spinach, kale)
Lunch: Guacamole, salsa chips, 4 morning star soy sausage patties
Snack: popcorn, olives
Dinner: 2 pieces fried chicken (breast & thigh)
10:30 pm: BP: 140/87, P: 84, BS: 220
Slight burning with peeing. Tolerable. (So, it wasn't just a bladder infection!)

3rd day: Phase 2, Day 1: Tuesday 2-02-10,
Weight: 209.4 lbs, -2.2 / -4.6 total,BMI: 32.79
7:30 am: BP: 148/96, P:71, BS: 199
Breakfast: None
12:30 pm: Hcg, BP: 147/95, P: 71, BS: 157
Lunch: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, strawberries, apple, spinach, kale)
6:15 pm: 153/102, P: 77, BS: 148
Dinner: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, strawberries, kiwi, apple, spinach, kale)
8:20 pm: BP: 152/103, P: 103, BS: 162
Snack: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, strawberries, kiwi, apple, spinach, kale)
12:30 am: 157/95, P:74, BS: 151
Burning pee totally gone!

4th day: Phase 2, Day 2: Wednesday 2-03-10,
Weight: 204.8 lbs, -4.6 / -9.2 total, BMI: 32.1
8:00 am, BP: 131/98, P: 76, BS: 205
Breakfast: None
1:45 pm: Hcg, BP: 149/102, P: 80, BS: 153
Lunch: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, strawberries, apple, spinach, kale)
5:15 pm: BP: 154/102, P: 85, BS: 165
Dinner: Red and Green Cabbage Slaw with red onions, garlic, apple cider vinegar, agave nectar
6:45 pm: BP: 144/103, P: 74, retook same time: BP: 133/98, P: 71, BS: 158
Snack: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, strawberries,apple, spinach, kale)
11:40 pm: BP: 144/97, P: 82, BS: 173

5th day: Phase 2, Day 3: Thursday 2-04-10,
Weight: 203.0 lbs, -1.8 / - 11.0 total, BMI: 31.8
7:05 am, BP: 126/94, P: 86, BS: 191
Breakfast: None
1:45 pm, Hcg, BP: 134/101, P: 81, BS: 167
Lunch: 1/2 green smoothie (Banana, Orange, apple, spinach, kale)
7:35 pm, BP: 148/116, P: 84, BS: 161
Dinner: Broccoli, mushrooms, red onions, red bell pepper, 3 tbs Olive oil, 3 tbs balsamic vinegar, 3 tbs agave nectar, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp pepper
11:00 pm, BP:124/93, P:91, BS:199

Stroke! Big Wake Up Call!

Time for a big change! A stroke will kinda do that to ya. I'm lucky it was a mild stroke. I still have numbness in my upper left lip, three left fingers and weakness in my left leg. The worst part is my mind isn't sharp anymore. I'm fine talking, but if someone asked me a question, the retrieval is slow or not at all. Can't seem to connect. I am determined to change my life for the better and lower my risk factors by losing weight.

I decided to start this blog to help me commit to this lifestyle change and to help others that might need encouragement on their journey. And if I record things, it might help me exercise my brain and remember things.

To sum up how I got to this point, I noticed I was having problems with my blood sugar and blood pressure probably about 10 years ago. I started monitoring my blood sugar and blood pressure on and off. And decided to go the natural route by losing weight and eating better to correct this. I went on several diets:

Atkins
1200 calories
200 calories
Fit for Life
Weightlifting
Personal Trainer
Exercise videos
Diet Pills
Hypnosis
Guided Imagery
Blood Type
Alkaline
Juicing
Hcg
Vegan
Raw Vegan

Most diets I would lose the first week, then plateau. My doctor said I must be eating too much, so that's when I ate only one 200 calorie frozen diet meal a day. I gained 10 lbs that week! The only success I had was with raw vegan. But it was hard to stick to it because of no support system and my family eating differently. (The smells of Pizza and other cooked foods in the kitchen were hard to resist) But, I did managed to go from 258 lbs in 2000 to 225 in 2009.

This was just too slow for me, so I went on the hcg homeopathic diet in October 2000. I went down to 200 lbs. I took a break during the holidays and was going to start on Hcg again in January.

Well, January 3rd, 2010, I had a stroke. My blood sugar went up to 464 and my blood pressure was 149/111. It scared me so bad I did everything the doctor said: I checked my blood sugar at least 5 times a day, injected insulin 3+ times a day, I took 2 Blood sugar pills, 1 Blood Pressure Pill and an adult aspirin every day. This was hard for me because I'm the type of person that doesn't even take a Tylenol for a headache. But, I was determined not to have another stroke.


My weight started climbing fast. So, I went on a Vegan diet. My numbers started dropping, but my weight was still climbing. I had gained 16 lbs in a matter of weeks. I started to have burning when I peed. I started drinking more water and drinking cranberry juice. One day it got so severe, I just sat on the toilet crying for hours. I looked up my meds on the Internet and every one of them had uti as a side effect! Sure it was a low and uncommon side effect, but I was the lucky one in the low percentage to get this side effect. I decided I can't keep going on like this. How can I get healthier with fast weight gain and severe side effects?