Feelin' Fresh Friday

Happy Friday to you, dolls. Take a seat, unwind and get a whiff of these fresh flowers. It's hard to believe we are approaching a new year, already! Everyone is in their "new gym", resolutions, and toxic friends removal mode. I too am in that mix! I'm just saying!

Healthy Life
To my thyroid friends, I hope you continue to share your trials, successes, and rants with our friends in the thyroid health community. You have been a support to me and many others over the past few years, and I will continue to share dialogue with you about thyroid health topics and my own experiences. Time is moving fast, even when we are enduring long days filled with bouts of fatigue, and feeling lethargic...but you have to remember to keep moving and this episode soon will pass. 

What's working for you?
Tell me what works for you when you aren't on the up and up? Here's what is working for me:

* Daylight Midday - Take a few minutes out of your day to take an afternoon stroll and take in some natural sunlight. This will work wonders for your soul, day and spur an afternoon burst of energy in you.

* Fruit & Veggie Day - Pick one day of the week to load up on fruits and vegetables. Your digestive track, skin and mood will love you for it! It's a quick and easy way to get more vitamins in your diet, and a motivating factor in changing your health behavior. On my fruit and veggie days, I like to eat a Larabar for breakfast, a spinach salad with avocados for lunch and steamed veggies with rosemary and olive oils for dinner. These days remind me of my days as a vegetarian, they are nostalgic and delicious.

* Smile - Smiles are the bomb! They are contagious and can be seductive and flirty with a splash of innocence. You could be smiling for reasons that no one else even has to know the reason, only you. Doesn't that sound like fun? Are you smiling yet? I am, right back at ya, boo!

Peace and blessings,
S

Let's Catch Up

What's good!?

My hiatus, departure, adrenal fatigue, timeout....it's over...at least for the time being. I cannot believe it's already December, and it's been quite a while since I have blogged, but I have been writing, focusing on my health/wellness, and adjusting to a new assignment. 

This month I was welcomed to Pinterest! I am in utter amazement by all the boards that I have seen, and I've not even begun to chip the surface. Who is interested in learning more? 

iPad, how you doing? I am experiencing a sudden bout of information, technology and much more overload. I intend to get better acquainted with my new friend this month, needless to say, I'll be completing tutorials, asking questions of my mother (an Apple Queen), and doing my happy dance. 

Stay tuned,
S


 

Thyrant

I love when Katie and the gang at dearthyroid encourage a Thyrant because it seems that given the day and age that we live in, and for those of us with thyroid conditions particularly, we need to let some things out. If you haven’t visited dearthyroid, do so!

I am just now reading a post that was published on May 3, by Katie herself. It’s truly thought provoking. Twice a year I find myself fighting my thyroid disease, tired out, feeling lost and wishing for my old self to return. I honestly miss my pre-hypothyroid self. I’ve read that many of you do too! In her post, Katie addresses chronic worthlessness and questions whether or not it’s synonymous with chronic illness. Read, reflect and feel free to comment.

I hope this finds you living well.

Let's Share Dialogue: I'm Awake

Let's Share Dialogue: I'm Awake: "Hello all! I feel like I’ve lost my mind, literally. I’ve this blog, I created it, and I have been busy working, and reading and writing but..."

I'm Awake

Hello all! I feel like I’ve lost my mind, literally. I’ve this blog, I created it, and I have been busy working, and reading and writing but not sharing! Sharing is what it’s all about. And WOW, I’ve a lot to share. So, let’s get this dialogue going.

It’s spring where I live. The sun decided to return, so that means my winter blahs are in the process of banishing, but I’m fighting to keep my energy levels up. It happens about this time yearly for me, so I’ve been trying to stay active. I wonder what my other hypo friends are doing to beat fatigue. If you feel like sharing, let me know. I’ve a few things I do in these times.

Nap ~ If my body says sleep, I sleep. Our bodies speak to us, but the question is: Do we listen to our bodies? I often take power naps. Sometimes 10 to 20 minutes does me a world of good, but when I feel like Jell-O, I don’t set an alarm. I simply lie down, I fall asleep and when I wake, I wake.

Yoga & Pilates ~ Practicing Yoga allows me to clear my mind of all things. When I attend my Bikram Yoga classes, I focus solely on my poses and clearing my mind. It’s so relaxing and calming for me. I look forward to Yoga and Pilates classes alike. Pilates strengthens me. The exercise is good. If you can attend Yoga or Pilates classes in your part of the world, try it out. Tell me what you think and how it helps you with your energy levels.

Got Veggies? ~ I have allergies, and troubles digesting certain foods. Sometimes I have to switch up my diet. I was a vegetarian for two years and a Vegan for two and a half years. I remember how good I felt living a veggie lifestyle, but now I try to focus on what I need to take in to feel good. When I’m feeling a bout of extreme fatigue taking over me, I try to eat more veggies and lean protein, think spinach, salmon and salads rich in cabbage, mushrooms and my favorite: red onions!! I try to avoid simple carbs, and some complex like wheat, due to allergies. It’s hard for me to digest wheat and gluten-ridden foods. They cause me to be sluggish, and that hinders my energy levels. Listen to your body, figure out what makes you feel good – eat that, unless of course it’s a mountain of cupcakes. Just have one and keep it moving. What makes you feel bad – leave that alone, run away from those things.

Talk to Mom ~ My mom knows when I’m tiring out, doing too much, running around too often. She gives me a reality check. Who in your life can give you that check and help you get on course to being a healthier and more energized version of yourself? When you know, visit with him or her and simmer down. You’ll feel better in the long-run.

I often hit the Web to see what works for others living with hypothyroidism in times of extreme fatigue. When you are tired out, you want to do something fast to wake yourself up. Not all sources can be trusted, not everything will work for you the way it works for someone else, but in due time you will figure out what it is you have to do to be the healthier and more energized version of YOU. What are you waiting for? Get to it...right after your power nap!

Be Vocal!

TGIF, everyone! I hope your week has been a fascinating one. I learned a few new things about myself and my friends this week. I regrouped, started revamping my career path, helped a girlfriend with her thyroid education and inspired her to not be shy about getting a second opinion and fostering a better relationship with her endocrinologist. Sometimes it’s hard to put it out there, to say I’m fat, choking every minute and glued to my couch – what’s become of me!?, only to have your endo brush it off.  If I can inspire and encourage anything, it would be to inspire and encourage you to BE VOCAL when it comes to your health concerns.

Enjoy your weekend and BE VOCAL in all areas of your life! It can only lead to success. S;)

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Fundraising Event

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Fundraiser ~ Russell Construction Team "Music For Life" featuring Fultons Underground (my dad's band) is Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 1-5PM @ Great River Brewery, 332 E. 2nd St., Davenport. Live music, food, raffle and great brews. Come support Heroes of the Red, White, Cure. Come on by if you're in the area and support this amazing cause.

It is Friday, Already

Hello readers. It’s been a bit since I’ve posted to my blog. I’ve been distracted by work and life among other things. I’ve been trying to keep up with news posts within my Today Show app, keeping up with Charlie Sheen as opposed to the Kardashians. Now, with news of the tsunami in Japan, I’m taking some additional time to ask that everyone pray for, and consider those in Tokyo and surrounding areas and those close to all of our homes who have friends and family members being affected by this natural disaster. Have a safe weekend and don’t lose sight of others who are less fortunate.

Hypothyroidism ~ The Silent Disease

 How does it make you feel to know you look amazing on the outside and kind of crummy and tired on the inside? Let me rephrase that. What’s it like to live with a silent disease?

I love flossing my new duds, fabulous locks and toting around my favorite designer bag of the moment, only to keep up with friends and attend various charity events or the rodeo like I did this past weekend (pics to come soon!). But at the end of the evening, most nights or afternoons even, but not all, I run home and take that long nap at night that most people consider good sleep, in which they hit stage for 4 during the sleep phase and reach REM. I normally have some disturbances, like the sudden urge to wake up and start my day, or just restless sleep in general, which can lead to not really getting a good night’s rest. Living with Hypothyroidism, it’s often difficult to get good quality sleep. When you don’t get a good night’s rest, it can mean having a disastrous day.

Mary Shomon, the author of The Thyroid Diet, addresses sleep disturbances with thyroid diseases in Living Well With Hypothyroidism. If you haven’t read either of the two and you are battling a thyroid disease, I recommend you run out and read them both, not just once but twice, or as many times as you need to. They have been a great resource to me and I know they will be of a benefit to you too.

I tend to take naps, daily. Sometimes I’ll take a power nap before I go to the gym, right after work. My close friends know that I’m the queen of taking naps. I take power naps, long naps and short. I once spent a year sleeping, NO JOKE! But, life goes on. There are places we all want to be, want to be seen and events and destinations we want to attend and travel to. Make a conscious effort to get good sleep by  sticking to a sleep schedule, avoiding stimulants close to bedtime, developing a good workout routine and listening to relaxing music before bed. All of these have helped me to battle the restless nights. Also, read read read and educate yourself on what’s working for those who share your trials!

Let’s make this week a good one. Lights out!

HAVlife Martini Shake Off

Last Thursday I attended the HAVlife Martini Shake Off at St. Ambrose University after my visit at the Great River Brewery. HAVlife helps young students pursue their interests and enjoy their lives. HAVlife also provides scholarships to students to help them with their sports, music and summer camp expenses. A group of friends and I attended the Martini Shake Off last year and not only enjoyed ourselves, but supported a great charity. We eagerly anticipated the return of this event, at which we truly enjoyed ourselves again this year.

I’d like to say thank you to all of the volunteers and sponsors who made the event a success. I look forward to attending again next year! There are other events taking place that HAVlife hosts, so get involvedhttp://havlifefoundation.org/get_involved.html!

Tap That Keg!!

Last week was a busy one for me. I’ll be writing about the events I attended in addition to sharing a few highlights from a conversation I had with a girlfriend of mine while visiting at a party we attended at a winery in Iowa, about living with silent diseases. I think that particular blog post shall be of interest to my friends living with thyroid diseases. It’s Monday, I hope the day is good to you and this finds you all doing you, and doing it well.

On Thursday, February 17^th, Great River Brewery introduced the Quad-Cities to Aaah BOCK. I surely had myself a pint.

The crew at Great River Brewery is always serving up some cool, refreshing goodness. From the Dirty Blonde – an amazing brew with chocolaty goodness, to the La Jefa, my fav, I enjoy my visits to this QC brewery. I made a stop at the tapping just before attending a martini shake-off event, for charity, which I will write about soon, I promise! My taste buds have been on a tasting frenzy.  If you were to take a trip to Great River Brewery, in Davenport, Iowa, you would find Paul Krutzfeldt and Scott Lehnert, my favorite brew masters, brewing up some tasty goodness, socializing with locals and possibly tapping a keg in the Brewers Lounge.

It was the end of 2008 when Great River Brewery moved its operations from Iowa City to Davenport.  They have a good selection of brews, check them out! Wednesday nights at the brewery are really a good time to see area musicians, who perform in the Brewers Lounge. They are a riot! Hope to see you there soon!

Love Stories, The Ballet

Hello everyone! I hope your week is going well. Over the weekend I saw Love Stories, put on my the Quad Cities Ballet. I love the ballet. I’m a huge fan of the performing arts and literary, of course. Love Stories  showcased romantic moves, songs and the language of love through ballet. I am really glad I got to see the performance with my sister Marissa and our dear friend Cameo. Support the arts in your local area.

My First Concert of the Year

Last night I was introduced to Fitz and the Tantrums by a few of my dear friends. Their sounds are soulful and jazzy with a splash of indie rock. They literally had everyone on their feet during their entire concert. It was great. It was one of those concerts you could go to blind, and leave feeling like you’ve been listening to them forever. I love the variety of instruments played, smooth vocals and swanky style. Check them out online, run to the nearest concert, and start grooving today!

Snapshot!

I like taking pictures of my food. My mom and dad are amazing cooks, I do ALL RIGHT for the few things I do love to make, and I like to try new things. I think salads, sushi and soups look amazing when captured digitally. I am going to share more pics within my blog of dishes I make, eat or find delicious in appearance for you, my readers.

One thing I’ve learned about myself, living with hypothyroidism, is that a diet rich in food closest to its most natural state is beneficial to me and my digestive track. I’m sure most of the general population shares this sentiment. I try to eat a lot of salads, with protein, consisting of that good stuff that is found within the perimeters of our supermarkets.

Pay attention to your body. It knows what’s best. I’ve a lot of allergies, so if I’ve carb-loaded on simple carbs as opposed to complex carbs, my body tells me. I read a lot of books, magazines and articles on health and dieting, especially since I’ve developed hypothyroidism, because I want to know what works best for those of you struggling with this condition, and what could work best for me. I will share with you what some of my favorite feel good meals are and maybe you’ll enjoy them too!

Bon appétit!

Me & My Hypothyroid Self ~

Sometimes I miss the “former” version of me. The version of me prior to having my thyroid removed. I’m still in fact the same person that I was before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but sometimes I miss the following:

1. AMAZING Zzzzzz’s. I used to sleep like “normal” people. I’d put my head on the pillow, fall asleep within minutes, wake up when the alarm went off (with a snooze from time to time) and begin my day rested. Now, I can sleep almost anywhere, but it’s not really sleeping that I do. I nap. I nap anywhere, whenever. And when my head hits the pillow now, it’s not for a peaceful nights rest, it’s for an additional nap, similar to the one I’ll have this afternoon at home after work, but a little longer, since it’s going to be dark outside. And when I wake, I’ll feel like I need about an additional one or two hours to feel like a star. I miss amazing sleep! However, my relationship with coffee has grown stronger.

2. Metabolism -  I miss my old metabolism. It was  the bomb. It existed. Now I feel like it’s technically non-existent. But, it will suffice.

3. Short-term Memory Loss – I cannot remember what I ate at lunch, and it was mere moments ago, I think. I forget what I’m looking for when I step into my office, open the refrigerator door, who I’m going to text when I pick up my iPhone, and which side of the building I’ve parked my car on when I leave work every day. Once I was totally convinced it had been towed away, before I realized I’d parked on the opposite side that day. My short-term memory is lame, but I still have my long-term memory to be proud of. WOOT WOOT!

4. A Clear Mind…Gone, Thanks to Brain Fog – Brain fog is a terrible thing. I know there are people who experience it who aren’t living with a thyroid condition, but I tell you what, for those of us who developed one later in life, we can tell the difference. Brain fog can be episodic. Sometimes, I’m not as sharp as I could be, I can’t focus, I feel distracted and feel like I’m talking in slow motion. With hypothyroidism, in my body has slowed way down. Brain fog is terribly annoying when it hits.

The list could go on, but these are a few of the things that I’ve experienced issues with, and I’m sure those of you living with this condition have stories of your own. Maybe you fell asleep during a meeting like I did…or spent a year sleeping. The year I spent sleeping is a chapter in my book that I’m working on. I’m so glad I woke up! Now I continue my journey with thyroid balance, as it is commonly referred to, much like work-life balance. I’ll be blogging more about symptoms, and how I’ve overcome some and struggle with others, in addition to a host of other things like the color pink, what’s in my purse and umm, umm, a few other things I’ve forgotten about at this time. Stay tuned!

Xo,
S;)

10 Things You NOW Know About Me – I’d share more, but I gotta save some things for the book!

1. Green is my favorite color and Oprah’s too, in addition to my second grade teacher. I remember thinking, in the second grade, that green was too many places (duh, grass is green and everywhere, except the desert), and I preferred the color purple like my first grade teacher. But, I fell in love with green late in life and so began my love affair (plus it looks good with pink and brown).

2. My sisters are my best friends. They are amazing! Without them I’d be lost. I’m thankful to my parents for giving me two loving ladies in my life who will eternally put up with all my crazy shenanigans and crazy ways because they are my sisters.

3. I’m an Eternal Optimist.

4. I love to travel.

5. I don’t leave the house without my: iPhone, inhaler, lip gloss and key fob.

6. My first job was in a newsroom, and I went on to study journalism and work as a journalist.

7. I didn’t speak a word for the first two years of my life. When I did start talking, I never shut up.

8. I played tennis my senior year of high school.

9. I started college as an undergrad at a state school and graduated from a private school.

10. I get my news online every morning via NPR, the Today Show and Twitter before I get out of bed.

I love books!

I have quite the library at home. I add books to it monthly and take recommendations on the regular. I tend to read two to three books at a time. I just finished reading Priceless, a novel by Nicole Richie. It was an awesome read, entertaining. Read it! She does a nice job of developing her characters and describing various scenes. I easily visualized the series of events that happened in the lead character's life.

I am not giving you a synopsis. Read it and enjoy!

Happy Thyroid Awareness Month

January is Thyroid Awareness Month. I encourage you to go the iamthefaceofthyroiddisease.org website and view some of the videos being shared by those who have thyroid disease. The stories are interesting, inspiring and encouraging.

It was the summer of 2004 when I was diagnosed with a non-toxic multi-nodular goiter. Translation – my thyroid had benign tumors or growths on it. It wasn’t much longer before I had my thyroid gland removed. How I found out about this thyroid issue that I’d developed is a story I will tell in the days to come, but it started out with me having a series of choking spells, sleepless nights and bouts with irritability. I was not me, or shall I say I was not the me I’d come to love and know.

Happy Thyroid Awareness Month, and smiles from me to you. LIve your life; I'm living mine!

This is a picture of me on a Carnival Cruise this past September. I spent the time relaxing, writing and reading Eat, Pray, Love, and hanging with one of my sisters and two of my cousins. It was perfect.

I used to be: A. Musician B. Journalist C. Professor…

Today I feel like sharing a fun fact since I can, it’s my blog and I’m new to blogging and probably new to most of you. I used to be a journalist. I was a news reporter and an obituary reporter.  I have always enjoyed writing which lead to my studies in journalism and my career as a journalist. Journalists are unique people. I have an attachment to them. They give us our news, daily. Most do so tactfully, and then there are those who don’t, of course.

Anywho, the first newspaper I wrote for is the Quad-City Times. I never worked with food as a kid growing up. My first job was at the newspaper. The first time I set foot in the newspaper, I spent the day job shadowing some reporters, wrote my first news brief, an editorial and fell in love with the newsroom. I was in high school and loving life.

I got a job working in production. I did what was called “paste-up”, literally putting the newspaper together, by articles, advertisements, border tape, and wax on grids. I sent my developments to a camera guy who took pictures of them, and so the news pages went. When I came home from my freshman year of college, I wrote for the newspaper, in addition to having been a reporter for my college newspaper. However, I started working with a copy-desk editor and learned how to paginate news pages using QuarkXPress. You see, the production efforts I had been putting forth had been long replaced by desktop publishing. I’m not old, so I wonder if my newspaper was behind in the times or if I just got to experience some really cool changes in history in the realm of desktop publishing.

Let's Share Sources ~

Several years ago I had my thyroid removed due to the findings of benign tumors which lead to my diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Over the years I’ve read books, blogs, tweets and now letters about how others are surviving their thyroid issues and sharing their concerns. I’m working on a collection of essays, which are my personal narratives of what I’ve learned and experienced and what I’m still learning and experiencing living with hypothyroidism.

This past fall I connected with @dearthyroid on Twitter. You have to checkout the organization’s website. I’m still exploring it and enjoying it. The group is amazing; they offer a lot of support and information to those who are living with thyroid conditions. They epitomize sharing. And at Shared Dialogue Communications and Let’s Share Dialogue, we welcome those who want to share. I will continue to share my favorite blogs, authors of thyroid books and so on within my blog. Enjoy and please share with us who your favorite sources are!