The Spiky Haired Girl Blog

Awesome Chicken and Low Carb Conversations

2011-04-02T12:41:00.000-05:00

I was just a guest on Jimmy Moore's Low Carb Conversations podcast with Brian Sharp, co-guest. Set to air on tax day, lol, April 15. And I promise we're not talking about boring taxes.

We discussed the backlash in the Low Carb community over Gary Taubes's appearance on the Dr. Oz show!

Also included were a yummy recipe from the two of us guests, and a brief discussion on how we are treated differently in the world when they hear we eat low carb.

So as promised, here is the recipe for Awesome Chicken! (kudos to lowcarbfriends - where I got the original version of the recipe some years ago)

Awesome Chicken

8 chicken breast halves, boned (skin if you like)
1 package fresh mushrooms (sliced)
2-3 cups frozen or fresh broccoli (I use fresh, cut small)
1 large onion, sliced
4 stalks celery, diced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup mayo
½ sour cream
2 cups shredded cheese (I use cheddar/jack, use less if you like)
black pepper to taste
salt (you decide, I don't like salt)
garlic powder to taste
butter
olive oil

Heat oven to 350
In large skillet, brown chicken in olive oil and butter until partially cooked. Remove and lay into 13 x 9 baking dish. Add broccoli around the chicken any which way you like.

To oil and butter (I add more butter now) in skillet, add your onion, celery and mushrooms (smells so good) and cook until onion is clear and wilting.

While veggies are cooking, mix cream, mayo, spices (I sometimes add some sour cream, too) and shredded cheese. Stir it up.

Remove cooking veggies and lay across the chicken and broccoli. Then pour cream/mayo mix over all.

Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

Let stand for 5 before serving.
**Note: no matter how long I pre-cook the veggies, I always end up with a lot of really yummy chicken and veggie ‘juice’ in the bottom of the dish. No matter. Lift the chicken straight out of dish and enjoy; save yummy broth for whatever you cook next. ;-)

A change is a comin'

2011-03-26T09:50:00.000-05:00

"Professional dieting" can make one go pretty much stark-raving mad. As in crazy.

And I for one am tired of it. I'm tired of rules, I'm tired of unrealistic expectations, and I'm tired of methods that aren't realistic for the masses.

I'm changing my focus a bit, folks. I'll be posting a bit here and there in this blog, and who knows? Maybe I'll get back on Youtube.

I'm tired of "Conventional Wisdom" and really, I'm tired of extremism in the Fighters of Conventional Wisdom.

As almost-a-RN-so-close-I-can-taste-it, I just really have conviction that we've made things just too darn complicated to make any kind of change in most people. And thus, we've failed most people.

I haven't lost my mind, never fear. I still think that white food is the enemy. I personally still stay at no more than around 100 carbs. But having said that...

STUFF I'M TIRED OF:
eliminating food groups
crazy swings of the dieting pendulum from Extreme Left to Extreme Right to... well you get me.

Stay tuned. I am only gathering thoughts right now, but I am actually in the Healthcare industry now and I have strong conviction that I've got to do something to help more people.
Professional "dieteurs" don't need help; they will find a program that they like and will stick to...or several. I want to help the girl next door and John Q Public.

A rebuttal to the Sparkpeople article: "The Truth about High Fructose Corn Syrup"

2010-04-04T16:29:00.000-05:00

Sunday, April 04, 2010

A rebuttal to this Sparkpeople article: www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutriti
on_articles.asp?id=486

Bah. I appreciate the author, Becky Hand, mentioning that we get far too much sugar in our diets, regardless of the source. I also appreciate that she said that table sugar and HFCS are both man-made, and thus, not natural. Most of her article was informative and helpful. But to say that High Fructose Corn Syrup is basically the equivalent to sugar is wrong. And her apologies in ‘breaking rules on reliable nutrition education for the public’ breaks MY friggin’ heart. There are studies that show her original gut-instinct was CORRECT. Becky, don’t apologize—you were right the first time!
A study just was published February 26, 2010, out of Princeton University that showed rats consuming 8% HFCS gained significant weight over rats on 10% sucrose. (less HFCS and more weight gain!)
Experiment 2 of this study showed both little girl and little boy rats with access to HFCS gained significantly more weight than control groups. “This increase in body weight with HFCS was accompanied by an increase in adipose fat, notably in the abdominal region, and elevated circulating triglyceride levels.”
Agreed--this is a study using rodents and not humans, but we’ve got to start somewhere. Here’s a link the study that I’m referencing.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20219526
And the commercials that the Corn Refiners Association has been putting out as of late—‘nutritionally the same as sugar. And fine in moderation.’ Bah again! Of COURSE, they’d say so. They have a vested interest in the sale of their commodity.
It’s much like Phillip Morris saying just a few years ago that cigarettes were good for you, good for weight loss, or that most doctors smoked THEIR brands of cigarettes.

Bah.

ugh

2009-08-13T19:49:00.003-05:00

I am so unproductive tonight. Here is my random stream of consciousness:
*I got my thesis back for yet ANOTHER revision, and I need to be working on it, but I just "don-wanna." I was REALLY mad about this one, and proceeded to tell my "mentor" exactly what I thought about it. He actually emailed me back in a halfway encouraging way to tell me it was a normal part of the process.
*I've taught teller training for the last two days and I am exhausted, but glad that I got a neat change of pace. I teach a training class usually every other week, so I get something new to do all the time, which is cool.
*I realized a few days ago that I have managed to enroll in the Microbiology class I needed *without* signing up for the lab that starts right after the class each week. I am absolutely sick. It is a 7pm lab and is the only one that fits my schedule. AND NOW, It is completely closed to enrollees now. I am sick! My only hope is that once school begins, someone will drop the class and I'll be able to get in. I have purchased my lab book in faith of this. I don't think it is the END of the world, but it is *recommended* to take them simulatelously. Ugh.
*I went to the university and got my student ID made and my parking pass...and I splurged for a parking SPACE, as well. Even if I have a long walk, I want to be guaranteed a spot. This is a highly populated university. It is often not a matter of a "good" parking spot, it is merely getting a parking spot that is problematic. My parking spot is good for a YEAR, not just the semester, so I bought it...even though I am taking classes at two different locations (two different cities).
I go to cities I've never been to, hold training classes for people I've never met, stay in hotels/dine alone, but registering for everything at a university is what makes me have a panic attack! LOL I guess I'm just in the middle of the unknown.
*I did find another technical college in the area that I could take some of my courses at, cheaper, and will transfer to my local university. Hmmm....
*I love reading nursing blogs!
*Sure have a lot of apprehension about the eventual quitting of my job to go to school. I do ok with what I've been given. (thank you Lord) But, if I can bite a temporary bullet, I will make more.
Away anxiety! Sheesh! LOL

Begin Again

2009-08-06T20:41:00.005-05:00

So as I've been slaving away, desperately trying to finish my Master's Degree thesis, I've decided I like the pain so much that I'll do some more. No, not a Ph.D. this time. Not...yet. *wicked grin
It seems I have some medical opportunities on the horizon. I have always loved reading about the latest medical breakthroughs, the worst gaffes/triumphs made by doctors, natural health, prevention of disease, etc, etc, etc. So why did I never pursue a health related field? I didn't think I could handle the science and math. Even though I had an 'A' in all of those classes in high school...sans algebra. I got a B in that. *College* Algebra, though! :)
So I've turned in ALL of my *paper* work for my Master's thesis. Waiting impatiently for the evaluators, graders, and committee to mark it up already.
Because class starts again August 24th, 2009. I am going back and taking Human Anatomy & Physiology and lab, Microbiology and lab, and of all things, US History, because it is a requirement. (I've taken World Civ prior...wish that would suffice. But since I want to practice in America, guess I better know about US History.)
That's 10 credit hours folks. Did I mention that I am employed full time at the 3rd largest bank in my state? As a Trainer?
Yes, I think I've lost my mind. I am really REALLY not sure how I'll fit it all in. Hell, I'll be in class until 9 pm on two nights a week. Going to class 4 nights a week. And commuting, too. I'm taking one of my classes at a satellite of the local university, so it carries with it a 30 minute commute to get there. A significant savings per credit hour, too. But it was the only way I could even BEGIN to cram it all in.
So I had some correspondence with someone a few months back about requirements necessary for my goal. They gave me a big laundry list. When I emailed that person again from my SCHOOL email address, I think I surprised the hell out of her. I actually took her advice, enrolled in classes, and have the email addy to prove it.
She said as much, in a matter of speaking.
I let her know that I was showing a missing requirement on my record. It dealt with having an advisor plan. Well, I don't HAVE an advisor. I don't have to have one; I'm post-bac (baccalaureate). Heck, I'm almost post-grad. But turns out, I do have to have an advisor if I am to get financial aid.
Cue the movie sound effect music "dun dun DUN!"
And ya know what? Her program is a very VERY competitive program to get into, and even though I am months and many classes from even being able to apply, she agreed to Advise me. Nice.
P.S. On top of this mysterious program I've been talking about, I was accepted into a Doctor of Chiropractic program. How cool is that? I love chiropractic; not sure it is the thing for ME to practice, though. I sure love options, either way.

YPN Leadership Conference

2009-05-15T17:19:00.003-05:00

I have been involved in the Young Professionals Network Leadership Conference for the last couple of days. It has been wonderful! I've had some really great speakers and motivating words. I will share more on both that and what I feel like after monday...which is when I'll be taking my last written exam for my Masters Degree!

Asthma Part II vid has been posted on YouTube. Check it out, I'd love your comments.

If you'd like to hear from me more often, check me out on Twitter! spikyhairedgirl

2009-04-01T07:15:00.001-05:00

I've been doing so much research here recently on weak adrenals and what I came up with was Himalayan Salt for the antidote. This article confirms!

I've been dieting because I'm up as high as I let myself get (higher really) and so my ONLY salt has been himalayan salt--and I'm actually retaining LESS water. I'm also eating zero carbs right now, so that would be helping me to shed water too, but the salt is not slowing me down, and it actually is making me feel better.

I bought some big rocks of himalayan salt to make sole (sol-ay) and then I drink some salt in my morning water. I've also been making my own "gatorade" with the salt, a dash of salt sub for potassium, and crystal lite. Salt even makes my protein shakes taste better. And it should, I really like salt in my desserts and ice cream to punch out the flavor-like you with french fries in a shake or ice cream ( i know you don't eat like that anymore *wink)

So it turns out, one with weak adrenals CRAVES salt like mad (which I do), cannot ever quit being thirsty (which I had been) and pees a lot (due to not using salt properly - a salt "waster" they call it. Which paradoxically makes you still retain fluid.) Has to do with the hormore aldosterone. (Just in case you're interested to look it up.)
One would think it sounds like diabetes, but a diabetic loses weight with these signs; I've been gaining recently.

Interesting stuff. Its just what's on my mind this morning! Further evidence.

See also http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/03/31/Is-Salt-Natures-Antidepressant.aspx

It has been forever since I've been on youtube; this will probably find its way there soon!

Eggnog with The Spiky Haired Girl!

2008-12-08T22:06:00.003-06:00

As seen on my Eggnog video on Youtube...Here's the complete recipe!

Cooked Eggnog
This is a cooked version for all of you who would never consider eating a raw egg - and it's YUMMY. (IF you manage to keep the eggs from scrambling, LOL)

2 cups half and half
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup Splenda (or more, to taste :) )
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 eggs
1 cup water
Nutmeg

In a glass liquid measuring cup, combine the half and half and the cream. Microwave it on 70% power for 3 - 4 minutes, or until it's very warm through, but not boiling - this is simply a time-saver, and is not essential; if you prefer you can simply heat the half and half/cream mixture over a low flame in the saucepan you'll use to finish the recipe.
After microwaving, pour cream/half and half mixture into a heavy bottomed saucepan, and whisk in the Splenda, vanilla extract, and eggs.
Turn the burner to lowest heat - if you have a heat diffuser or a double boiler, this would be a good time to use it - and stand there and stir your eggnog constantly until it's thick enough to coat a metal spoon with a thin film.
This will, I'm sorry to say, take at least 5 minutes, and maybe as much as 20.
Stir in water, and chill.
Sprinkle a little nutmeg on each serving - this makes about 1 ½ quarts, or 6 1-cup servings or 12 ½-cup servings.
If you drink 1 cup of this eggnog, you'll get 5 grams of carbohydrate, a trace of fiber, and 9 grams of protein.
Spike if ya like!
Thanks again to the folks at lowcarbohydrate.net

My Interview with Jimmy Moore!

2008-12-03T15:26:00.002-06:00

Well, if you know anything about Low-Carb, then you probably know the name Jimmy Moore. He is instrumental in getting out the truth about the wonderful Low-Carb lifestyle.

Guess what!!?? He interviewed ME to be on his podcast show! It was really fun. We talked about my endeavors with my journey to a Master degree in Health Promotion, and the supplements that I recommend.

Check out his podcast website and ME for December 3, 2008 at http://www.thelivinlowcarbshow.com/cameo-watkins-spikyhaired-girl-episode-204/

:)

Acid/Alkaline Balance

2008-09-10T06:47:00.004-05:00

See my latest video on youtube.com and learn about the acid/alkaline balance your body continuously strives for.
ALKALIZING FOODS VEGETABLES
Garlic
Asparagus
Fermented Veggies
Watercress
Beets
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chlorella
Collard Greens
Cucumber
Eggplant
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard Greens
Dulce
Dandelions
Edible Flowers
Onions
Parsnips (high glycemic)
Peas
Peppers
Pumpkin
Rutabaga
Sea Veggies
Spirulina
Sprouts
Squashes
Alfalfa
Barley Grass
Wheat Grass
Wild Greens
Nightshade Veggies
FRUITS
Apple
Apricot
Avocado
Banana (high glycemic)
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Currants
Dates/Figs
Grapes
Grapefruit
Lime
Honeydew Melon
Nectarine
Orange
Lemon
Peach
Pear
Pineapple
All Berries
Tangerine
Tomato
Tropical Fruits
Watermelon

PROTEIN
Eggs
Whey Protein Powder
Cottage Cheese
Chicken Breast
Yogurt
Almonds
Chestnuts
Tofu (fermented)
Flax Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
Tempeh (fermented)
Squash Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
Millet
Sprouted Seeds
Nuts OTHER
Apple Cider Vinegar
Bee Pollen
Lecithin Granules
Probiotic Cultures
Green Juices
Veggies Juices
Fresh Fruit Juice
Organic Milk
(unpasteurized)
Mineral Water
Alkaline Antioxidant Water
Green Tea
Herbal Tea
Dandelion Tea
Ginseng Tea
Banchi Tea
Kombucha

SWEETENERS
Stevia

SPICES/SEASONINGS
Cinnamon
Curry
Ginger
Mustard
Chili Pepper
Sea Salt
Miso
Tamari
All Herbs

ORIENTAL VEGETABLES
Maitake
Daikon
Dandelion Root
Shitake
Kombu
Reishi
Nori
Umeboshi
Wakame
Sea Veggies

ACIDIFYING FOODS FATS & OILS
Avocado Oil
Canola Oil
Corn Oil
Hemp Seed Oil
Flax Oil
Lard
Olive Oil
Safflower Oil
Sesame Oil
Sunflower Oil

FRUITS
Cranberries

GRAINS
Rice Cakes
Wheat Cakes
Amaranth
Barley
Buckwheat
Corn
Oats (rolled)
Quinoi
Rice (all)
Rye
Spelt
Kamut
Wheat
Hemp Seed Flour

DAIRY
Cheese, Cow
Cheese, Goat
Cheese, Processed
Cheese, Sheep
Milk
Butter NUTS & BUTTERS
Cashews
Brazil Nuts
Peanuts
Peanut Butter
Pecans
Tahini
Walnuts

ANIMAL PROTEIN
Beef
Carp
Clams
Fish
Lamb
Lobster
Mussels
Oyster
Pork
Rabbit
Salmon
Shrimp
Scallops
Tuna
Turkey
Venison

PASTA (WHITE)
Noodles
Macaroni
Spaghetti

OTHER
Distilled Vinegar
Wheat Germ
Potatoes DRUGS & CHEMICALS
Chemicals
Drugs, Medicinal
Drugs, Psychedelic
Pesticides
Herbicides

ALCOHOL
Beer
Spirits
Hard Liquor
Wine

BEANS & LEGUMES
Black Beans
Chick Peas
Green Peas
Kidney Beans
Lentils
Lima Beans
Pinto Beans
Red Beans
Soy Beans
Soy Milk
White Beans
Rice Milk
Almond Milk

Do a search on google for more info about getting in balance! Some lists will contradict each other, but they all agree that green veggies are alkalizing. :)
(A big thanks to thewolfeclinic.com for wonderful and helpful info on this topic--and this list!)

Camping

2008-08-27T20:54:00.002-05:00

I simply adore camping. Adore! I love making all my lists of things to buy, food to cook, groceries to get, and stuff to pack. And I love re-writing all my lists after I lose the orginals. ;)
This will be our first camping trip with TWO bichon frises in tow.
Btw, Twinkie is adjusting nicely to our home and our routines. She was free in the house all day today, with nary a mess, I am pleased to report.
Tater just loves Twinkie. She's a pretty good ol' gal. Turns out she is actually 11 years old, not ten, according to her vet records I received today, but no worries. She is as spunky as 7 year old Tater, and can play and blitz with the best of them.
Lots of yummy low carb foods will be finding their way into my camper's galley. We have lots of charcoal and a charcoal grill, and propane and a campstove to cook it all up. I hope to shoot video on site for my youtube vlog!
Getting ready for an outing, though, is exhausting. I think I'll be going now...to bed!

Olympic Sprint

2008-08-23T14:33:00.002-05:00

Ok, just because she's ten, DOES NOT MEAN that Twinkie isn't fast. Sheesh, I just had to full out sprint around my neighborhood and catch the darn little doggie. Tater followed, but he was staying with me, but Twinkie... ! Sheesh. She is SO fast. Happy-Dog-grinning, tongue hanging out, full blast down one side of the street and back up the other. It must have been a sight seeing me chase Twinkie, and Tater chasing me, in and out of everyone's muddy yards. And then, me crossing the street from the neighbors, a muddy-footed dog under each arm.
I think I'll be very prudent with her leash from now on!

Two Dog, ahem, Bichon, Night

2008-08-23T13:27:00.003-05:00

Or day, as it may be. I went VERY early this morning to the airport to pickup Twinkie. Her flight landed at approx 8:30 and I had a 2-2.5 hour drive.

I went to the Continental ticket counter as instructed by my Small Paws flight arranger, Lynda. They confirmed that I was indeed at the proper place, but that the dogs had not yet been unloaded. (Another military guy was having his doggie flown to him from GUAM.) I waited around for just a few minutes and then they brought the guy his dog, he presented ID and that was that!

She then motioned me over, went behind a door, and brought out my little girl. She is so little-bitty compared to Tater-Dog!
No fuss, no muss! They even allowed me to put a leash on her and walk her out of the airport--she didn't have to stay in her kennel any longer. :) As soon as we went out to the mulched area the airline said we could use as a doggie bathroom, :) , it began to pour rain. Thank goodness we were right next to an overhang and I was able to get us underneath it before we were too awfully soaked. Then we went back throught the airport, I put her back in her kennel, and I walked out to the car. She was SO excited, she quickly drank all her water, so the first thing we did was stop at a Valero station to buy some Aquafina for us both, and a Double Shot Starbucks expresso for me--a little carby, but a VERY nice and rare treat for me.

We rode home, uneventfully. She drank water, calmed down, and laid down a couple of times for a quick nap. We stopped at about the halfway point for another pee break, then drove home.
Tater is VERY exciteable, and when he is all stirred up, he is O-V-E-R-W-H-E-L-M-I-N-G to the Nth degree. Whew. First thing he did was jump on Twinkie, to which she rightfully returned a growl. Now the doggies are dragging their leashes around the house, and sniffing butts and kissing occasionally. They have acclimated to one another.
Twinkie's foster momma was a very good foster momma. She is even sending me some of Twinkie's things, like her vet records, next week. I also know she is a good momma, because Twinkie is looking for her. :( I hope she will adjust quickly to her new home, but I am so pleased she came from a place that treated her so well.
I am exhausted. No naps in sight, yet, though. Early morning, lots of excitement, about 5 hours of driving time, and two dogs to get to know each other, and a dog learning a new house.
It is far too stimulating for them, and for them to let the Spiky Haired Girl sleep. Maybe they'll lie down soon...
The now Mom to TWO carby-named fur-children,
Cam

The Spiky Haired Girl and a Twinkie

2008-08-21T20:56:00.002-05:00

Only MY twinkie isn't the little yellow creme-filled cakes. It is a little love-filled doggie! Twinkie will be arriving at the airport at 8:30 am Saturday morning!!
I have a 2.5 hour drive, so I'll be having a VERY early morning. But well worth it.

I'm off to have a decaf protein cappuccino, which is MUCH tastier than it sounds.

Goodnight, all. :)

SHG

a Cameo Conglomeration

2008-08-20T19:40:00.003-05:00

A "Conglomeration" is the accumulation of the miscellaneous. Here's a Cameo Conglomeration.

I finished my semester early, so I am on term break right now. My new term doesn't begin until the END OF SEPTEMBER. That is driving me nuts because I could be getting a lot more done. I am about to start working on my thesis, known as a capstone at WGU, during this "down time." Now, what to work on? Health Promotion/Public Health...a "meaningful" project...and no direction whatsoever. I guess I should be glad 'cause that means I can do my project on whatever I choose. I am frustrated at the moment, though, because I don't know what to focus on.

I volunteer for the United Way. Many of the agencies that the UW supports could be leads for my project. We work with Girl Scouts, teen parents, women recovering from domestic violence, the food bank, and many other worthy agencies. Any of these would be a good place to start...I love all of them so much, it is hard to figure out which one I would specifically want to work with.

I am going to be a mom! Again! To another fur-kid, anyway. ;) My own mother just had a heart attack reading that line, I am sure. LOL I have officially adopted a rescued Bichon Frise from Small Paws Rescue. Her name is currently "Stormy" but we will be re-naming her "Twinkie." Twinkie will be flying to me from Texas. I am still waiting to find out her flight itinerary. Seriously! She should be arriving this weekend is why I mention it again. I am so excited to be getting her. Tater doesn't know it yet, but he is excited, too. That's him in my profile pic.

I am involved in YPN, the Young Professionals Network, which is through local chamber of commerces in the United States. It is really fun to network with other people my age, getting established in our careers. Our luncheon today was catered by Strawberry's Barbeque and we had the biggest BBQ pork...steaks? that I have ever seen. It was truly a low-carbers dream.

I have just accepted a new position at the bank! I am going to work in IT/Training! Which is great for me--my undergrad is in IT Management and there could be no more perfect a fit. I have enjoyed being a Credit Analyst. I have found, though, that just because you can DO a job, even do it well, doesn't mean you like the job. And though I was good at it, I am not naturally talented at it. I really have to work for it. Now, my cohort, he is a genius analyst. The numbers just speak to him. I, on the other hand, scream at the numbers.
The training job is a great opportunity, and I cannot wait to get in there and show the world what I am capable of. I won't get to move to the new position completely until mid Septemeber, as my currnet cohort's wife is expecting any time now, and I've got to be around for his absence.

Let's see...what else...

I still love bootcamp! If you've seen my latest vid, I lost 1.25 inches on my waist, 1.25 on my hips, and 1.25 on my butt! Weeee! I have just moved up an additional pound on my arm weights, and I am about to begin using small ankle weights. Gotta keep increasing! I find I have my best bootcamp days when I have a big ol' hamburger patty for lunch. Lots of protein and ample calories to fuel my workout. :)

CAMPING. I am going camping for the Labor Day weekend and I could not be more excited. We haven't gone camping at all this year. We've taken our camper to a couple of weekends away, but we've not "Camped." I mean, big F150 hauling, camper toting, full-hook ups, in the middle of a beautiful state park, fridge loaded, toilet deodorized, dogs and their toys, leashes, and food, and row boat kind of CAMPING. We just decided we would go today, so our normal campsites are already taken, but I am just glad we're going, so we will make the most of it.

TTFN, ta ta for now!
The Spiky Haired Girl

supplementation experimentation

2008-08-01T06:49:00.002-05:00

I am taking DIM on the advice of Suzy Cohen, the 24 hour pharmacist. DIM, or diindolyolmethane, comes from cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower.

In the body, it helps to "mop up" all the extra estrogen that can cause painful health issues like fibroids and endometriosis--the latter is entertained by yours truly. It can actually act as an aromatase inhibitor--which is fancy science words for keeping the hormones in your body from turning into estrogen. (Did you know that your body can turn one thing into another? The human body is brilliant, thanks to the Creator!)

Most female health issues seem to be treated by medical folks with MORE estrogen, lot less, and it is a fake, unhealthy version of estrogen--such as Hormone Replacement Therapy, (HRT like Premarin) or in Oral Contraceptives (birth control pills) that they hand out for EVERYTHING, including stubbed toes and hangnails--just kidding, but REALLY.

Doctors haven't really seemed to want to help me in fighting my condition. They just want me to try the pill--AGAIN--get fat, unhappy, and generally feel like I am preggo the whole time I'm on them (well, what I IMAGINE it is like to be preggo, at least, lol).

So enter natural supplementation and figuring this thing out on my own.

The other thing I'm taking is Serrapeptase. This is an enzyme that dissolves scar tissue--a perfect action for someone with fibroids/endo because that is what the diseases are all about.

I had a hotflash the other day from the DIM. Won't know if the serrapeptase is working for at least a month.
I'll keep you posted. Got to get ready for work, but I hope this overview is thought provoking. I plan to get more detailed on these wonderful possibilities.
Happy Friday!
The Spiky Haired Girl

Four Legged Furry Friends

2008-07-23T06:40:00.002-05:00

So as my friend Sharky told you, this blog will not be just about low carb issues, but "getting to know" me, also.
I don't think I've ever told you that I am a doggie lover! I have a wonderful little Bichon Frise that is 7 named Tater. Yup, Tater! :) I AM from the south, you know. :)
Well, it seems that it is time to get Tater a dog. LOL I have wanted to get Tater a companion Bichon for a long time, but I have not done it because I didn't think I had time to housetrain another dog. (When we got Tater, my husband was working out of the house, so it was easy.)
Enter Small Paws Rescue of Tulsa, OK! They are a nationwide Bichon rescue, and whether the dog needs a home because his former Mommy died or a puppy mill gets shut down, the folks at Small Paws have foster families while waiting on someone who needs a Bichon to apply for adoption.
The little girls (I had to put a 1st and 2nd choice) that I've applied for are housebroken already! And the rescue will allow me to pay for the dog to be flown to me.
(on the flying issue, a little education on that subject from the airlines and from SPR helped me feel much better about it all. The animals are in the cabin of the airplane--in a cargo area, but with air, airconditioning, and pressurization (depressurization?) so they are completely comfortable. Also, they aren't allowed to fly at all > 85 degrees due to the short amount of time they are outside on the tarmac being driven from one place to the next. They are HAND DELIVERED. So they are well taken care of. It makes happy Fur-Mom's like me, and the airline is rewarded with more business. And the airline wants to do right and keep away from bad press, so we all win.)
I hope little Mindy (or Stormy) gets to join The Spiky Haired Girl's family soon!
PS We are changing the name if we get our 2nd Bichon. Her name will become Twinkie. So we'll have Tater and Twinkie! I love food names for dogs. They just happened to be carby names, too! LOL

Truvia

2008-07-15T18:58:00.003-05:00

If you haven't heard about Truvia (true-VEE-uh), lend me your ears. Truvia is an isolated component of the Stevia plant mixed with erythitol (a sugar alcohol that doesn't hurt the tummy), serving as a new sweetener. So this one is natural (if isolating a compound still qualifies as natural).
Stevia's been around for centuries. The US only has only allowed importing of it for about 10 years, and the FDA will not allow Stevia to be sold as a sweetener. It has to be sold as a "supplement."
The Cargill company, with the Coca-Cola company (who has exclusive rights to making drinks with Truvia), has now isolated the sweet part of the Stevia plant (and I admit some Stevia can be both sweet and bitter, so I see why they isolated it) and are now combining it with other "natural" sweeteners to make the new product, Truvia.
*Drumming my fingers on my desk...
This just smacks of politics, my friends. Sure, ban a whole, natural, safe plant for the longest, then allow it, albeit begrugingly, to be sold as a supplement and never a sweetener, effectively hiding its existence from the public.
Then enter a nice big company with nice big marketing plan, and now stevia is ok?
The FDA actually calls stevia an "unsafe food additive" but now isolated compounds of the unsafe food are ok? Is it ok only because Cargill is the company behind it?
Sorry guys, but I had to rant for a bit. Please understand me, my problem isn't with Cargill--it is with the FDA.
Final thoughts:
Stevia is completely safe as centuries have proven.
Truvia will likely replace Splenda in my house.
The "how" it came into existence bugs me.
Keepin' it real and low-carb,
The SHG

Of potlucks & boot camp

2008-07-11T15:18:00.001-05:00

Ugh, I hate work potlucks. I have stayed with the cream cheese/ham dip with celery and broccoli today, which is very good. But I am so much better off to not have the first bite of food, even if it is low carb, when we are potlucking all day.
Because THEN, I go back and have another and yet another stalk of celery with dip that seems safe enough...When I’m not hungry anymore—just “munchy.” And I then I have cause for looking at the cheesecake (well, cheese PIE-- it is just that stuff out of a box) and it is looking better all the time. Dang it.
Bring your own food, and don’t eat ANYTHING if it isn’t something you bought. Somehow, there is more responsibility that way.

Negativity aside, I am back in the gym! I am so very pleased to report that I have joined our local Boot Camp gym and I LOVE IT. I know that I am SO very out of shape though and leg day cometh…LOL.
I have started and stopped since the advent of my “skinny-fat” video on working out. I knew that I needed the accountability that this program offers.
One of the instructors is a figure (fitness) competitor, and everyone was joking with me last night when we talked about it that she was tougher than the guy who owns Boot Camp. Is she ever ripped. Lawzy.
Pssst! A secret? I wanted to do that once upon a time. And I lifted weights and did really well…except for one thing. I could NEVER get my bodyfat down.
Methinks the high carb diet I was on may have been a contributing factor...! I ate high protein, so I did develop some muscle, but I couldn’t cut weight. DON’T get me wrong, I wasn’t anywhere close to competing, but I got discouraged and quit early because I couldn’t get the bodyfat off. Enter the low-carb lifestyle!
I weighed and measured yesterday at my first day of boot camp. I am to be weighed again in one month. I’ll post those digits then!

Firecracker madness-Over!

2008-07-07T09:46:00.001-05:00

The two weeks of firecracker madness has come to a close--a welcome close. Living, more or less, out of a fireworks tent and my camper had its difficulties, but it was overall a fun experience.
Low-carb eating was a success, though not always the healthiest of choices. I ate bunless burgers, pizza “scrapings,” hot wings, peanuts, almonds, and Hardee’s Low-carb bowls and bottled water out the waz. And WAY too much coffee and diet coke!
Believe it or not, in the midst of it all, I managed to finish another class in my masters program! My new "want" regarding college ("want?" check out my motivations and goal setting vid on youtube) is to fly to Salt Lake City and walk at my graduation...oh yeah, and do that in FEBRUARY. 2009, not 10.
Yesterday, in a “yea-fireworks-season-is-over-celebration” meal at O’Charleys, I had the Ultimate Omelet—yep they’ve got brunch on Sundays—that featured many beautiful veggies and cheese. And instead of the potatoes on the side, I had the steamed veggies, like what they serve with their yummy steaks. It was truly wonderful.
So the Spiky Haired one has yet another interesting experience under her belt from which to draw upon in the slaying of the high carb dragon...my, dramatic, aren't I? :)

Fireworks season!

2008-07-02T07:06:00.000-05:00

I am selling fireworks. Yes, fireworks. This is one of the craziest endeavors I've undertaken, but it is such a nice change from my normal analyst job. (I LOVE my job, but a nice change, nonetheless.)
Low carb can definitely be done on the road. Just PLAN. I let a bit of "carb creep" increase my scale weight by a few pounds last weekend. Easy to do if you don't plan, and are living on the road, running a fireworks tent, lol. So, I've been hard core this week, back on track and eating very low carb for a couple to get back in balance. Ahhh. *sigh of relief
Check out my latest show on "what to eat when eating OUT!"
Lotsa Loves!
Cameo
The Spiky Haired Girl

supplements show on youtube

2008-06-23T19:27:00.000-05:00

I have my new supplements show up on youtube--be sure to check it out!
Writing a paper on cessation and the special needs of cigarette addicted pregnant women, so too-de-loo for now!

time to work out

2008-05-08T21:32:00.000-05:00

So it would appear that I've allowed myself to become "skinny-fat." *sigh
I have run the gamut of workouts. My last obsession was running. I overtrained myself into a slight bout of chronic fatigue or just overtraining syndrome. I had to take time off. Then, I couldn't get back ON. It is so important, especially as we age to not let our muscle go. We need muscle to be healthy, and we need it to burn calories! Not to mention, I don't want to be a frail old lady who can't haul her own groceries...at least, not any more than I can help it.

Low carb is mydiet. I'm learning/being reaffirmed in what I know from MuscleHack.com and this will be the first time I'll low carb in addition to my workouts.
Time to start hitting the weights again.
The Spiky Haired Girl

The Spiky Haired Girl hits Blogspot!

2008-04-22T19:32:00.001-05:00

I truly believe that prevention is key in the disease arena. I've tried most diets, but my way of eating is low-carb. Get to know me at www.youtube.com/thespikyhairedgirl
My videos touch on all aspects of a healthy, low-carb life!