Nearly The Bionic Woman » lifestyle change

How Food Affects Libido and Health

Christina — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:38:12 +0000

Working on the best information for you. Coming soon!

We have talked about hormone replacements but what if you are someone like me who may want another option. We are in luck because there is another choice and that’s through diet.

You may not have been aware however, the foods that you can eat can affect many different ways that your body functions. Eat too little of certain types of food and you can become malnourished in one way or another. Eat too much of others, such as saturated fats and high sugar and you will not only risk putting on extra weight but raise the possibility of heart problems.

Just as food can cause good or bad health, it can also help or hurt your chances of a healthy sex life. The hormones that are most responsible for affecting your sex drive and performance are estrogen and testosterone. Unfortunately though, these hormones can lead to so much more including death as a result of such a problem.

I have been researching hormones and how they affect the body for a few weeks now and until recently I was not totally convinced myself. I know it’s possible but how can I truly help the situation myself without a doctor’s prescription? That is the thing to do these days isn’t it? Making an appointment to see one’s physician has become more a sport over the last few years when we should be visiting our local farmers market!

About a week ago, I began thanks to some friends a 14 day Green Smoothie Challenge. I am only on Day 4 due to my schedule and yet I can already tell the difference and the amazing part is that is perfectly relates to what I have been reading. Part of an Australian group, the premise of the smoothies are citrus, berries and cruciferous vegetables, mostly including leafy greens. Whoa! Are you kidding me? Maybe there’s something to this hormone thing after all. With each email that I receive [that includes that day’s smoothie], also included is information on how are body receives what we are about to drink and why. By the way, this group has no idea that I am even writing this and has in no way asked me to do so. I simply love the connection.

Day one’s smoothie was a little bland consisting of only bananas, Romaine lettuce and water, so on day two I took it a little further and l added some flax seed oil to the blueberry and spinach concoction. Fantastic! Day three was kale, apple and lemon. I have actually made this combination in my juicer and although not my favorite, I could drink it again. In a blender though…disgusting. Of course, it could be the ginger that I added because I read that it’s good for your joints and I really hurt that day. I am not sure if I will ever make that one again. But what do these things have to do with hormones?

According to Genie James, M.M.SC., and Dr. C.W. Randolph, Jr., the way to balance your hormones with food is to eat natural healthy foods, including those greens. Do you see where I am going with this? The spinach and kale are part of the list of cruciferous vegetables which can lower bad estrogen levels therefore controlling estrogen dominance. They are also shown to lower chances of developing breast cancer. Estrogen is the hormone that builds cells. If your body has too much estrogen, or estrogen dominance, then your bodies supply of progesterone cannot keep that growth under control. Cancer is an overgrowth of cells that mutate.

NOTE: Do not eat too may raw cruciferous veggies a day to avoid pseudohypothoyroidism. Although extremely good food, they also contain thyroid inhibitors know as goitrogens. So, lightly steam, blanch or stir fry as alternatives.

Did you notice the lemon in the above picture? The next food group that needs to be added to your diet for optimal health (and a bonus of weight loss) is citrus. Yellow, green and orange, citrus is amazing tool not only for snacks and treats but also for detoxifying estrogen. Oh yeah, and that weight loss thing too. I seem to remember when I was a bit chunky in high school, I ate half a grapefruit every day and lost a few pounds.

Throw in some insoluble fiber, like that Romaine lettuce, and what you have is the beginning of a wonderful food/body relationship. Fiber is probably the one thing that we are reminded of every time we watch television or go to the grocery store. Since whole grains are a great source of insoluble fiber, breads and cereals made from them are an excellent way to start off the day. I actually heard a commercial the day before I read it that eating a whole grain cereal for breakfast not only helps you feel fuller longer but lose weight in the process. Someone must be on to something here. Other sources of this fiber that you may not know about include brown rice, seeds, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, celery and tomatoes.

Next, some vitamins and minerals to help balance your hormones.

Book Review: A Child's Journey Out of Autism

Christina — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:12:15 +0000

A Child’s Journey Out Of Autism

One Family’s Story of Living in Hope and Finding a Cure

Leeann Whiffen

I saw this book sitting on the shelf at the library when I walked the pass through the two building. The word AUTISM with a picture of a smiling young child on the beach caught my eye and intrigued my mind even though I wasn’t there to pick up a book that day. As I flipped through the pages, I saw that this was an actual story and not simply research like I had been reading but why not? So, I took it home.

A Child’s Journey…starts out as a typical autobiography where the author is about to give birth to her second child. It describes a mother and the first few days of her newborns life. How he is healthy and perfect. How it all begins.

A series of events, starting with the vaccinations given to a baby during it’s first couple of days and leading to dose after dose of antibiotics given to a child with constant ear infections. A doctor patient relationship that is more like a communist one. An uneducated and trusting mother, like I too used to be, that trusts the one person that is supposed to be the advocate for her child other than herself. Then, the story turns to the different treatments and lengths that a family is willing to endure for the love of a child. The dedication that this family and the care givers involved show to do everything possible to bring this child back will break your heart and make it sing all at once.

This book, written by the actual mother of the child, shows the incredible journey of one family that wouldn’t stop until they did everything possible to give their autistic son the best chance in life. It combines their actual struggles and feelings with facts and details of each step along the way. It is a must read for any parent with or without an autistic child and anyone who works with or simply loves children.

Where Is The Weight Hiding?

Christina — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:00:24 +0000

I had lost 9 pounds when I got sick a couple of months ago. It was bad enough that I needed to visit an oncologist concerned that I may have IBS or even worse that could have been causing such problems when the tests for food poisoning came back negative. I still think (as did the oncologist) that it was too familiar to food poisoning though.

I would be lying if I didn’t say I was pleased about the weight loss even by such means. I was down to 128lbs. Only 8lbs to go. I had been trying to eat well and was keeping off the weight although not losing anymore as the diarhea settled down. Now it’s pretty much gone all together except for the occasional “what did you just feed me” moments.

I spent the week in Italy and felt comfortable as well as deserving of all of the treats that the culinary side of Italy has to offer. With all of the walking that I was doing it was fine, right? Once I really sat down and thought about it, I only really walked the first and second day. Then only a little bit here and there. I just weighed myself downstairs and I have put back on 10 pounds. I have not of course exercised like I had been before the bout of yuck so I guess it’s back to the better life I go. Where is the weight though. I would swear that I still look thinner. Ooh, I know…muscle weighs more than fat doesn’t it? Yeah right.

Note to self: Next work trip bring sneakers!

Healthy French Baguette

Christina — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:30:51 +0000

Since my new project is to eat a healthier gluten free lifestyle more frugally than I have found so far, I decided to post it under here instead of the food and travel blog. I am very excited about the results as this is the first time that I have used a corn based recipe.

I am currently working out of the cookbook You Won’t Believe It’s Gluten-Free. What I really like about the book is that it shows the food items, such as breads, using different flours. So for example, she has four different recipes for the baguettes. Corn -based, Oat-based, Potato-based and Rice-based. I chose the corn-based because at the beginning of each of the recipes, there’s her own personal review [or that of the testers] and this one was well received.

The ingredients that are used include egg whites, apple juice and apple cider vinegar, baking soda, baking powder, xantham gum, oil, salt and cornstarch. One and 1/4 cups of cornstarch to be exact. I have never used that much however I trusted the recipe and it came out great. First, I beat up the egg whites until they were foamy and then added the rest of the ingredients. Kind of like a fun science experiment. I wondered how such a watery mix would produce bread.? Then, it thickened. A lot! The picture you see is what the batter actually looked like. More like cottage cheese at this point.

The batter goes into a plastic bag (possible a icing bag would work) and then pushed through a hole into a baguette pan or into a shaped disposable foil pan, which I used. I also used a donut pan to try and make bisquit shapes. Those, I sprinkled some Italian seasoning on also. Both of the breads came out completely different and are both pleasant. The donut shaped loaves remind me of cream puffs minus the filling of course. Now that I re-tasted it, a little Bavarian creme might not be so bad! The consistence is very much the same if not a little heavier. With the small loaves, I am even more excited. I cut them into slices and tried them at different stages in the cooling process. Right out of the oven I really liked the texture. The taste was really reminiscent of, well, cornstarch. I tried it plain, with butter and with peanut butter. Definitely liked it more with another complimenting flavor. As the bread cooled, I liked everything about it even more. The texture and lightness is even better as it cools and the taste of cornstarch is not so dominant.

Have you ever gotten home and your “regular” bread, white or whole wheat, was flattened by a poor bagger?Not with this! I keep playing with a piece pushing it down with my finger and watching it bounce right back. Great taste and kid friendly. Another thing that is great about this recipe is that not only did my son like it but I gave him parts that did not brown and he didn’t need the crust to cut off. I put peanut butter and sliced bananas on it for his after summer program snack. So far tonight, no tantrums over the bread rage. It’s not time for a bath yet though.

As far as the crust on this bread, the recipe says to spray with water 10 minutes into baking (total bake time is only 15-20 minutes) for the crust to brown. I used spray oil on the rolls and water on parts of the baguettes and where I got it wet, is nicely but not overly browned. Light crispy crust and soft spongy middle. I will definitely use this one in the future for everyday bread.

Allergy-Friendly Foods Show Off (chicagoist.com)
The Deception and Danger of Grain Based Foods (naturalbias.com)
Prescribing gluten free products (free-from.com)
Reader Question – A Double-Decker Challenge (christie-corner.blogspot.com)

Whole Foods: My New GF Mission

Christina — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:21:29 +0000

Today I spent a few hours going over my frugal blog’s, cutting out coupons and making a menu with a list to go grocery shopping. I had a plan. What happened to the plan? I believe that everything happens for a reason and today it was a deviation from the plan to fulfill a greater one.

The plan was to go to Biggs and take advantage of some great deals and use the coupons on hand. The plan was stick to a budget that I haven’t really figured out yet. Sounds impossible but considering that I had a list that was based on things that I needed for the weeks menu, it had to be better than what I usually spend at the store. Then, I saw Lenscrafter’s and remembered that I need to get an eye exam and some new glasses. Then, I saw it there in all it’s glory. Whole Foods. This is one of those stores. The healthy one. The one where gluten free is a no brainer, right?

Actually I was mesmerized by all of the GF choices until I checked out. $156.87 to be exact. Of course, this included a weeks worth or more of possible dinners, lunches and snacks, food for me to take on my trip this week and some more of the items I need to start baking my own GF goodies. I still saved $5 in coupons (oh the disaster, I know) and we had sushi and a sesame cake tonight for the bargain price of less than $20! Not the $5 dinners I know are possible but not bad considering it was already made and I didn’t have to go out. Tomorrow, Indian with actual naan bread for around $12. Not GF but oh so worth it. I’m still working on that part.

What I did learn today is that if you are planning on shopping at places like this and getting your GF items already made and prepackaged, you better get another job!

So, this brings me to my project. How can I do this and how can I make it affordable? I did get three packs of cookies free thanks to coupons and I did put back the $5 tub of GF breadcrumbs and use my coupon for Van’s GF waffles that I am going to make into breadcrumbs like I learned today. (BTW, if you are reading this and know who posted that, please let me know so that I can thank them!)

I feel kind of good about what I got for that money and know I can make it stretch but it’s still too extreme for every week shopping. I can and will do better without compromising health or diet. I sure could use all of the help I can get so please don’t be afraid to chime in. Can you believe I paid $1.95 for a beet? It’s the size of my head but it’s still just a beet. Suppose it’s cheaper than Odwalla that I like so much?

Travel Life In Peril

Christina — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:43:25 +0000

I have been suffering from a bout of diarrhea for over 3 weeks, which makes for a tough time on the aircraft. This is a little embarrassing to admit but it needs to be shared so that perhaps I can help someone else.

On Saturday, May 16th, I ate both a salad from the grocery store that was expiring that day and a grilled chicken sandwich from McDonald’s. That night I didn’t feel so well and with one sip of water began the viscous cycle.

Originally, I thought that I had food poisoning. After about 5 days of dysentery, I called my physician. A few more days later the tests came back negative and there I was without an explanation. I watched the food I ate that consisted of mainly liquids. Every time that I felt a little better and a lot hungry, I would attempt to eat something more solid with no avail.

So, how does a flight attendant work in this situation and how does a person stop it? After some serious thought and research, I have to wonder if I too have been suffering with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) since it is genetic and runs in my family. Ok, assume that I go with this possibility. What triggered it? Salad? Grilled chicken? According to the list at Helpforibs.com, it could be the salad dressing. I have had salad dressing a thousand times before and not reacted like this!

After the first week, I had to call in sick. I could barely get up my stairs because I was so weak. I still have not been back to the gym in almost a month and recently fit back in to a size 6. That’s the only good news but a really difficult way to reach a smaller size. So now, I need to return to the original research that I was doing if I can stay out of the bathroom. Before all of the excitement, I was trying a Gluten Free diet. It started out as research for an Autistic project and turned in to so much more. I wonder if this could help IBS?

News From The Home Front

Christina — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:43:06 +0000

Hello to all of my not yet existent friends!

I have not been doing so well on the whole Gluten Free front. I think that I need a lot of support with this one because the temptations are too high. As I have said before, I LOVE BREAD. And, cakes and cookies. I think that if I could pull myself away for the lousy 8 weeks that I want to try, I could probably even lose the 10 lbs I would like to.

Today I had 1/2 a sandwich at the Red Onion. Portabella with some kind of cheese, grilled onions on sourdough. I did resist the chocolate iced brownie that I really wanted however, that was mostly because it costs $2.50! I can bake a whole pan for that much! My wallet and my waistline thanks me. I did come home and have a small cupcake but I am sure there were much less calories and fat.

I return home tomorrow and will start all over again. Still working on the upset stomach home front and think that I will be forced to change my food addict lifestyle for my own health. That’s what I always say is that I use food to heal and I will make good on my promises!

I appologize for not posting too much lately and thank you all for hanging in there with me.

I will post some more as soon as I can since I have a lot of reading today and will be flying back out for two days starting on Sunday. Have a great Saturday!

What Is This 'Raw Food' Diet?

Christina — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:24:00 +0000

In my constant thirst to know more in the world of culinary arts I have become more and more interested in how food can affect my health. The latest book that I have picked up from the downtown library here in Cincinnati is Natalia Rose’s ‘Raw Food Life Force Energy’.

So far I am very pleased because I do not have to give up the things that I normally eat but simply rearrange them. Now, I must be honest that it not all of the time because one of the things is fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Not something I eat often but it is an occasional thing that I enjoy. Apparently, the chicken (flesh category) and the potato (starch) do not mix well and stay in your system for many hours.

The principle behind the food portion of the lifestyle is to eat foods and combinations that exit the body quickly. This is for more energy, weight loss and a healthier appearance and life. For someone like me that has a lot of health problems and is always tired, I am willing to try it.

Another part of the lifestyle includes breathing deeper for more oxygen intake, dry brushing your body to improve circulation and working on ridding the stress from your life.

It’s not an all or nothing concept and doesn’t cut out anything completely. It does include a lot of raw vegetables and fruits and different combinations of foods to help them not remain stagnant in the body for long periods of time. Chocolate is even part of the lifestyle diet. Yeah!