For those of you who know me, know that I am a type A personality with control issues. I also love harboring all my problems inside until my body breaks down due to the stress. Yep, I am a barrel of fun! Thank heavens I have a patient husband who reminds me to hang out in a tricep handstand every now and then and leaves chocolate out in the open.
After two doctors and dozens of tests, I still have no answers as to why my stomach does not like me. So I have decided to take my mother's advice and chill the fuck out. The last few months have not been kind to my psyche or heart. It is high time to let go and relax already! Hopefully, clean eating, having some fun, and putting my anger away will help my stomach feel better.
Tonight I am taking my husband to the symphony at the Wagner Noel concert hall in Odessa, TX. The symphony is playing Disney pops music and I was able to score killer seats. Instead of hanging out at home worrying about my guts not working, I will get dolled up and have some fun! Great music, fabulous clothes, and a fun date are ingredients for a wonderful evening.
This is a blog about the adventures of having a 2nd ACL transplant and the road to a healthier lifestyle. Sincerely, The Tiny Viking
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Friday, May 2, 2014
Dealing with my Guts, Part 2
After several tests and two doctor visits I was informed that all my blood-work and tests were negative. Apparently modern medicine thought I was as healthy as a horse. My stomach would like to disagree quite loudly. So my well meaning nurse practitioner sent me to a gastroenterologist. At first I was somewhat excited at the prospect of being taken seriously. Not so much. The specialist examined my test results and my chart very closely and came to a stunning conclusion. All I needed was Miralax or Metamucil. He also wrote me a prescription for a medicine that was akin to the stuff that made me feel like death warmed over. Only in a stronger form. He didn't bother to grill me on my diet, water consumption, or stress. Thanks Mr. Doctor.
However, I am not going to let small minded MD's get in my way of getting better. Let the research begin!
P.S. My mother again gave me sound advice in that getting rid of my stress and continuing my paleo diet will help me far more than drinking gallons of Miralax. The woman did graduate summa cum laude from UT Austin.
Brussel Sprout Slaw on a Friday Night.
Tomorrow my church St. Barnabus is having an ECW ( Episcopal Church Woman) meeting which is just an excuse for us girls to eat way too much and hang out. Food and talking are two of my favorite things! We were all asked to either bring dessert or salad. After searching the recipe archives of +Michelle Tam (nomnompaleo) I found a recipe that looked perfect. Warm brussel sprout slaw with tangy citrus dressing is whats on the menu. Being a type A insane person who loves perfection, I decided to practice making the salad tonight. Totally worth it...the salad was so yummy. First I chopped up about 1 1/2 lbs of brussel sprouts. I peeled off several leaves to make brussel sprout chips later.
Then I mixed the chopped sprouts with olive oil and salt, then threw the concoction into the oven at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.
Even if no one eats my concoction, I know that I will happily chomp away. Cooking and watching +Netflix makes for a great Friday night at the Larizza household. In celebration of finishing another semester of graduate school I will be going to bed early tonight and will probably retire early to bed for several weeks. I really love sleep! Hope everyone has a fantastic night :).
Then I mixed the chopped sprouts with olive oil and salt, then threw the concoction into the oven at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.
Sprouts after they have baked in the oven..Delicious! |
The citrus dressing cooking on the stove top. |
Mixed all together. |
I found this last night at Albertsons, my new obsession. |
Monday, April 28, 2014
Last Night of the Spring Semester
Tonight was my last class of the semester with the One, the Only, Dr. Kiekbusch. Tonight is also the last class I will ever take with Dr. Kiekbusch because I graduate in December of 2014. Next semester I will take my last six hours of coursework with Dr. Hoskin. Class went on as usual with an intense discussion and a great guest speaker. Except that after tonight I won't have to be in class every Monday from 5:30-8:30 pm, no more papers about the chapter, and no more discussions. Also, I won't get to sit next to Ashley Doran anymore because this chick is graduating in May!
My first M.A. class was held at CEED with Dr. Kiekbusch and that night I met Ashley. She was pretty feisty and outspoken even during that first class. Which is why I immediately liked her and knew that we would raise hell in whatever class we had together. And we did. We always sat next to each other, dominated the class discussion and always had a blast. Ashley is a very driven, kind, intelligent, outgoing, and kickass person. I cannot wait to see where her future will take her. I am so thankful that I met someone who could make me laugh even when I was crying. She always had a shoulder for me when I needed it and a big hug. I am a little sad that next semester I won't see her smiling face when I walk into my classroom, but I could not be more proud of all that she has accomplished. I will also miss her constantly saying "Oh Mylanta", and us sharing whatever food we brought to class to snack on. Thank you for always having my back, sharing my scholastic frustration, making me laugh, and especially for helping me to believe in myself. As we walked out of class tonight, I couldn't help but think back to all the memories we built over the years. I also remembered that my favorite class memories have you in them. CONGRATULATIONS ASHLEY :)!!!! I love you so much!!
Saturday, April 26, 2014
What I Found at the Midland Farmer's Market
This morning me and the parental units made our way to the downtown Midland Farmer's Market in search of yummy and local food. Unfortunately most of the produce vendors were not there because our weather has been Funky and it might be a little early in the season. After grabbing a dark roast coffee, I made my way from vendor to vendor. Nothing really caught my eye until a sweet black lab hanging out at the Dragonfly Farm stand looked my way. I cannot resist a cute dog. This stand had several boxes of produce and I found a gem amongst the greens. I saw the most strange looking vegetable nestled in a box with beets and radishes. Kohlrabi is a root vegetable that comes in light green to dark purple bulbs with green leaves. Since I had never heard of this thing I had to have it!
Tomorrow I will be experimenting with the kohlrabi in the kitchen. The leaves I will bake in the oven with a little olive oil, black pepper, and shaved Parmesan. The bulb will be cut into smaller pieces and put into a stir fry with just a slight char on the veggie. Let's get cooking, stay tuned!
Kohlrabi in all its glory! |
More of my bounty :). |
Friday, April 25, 2014
Strut Your Stuff
Ladies and gentleman I think we need to take a long look in the mirror and start accepting what we see. For most of my life I have railed against what I saw in the mirror and used a lot of negative self talk. Well, I am done with that bullshit. My body is under construction and I am making better food choices so that my body can perform like a well oiled machine. I am done comparing myself to Hollywood's version of sexy and envying thin models with huge boobs. I am not where I want to be yet but I am closer than I was yesterday. My legs can lift heavy things and walk many miles, my arms can hold me in a handstand pushup, my abs help to balance me as I perform a variety of daily tasks, and that is good enough for me.
Do I want to be stronger and leaner? Hell Yes! Will I put in the work? Hell Yes! Will I beat myself up if I miss a gym day or drink a milkshake? Fuck No! Loving myself and eating what works for my body is more important than engaging in the latest diet fad. People like to negate the Paleo diet which has saved my guts. These same people think they are nutritionists and that I am slowly killing myself. I have learned to accept that these people don't understand the way I eat and that is OK. They won't stop me on my own personal journey due to their ignorance.
Don't listen to those who want to bring you down because they are ignorant jerks. I am purchasing ear plugs in many different colors to tune out the naysayers.
Do I want to be stronger and leaner? Hell Yes! Will I put in the work? Hell Yes! Will I beat myself up if I miss a gym day or drink a milkshake? Fuck No! Loving myself and eating what works for my body is more important than engaging in the latest diet fad. People like to negate the Paleo diet which has saved my guts. These same people think they are nutritionists and that I am slowly killing myself. I have learned to accept that these people don't understand the way I eat and that is OK. They won't stop me on my own personal journey due to their ignorance.
Don't listen to those who want to bring you down because they are ignorant jerks. I am purchasing ear plugs in many different colors to tune out the naysayers.
This is what I am working with and it ain't too bad. |
Eyeliner and confidence help with my swagger. |
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