Learned something new again

Underarmor shirts will retain the stinky sweat smell if you wash them in detergent and dry them using dryer sheets. The solution is to soak the garments in baking soda and water and dry without using dryer sheets. Thank you Underarmour.com for that tidbit of information.

The Detox

I did the 21 day detox that Robin Quivers from the Howard Stern show did "21 pounds in 21 Days"....is doing......I have to say, while it wasn't easy, I was able to follow the program and the benefits so far are good.....I have lost 18 pounds, my skin is radiant, softer....my head is clear.....no foggy brain...no need for coffee pick me up first thing in the morning or at 3pm. I am living on less calories, but still getting nutrition with the food I do eat and the powder drinks.... a green powder for all the veggie nutrients, and a berry powder for all the fruit nutrients I need, a protein powder for the days I do not eat animal protein. The powder drinks can be used forever to ensure I get the nutrients my body needs.

With the weight loss comes energy. With the energy comes activity. Activity leads to calories burned and STUFF getting accomplished. I have cleaned out every cupboard and closet in the house. The clutter hidden for years in those places is now going to be sold at a garage sale or given away to the Salvation Army. All of it is usable, except to me. The clutter was not used for years therefore I do not need or want it.

My workouts are easier. I sleep better. I am not looking for food at night, or snacks during the day. The program insists that some form of nutrients are consumed every two hours, along with 8oz of water and/or herbal tea. My understanding is eating every two hours helps keep hunger at bay and keeps the body metabolism burning. The powder drinks help prevent cravings too.

The program is expensive to do. The powder drinks are $25-$30 per drink, then there are enzymes, colon cleansing, liver cleanse, kidney cleanse items to buy. An enema bag, colonic ( which I did not do), dry brushing ( which I love), bathes with Epsom salts, baking soda, and either lavender or peppermint oil, and juicing with vegetables. If you do not own a juicer the book and author highly recommend purchasing one. That item is very expensive.

I joined an online support group to get through the 21 days of not eating solid food of any kind. The website and the other people that were detoxing were extremely helpful and great at giving advice and suggestions that worked for them. This may not be for everyone but it did work for me so far. I am finished with the detox part and today is my last day of the maintenance.

We shall see what the future brings and if I can continue with the eating pattern I have embraced. Eating as much RAW fresh veggies and fruits, less animal protein, no red meat, more herbal teas, and much smaller portions.

Not that this has happened to me....

DAy 21

Today is the last day of my detox program. I feel terrific, am 17 pounds lighter, and have a different approach to food that hopefully will last a long time. Throughout this detox I read and researched the need for food and how to look at it as fuel, change my eating behavior, and cooking techniques.

G man has benefited from this research and change all ready. I have been cooking with less oils, less amounts of food, and using better foods. More veggies, fruits, nuts, and whole grains. Less animal protein, mainly red meat, but more fish.

I have yet to eat all the goods foods. The detox program is 30 days....the first 21.... no solid foods are eaten....all nutrition comes from fruit and veggie powders. Herbal teas and distilled water are main sources of fluids. No protein at all, unless no weight loss is desired.

Several days in the beginning were awful, I experienced incredible muscle fatigue and general tiredness.....symptoms that alot of people doing this program felt....then I could feel myself gaining energy, noticed my skin changing for the better, and experienced an overall feeling of relaxation. Today I feel terrific, I have an abundance of energy and am looking forward to ending the program and eating solid foods. I have not had coffee or beer in 21 days...and really do not miss those drinks......

The downside to this program for me was not having the energy to workout......but I will begin again once I have some protein......oh I forgot to mention that the mental clarity I have is incredible I can not explain it really...it is just that I feel no more foggy brain. I feel focused and have the ability to see what I have to do.... rather then walking around looking at projects and wondering how I was going to accomplish them....

For me this program has worked.....it may not be for everyone...but I see the benefits and can call it a success.

Terri the Westie July 1991-April 9 2009

We had to put my sweet furry Westie to sleep last night...it broke my heart but had to be done. She stop eating her food 4 days ago, ate a little bit of burger for a day then stop eating and drinking all together. She was vomiting and urinating on herself too. I called the vet and he said it sounded like her kidneys were shutting down.

G man and I decided we had to prevent any more suffering. Like the vet said we can't get her into hospice care and make her comfortable till she goes on her own. So we did what no animal lover wants to do and had her put to sleep.

She was really my dog. We had a special bond. I understood her communication of barks and pawing, her running around when excited or wanting to play. She understood me. My moods and when I needed a snuggle partner. I'll miss her.

My only regret is that she died stinky and unbathed. I did not want to add to her stress by bathing her after she started vomiting and peeing on herself. She hated baths, terrified of them really. She would tremble and cry and really get stressed when ever I had to bathe her.

After we came home G man and I attempted to de stress in our own ways. I was sitting in my favorite chair thinking. My father in law, who passed away almost 4 years ago, popped into my head. He was wearing a very sharp looking blue suit. ( he always dressed nice) Next to him was my Terri ,my westie, clean and white and sleeping peacefully. He was petting her and with a big smile on his face. My dad ( he died almost 6 years ago) was there too with our other dog Twink ( she died 6 years ago). I know she will be happy where she is now.

The Holidays

Tomorrow night is the beginning of Passover.... I have all ready made the chopped liver..............G Man's grandma Matie's recipe....there is a secret ingredient she shared with me......imagine a shiksa she shared her famous recipe with.......I have made it every year for the past 26.....the same way she made....hand grated chicken livers...sweet onion......finely chopped hard boiled egg and the secret ingredient........I have also mastered the matzo ball...the soup part was easy had that before I married G man........the matzo balls were a process....not even Grandma Matie could make them as light as me......G man's father loved my matzo balls as does G man, the cousins, our kids and most anyone that has eaten them.....I know this is bragging but I don't care.....I really do make great chopped liver and matzo balls....so I toot my horn a little bit...God doesn't care....It is an honor to make the chopped liver.....Matie was special.....a Jewish grandmother I loved.......she wasn't thrilled when G man and I announced we were getting married....but she accepted it....I will never forget her excitement about me being pregnant with Jenny G and her happiness when she held Jenny G for the first time......her kiss and hug given to Jenny G for the first and the tears that flowed.......her caress of my stomach when we told her I was pregnant with Double G......we knew he was going to be a boy......Matie was exuberant with that news....she waited until Double G was born and held him before she died shortly thereafter....I miss her........G Man and I talk about her often... he loved her with all his heart.....she was the best grandma.

So Sunday we go to my mom for Easter.......my idea...her house is central for all of us....very small....but we manage.......I planned to have a brunch...have my Nephew Jacob help with the cooking and give my mom something to look forward to and participate in........well the event has gone from a brunch to a lunch with ham, scalloped potatoes, salad, asparagus, multiple desserts....deviled eggs.....that was yesterday....today my mom said she wasn't going to make her famous scalloped potatoes, instead she was going to put cut up potatoes put them in the crock pot with butter....no salad either....just carrots sticks and celery sticks with dip.......no asparagus to difficult to make.....wait what???????......it's not the money because I was buying everything at the market on Saturday.....and it is not the work load I am going to her house Saturday to set up the table and do all the prep with the food........I hate it when she gets lazy like this....she just says I hope this is ok it's so much easier........EASIER !!!!!!!! I HATE EASIER.........this is so typical.....make plans amend them then destroy them............I don't know why I involve her...this drives me crazy.....it's not like we do this all the time...Thanksgiving and Easter that's it........Thanksgiving is at my house...so she can't destroy that holiday......uuuughhhhhh I am so frustrated......If I say anything she just gets defensive and sulks.....so I go around her....my sister in law a fabulous cook....will make the potatoes...I will do the asparagus....salad we can do without.....then I will have to listen to her say how much work all the preparing is for me...how she doesn't know how I do it....she is getting to old for this it's to much .........I hate that speech....

Well at least I will see my brothers and their families......my niece The Redhead will be with her dad's family.......I'll suck it up and be a gracious daughter and smile, enjoy the cooking I will do and thoroughly enjoy the Easter egg hunt.

Happy Holidays to all

NYC

G man had a big road trip last week...started Monday and did not end until this Monday.....he is on the road again left yesterday will be home Friday night. The life of a salesman.

The good news is.....I met him in NYC on Thursday last week, we had a great weekend. Although he was on his blackberry for most of Thursday, Friday and part of Saturday we were able to have time here and there for us. (I truly hate that blackberry)

We took the subway, for the very first time. Can you imagine being 50, going to a large city several times a year that has a subway system and never using it? The cabs are very expensive so I decided our mode of transportation was walking and subway. We saved a ton of money and had a pleasant experience using the NYC subway.

We went to the Chelsea Market in the West Village which was a somewhat of a disappointment only because my expectations were completely different then reality. But the food was fabulous and the atmosphere was very big city. The Food Network studios are on the upper floors, but no one can get to them unless you have an electronic key to let you in. The Chelsea Pier was interesting and the surrounding area was residential but still big city.

Central Park proved to be lively on Saturday. Alot of families, bicyclists, rollerbladers, joggers, and strollers.

We did not eat in fancy restaurants instead we ate in local small mom and pop type places. The food was delicious. Our friends did take us to Smith and Wollensky steak house which was nice.

Sunday was our day of departure, as we had to be in Poughkeepsie for a food show. Nasty!!!!! This is another post.

St. Patrick's

West Village

Rockefeller Center

The Lincoln Tunnel

Central Park

Along the Hudson on Route 9 going North