Vacations are good for you

Ok, well here is part one of the post I promised. Yesterday I said I'd post it by this afternoon, which turned into tomorrow morning, which is now today. Got it? Good.

There's nothing quite like a vacation to remind you of what life SHOULD be like. And while getting away isn't always 100% non-stressful (especially with kids), you should strive to make your getaway as relaxing as possible. Not just physically, but mentally too. By physically relaxing I don't mean inactive. I mean treating your body with the rest and nourishment it needs. Our room had a jacuzzi tub and you can bet I spent some time in it. We also slept in a lot, which felt really good. Mentally, many of us need to "get away from it all". That's easier said than done, but is vital to de-stressing. We all need to step back from time to time and evaluate our life, direction, motivation, goals, etc. I find I can do that better when I've had some time off. Time to remember who I am, what I want and why I want it. This also works for your diet. If you are frustrated or finding you are losing interest, step back a moment and look at the big picture. Determine your goals and what it really takes to get there. Decide if your current plan of action is helping or hindering. Or maybe it's just your attitude and expectations need some adjusting. Whatever the case, re-evaluating is always a good idea to get you going again.

I did just that this past week and find I'm more excited than ever about the direction I'm heading in life and in my health.

A quick summary:

Our vacation was a nice little getaway to Branson, Missouri. For those of you that have never been to Branson, it's a great place to take the family. You'll find Sliver Dollar City Amusement Park, White Water, Tours (Ride the Ducks) and mini-golf/go-cart racing galore! Shopping is great there and you can easily find something for everyone. Loads of restaurants as well to suit every appetite. And the shows are always a blast. I have no idea how many shows there are, but it'd take you weeks to see them all.

We opted for a couple of days at Silver Dollar City and a couple of local attractions during the week. Sadly it rained most of the time we were there and most of the outdoor rides were shut down due to lightening about half way through each day. We arrived early enough though that we were able to ride everything we liked. While the rides were shut down we spent time wandering through the shops in SDC, watching the shows available, and watching the demonstrations. I highly recommend watching the blacksmith and the glassblower - very cool stuff! Also the saloon show is always a riot.

Depending on when you get to SDC you can find a variety of shows. We were there during World Fest and saw a show from Ireland called Feet of Fire. Being of Irish heritage myself, I loved every minute. But even if you don't have any Irish blood in your veins, you would enjoy it. We also saw a Chinese Acrobatic act. Amazing how limber these people were! If you twisted me up like a pretzel I'd be broken for life. These people bended like they were made of rubber... they just bounced right back to a normal human form. AMAZING!

As for food in SCD, lots to choose from. As with most places, you can make about any meal LC if you know what to look for. If you go to the Lumberjack Skillet, they have what they call a low-carb fajita skillet. Honestly, it's only lc if you don't eat the tortilla that comes with it, but it's filling enough you don't need it. I get it every time we go and enjoy it immensely.

We also spent some time at the Hollywood Wax Museum. My kids have never seen a wax museum and though they'd enjoy it. We all thought it was cool, but it was a bit expensive for no longer than we were in there. If you have little kids, keep in mind there is a Hall of Monsters (which look pretty real... so it's kinda freaky, even for an adult) but you can bypass it though and alternate route.

The highlight of our trip was seeing the Bob Nelson show at the Clay Cooper Theatre. Bob has been one of my favorite comedians since I saw him in TV when I was about 10. When I heard he was there I knew we had to go. My only reservation was that I knew Bob used to curse a little in his routines. Before buying tickets I asked the clerk about his act and she said he'd cleaned it up in recent years. Later I learned that Bob was now a Christian and wants to keep his act 100% family friendly. Let me just say that this show was so awesome that we will go again next time we are there. We all laughed until we cried. And we were on the front row, so I got great shots, as well as the fact that we were actually a part of the show here and there when he decided to use people from the crowd for something.

All in all the trip was relaxing and much needed. We haven't taken a vacation since 2007 and needed the getaway badly. Now I'm back and renewed in mind, spirit, and my determination to take care of myself. (Nothing like traversing up and down hills on foot to make one aware of their physical condition, or in my case, lack thereof!) I'm also ready to get back to writing full time. I'll be honest. I've had so much on my plate the last month or so that the idea of blogging for writing for Examiner just stressed me out. But now that I'm looking at it through refreshed eyes, I'm ready to get going again.

I'm running short on time, but plan to come back later today to talk about the steps we can take at home to give ourselves a "mini-vacation" when we can't physically get away. (Also I'll probably share some photos, because you know my camera and I are never far apart.)

Celiac Support Group

As most you know, support is essential when trying to lose weight. You need someone who has been there. You need others who can share their wisdom and experience when you are feeling at your lowest. Encouragement through the tough times is essential to keep yourself doing what it takes.

Support is just as important in other areas of life. Whether it be an addiction you are trying to overcome or a disease you or a loved one may be dealing with, you sometimes need help. Just knowing you aren't alone can be such a relief. That's why I glad to bring a special support group to your attention - The Celiac Support Group.

Some facts about Celiac Disease:

Did you know that nearly 1 out of every 150 Americans suffer from Celiac Disease? This makes it twice a common as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and cystic fibrosis combined. And this disease doesn't discriminate. It will attack young and old alike.

Celiac Disease is a genetic disorder that causes symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, weakness, malnutrition, and other gastrointestinal issues. *People with celiac disease are unable to eat foods containing gluten, which is found in wheat and other grains. The gluten sets off an autoimmune reaction that causes the destruction of the villi in the small intestine. Celiac sufferers produce antibodies to attack the gluten, but the same antibodies also attack the intestine, causing damage and illness.

Long term consequences include malabsorption, osteoporosis, central and peripheral nervous system disease, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging, organ disorders, and gynecological disorders. Researchers have also linked celiac disease to an increased risk of cancers, especially intestinal lymphoma.

Managed by a gluten free diet (void of wheat, rye, barely, oats, and other lesser known grains), celiacs can lean normal healthy lives, but there is no cure and no drugs to treat it. You can see why support is so vital for those suffering with this malady.

Thankfully support is available! The Celiac Support Group was created to compliment the regular offline groups and to help those who are unable to attend support meetings. They hope to serve as a hub for people and family who want to share their experiences and knowledge, ask questions and be around people who are facing the same challenges.

If you suffer from celiac disease, or know someone who does, please visit the Celiac Support Group. No one should ever feel alone.

*Information from www.umm.edu

Discussion and Support Forums...

I thought I'd give you a heads up about two new low-carb forums.

The first one many of you probably know about. It's Jimmy Moore's Livin' La Vida Low Carb Discussion Forum. There seems to be a good number of people there already!

The other is a forum that I have been working for a couple weeks to put together. Here's what the header will look like when we are done:



I hired someone to help me with customizing (forums are a bit tougher to figure out than websites) and he's almost finished I think. So right now it looks pretty plain, but should match my blog and site very soon. It is usable now though, so if you'd like to join I'd love to have you! You can find it here:

www.healthylowcarbliving.com/forum

Since it's still in it's infancy stage, I'd love to hear what you'd like to see there. :0)

I'll be leaving for vacation on Wed. but will try to check in here and on the forums while I'm gone.

Have a great week!

Saturday's Meet-Up... Here's What Happened.

Hey everyone. I thought I'd post a quick apology to those who showed up at Ryan's and couldn't find us. I promise - we were there! We arrived very early and informed the lady seating us that we had many more coming around noon. They gave us a large table in the party room in the back.

We ate and talked and waited. When noon rolled around and no one had showed up, Jimmy got up and walked around in the front of the restaurant to see if anyone was sitting out there. Mostly what he saw were military. Lots of military.

The manager didn't know about our get-together and the lady that sat us must have forgotten to pass it on to anyone else. It appears that several people showed up, asked about the get-together, was told the staff knew nothing about it, and so they left. I think the servers were overwhelmed with the military, not to mention a large group that joined us in the party room. The manager realized a bit too late what had happened and was able to find one person before she left. She then joined us in the party room. (It was great to meet you Lisa!)

I am so very sorry that we missed those of you who made the effort to be there. I guess we'll need to be sure to have signs next time. Or at the least make sure EVERYONE in the building knows about the meeting. It just makes me sick that we were all there at the same time, yet missed each other. I was looking forward to meeting all the great people who were going to be there. I know Jimmy and Christine were disappointed as well. Hopefully we can convince Mr. & Mrs. Moore to come back and visit us again very soon.

For those who are interested in how it went otherwise, we had a very nice, although quieter than expected, lunch. Yes, we discussed low-carb. I think John (my hubby) and Jimmy talked about golf more though. ;0)

Here are a few pictures we took while there:


From left to right: Me, Christine, Jimmy, my daughter Rachel, my son Matt, and Lisa (photo taken by my wonderful Hubby!)




Jimmy and Christine smiling for the camera while Lisa and my hubby chat in the back ground.



Christine and I - perfect angels! (OK.. so maybe just Christine fits in that category.. but I can dream, right?)

Let me just say that we found Jimmy to be a person with a heart of gold. If you think his enthusiasm for life and healthy living is infectious through his blog.. it's nothing compared to talking with him face to face. I left Ryan's feeling a renewed energy and determination to stick with it, no matter how tough it gets. And for that, I have to say thank you. Not just to Jimmy, but to everyone who works hard to help others in this crazy, mixed-up, spinning ball we live on.

It's people who truly care, and do their best to show it, that make this world a better place to live. I'm doing my best to be that kind of person. I hope all of you are too.

Who is the "Guidance Counselor" in your life?

After reading this great post from Jimmy Moore about his English teacher, I started thinking about how all of us have someone who has tried to discourage us from reaching out goals. Mine was my high school guidance counselor. Here's the story...

I was not always an A student. I struggled through Middle School (or Jr. High to some of you). When I reached high school I was just plugging along, hoping to get good enough grades to get by. While choosing our extra curricular subjects, we were advised to discuss them with the schools guidance counselor.

That's exactly what I did. He talked to me about college and explained to me that my grades were not good enough to make it in. I knew that already.. no big whoop there. I did want to do better.. but some subjects just didn't come easily to me. He said I should focus on other things since I probably wouldn't make it to college. (Looking back, I should have smacked him for doubting my abilities and intelligence.)

So he looks at my choices for the "extras", which were band and choir, and asks me why I want to take music? What will it do for me? How will that benefit my future? At the time I wasn't sure how to answer. I just knew that music was in my blood and when I was singing I was happiest. He then started discussing Home Economics and all the other options I had and how they would be a better choice. He really didn't think I'd do well in my classes of choice and that I should choose other interests.

Did I take his advice? No. I LOVE music and at the time it was my whole life. I couldn't imagine struggling through the day and then going to an extra class I didn't love or have any real interest in.

My freshman year I was in the Freshman Girls Choir and Concert/Marching Band. I loved choir but lost interest in band. My Sophomore year I chose choir and Home Economics. My Junior and Senior year I chose to spend half my day at the local technical school and graduate with a certificate in Early Childhood Education. I still had the option of an extra class, so I chose Choir once again.

How did it all work out? Well, for starters let me say that when I graduated I had a 3.8 GPA. How's that for someone who started out in the wrong foot! :0) I also earned my certificate for Early Childhood Education, which was useful in several areas of my life, especially when I was hired as an Assistant Manager/Preschool Teacher of a local daycare. My Junior year at the tech school I was FHA/HERO Secretary of our class. My Senior year I was voted FHA/HERO Vice President. I was a member of our high school Letterman's Club. I still have the leather jacket with my bars on it. What did I letter in? Music.

Not only did I enjoy Choir, I excelled in it! Just take a look:





(I took these pictures today with a borrowed point and shoot.. I miss my camera!)

I graduated with 15 Superior medals in my possession. (For those who don't know what that means.. it means that I sang solos, duets or ensembles in contests and received the highest marks they give out.) I also have several certificates and a ribbon from ensembles and duets. Towards the end of my Senior year I was added into the Senior All-American Hall of Fame for Choral Honors.

I'm so very glad I didn't listen to his advice! My music has allowed me to minister in several churches, which I feel is a valuable gift to ME. It's been more fulfilling than anything else I've ever done.

I also feel that being in a subject I enjoyed, such as music, helped me in many other aspects of my schooling. I learned discipline, the reward of hard work, and it gave me an outlet for my feelings. As a teen, it was just what I needed.

So who is the "guidance counselor" in your life? Who says you can't and then tells you what you should be doing?

Remember that we all have those negative influences in our lives, so you are not alone. Keep your eye on your goals and you head held high! I firmly believe the saying "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger".

Whether it's weight loss, or some other dream you aspire to, try to look at your "counselor" as a challenge and not a discouragement. You are the only one who can keep you from seeing success!

Maybe I actually owe that counselor a thank you. Without his lack of confidence in me, I may have never pushed myself and found my true potential.