Teal!

Insulin resistance is no joke!

10 Antibiotic Herbs

True, true!

Whenever we're feeling like we're getting sick we use garlic and also tumeric (not mentioned in link)

Thyroid and Gluten

Mini article - but still worth your time.

http://www.thyroidchange.org/blog/et-tu-gluten

Storms!

There was an awesome storm tonight!

Check out the photos from "before" it "hit."

Very cool!    Hard to doubt God's existence with these photos!

Distract yourself

How to distract yourself from your thoughts....

Step One:   Have a tickle/wrestle fest with a toddler.  WORKS EVERY TIME

Step Two:   Go to the ZOO with your family and get lost in the magnificent wonders of the animal world!     Take your time to see each animal, take your time to take it all in.  :-)

Getting it under control...

Say hello to my new thyroid meds!

OYE!

So here's what we know so far - synthroid needs to go.    I'm now on a different synthetic paired with cytomel twice a day and vitamin D 50,000 IUI one time per week.    We're trying to shrink what has been found before we go in/ahead with the FNA.    I am trying my best to be patient, but it's tough.   Next appointment and looksie is June 13th!    

Can I just say I WANT THIS THING REMOVED and I have made that PERFECTLY CLEAR TO EVERYONE I AM WORKING WITH?  

I started the new meds this past weekend (Saturday) and on Saturday I just felt EXHAUSTED.    I ended up taking a four hour nap with my son.   I think we both needed it.   However, today I felt I had more energy and we decided to spend the day outside at the zoo.

I've been praying for patience, strength, and answers to questions to be in my favor.

I know God wouldn't give me more than I can handle... I just wish He didn't trust me so much.  

"Something is just not right...."

I've never been a fan of butterflies or secrets so I might as well come clean to my readers and say, "Hey look at that!   My stupid butterfly (thyroid) is causing problems again and this time it's a bit scary."

So the past few weeks have been filled with waiting rooms, labs, and appointments.    Having Hashimoto's and PCOS is interesting - I had been feeling unusually tired.   Unusually cold.    And really just very.... not me.    I went to see my new family doctor after my OB said at my annual - "Something doesn't feel right here.... but I could be wrong, you did say you are coming off of having a cold...."    After seeing the family doc and her running some preliminary tests she had said, "Mmmm yea.... something isn't right Leigh Anne.    I'm not the lead expert on Hashimotos.    Let's get Dr. P on board and hook you up at Hershey Med - there's a lady doctor there I know you will love."  

So in the meantime.... I've had a lot of blood work ya'll.
And the thing with Hashimoto's is if the rest of your body is doing as it should, the thyroid throws a mood swing.   I'm hoping this is just a lumpy throated mood swing and not "the big C."   Seriously though, I'm scared.

I will say I am tremendously blessed with a hubby who "gets" that the last thing I want to do when I'm already incredibly anxious is fill out paperwork.   Kudos to the hubs, well done.    He even remembered my birthday and what I'm allergic to!

It's looking like my TSH is behaving for the most part right now but my T4 is all sorts of whacked out and even the T3 got jealous and thought, 'Hey - let's really get them wound up.'     And I keep having this odd cough and sensations of choking which is especially awkward when you're talking/teaching/singing in Church/eating.  

So more labs were done and there were some more thyroid red flags popping up followed by a few smart people in lab coats saying, "Hmmm that feels interesting" followed by a "Have you ever been screened for thyroid cancer?   Do you have a family history of thyroid cancer?    Tell me, how are you feeling lately?"   And the best question, "Do you find it really difficult to lose weight?"    Um, hello - what do you think?    But hey.... for the record ya'll - I'm down 43 pounds since 2013.    Yea.  On my own.   Working hard.   Slow and steady wins the race.   Gluten free for nine months.

The decision was made that I'm in need of some help with this stupid butterfly thing of ours and I am working with an excellent team.     West Reading and Hershey Med.   I am thankful for amazing health insurance.     Monday I met Dr. Cox and I feel at ease with her.   She gets me.   She listened to me and THAT IS JUST SO IMPORTANT.    Nothing is more infuriating to me than the "smile and nodder" type.   She understood the frustrations I'm experiencing and she explained that this is the nature of an autoimmune disease.    I did nothing to earn this or deserve this - it's just bad genetics and she immediately got me into the lab on Monday to take even more blood to see what levels are doing what.

Finally as this week went by and results came in she said its time to take a more detailed look at the areas that were already previously identified as suspicious.    So today I had one of those super sonic ultrasounds (I don't know if that's the term but it's the highest resolution).    I will now torture you with pictures of pictures via my phone.    The lab tech said she wasn't allowed to print photos of my thyroid ultrasound so when she left the room I took photos of it.   It's my thyroid and I haven't rebelled since I was about 12.   I was due.

So now.... we wait.    I see the doc again Monday evening and then hopefully by the end of the week we'll know what on earth this stupid thing is doing.     I'm annoyed with this because I kinda thought I was done.    History of infertility - lots of pain there - got through it - have an awesome miracle boy - I just don't want to be dealing with more --- just wanna do my thang as a mommy and teacher.  

That's that but hey.... look at my cute kid learning to scoot!   :-)

Gluten free WORKS - here's the labs!

One of the frustrations about gluten free I experience is I think people expect to see me thinner than I am.   And although gluten free HAS helped me lose weight....   And I no longer have ridiculous weight gains..... there are also benefits "behind the scenes" such as in lab work.  

Since going gluten free I have officially (as of TODAY) hit my lowest weight in almost FOUR years.
Since going gluten free I have dropped not one, not two, but THREE (and super close to 4) sizes.

Below are lab results from June 2013 and then from this past week.

a1c (AKA Diabetes baby)
June 2013:  5.3  (good, but close to the scary 6)
May 2014:  4.4

Fasting glucose
June 2013:  91 (normal range is 70-99)
May 2014:  77 (yep, down FOURTEEN POINTS)

Urea nitrogren  (kidneys/liver)
June 2013: 15  (range: 7-18)
May 2014:  13

Creatinine (kidney function)
June 2013:  0.73 (Range 0.51-0.95)
May 2014:  0.61

Sodium
June 2013:  140 (range 136-144)
May 2014: 136

Potassium
June 2013:  4.8 (range 3.6-5.2)
May 2014:  4.10

Chloride
Stayed the same at 101 - range is 100-108

Carbon dioxide
Stayed the same at 21 and the range is 21-32

Calcium
Stayed the same at 9.00 - range is 8.5-10.1

Protein
This for some reason isn't on my June test but my May result is 7.00 and the range is 6.4-8.2

Albumin (AKA how does the blood flow/move molecules)
Stayed the same at 3.8 -- range is 3.4-5.0

Percent body fat June 2013:   56%   (EW!!!!!)
Percent body fat May 2014:   39%  

Wheat

Below are a list of articles as to why wheat is now a no-no.

http://authoritynutrition.com/6-ways-wheat-can-destroy-your-health/

http://paleoleap.com/11-ways-gluten-and-wheat-can-damage-your-health/

http://www.dietdoctor.com/new-study-todays-wheat-bad

http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/press-media/faqs/

http://wellnessmama.com/3486/do-you-have-a-wheat-belly-interview-with-dr-davis/

Gluten Free Shopping

When you are gluten free, it's not necessarily wise to go out and purchase every single product that says "gluten free" because those foods may have a higher carb/sugar content as well as a higher price tag.

The SCHAR products make a pretty good (but high WW points) gluten free bread.   For me, gluten free bread has been a challenge because any product I've tried before discovering SCHAR tasted awful. I will say that GLUTEN FREE BREAD is more of a treat rather than a regular item on my shopping list.  

I have friends who are interested in going gluten free but they are weary of the cost.   Heck, we were too!   We are on a super tight budget and going gluten free seemed expensive at first.   Until we discovered two things.
1.  ORGANIC AND GLUTEN FREE ARE NOT THE SAME THING
2.  GLUTEN FREE IS REALLY JUST CLEAN EATING!  

About.com shopping list

Martin's foods shopping list

Colorado State University - All about GF and a shopping list

I love this link!   FIVE DOLLAR GLUTEN FREE MENU!

Another shopping list...


I completely understand peoples frustrations when it comes to going gluten free.    The main frustration is understanding that it is not a diet, but a lifestyle change.     It's tough.   I definitely understand that.   For example, I absolutely loved Rye Bread.    And around this time of year nothing is more yummy than a hard boiled egg sandwich on Rye.    I miss it, not going to lie - I miss the Rye.    But the benefits have outweighed it all.    

Since going gluten free....

• I no longer have my hands lock up on an almost daily basis
• When I get my period, it's no longer staying for a week and I have a minimal to non-existent weight gain
• Maintaining my weight is easier
• I am no longer in need of using the birth control pill to regulate my cycles
• My skin is healthier
• I don't have uncomfortable stomach issues
• Digestion is better
• Acid reflux is gone
• I have more energy
• I feel like my concentration levels have improved
• I have gone down three sizes

Here are some things you'd find in my pantry and fridge if you visited....

• Vegetable oil
• Olive oil
• Fresh fruits (low GI)
• Veggies
• Almond Milk
• Lactose Free Yogurt
• Apple Sauce
• Beans
• Brown Rice
• Tuna
• Eggs
• Turkey
• Steak
• Broiled/Boiled Chicken
• Chili
• Salad fixings (lettuce, mushrooms, spinach)
• Gluten free pasta 
• Sauces and marinades
• Salad dressings

Things you won't find....

• SODA
• Processed foods
• Anything I can't spell or pronounce
• "Regular" (cows) milk

Everyone needs a night out from time to time!   I treated my mom (and myself) to the Melissa Etheridge concert.    What an amazing show!   She is so talented!   And gorgeous!      If she comes to the area again, I'm going!    Amazing woman, amazing talent, amazing show!!!!   

Another great article from hypothyroidmom

Hypothyroid and anxiety

Another great article!
Enjoy!

Don't just trust God for things; trust Him in things.

Too often, we fall into the trap of trusting God to give us more things—a new car, a bigger house, a better computer. We turn God into little more than a supernatural Santa Claus, who gives us what we want.

Although God does want his people to prosper and be blessed, it is much more important to him that you entrust him with your life.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Trusting God is simply having faith in him—that he is who he says he is. In tough circumstances, trusting God means believing his promises, that he will work all things out for good. Trusting God does not mean trusting that he'll send Santa to give you what you want.

Especially during difficult times, putting your faith and trust in God brings rewards. Isaiah 26:3 says, You [God] will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Perfect peace is available if you're willing to trust God in the midst of challenging times.

A word of love can make a world of difference.

God calls us to love one another, which requires living in a way that is for one another because love puts others first. Throughout the Bible, we are called to put others first and live in a way that blesses other people.

For example, God calls us to be devoted to and honor one another (Romans 12:10); to live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16); to love one another (Romans 13:8; 1 John 4:11; John 13:34-35); to accept one another (Romans 15:14); to care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25); to serve one another (Galatians 5:12); to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to one another (Ephesians 4:32); and to bear with one another (Colossians 3:13).

Putting one another before yourself—that is, loving other people—can transform them because an act of love has the power to change lives. Just like God spoke his word of love, Jesus, into the world, transforming it, your word of love can make a world of difference in someone's life. This week, go out of your way to love one another.

Bento Loving!

At work, we do this thing called "Secret Sisters."   Basically, you fill out a survey at the beginning of the year and turn it in.   The ladies participating draw a name from the basket and then you buy little trinkets and treats for your gal for the year.    My secret sister this year is amazing and I can't wait to ask her where on earth she found this Bento Box.    I use it often and just LOVE it.    Packing my lunch is actually fun!    I confess it is not uncommon for me to skip lunch/work through lunch.   However, if it's a Bento day - I'm eating!   Here is tomorrow's Bento.   :-)

Weight loss with hypothyroidism

An excellent article from this weeks online thyroid course.

Product Review

I have been gluten free now for almost 8 months.

Something I have to clarify about being gluten free - it's a lifestyle change.   It's NOT a diet.     Many gluten free products are loaded in carbs or are high in weight watchers points.   For the most part, I don't really eat products that say "gluten free" as part of their branding.   I eat more clean.   Meats.   Proteins.   Veggies.  Fruits.   Etc..... every once in a while we will have some gluten free pasta.

One thing I truly miss though is having a good sandwich.    A comfort food of mine is toast with a few spritz's of spray butter and jelly.   Recently, I discovered Schar gluten free classic white bread.   I would have never ever even tried the stuff had it not been for a random stranger suggesting it to me when we were grocery shopping at a different Giant grocery store (our Giant doesn't have this....yet).     Anywhoo - we bought it and we LOVE it.    First of all, it does NOT taste like cardboard.  Secondly, there's no weird flour like aftertaste that I have discovered with some gluten free products.    It's amazing.   Whether to have solo, or to make a sandwich with.... or even toast.

I give this product an A+

In fact, I like it so much that I just bought it online in bulk to freeze.    
Easter is coming and now I'll be able to have an actual egg salad sandwich for a treat!