Be Well...

 
  I had to drop by the Pet store today.  We needed new filters for the fish tank.  After I left the store, I decided to pop into the General Nutrition Center (GNC) to see what was new.  I really didn't plan on buying anything.  The cashier was stocking the shelves when I came in.  He asked if I was looking for anything special.  I smiled and told him about the blog, giving him opportunity to sell his wares, so to speak.  He tried to entice me into purchasing a huge tub of whey protein, but I said no.  It had more calories than I liked.  I walked around and looked.  He went back to the shelves.  He was working on the Wellbeing line of products.  I had tried the calcium chews before (be balanced), but I had no idea they carried so many items.  You could be beautiful, be balanced, be energized, be nourished, be whole, be cleansed, be defined, be fulfilled, be wholehearted, be refreshed, be wholesome, be buff, be rested, and even be hot.  As I stared at the shelves, I listened to the knowledgeable cashier tell me all I needed to know about Wellbeing.  Let's just say, I was be-wildered be-yond be-lief.  I couldn't help but think to myself, "If I buy all that stuff, I could be poor."  I asked for a brochure I could read.  He said it was all on line.  Isn't it always?
    I really like to try new things, so I ended buying just two of the products that according to him were flying off the shelves.  I imagined the crowds at the door, lines as far back as the highway.  Perhaps, I had just come at a slow time.  Better get it while I can, though.  One never knows when she will be trampled by health enthusiasts eager to stock up.        

http://www.gnc.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3703232&f=PAD%2FBrands%2FGNC+WELLbeING&fbc=1&lmdn=Brand&fbn=Brands|GNC+WELLbeING

   Be beautiful is dietary supplement.  It is supposed to support healthy hair, promote skin hydration, and strengthen nails.  It is only 20 calories for each chew.  There is sugar, but only 3 grams.  The taste of the acai berry is extremely sweet.  I never take more than one a day, so these will last two months (60 chews in each package).
   Be buff is a protein and fiber complex mix (whey protein).  Basically, it does the same thing most protein and fiber supplements do.  It fills you up and supports lean muscle tone.  It comes in chocolate and vanilla flavors, much like my Jillian Michaels whey protein.  Also, like Jillian's mix, each serving has 100 calories, 15 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of sugar (hers is 3 grams of sugar).  Jillian's whey protein is sweetened with Stevia extract; GNC's is sweetened with Sucralose.  There is a recipe for a chocolate strawberry banana smoothie on the back.  Sounds like me, but I would use water instead of milk.  It costs more, twice as much as Jillian's Natural Whey Protein, and the servings per container are nearly equal.  I'll give a try and see if its worth it.  I will have to let you know on that one.   I may just end up using it only as a back up when I can't get to Walmart to get Jillian's mix or when Walmart is sold out.  At this price, it might be less expensive to buy hers on line.  We will see.      

Out And About

    Today, my husband and I got up and went to the National Capital Area Boat Show at Dulles Expo Center.  In my experience, you really take a chance when you venture out and about even for the day.  I managed to have my usual Greek yogurt with bare naked granola before we left the house, but what about later?  You know that growling in the stomach that hits early afternoon...that burning that says,"I must eat now."  After we had walked around a bit, it hit me..."Gurrr".  Oh no.  This could get embarrassing.  Time to find the show's cafe.  Well, great... Seems all they have to offer are the usual fare...hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, pizza, etc.. Absolutely nothing for the human being aspiring to live a healthy lifestyle.  We got coffee, but even that didn't fit the bill.  It was tasty, but they had no sugar free hazelnut (my favorite) and no soy milk. Ugh.  I really needed a lift.  I went for caffeine.  Sometimes you have to say, what the heck, right?  Well, it was only 1 pm, and the coffee wasn't going to be enough.   I was really hungry.
    I have to be careful.  I have in the past gotten light headed if I didn't eat.  As a kid, they said I probably had low blood sugar and in the Army, they said I was anemic.  One time, when I didn't eat, I actually got dizzy, fell and hit my mouth on a chair in our kitchen.  I busted my lip. I know to eat regularly.
My husband bought popcorn.  I had a few before I remembered...

    I had planned ahead.  Just before we left, I had slipped a protein bar into my purse.  No worries.  I would be fine at least until we made it home.  My favorite is the chocolate peanut butter.  I know.  Peanut butter again.  What can I say?  I love peanut butter, especially crunchy.  There are a lot of protein bars out there.  Its really a personal choice, but I like pure protein the best.  To be honest, some of them taste like cardboard.  Know what I mean?  Me?  I would prefer not to eat cardboard.  I like to keep the pure protein bars in the refrigerator in case of emergencies.  They have 20 grams of protein, between 180 and 200 calories, and only 2 to 3 grams of sugar, and they are filling.  I just grab one and head out.  
   Anyway, if you find yourself out and about for the day, try packing a protein bar.  Then, when you are faced with foods you know you shouldn't be eating, these give you a healthy satisfying alternative to hold you over.  That way, you don't have to blame your loving spouse when the growling stomach makes people turn their heads and stare..."It was him not me.  I am a lady. Ladies don't make those noises".  Or worse, you could pass out and bust your lip open.  Trust me, really difficult to explain.  Better to pack your protein bar and avoid those situations completely.

The Gecko says hello

      

Not Since I Was A Kid

   Not since I was a kid, spending entire weekends, hours at the local skating rink, have my calves been this sore.  You know what?  Just like back then, I don't really mind.  I earned these tight calves.  All those trips up and down the stairs yesterday were totally worth it.  Should I do more?  I know I am supposed to use weekends for recovery time.  But every time I pass that room upstairs, with all the stuff I have yet to return to its proper place, I am lured in.  Just one more trip, one more item put away.  I want things to be normal again, everything in its place.
   How did we ever accumulate so much stuff?  How did we become such pack rats?  What can I get rid of, donate?  Should we begin the downsizing phase of our lives?  Well, whether we keep it or not, there is no escaping the fact that I still need to bring it downstairs eventually.
   Last weekend, we sorted through our library.  Together, we filled two very large boxes with old books.  The problem is the boxes are now so heavy, neither of us separate or together can lift them.  I wonder how long they will remain in the library.  Perhaps I should attempt to drag them up the basement stairs.  I remind myself that its recovery time.  I'll get my husband to do it.  : )  "Honey...Sweetie...I have a mission for you."  No where did he go?  Ugh, I've misplaced him again.  Oh well.
   Our friends return from their cruise tomorrow.  I hope they had a nice time.  I wish we could have gone, but we have a kid in school.  I really wish we could have gone.  My legs are so very white.  White and cramped.  Maybe I need a spray tan...or a real tan...something so I won't be embarrassed to someday wear shorts again.
   We spring forward tonight.  Soon, the days will be longer.  I cannot wait.  Just a few more days and I will have made it through the winter, my first in ten years without throwing my back out.  It kind of makes me emotional, you know?  My first winter in ten years without having to take prescription pain medication.  I am a realist.  I know I haven't beat the degenerative process, but maybe I have found a way to live life as I remember it ...from when I was that teenager frequenting the skating rink...when all I had to worry about was a few blisters and cramping calves.

Stairway To Heaven

   This is just half of it, our new hardwood stairway.  The last day the contractors were here, they told me not to touch the banister.  It was still wet.  I smiled and agreed to be good.  They left.  But then, I had to go upstairs.  I gazed at that staircase like it was an old adversary.  Not hold the banister?  But I always hold the banister.  What about my knees?  For a brief moment I imagined calling them back and asking if they could build me an elevator real quick...as a back up.  Okay, maybe that would be asking too much.  I think they only do wood and carpeting.  
   I could do this.  After all, I was in much better shape now.  I may go slow, but I almost always take the stairs whenever we are out doing family stuff.  Gone are the days when I would take the elevator while everyone else took the stairs.  I can still their faces.  The elevator door opens and they are standing there,  "Where have you been?  We've been waiting for hours."  Ha ha...tease the disabled mom...very funny.  
   No, if there truly is a stairway to heaven, I will now climb it.  And eventually, come hell or high water, I will get there...possibly huffing and puffing.
   I refuse to let this knees be a limitation.  I refuse to let them negatively affect my level of tenacity.  I have a full and active life to lead and well, they need to come along for the ride.  So, suck it up knees.  I am not going to be easy on you (I sound just like Jillian Michaels).
   It seems like yesterday that they first began giving me problems.  Ever since the eighties, when I was assigned to Germany, my knees have been an issue.  Whether it was my meniscus or my ACLs, I always seemed to have someone telling me my knees were well, messed up.  At ROTC Advanced Camp, I twisted my knee pretty bad.  They sent me home with a note basically saying, "No go at this station".  Come back next year".  It was in ROTC, I had my first surgery at the local Veteran's Administration Hospital.  I have to admit, I was scared, especially after I had an allergic reaction to the anesthesia.  But I did recover, so I thought, and I did return to complete the camp requirement.  I still remember what my ROTC Advisor told me before I left, "Whatever you do, if you want to pass camp and get that commission, don't ever let them see you limp."  So, I never limped.  And eventually, the real issues with my knees returned.  I later discovered I had ACL damage, several tiny tears.  My knees creaked like floors in an old house, and on occasion, they would give right out from under me, but I toughed it out.  I never cried.  I never whined.  But I always did the right thing.  I went to the post doctors.  They did the cursory tests, prescribed 800 MG Motrin (ranger candy) and told me to take a break and stop running for a while (two weeks to a month on average).   Pretty soon, I was back out there running on those ACL tears, as best I could.
 Years later, my unstable knees were what began the physical that retired me from active military service.  After 21 years of running on those bad knees, I had caused other irreparable damage.  During my second medical board in two years, I was fortunate enough to have a doctor living next door.  She did a second knee surgery (said my knee had looked like scrambled eggs inside...yuck).  Well, its because of her, my knees don't grind anymore.  Thanks to her, and a little persistence on my part, I can now walk like I do.  I thought that surgery would be the last of it.  But it wasn't.  After my husband returned from the war in Iraq, we planned a vacation.  On the day before we were scheduled to leave, my left knee locked.  They sent me off post for care.  The doctor told me to come in the next day to prepare for immediate surgery.  For the first time, I refused to listen.  I just didn't show up.  I was now a retiree with a new found empowerment, not to mention a new attitude problem.  I don't know.  It wasn't that I was scared of another surgery.  I just didn't have the heart to cancel a family trip to California for my stupid knees.  So instead of going into surgery as recommended, I walked all around Disneyland.  I guess you could say my knee relaxed and unlocked.  It hasn't locked like that since.  Stretching and exercise was the key.  I believe it still is.  
   Today, two days after the contractors have left, and I have already been up and down those stairs a couple dozen times.  All this after my regular five mile walk.  So far, so good.  My calves are sore, but the old weak knees are holding up okay.  Please knock wood.  Hey, I can knock the floors now.  : }  I can now touch the banister which helps, but still, I take my time.  Why so many trips up and down the stairs?  Well, we put all the little stuff upstairs so we could redo the main level floors.  Someone needs to bring it all back down.  Okay, maybe I'll do this little by little over the course of the next week.  No sense tempting Murphy's Law right?  "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong". 

When Did That Happen?

    Our home is relatively quiet this morning.  The contractors are gone, but my husband is working from home.  After I worked out, I came up to check on him.  He was on a conference call.  You know what?  Blenders are not quiet.  I made my smoothie between calls and drank a glass of water.  I went up to shower and get dressed.
    Every few minutes, he would move the furniture back to its normal spot.  But I threw him for a loop.  This time, I decided to change things up a bit.  I like to do that.  Makes me feel like we are in a new home.  I guess I miss some things about being in the military.  Yes, believe it or not...I miss moving.  What can I say?  I am nomadic by nature and I really like to redecorate.  Maybe I missed my calling.
    Anyway, now that we had the hard wood, we really needed to add some throw rugs.  We had the main areas covered, but still we needed a few more.  I also thought it might be nice to put some chair pads on our dining room chairs while I was at it.
    Why the sudden need to pad the chairs?  Last Fall was when I first noticed.  We were at Carabba's Italian restaurant.  When I sat down, it felt different, significantly more uncomfortable.  I shifted around in my seat, until I decided to just sit on my jacket.  We were there with friends so I asked around the table, "Okay, when did that happen?  Did they get new chairs?"  My husband just laughed.  "Its not the chairs, T.  Its you."   I was a little embarrassed.  I no longer had that cushioned rear end I once had.  One of the downsides to getting healthier, I guess.  I now officially had a bony butt (which explains why I keep getting those burns when I do my sit ups).  : )  Well, I knew I would never sit in that dining room as long as the chairs were left unpadded.
   So, throw rugs and chair pads?  Sounds like a trip to Kohl's.  I headed out into the rain.  I didn't even mind it.  It wasn't cold, just wet.  It felt good and well, I was going to Kohl's.  I can never go in and come out with just what's on my list.  I ended up buying shorts for our son.  I know I know.  Confessions of a shopaholic? Hey, he's growing.  And Spring is coming.  One of these days, he's going to look in his drawer for a pair of shorts that fit.  He will, of course, yell down at me, "Mom, where are my shorts?"  They will be there, and they will fit, because I went to Kohl's and had the foresight to plan ahead.  After saving more than I spent again, I came home.  We lay throw rugs, move furniture and put on the chair pads.  My butt would at last be comfortable.  Praise be.
   My husband is calling, so I'd better make this short.  More furniture to move.  No, he doesn't really need me to help move furniture.  He just needs my input, my direction, my unique sense of style.  Put this here.  Put that there.  That's helping, right?  : )  Well, that's enough for today.  Back to work.
   Mmmm...maybe we will all sit at the table tonight, play a family game of dominoes...try out those cushions?

The Basement

   Woke up before six.  My husband had to leave early.  I like to have coffee with him in the morning, so I dragged myself out of bed...for quality time.  Our son left for school.  Then, my husband followed.  I am alone...just me and "The Today Show".
    Since the hardwood installers let me know exactly when they were coming the next day, I wasn't left waiting by the door.  I managed to get in a full workout.  Five miles on the treadmill (I can't wait to walk outside), one hundred of each weight repetition (X 3), followed by 20 push ups.  It was strange doing push ups on the rug.  The carpeting is gone.  The wood is beautiful.  Suddenly, I am stricken with guilt wondering how many trees had to die to make our floors.  Shake it off.  I sit down and finish writing a letter to my mom when I hear a knock at the door.  Its the installers...right on time.  I head upstairs.  I had to do my sit ups on the bed.  Yes, my butt still hurts from the burn.  Such is life.  I will heal in time.  I do one hundred sit ups and gather my clothes for a shower.  I can't seem to close our bedroom door.  They haven't completely tacked down the molding upstairs.  Time to adapt.  I just take all my stuff inside the bathroom, then lock the door.  This is a strange feeling.  As parents, we are not in the habit of locking the bathroom door.  When the kids were young, we just left it unlocked in case they needed something.  If they did, they just came on in..merely shielding their eyes from anything that might cause them unwelcome nightmares.  We aren't exhibitionists.  You just never know when someone is going to forget something important...like underwear or a fresh bar of soap.
    Anyway, I finished what I needed to do in there and came carefully down the stairs.  Thats what they are working on today...the stairs.  They say today they will finish the job.  I know our youngest will be happy.  Not that he isn't already.  He has, over the last two days, been reenacting Tom Cruise in "Risky Business".  You know, the scene when he slides across the floor in his underwear.  Yes, he likes the wood.  What he doesn't like is the fact that his mom has taken over the basement (his sanctuary), and brought down all her "stuff".  Its true, I have my computer down here and my cell phone.  And when he comes home from school, I will insist he watch something non cartoon.  We need to find something we both enjoy.  Why is he watching television while doing his homework anyway?  I don't get it.  He is doing homework in subjects like Algebra and French while watching "I Carly".  How in the world can he focus?  I couldn't do it.  Oh well, we fight the battles that are worth fighting.
    In the background, I can hear the nail gun and wood saw.  Its not as noisy as on previous days.  It will be nice to finally have our home back.  It will be nice to have my freedom again...be able to leave and at least go grocery shopping.  As of today, I am completely out of any fresh berries for my smoothies.  I have two bananas left but they are not looking their best.  I suppose if I can't get to the store, I can make a whey protein, old banana smoothie.  I could throw in some peanut butter.  Ugh... I really need to go shopping.
   Yesterday, our son brought home a flyer from his French class.  They were collecting cans of tuna fish to send to Haiti.  My husband went out to get them while he did his homework.  I should have asked him to pick up some berries while he was there.  Hindsight...20/20, right?  Well, no use crying over spilled soy milk.  : )
Now I have done it...thinking about that smoothie, I am now craving peanut butter.  So, here I sit...rambling on...in the basement one more day...just here to babysit the contractors that have taken over our home.  Still, I have no complaints.  I got in a full workout and well, I guess 've also got wood.  ; o

Let's Wrap It Up

  

The hard wood guys just came in.  They were a half hour later than I expected.  I should be upset.  I cut my workout short so I could hear the door and let them in.  But, things happen, and I did manage to walk three miles (bringing me up to 250), do my weight repetitions, and 30 push ups.  I need to take a break on the sit ups.  I have a rug burn on my butt, and it really hurts.  As my stepdaughter says, "no worries".  The cat is safely hidden in the basement, the door is closed, and eventually all this chaos will come to an end.  I can handle two more days of pounding and nailing.  I just wish I didn't have a headache.  Unfortunately, there is no escape from the noise.  They will be working on both the upstairs and on the main floor today.  And, in the basement, the sound just echoes.
   So, to take my mind off of the unending racket, I thought it might be nice to introduce something I frequently make ahead for lunches.  For a while now, I have tried to replicate a wrap a good friend and I had while in a health food restaurant in the little town near the base of Diamondback in Hawaii (The Diamondhead Cove health Bar).  http://www.diamondheadcove.com/    I know I don't have it perfect, but its tasty all the same.  They wouldn't give me their secret recipe.  Maybe you would like to try.   Anyway, you begin with a spinach wrap (any wrap will do, but the restaurant used these green ones, which I really like).  I like to nuke it for 30 seconds just to warm it up a bit.  Spread on your favorite hummus (cover it completely).  I eat roasted red pepper and garlic hummus, but for this, original works best for me.  Add spinach (I used mixed greens with spinach).  I also added fresh chopped green peppers.  You can add whatever you like.  Shredded carrots would be nice, but I don't have any readily available at this time.  Then you roll it, slice it in half, and enjoy.  Simple huh?
  At the restaurant, they had a dip on the plate, but I can't remember what it was exactly.  Hey, this was way back in November 2009.  What I do remember is how filling it was.  We finished our meals off with healthy fruit smoothies.  If I ever return to Hawaii (and I hope I do), I would definitely eat a this place again.  For a hole in wall we tried just for the heck of it, it was an experience I know I will never forget.  Just being there made me feel less like a "haole" and more like a local.  But the best part was, with this recipe, I got to take a nutritional and tasty piece of Hawaii home with me.  After all, it good food tastes good, you are more likely to eat it, right?