Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tantalizing Tuesday Applesauce Oat Muffins
Yummy Applesauce Oat Muffins
Makes 12 - 14 muffins
1 1/2 cups Flour Use half all purpose and half whole wheat! It won't kill you.
1/2 cup Ground Flax Seed
3/4 cup Oats
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp. Baking Powder
1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
2 Eggs
3/4 cup Applesauce
1 cup Milk -- I used SOY
1/2 cup Raisins
1 Banana
Preheat oven to 400°F, Blend together all dry ingredients in a lage mixing bowl. Combine all liquid ingredients in a seperate bowl. Gradually add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients. Blend slowly until throughly mixed. Do not over mix. Fill paper lined muffin tins with batter 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 13 - 15 minutes. Cool.
As with any of my recipes, you can leave out the flax and use all flour. But why would you? Flax is good for you!
Tip: Use a large ice cream scoop with the little handle to fill your muffin tins. Like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Oxo-Grips-Trigger-Cream-Scoop/dp/B00004OCIW/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1218656104&sr=1-8
If you're using a stoneware muffin pan, you will need to lightly grease the pan so the muffins come out, since there is no oil in this recipe. :)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Happy 2nd Birthday to my sweet Melissa!
It's been two whole years since you joined us! You've grown and learned so much! We love you!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Infertility
What is infertility?
in·fer·til·i·ty (ĭn'fər-tĭl'ĭ-tē) not fertile; unproductive; sterile; barren
n. 1. Absent or diminished fertility. 2. The persistent inability to conceive a child after persistent attempts over a given period of time, usually one year in humans.
It is all of those things and so much more. It's seeing your friends and family have children when you have none. It's not going to baby showers because you don't want to deal with the hurt. It's people telling you to relax and it will happen. To quit trying and you'll get there. But you don't.
Even worse, it's going though treatments. And temping, and for some pills and shots and procedures. It's a longing in your heart. A painful stab to your soul. But most of all it's heartache.
27 months we tried. A relatively short period of time for me. For some it takes 5, 6, 7, 10 years. Some will never bear a child. Others have children that are born in their hearts instead.
I spent a year going to Dr. B. He prescribed Clomid, and off I went. At the time I had no idea that you should be monitered, and have your lining checked. And bloodwork. I went through several months of taking Clomid at 50mg, 100mg and 150mg. We wasted a year taking pills that did nothing. So I finally changed doctors. My new doctor immediately diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS.
Polycystic ovarian disease PCOD is an endocrine disorder that affects approximately 5% of all women . It occurs amongst all races and nationalities, is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, and is a leading cause of infertility. The principal features are weight problems, lack of regular ovulation and/or menstruation, and excessive amounts or effects of androgenic (masculinizing) hormones. The symptoms and severity of the syndrome vary greatly between women. While the causes are unknown, insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity are all strongly correlated with PCOS.
Dr. W prescribed Glucophage or Metformin (generic name). I had all the characteristics of PCOS without the cysts on my ovaries. She said it was Insulin Resistance. The medicine was terrible. I had a difficult time adjusting to it. For most people it has a laxative effect. But, I kept on it, and it eventually subsided. The first month there was no success. The second month we added Clomid at 50mg, and I had an early miscarriage. The third month we did Clomid again at 50mg, and that resulted in a pregnancy!
I was lucky to find a wonderful group of friends through the internet. Even though the site we all started out on has changed hands, gone and reappeared, we have all remained close. Most I have never met, and probably never will (but I hope to). Support was the best thing. Being able to have someone who understood. Someone who knew it was a medical reason why I couldn't conceive.
If you're struggling with infertility, there are a lot of resources out there. And there is always a virtual shoulder of someone who's been there.
http://www.soulcysters.com/
http://www.pcosupport.org/
http://www.4woman.gov/FAQ/pcos.htm
Some women do find luck with several herbal combinations. Natural Progesterone Cream, and Vitex do seem to help with PCOS. You should check with your doctor for their recommendations.
Tomorrow will be 2 years since Melissa was born. It was such a wonderful miracle when she came into the world. I struggled with infertility for 2 long years before her conception. The pain will never go away.
in·fer·til·i·ty (ĭn'fər-tĭl'ĭ-tē) not fertile; unproductive; sterile; barren
n. 1. Absent or diminished fertility. 2. The persistent inability to conceive a child after persistent attempts over a given period of time, usually one year in humans.
It is all of those things and so much more. It's seeing your friends and family have children when you have none. It's not going to baby showers because you don't want to deal with the hurt. It's people telling you to relax and it will happen. To quit trying and you'll get there. But you don't.
Even worse, it's going though treatments. And temping, and for some pills and shots and procedures. It's a longing in your heart. A painful stab to your soul. But most of all it's heartache.
27 months we tried. A relatively short period of time for me. For some it takes 5, 6, 7, 10 years. Some will never bear a child. Others have children that are born in their hearts instead.
I spent a year going to Dr. B. He prescribed Clomid, and off I went. At the time I had no idea that you should be monitered, and have your lining checked. And bloodwork. I went through several months of taking Clomid at 50mg, 100mg and 150mg. We wasted a year taking pills that did nothing. So I finally changed doctors. My new doctor immediately diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS.
Polycystic ovarian disease PCOD is an endocrine disorder that affects approximately 5% of all women . It occurs amongst all races and nationalities, is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, and is a leading cause of infertility. The principal features are weight problems, lack of regular ovulation and/or menstruation, and excessive amounts or effects of androgenic (masculinizing) hormones. The symptoms and severity of the syndrome vary greatly between women. While the causes are unknown, insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity are all strongly correlated with PCOS.
Dr. W prescribed Glucophage or Metformin (generic name). I had all the characteristics of PCOS without the cysts on my ovaries. She said it was Insulin Resistance. The medicine was terrible. I had a difficult time adjusting to it. For most people it has a laxative effect. But, I kept on it, and it eventually subsided. The first month there was no success. The second month we added Clomid at 50mg, and I had an early miscarriage. The third month we did Clomid again at 50mg, and that resulted in a pregnancy!
I was lucky to find a wonderful group of friends through the internet. Even though the site we all started out on has changed hands, gone and reappeared, we have all remained close. Most I have never met, and probably never will (but I hope to). Support was the best thing. Being able to have someone who understood. Someone who knew it was a medical reason why I couldn't conceive.
If you're struggling with infertility, there are a lot of resources out there. And there is always a virtual shoulder of someone who's been there.
http://www.soulcysters.com/
http://www.pcosupport.org/
http://www.4woman.gov/FAQ/pcos.htm
Some women do find luck with several herbal combinations. Natural Progesterone Cream, and Vitex do seem to help with PCOS. You should check with your doctor for their recommendations.
Tomorrow will be 2 years since Melissa was born. It was such a wonderful miracle when she came into the world. I struggled with infertility for 2 long years before her conception. The pain will never go away.
Welcome Everyone!
I just wanted to say hello to everyone here looking for information on Michael Phelps! While we are not related to him, we are very appreciative of the publicity because it has given us the wonderful gift of helping people pronounce our last name!!!
We are also following his swimming in the Olympics. What an incredible talent! We were able to catch him last night and saw him win 2 gold medals!
We are also following his swimming in the Olympics. What an incredible talent! We were able to catch him last night and saw him win 2 gold medals!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Tantalizing Tuesday Fried Rice
Fried Rice
Approx 6 cups of leftover rice My preference is Basmati Rice, as it cooks up nicely and doesn't clump up after it is refrigerated.
1 - 2 Eggs
1 onion, diced
3 - 4 Chicken Breasts sliced. You may also used a Chinese Pork. If you have a local asian food market ask for Char Su, prounounced Cha - Su, or Barbecued Pork
1 Can Baby Corn
1 Can Bamboo Shoots
1 Can Sliced Water Chestnuts
2 - 3 cups of frozen mixed vegetables or fresh steamed veggies
Soy Sauce
Teriyaki Sauce
Oyster Sauce
Hoisin Sauce
Rice Vinegar
Sesame Seeds
Peanut Butter
Sesame Oil
Garlic & Onion Powder
Ginger
Salt & Pepper
Okay, Take your rice, and marinate for at least 30 minutes with
1 tsp. soy sauce,
2 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar
2 tsp. Teriyaki Sauce
2 tsp. Oyster Sauce
1 tsp. Hoisin Sauce
2 tsp. Sesame Oil
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1/4 tsp. Ginger, powdered or fresh
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
Scramble your eggs, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Cook your chicken, and season with a bit of teriyaki, soy sauce, oyster sauce and hoisin sauce. Set aside with the eggs.
Cook your onions, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside with chicken. Combine Baby Corn, water chestnuts and bamboo shoots with chicken.
Heat up your pan with a dab of peanut butter and about 3 Tbsp. of sesame oil. Be sure not to burn the peanut butter, and don't add too much oil, or it will be very oily. Add your rice, and fry. You can't really mess this step up, because you really want the rice crispy. Let it sit in the pan for a few minutes, and then turn the rice to brown it evenly. When the rice is sufficiently "fried" Add chicken mix, and frozen or steamed veggies. Cook till heated thoroughly. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Approx 6 cups of leftover rice My preference is Basmati Rice, as it cooks up nicely and doesn't clump up after it is refrigerated.
1 - 2 Eggs
1 onion, diced
3 - 4 Chicken Breasts sliced. You may also used a Chinese Pork. If you have a local asian food market ask for Char Su, prounounced Cha - Su, or Barbecued Pork
1 Can Baby Corn
1 Can Bamboo Shoots
1 Can Sliced Water Chestnuts
2 - 3 cups of frozen mixed vegetables or fresh steamed veggies
Soy Sauce
Teriyaki Sauce
Oyster Sauce
Hoisin Sauce
Rice Vinegar
Sesame Seeds
Peanut Butter
Sesame Oil
Garlic & Onion Powder
Ginger
Salt & Pepper
Okay, Take your rice, and marinate for at least 30 minutes with
1 tsp. soy sauce,
2 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar
2 tsp. Teriyaki Sauce
2 tsp. Oyster Sauce
1 tsp. Hoisin Sauce
2 tsp. Sesame Oil
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1/4 tsp. Ginger, powdered or fresh
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
Scramble your eggs, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Cook your chicken, and season with a bit of teriyaki, soy sauce, oyster sauce and hoisin sauce. Set aside with the eggs.
Cook your onions, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside with chicken. Combine Baby Corn, water chestnuts and bamboo shoots with chicken.
Heat up your pan with a dab of peanut butter and about 3 Tbsp. of sesame oil. Be sure not to burn the peanut butter, and don't add too much oil, or it will be very oily. Add your rice, and fry. You can't really mess this step up, because you really want the rice crispy. Let it sit in the pan for a few minutes, and then turn the rice to brown it evenly. When the rice is sufficiently "fried" Add chicken mix, and frozen or steamed veggies. Cook till heated thoroughly. Adjust seasoning as needed.
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