Military Moms - Sept. - Oct. 09 - Page 6

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by EdnaMarie

Oh Katie, I don't know if I posted before, but now that the pic is your avi, I just have to say that it's soooo wonderful. I have a couple of DH and DDs1 & 2 like that. It's the most beautiful thing in the world.

How is your husband doing?

Thank you I added some of R&R to my album as well. It was really great having him home, definitely gave me the push I needed to get through the rest of it.

DH is doing well, he left on the 17th and it took him close to a week to get back to Afghanistan. He's having sleep issues now and only gets 4 or 5 hours. I sent some melatonin with him but he said it doesn't help.

I need some food help with DH as well. He works nights and so he pretty much eats the heavily processed junk that people send to him in the mail during meal time. He said that eating at the DFAC is the equivalent of what is sent to him anyway and he doesn't always have the opportunity to leave and go get it. He also doesn't take the time to work out because he's sleeping so poorly. You can see where I'm going with this (ahem, quite a bit of weight to lose now). So what do I send this guy that will hold up in the mail and isn't junk? It has to qualify as a meal since that's what he uses it to replace.

[Katsmamajama]

Originally Posted by KatieJD

So what do I send this guy that will hold up in the mail and isn't junk? It has to qualify as a meal since that's what he uses it to replace.

Good question. I can hit up my DH (who is in a constant battle with weight/tape) and see what he would recommend.

I'll get right back to ya.

[gagin37]

Originally Posted by Soul-O

Today was the day. We did our best to stay until the soldiers got on the busses, but I ended up leaving with the kids about 15 minutes before they left because I just couldn't take it any more. I have already run through several emotions, but am just feeling resigned at this point. I know that the kids and I will make it through the next year and hopefully will thrive rather than just survive.

Thanks for everyone's positive thoughts and suggestions. I'll keep up with this thread a little better now as I should have more time to myself in the evenings after the kids go to bed, which is a small consolation for losing my wonderful DH for the year .

[EdnaMarie]

@ Soul-O

@KatieJD, would healthy snacks that he can eat instead of chocolate (raw nuts, dried fruits) help? Can they buy off-base in Afghanistan?

Unfortunately I think fresh is generally key when it comes to eating a healthy diet. However, cod liver oil and natural walnut and almond butter can help reduce appetite.

His sleep problems are almost certainly due to stress. When I had sleep problems I used to pray for a good night's sleep... I got it when I prayed. However, I'm thinking that's like asking for a miracle in Afghanistan.

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by EdnaMarie

@ Soul-O

@KatieJD, would healthy snacks that he can eat instead of chocolate (raw nuts, dried fruits) help? Can they buy off-base in Afghanistan?

Unfortunately I think fresh is generally key when it comes to eating a healthy diet. However, cod liver oil and natural walnut and almond butter can help reduce appetite.

His sleep problems are almost certainly due to stress. When I had sleep problems I used to pray for a good night's sleep... I got it when I prayed. However, I'm thinking that's like asking for a miracle in Afghanistan.

They don't have a PX or any type of place to buy food where he is. Anything he needs (non-food items included) have to be mailed by family members or whatever he managed to bring with him. He has a notoriously horrible diet, something he tends to sneak when he's at home because I don't allow junk in the house. Pair that with only having to take a PT test once a year and he's probably in the worst shape he's ever been. It worries me because he has high cholesterol and the Mediterranean diet we normally follow at home he can't do there. He seems to think it's okay to eat bacon every morning because "he had an egg-white omelet as well". I've been sending him nuts and dried fruit but I have a feeling he's giving away the healthy stuff. I have insomnia also and I agree that stress is a big factor. He said he managed to get about 9 hours during the day yesterday so he seems to be getting himself evened out. I'll have to make a trip to Trader Joe's soon and see if I can find some good tasting healthy stuff that I know he'll eat.

I told him if he manages to lose 50lbs. I'll let him fulfill his dream of being a movie star

[Madalyn]

I guess I could jump in here! I'm an air force wife stationed in Florida.

[mmgrimm]

I would not eat anything "fresh" on the economy in Afghanistan.

KatieJD- Does ur DH like tuna? I would send DH tuna packets with single serve mayo and relish packets. He would eat those with crackers or bread from the DFAC. Also alot of can veggies and fruit have pop-tops...so DH would eat them as is. Dried Fruits and Mixed Nuts are also good ideas. We also found it hard on his diet when he was in Afghanistan...except it was the opposite way...he is very picky about what he eats so he came home weighing about 120 lbs.

[mmgrimm]

Soul-O
I hope you and your family are doing good!

[Katsmamajama]

@KatieJD, I might have some answers for you! DH was a little confused, he'd never heard of anyone going downrange and actually putting weight on! From his experience, if the PX isn't there yet, then the gym is probably junk anyway, and the DFAC....I don't think I can actually say what he said about the food (T rats) there if that was the scenario. Although, he did ask if your DH was the type who just looks at a piece of cake and puts on 5 pounds because usually the food doesn't usually stick around for long, the way he put it. But of course, he also blames the T rats and some of the crazy downrange foods for his current digestive problems, so he might be a tad biased.

He recommended the tuna lunch kits, or the pouches of flavored tuna. He likes to have those around, becuase he can fit it in his cargo pocket and have it anytime, and it's not loaded with total junk. On the plus side, he said that if the PX isn't there, then there shouldn't be soda to tempt your DH-- however, there's most likely coffee and the assorted flavors and sweeteners somewhere in the vacinity of his workspace or living area.

[mntnmom]

I'm hoping someone can help. I'm trying to have a homebirth in Germany. I have the website to search for midwives, but I was hoping one of you ladies might have information about English speaking midwives in the Kusel area. Landstuhl isn't doing referrals right now, so I'll have to switch to prime or pay out of pocket. but I'm trying to find someone before I make any commitments. Thanks

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by Katsmamajama

@KatieJD, I might have some answers for you! DH was a little confused, he'd never heard of anyone going downrange and actually putting weight on! From his experience, if the PX isn't there yet, then the gym is probably junk anyway, and the DFAC....I don't think I can actually say what he said about the food (T rats) there if that was the scenario. Although, he did ask if your DH was the type who just looks at a piece of cake and puts on 5 pounds because usually the food doesn't usually stick around for long, the way he put it. But of course, he also blames the T rats and some of the crazy downrange foods for his current digestive problems, so he might be a tad biased.

He recommended the tuna lunch kits, or the pouches of flavored tuna. He likes to have those around, becuase he can fit it in his cargo pocket and have it anytime, and it's not loaded with total junk. On the plus side, he said that if the PX isn't there, then there shouldn't be soda to tempt your DH-- however, there's most likely coffee and the assorted flavors and sweeteners somewhere in the vacinity of his workspace or living area.

That is him exactly.

This is the first time my DH has ever been away from home and not lost weight. He's naturally a huge muscular guy, but because he's not running he has developed a bit of a spare tire. He eats to deal with stress also, which wouldn't be such an issue if he was working out. Our DFAC is one of the best supposedly, but lunch and dinner are non-existent in the middle of the night when he's working. I think he's probably using breakfast as his main meal so he eats a lot and then goes to sleep. The problem is that we have many friends and family members who want to send something and I think they hear that he doesn't have a PX and all of a sudden he ends up with 10 boxes of junk food, I'm at least somewhat happy that he ends up giving a lot of it away. He has his own coffee maker and people send him coffee and creamer and sugar. I didn't even think of the tuna lunch kits and canned fruit, I will pick some of those up this week. I'm trying to motivate him to start the running plan I'm on, and I told him that I'm not allowed to look better than him so he better get his butt in gear

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by Madalyn

I guess I could jump in here! I'm an air force wife stationed in Florida.

Welcome, Madalyn! I was wondering when you'd find us

[gagin37]

Maybe some healthy granola type stuff? I've seen recipes for making it at home, but I don't know how that would hold up in the mail??? dh gained weight while he was over there too. Most of the time he was stuck at a desk on the night shift, so he also ate a huge breakfast then went to bed. He also didn't do any PT the entire time.

[LeslieB]

KatieJD, does he like food bars? There are some great healthy ones that are packed with calories, so maybe he could eat those to fill him up so he won't snack on junk food.
Probars and Mealpack bars are great for that.

[EdnaMarie]

Originally Posted by mmgrimm

I would not eat anything "fresh" on the economy in Afghanistan.

Because of sabotage? I could see that, but as a civilian in Afghanistan (I lived there for three years) I really enjoyed the food. They have some of the best fruits in the world. The lamb is great!

Of course, the question of how to obtain those from a reliable source, as a soldier, is entirely different. But presumably they trust their translators.

[Katsmamajama]

I don't think much has changed, when I was enlisted and we were deployed to Albania, we were told not to accept anything local unless it was distributed by the military-- like the "near beer" they offered at the canteen on the Air Force/NATO side of the flight line.

[Maluhia]

I'd go for the flavored tuna packets for sure, canned fruit in water and maybe some chocolate protien powder to make his own protien drinks to fill him up on less fatty stuff?

And maybe send out an email to family and talk about how you two are doing a "biggest looser" competition from afar - so send him healthy so he has a chance!

Also - stuff his care packages with Mens Health and the like, make his leisure time about something like National Geograpic Adventure (hiking), or other themed magazines to get him in the mood to be in better shape.

[mntnmom]

Mostly, it's just an attempt to control the situation. My husband ate the local food in Afghanistan( he was on a small firebase), yes he had frequent "intestinal issues"... but so did the guys who just ate at the chow hall.
It really does depend on what you're doing and where you are. DH just got back from Iraq, and had almost no contact with the locals at all because he was on a large base stuck in an office, working nights.

Originally Posted by EdnaMarie

Because of sabotage? I could see that, but as a civilian in Afghanistan (I lived there for three years) I really enjoyed the food. They have some of the best fruits in the world. The lamb is great!

Of course, the question of how to obtain those from a reliable source, as a soldier, is entirely different. But presumably they trust their translators.

[Soul-O]

Originally Posted by Maluhia

I'd go for the flavored tuna packets for sure, canned fruit in water and maybe some chocolate protien powder to make his own protien drinks to fill him up on less fatty stuff?

And maybe send out an email to family and talk about how you two are doing a "biggest looser" competition from afar - so send him healthy so he has a chance!

Also - stuff his care packages with Mens Health and the like, make his leisure time about something like National Geograpic Adventure (hiking), or other themed magazines to get him in the mood to be in better shape.

Those are great ideas! I will save these ideas for care package time. I was going to suggest raw almonds, but I think someone has already done so.

AFM: We are doing pretty well. The first night alone in the house was a bit tough on everyone, especially our doggie who barked at every little noise and kept us all up. However, we seem to be settling in some. We have new sports for the older boys starting up in a week, and art classes for my smaller kiddos. I haven't felt very well lately, so not much cooking, but we are eating nutritiously. I've been connecting with other unit wives, especially my neighbor whose DH is the Chaplain for our unit, so I really don't feel alone. I think Halloween will be a bit tough, as DH loves to dress the kids up and take them out trick or treating . I have heard from him a couple of times so far, and anticipate talking to him every other day or so.

Thanks everyone for thinking of us. Hope all is well with all of you.

[EdnaMarie]

Originally Posted by mntnmom

Mostly, it's just an attempt to control the situation. My husband ate the local food in Afghanistan( he was on a small firebase), yes he had frequent "intestinal issues"... but so did the guys who just ate at the chow hall.
It really does depend on what you're doing and where you are. DH just got back from Iraq, and had almost no contact with the locals at all because he was on a large base stuck in an office, working nights.

Yeah, I'm not saying giardia is not going to happen, or that someone could always easily get "regular" food, just was curious about the reason, if it was like a general ban or what.