May Flowers Make Me Sneeze (and Chat!)

[lil_miss_understood]

Spring has sprung. The flowers are blooming. Dannic and CS have gardens mostly planted. Mtn mama's goats are (almost?) all born. kjbrown is cleaning the lake house (probably mostly done by now). tanyalynn is keeping up with her spring cleaning. whoMe is adjusting to life with a new son and "big sister". And me. I'm just me, growing older day by day. (Speaking of growing older, DS3 will be one this month. )

How are you?
(It's hard for me to keep up with everyone and there are a WHOLE LOT of new people so please forgive me if I've left you out.)
As always, newcomers are welcome and encouraged to join us. We're always sorry to add to our ranks here, but glad of any help we may be able to provide.

[Theloose]

Thanks for the thread, JR

We actually got out of the house today and now have sunburns

[tanyalynn]

Thanks for the new thread, JR!

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

tanyalynn is keeping up with her spring cleaning.

Um... trying to, I'll commit to trying to, because at the moment, you wouldn't know it to see our living room.

Originally Posted by whoMe

We actually got out of the house today and now have sunburns

Ditto for us! Well, my nose is red, no one else burns.

On balancing everything, given that all our lives are a bit higher maintenance than the average out there... we went to a local festival today, and DH is happy. He really likes getting out and doing stuff, getting out of our usual routine, and I am slowly getting better about doing that stuff. I have too much of a tendency to sink deeply into the routine.

re: allergies, on the way home we stopped by the Asian market that I've been meaning to stop into for a while, so much easier with DH there to help keep the kids happy while I read labels. Found green curry paste that doesn't have chiles as the first ingredient, and all the ingredients are actual foods, yay! And small dried fish that have salt, sugar, and sesame seeds, they are tasty but sweeter than I expected. And a few other things, including pretty green veggies, nicer than our local grocery store (not surprising, but still nice).

On the downside, at how many of the foods have scary unexpected ingredients. "Sesame oil" that's actually mostly soybean oil, only one type of dried fish didn't have MSG and various preservatives (I later learned that I may have more luck by looking for bags of dried fish in the refrigerated case), really, tons of preservatives everywhere. Wow.

And speaking of routines, I am trying, AGAIN, to get to bed early, to help create the lifestyle and family life that I want. I've been feeling a bit lighter lately, less of that weight of the world on my shoulders type of feeling that's plagued me for several years now. And that makes it easier to just jump in and get things done. And I think one part is having my visual reminder of what I want, the life I want to create for myself and DH, for the kids, for all of us together. I feel like I've got enough extra energy to think about that, and actually start to work on it.

So, with that said, I wish restful sleep and peaceful dreams to everyone. See y'all tomorrow.

[chlobo]

Just opting in.

I have another sore throat. In fact, I just realized, that any given day you look at my throat it looks red and sore, regardless of whether or not it is actually bothering me. Today, it is bothering me.

I'm trying to up my green juice consumption. I was thinking about a blendtec or a vitamix (my mom would get it for me for my birthday at the beginning of June) but when I was researching is appears that my kitchenaid got good marks. Now I'm sure the blendtec & vitamix would do "more" but I can't seem to justify it in my mind right now when my blender works perfectly fine. I've decided to just run it hard until it cops out and then get a new one.

We now have NO furniture in our living room. We used to have a fairy castle from DDs birthday and some assorted other stuff but we've cleaned up. Now we need furniture but I feel frozen. I don't want a traditional couch with all its toxins & can't afford most of the "green" couches out there. So I'm not sure what to do. And to top that off, the cat threw up on one of the couch cushions on the couch in the family room. That one is 15 years old and needs to be replaced. I was actually thinking of having it recovered & getting new "green" cushions but I'm not sure how to go about that.

ETA: Why does everything need so much freaking research?

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by chlobo

We now have NO furniture in our living room. We used to have a fairy castle from DDs birthday and some assorted other stuff but we've cleaned up. Now we need furniture but I feel frozen. I don't want a traditional couch with all its toxins & can't afford most of the "green" couches out there. So I'm not sure what to do. And to top that off, the cat threw up on one of the couch cushions on the couch in the family room. That one is 15 years old and needs to be replaced. I was actually thinking of having it recovered & getting new "green" cushions but I'm not sure how to go about that.

ETA: Why does everything need so much freaking research?

If you find a cheap green couch online, let me know, as all I can think of is futons that are natural like at whitelotus.net.

[Koalamom]

I am joining in this month but I always get lost in the threads.

We are buying a house and should be closing next month. We can finally be away from the town factory, as I think that is the big issue with our allergies.

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by chlobo

Just opting in.

I have another sore throat. In fact, I just realized, that any given day you look at my throat it looks red and sore, regardless of whether or not it is actually bothering me. Today, it is bothering me.

I'm trying to up my green juice consumption. I was thinking about a blendtec or a vitamix (my mom would get it for me for my birthday at the beginning of June) but when I was researching is appears that my kitchenaid got good marks. Now I'm sure the blendtec & vitamix would do "more" but I can't seem to justify it in my mind right now when my blender works perfectly fine. I've decided to just run it hard until it cops out and then get a new one.

We now have NO furniture in our living room. We used to have a fairy castle from DDs birthday and some assorted other stuff but we've cleaned up. Now we need furniture but I feel frozen. I don't want a traditional couch with all its toxins & can't afford most of the "green" couches out there. So I'm not sure what to do. And to top that off, the cat threw up on one of the couch cushions on the couch in the family room. That one is 15 years old and needs to be replaced. I was actually thinking of having it recovered & getting new "green" cushions but I'm not sure how to go about that.

ETA: Why does everything need so much freaking research?

(the bolded) that's why we're still drinking tap water and living on hand-me-down furniture. Maybe furniture from craigslist? Maybe a bunch of pillows/beanbags to sit on? Something wicker/wood with cushions on top?

I like your use it up plan on the blender. And don't know what an always red throat means, sorry. It does have me though.

[lissybeth74]

Hi everyone! Newbie to the chat, but have been lurking for months... soaking up all the wisdom. What a source of knowledge and strength you all are.

I've recently started the journey towards healing my fam's gut and our food intolerances. My 3 boys all have dairy intolerances, but my youngest definitely has it the worst. I think he may now have gluten issues, so we've cut that out as well. He seems to have the greatest need for healing. The other day I happened to remember that I had a root canal done (amalgam totally removed) when I was pregnant with him. Made me sorta for a second. I realize I can't change the past... but it still made me really sad. Looking back, I have to wonder if it's why we have some of the challenges that we do (and the fact that my whole mouth is practically a mercury filling, ditto my mom's mouth... not to mention the adrenal issues I've been battling for years). So, we've got a bunch of work to keep us busy and we tackle it in baby steps, otherwise I'll crash and burn (btdt)...

So happy we are seeing some improvement already in eating TF, whole food probiotics, fish oil, and kefir. Gives me hope.

[DevaMajka]

As usual, I have nothing useful to add.
just subbing.

[momofmine]

Originally Posted by chlobo

We now have NO furniture in our living room. We used to have a fairy castle from DDs birthday and some assorted other stuff but we've cleaned up. Now we need furniture but I feel frozen. I don't want a traditional couch with all its toxins & can't afford most of the "green" couches out there. So I'm not sure what to do. And to top that off, the cat threw up on one of the couch cushions on the couch in the family room. That one is 15 years old and needs to be replaced. I was actually thinking of having it recovered & getting new "green" cushions but I'm not sure how to go about that.

ETA: Why does everything need so much freaking research?

I say splurge and get the VitaMix. I just got an Omega juicer and am looking forward to getting into a habit of making green juice with that.

BTW, does anyone know how many carbs would be in the green juice you'd make with something like an Omega, with all the fiber taken out? I am doing low carb for a little bit to break the cycle of cravings for me.

As for furniture, I am in the EXACT same boat! So funny! But, I really want to just save and get something that will be safe and last a long time. Where can you even get "green" furniture? A friend told me recently that regular upholstered furniture has flame retardants and crappy toxins in it. I also would ideally like to get LR furniture that reduces environmental allergens too. I think I posted here one time asking about people who have completely gotten rid of upholstered furniture for allergy reasons, but I don't remember the response. I do still want something soft to sit on.

[FireWithin]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

I am joining in this month but I always get lost in the threads.

We are buying a house and should be closing next month. We can finally be away from the town factory, as I think that is the big issue with our allergies.

Congratulations! How exciting. We are hoping to buy next spring.

[FireWithin]

I heard IKEA is not as bad as other places Chlobo

I would wait on the vitamix/blendtec. Although we do enjoy ours. We recently been enjoying adding a bit of fruit, ice and water and making a slushy. It has been easier to keep myself hydrated that way.

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

kjbrown is cleaning the lake house (probably mostly done by now).

Um not. Two times ago when I went up there, I cleaned the whole kitchen of mouse poop - all the dishes, silverware, utensils, etc. and was so happy. Last time I went up, there was mouse poop in all the drawers again. This weekend was spent on frivolity (sort of). The kids were all off with friends, while we went to the Juvenile Diabetes Ball to help raise money for a cure. Last year they did well when I asked for gluten, corn, soy, dairy free food. This year, not so good. The lady took away my salad and said she'd get mine, and never came back with it. They first gave me a regular meal, then came with a "gluten free" meal that still had mashed potatoes on it (what are the chances that was dairy free). I ate the steak and the fish and asparagus, then had a bite of string bean, and it tasted really buttery, so I stopped there. They brought me a plate of fruit for dessert, so at least that worked. Today I woke up very congested, with a sore throat. My back and stomach have been bothering me since I started the abx so I don't know if they're reacting too or not. Breakfast was a buffet... I had bacon and fruit, and then asked, and they said the roasted potatoes were safe too, so I had some of those. I swear, I look at the food like it's going to kill me I'm so paranoid. The kids did fine at their respective houses. Let's see if they all sleep tonight!

Originally Posted by chlobo

I have another sore throat. In fact, I just realized, that any given day you look at my throat it looks red and sore, regardless of whether or not it is actually bothering me. Today, it is bothering me.

Reflux....

[FireWithin]

don't trust a pregnant mama to go shopping/or a bit nutrient dense huh?

I went in for lemons. I came out with:
5 pints of coconut milk ice cream (it was on sale) I ate half of one on the way home.
chicken livers
wf made chicken soup (totally delish - Sam is sick)
sushi grade frozen fish
maki rolls for the way home
apples
locally made fermented pickles
5 lbs of pork sausage (on sale)

I think there were a couple of other things.. . .

I forgot the lemons.


I seem to be able to eat again. Now I can start regaining the 15 lbs I lost.

[chlobo]

Originally Posted by Mammo2Sammo

I went in for lemons. I came out with:
5 pints of coconut milk ice cream (it was on sale) I ate half of one on the way home.
chicken livers
wf made chicken soup (totally delish - Sam is sick)
sushi grade frozen fish
maki rolls for the way home
apples
locally made fermented pickles
5 lbs of pork sausage (on sale)

I think there were a couple of other things.. . .

I forgot the lemons.


I seem to be able to eat again. Now I can start regaining the 15 lbs I lost.

Sounds ymmy. Did you go to the one in Woburn. With the choclate bar? That one looks so cool. And were they Real Pickles? Or something better?

[FireWithin]

Originally Posted by chlobo

Sounds ymmy. Did you go to the one in Woburn. With the choclate bar? That one looks so cool. And were they Real Pickles? Or something better?

When I first read this I thought "How did she know I almost got that chocolate bar?" I put it back because I knew I was already spending oodles of money. Now I'm regretting it.
No I went to Fresh Pond.

They were Gus's pickles. I think they are a little cheaper than the Real Pickles - although they are also yummy. Oh, just did a search. They are not local. They are from NYC. No wonder they remind me of pickles from when i was a kid.

Are you part of the water emergency???? Can't find any bottled water anywhere. Hoping emergency supplies pop up soon.

[chlobo]

I didn't mean a single "chocolate bar" at Woburn they have an area that is a chocolate bar, like an ice cream bar. It's fabulous.

We are on well water, thankfully. If you get desperate, feel free to come over and fill some gallon jugs to have on hand. It's free.

ETA: Congrats on making it out of Fresh Pond alive. That parking lot is craaaazzzzzyyy.

[kjbrown92]

Why is there a water emergency?
I always forget what I went in for. And I don't even have pregnancy brain as an excuse. We went on a field trip for nursery school on Friday with DD2's class. There were two mothers who followed someone on the way there, but she had to leave to go to work. I said, no problem, you can follow me back. Then G was done, and the other little girl I was driving home was done (pony rides, at a wildlife/animal rescue center), so I left. It wasn't until I had driven the other girl home and driven up the driveway, that I remembered that I'd promised to let these people follow me out to get back. Duh!! They had a half donkey-half zebra there. Has anyone seen it before? It's beige and brown with a donkey face. Odd. And the gluten-free boy in the class - the mom hadn't realized there'd be a snack for some reason, so she didn't have anything. G gave him half of all her stuff so he wouldn't feel left out (half her clementine, a rice cake, and half a chocolate cupcake). She volunteered! What a sweet kid.

Now you have to go back for the lemons (and the chocolate bar).

[chlobo]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

Why is there a water emergency?
I always forget what I went in for. And I don't even have pregnancy brain as an excuse. We went on a field trip for nursery school on Friday with DD2's class. There were two mothers who followed someone on the way there, but she had to leave to go to work. I said, no problem, you can follow me back. Then G was done, and the other little girl I was driving home was done (pony rides, at a wildlife/animal rescue center), so I left. It wasn't until I had driven the other girl home and driven up the driveway, that I remembered that I'd promised to let these people follow me out to get back. Duh!! They had a half donkey-half zebra there. Has anyone seen it before? It's beige and brown with a donkey face. Odd. And the gluten-free boy in the class - the mom hadn't realized there'd be a snack for some reason, so she didn't have anything. G gave him half of all her stuff so he wouldn't feel left out (half her clementine, a rice cake, and half a chocolate cupcake). She volunteered! What a sweet kid.



Now you have to go back for the lemons (and the chocolate bar).

http://www.boston.com/news/local/bre...s_repairi.html

BTW, do you hve a good ground beef recipe?

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by chlobo

http://www.boston.com/news/local/bre...s_repairi.html

BTW, do you hve a good ground beef recipe?

Holy cow! Glad you have well water then!

We just had chili for dinner, with ground beef. DS's request even though it's 80s and humid today. Just plain not chili weather. But we had it anyway.

Swedish meatballs are good... deconstructed cabbage rolls... stuffed peppers.... meatloaf (blechety blech)...