Dingoes Defy the February Slump: Keep Running, Mamas - Page 13

[Nickarolaberry]

Originally Posted by JayGee 

Nic ~ whoa!  $11/lb!!!  I'm afraid I couldn't do that....

Yeah, I'm afraid I can't either.  It's so expensive because the group had to: 1) purchase the cow for slaughter; 2) get a shochet (kosher slaughterer); 3) sell off the back half of the cow (which isn't kosher, for other reasons); and 4) 'kasher' the meat and package it (kashering requires soaking and salting the meat in a series of procedures to remove all the blood, which we are not allowed to consume).

I think that's not going to happen.

More later, off to teach online.

[sparkletruck]

JG - have you checked eatwild.com? You can find sources of grass-fed meat in your area by searching your town or zip code - it may be that there are sources within 100 miles that are cheaper than the one close by? Also, Im wondering if you should maybe try some yeast antagonist during this month. I mean, if you're going to the effort of curbing cravings, maybe take some grapefruit seed extract or oregano oil between meals. When I did that yeast diet, I think that, in combo with the yeast "meds", really changed my palate. I dont know that you have an overgrowth of yeast, but honestly, I think, due to our (as in the Universal us) diet and use of abx, we all probably have too much yeast, and that this exacerbates the sugar cravings that are built in to us (I say this b/c when I was first "diagnosed" w/ yeast overgrowth by my DOM, I had just finished a course of abx and was having horrible bloating after eating carbs and craved sugar like mad! Ive never craved sugar, but that was the one time where I would walk into a restaurant that had some cake on a tray, and whereas before I wouldnt care AT ALL, I would seriously for that cake.... I cant imagine feeling that way all the time..... I did the yeast diet for 6 mos., but I think it was really under control after 6 weeks, as I told you in that PM)

House: It was interesting. Certainly big enough, and with a large yard with plenty of space for a huge garden (it's on .30 acre). Nice light, all good enough. Dated though, whew. Some serious 1970's gold fixtures that Dh and I call "porn palace". We're thinking that we will bid a lot less than asking and see what happens. We're not emotional buyers, so no harm in throwing out an offer..

[JenLove]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 

DrJen ~ Happy Birthday!!!

Nic ~ $11/lb is insane!  I'd go veg, at that point I think.  LOL!

SS ~ Is it supposed to go out this week?  I had a cart full online and realized shipping was more expensive than what I was buying so off to create a list for a local store.

Today has been a nice day at home.  Val and I did school and Valentine crafts, we did poems/songs/books, and talked about how to show people we love them.  We decided tonight, to show Dada we love him that we will watch a movie and make him popcorn. :)

I think it's time for me to breakout a workout video later.... even if it's only 10-15 minutes.  I haven't kept up with my challenge, obviously but it doesn't mean I can't keep moving doing something else.

[MelW]

JenLove, popcorn and a movie sounds like a great expression of love

JayGee, adding to the thoughts about yeast, can you do ferments or other probiotic foods on the Whole 30? I keep a jar of lactofermented sauerkraut and another of hot peppers in the fridge and try to eat some daily. I've been known to eat a whole bowl the kraut straight, because I love it that much

sparkle, I admire your ability to not be an emotional buyer. It may take longer, but I'm sure you'll find the right house from it.

real, awesome race. Amazing given the cold and ice!

RR- Bootcamp tonight after a week and half absence. Still coughing, but will do my best...

NRR- My youngest daughter is still glued to my side and I'm ignoring how dirty the house is. She alternates between being fantastically happy that she's healthy again and then crashing a few minutes later in a puddle of toddler emotions on the floor.I should rent her out for loose tooth extraction (still needed, real?). She jumped off a bar stool on to her sister last night, managing to knock out a loose tooth which was promptly swallowed in shock.
 

[kerc]

Originally Posted by MelW 

JayGee, adding to the thoughts about yeast, can you do ferments or other probiotic foods on the Whole 30? I keep a jar of lactofermented sauerkraut and another of hot peppers in the fridge and try to eat some daily. I've been known to eat a whole bowl the kraut straight, because I love it that much

mmm. me too. love cabbage in all forms. fermented cabbage = even better!

[Mel38]

Originally Posted by MelW 
JayGee, adding to the thoughts about yeast, can you do ferments or other probiotic foods on the Whole 30? I keep a jar of lactofermented sauerkraut and another of hot peppers in the fridge and try to eat some daily. I've been known to eat a whole bowl the kraut straight, because I love it that much
 

Do you make these yourself? If so, care to share your method? I really want to try it, but don't want the huge bulk of the large crock, since I may be the only one eating it. I guess I am afraid it will spoil. Here is one method that I had bookmarked to try.

and about the accidental tooth extraction/ingestion. How's the tooth fairy going to handle this?

[JenLove]

I just made some fermented ginger carrots with my friend's and they are pretty good.  I have to remember to pull them out for supper now... :)

[MelW]

Originally Posted by Mel38 

Do you make these yourself? If so, care to share your method? I really want to try it, but don't want the huge bulk of the large crock, since I may be the only one eating it. I guess I am afraid it will spoil. Here is one method that I had bookmarked to try.

and about the accidental tooth extraction/ingestion. How's the tooth fairy going to handle this?

There was a letter written explaining the ingestion, and it was exchanged for $. I'll get to keep the letter and remember the story :)

I make the ferments myself, using the most basic methods I can find. For the sauerkraut, it's the same as the recipe you posted, though that recipe minimizes the amount of pounding required. I use quart canning jars or an old pickle jar, slice the cabbage thinly adding salt as I go and smashing it with the handle of a wooden spoon. I try to recruit the kids to help, and call it my upper body workout. For the pressure I put a small drinking glass filled with water to weight it down and place it on top of the cabbage plus brine. Then ignore on the counter until ready. Any hard vegetables or cabbage plus others can be done this way.

For the picked peppers I modify this recipe. Basically: slice peppers (I combine hot and red/orange/yellow bell peppers), layer in jar, and use the whey/brine as described in the recipe. I don't have a fancy fermenting lid, but just put a clean canning lid on and let it pressurize as the good bacteria get fermenting. I take the lid off after two days to release pressure and taste test, and typically ferment them one more day.

[tjsmama]

Happy birthday, drjen!

And Happy Valentines Day to all the dingos!

I had a nice last day of work. It was a relatively easy day, and everybody was so sweet. My manager baked cupcakes and ordered pizza for everybody, and one of the charge nurses brought in a treat, in addition to my banana bars which were a HUGE hit. Our admin told me that I was one of the best ACPs they've ever had. I even got a hug from our housekeeper. I can't believe I'm done! I was a little teary all day. I really like the people I work with, and I hope that the team in the birth center is even half as awesome. Sniff. But now, I get to start my new career!

I had the nanny keep DS up until I got home from work, so I could spend at least a few minutes with him on Valentines Day. Mistake. Sigh. His behavior just goes straight down the tubes when he gets tired. It was nice to see him, though, and he gave me three different cards he made for me, as well as a jar with some flowers in it that he had made for me at school.

I am so tired and so very ready for Mexico...

[1jooj]

Add me to the cabbage-lovers list. We eat a lot of fermented pickles here, as they're traditional in the region, but I find most too salty and not fermented as much as I'd like. I should throw a jar together while the weather is still cool.

And yes, $11/lb is just more than I would be willing to pay. That said, conventional red meats here are around $7.50 a pound. I can't even get anything conscience-driven; it's basically not on the market, and if it is, I imagine it's at a store at one mall, a troublesome drive away with a terrible parking experience to boot, and doubtless at an insanity-inspiring markup. I can get grassfed NZ lamb from my grocery, so that's our usual red meat.

Total RR from yesterday added up to only about 7km walked and about 10km cycled with the kids. Had a nice time visiting with some other moms at the fifth-grade early-release beach afternoon, but some serious wind, especially for the bike home, so dd was toast. Kids picked up trash on the beach in a little bid for some service time. Also, learned that I am not the only mom in the class whose kid is not getting much out of certain aspects of the class--especially the language arts stuff. Made me feel a little better and a little worse. I was also not the only mom thinking, "is this what we get for $17K per year per student?" I brought up my consideration of going online, and felt pretty validated. The conversation was rather like, if I want this quality of education, I have to do it myself anyway, so why not save the money and be more efficient with the time anyway? And I could still access any overpriced extracurriculars I want, since they're all outsourced. So I could at least theoretically keep the kids in touch with other kids here. Shrug.

The kids have three major projects all coming due in the next few weeks, and some of the moms present weren't even aware of all of the assignments. We get so much email from school admin, from the parents' association, from teachers, from the school's corporation, from the school's corporation's charity, that inevitably stuff gets missed. I guess I was at least heartened to see I am not just floundering on my own. I'm floundering in good company. 

Hitting the beach today, and more work with ds on above-mentioned project when he comes home from school. We're working about two hours a night on it until it's done. I can't believe how little he had accomplished on the thing when, theoretically, it was supposed to be done all in school. Without intervention, it never would have happened--and I see it was the same with the other boys' moms I talked to.  I never felt like my kids' school was a waste of time when they were at the PS back home. I can't believe how much we're paying for so little.

[Realrellim]

Originally Posted by MelW 

I should rent her out for loose tooth extraction (still needed, real?). She jumped off a bar stool on to her sister last night, managing to knock out a loose tooth which was promptly swallowed in shock.
 

Yes! Send her our way. This morning R asked if I'd talk to the tooth fairy about $2 if she finally got the tooth out. But it seemed to still be in when I returned home tonight.

I seem to have the Februaries today, so I'll limit my personal comments to being thankful that DH has unofficially been approved for tenure. Official word arrives in June, I believe. It is good news, as one of his colleague's status is in limbo.

Sorry no personals tonight.

[sparkletruck]

Real - We give the kids $2/tooth , which might be the reason that DS lost 2 teeth last week, one while eating a carrot, and the other the following day he yanked b/c he wanted the money I cant believe that thing is still in there! Congrats on Tenure

Jo -

Another cabbage/kraut lover here. When I was on said yeast diet I had vats of kombucha, saurkraut, catsup (homemade w/ kraut juice, no sugar), yogurt, and kefir. Dh was frightened by what I might be culturing in all those containers

NRR: Round 2, or is it 3 of illness. Something hit me yesterday afternoon; fever and body aches and exhaustion. Went to bed at 7 Still feeling pretty crummy. Ugh.

We're having serious second thoughts about this house. I think we're too conservative financially. We can afford it, but it makes us nervous. So I think we're going to pass.
Edited by sparkletruck - 2/15/12 at 9:29am

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by sparkletruck 


We're having serious second thoughts about this house. I think we're too conservative financially. We can afford it, but it makes us nervous. So I think we're going to pass.

Honestly, that seems wise.  You don't want to get into something where you will be losing sleep over it.

Everyone with the ickies, feel better!  Wow, for a warm winter, it seems like so many people are taken down by the crud this year.

I managed to give away 2.5 pounds of candy that my kids brought home.  They get to keep the chocolate and granola bars, but I exchange the gummy, sticky, and hard stuff for 1 high quality chocolate bar.  In a two hour seminar, I watched 10 grad students decimate the pile. 

Interesting feedback on the school, Jo.  I'm finding that contact with other parents is very valuable for validating perceptions.

[JayGee]

Real ~ congratulations to your DH!  DD2 lost her first tooth last Friday and the Tooth Fairy left $3!  After the first tooth though, the price goes down to a dollar.  She was disappointed with her $3 because apparently one of her friends gets a special "silver dollar" from the tooth fairy.  Sheesh...

Sparkle ~ I am going to take your advice with the GSE.  I am still eating some fruit (berries mostly) on Whole 30.  Will that compromise any yeast die off?  Thank you for those arm exercises too!  I tried them yesterday and am quite ouchy this morning .

RE:  I like kimchi, but I hate what it does to my breath (as does DH...)  Sauerkraut is not my favorite either.  Maybe I'll try fermenting some carrots... or cucumbers?

RR ~ walked 3 miles on the track at the Y.  Thank goodness for interesting Podcasts. 

NRR ~ I feel one step closer to solving my leg problem!  I had nerve conduction testing and EMG this morning at the hospital.  The neurologist told me that my nerves conduct just fine (yay, no MS!!!) but there is a lag in response by the muscles from the knee down.  She said the common peroneal nerve is being restricted somewhere around where it wraps around my fibula and suggested a surgical release.  Now to find an orthopedic surgeon to release the nerve, and I'll be back out there, running my way to happiness again !!!!!

Haircut/color time... gotta go.

[sparkletruck]

JG - That is so great. Wow, how awesome will that day be when you are running again. I dont think some berries will matter, although not strawberries. Blues, rasp., boys, are relatively low sugar.

[tjsmama]

Yay, Jaygee!

The tooth fairy left a fiver at our house, but ONLY because it was the first tooth, and because the tooth fairy only had two dollars in her wallet and that seemed like not quite enough for a first tooth, and since she had to take a loan from the toothless child anyway...It is most definitely going down to a buck for future teeth!

Holy crow, was it cold out there for track this morning! MUCH colder than I expected. Good thing I threw my hat in the car at the last minute! I think it's not just cold, but it's also humid, which makes it feel worse. Of course, the track is completely snow-covered still, so we ran in the park, alternating efforts of strong and hard. Nearly 4 miles altogether, not too shabby.

And now I must shower so I can go get a pedicure, a bikini wax , shop for a swimsuit cover-up, and do some laundry before school pick-up! This time tomorrow, I'll be on a plane to MEXICO!

[Mel38]

Yay JG!! Good news!!

Our tooth fairy did the silver dollars, too, until she ran out a few years ago. Now, it's kind of hit or miss - two or 3 dollars usually, sometimes arriving a day late.

Mel, thank you for the recipes and tips! I like the idea of doing this in mason jars or the like. My crock is enormous and the thought of that thing standing around full of fermented anything would probably push my DH over the edge. The smaller jars on the countertop, however, sounds just perfect. Maybe a project to start next week.

Gaye, Congratulations! Have fun on your trip, too!

Jo, ugh on the school problems. How frustrating. The online option is looking pretty attractive, right?

Oh, Geo, that's a great idea to trade the really yucky candy for some of the less evil kind. And passing it along to a bunch of college kids? Genius.

Speaking of which, I was at lunch with the 4th graders today and saw so much candy in the lunch bags. Are the kids sneaking it to school or are their parents really giving them candy in the middle of the day like that? I've got nothing against a cookie or a treat in the lunchbag, but seriously, it was like Halloween all over again. What has become of Valentine's Day??

Ah, who am I kidding. We don't really even do V. Day around here much. If it weren't for the crafts, I wouldn't really miss it at all.

RR: Swam 1200 yds yesterday and ran 3 miles this morning. It felt good! Now, I need to figure out how to get a long run done in the morning without messing up our schedule for the day. Hmm... I won't be running this weekend, but hopefully getting a little bit of skiing in. We are headed to NC (I know, don't laugh) for a ski weekend. I might take a snowboard lesson with DD, just for fun.

[moominmamma]

JG, what a relief!  And Real ... congrats to your dh! 

Cold and sunny this morning. Roads are dry-ish, so I did 8k, 6 of them barefoot. Feet are tingling and burning in a happy way now.

Miranda

[MelW]

JayGee, for an answer!!!

Our tooth fairy has done $2 for all of the teeth. We have a sweet little tooth jar that holds the tooth, and it fits a $2 coin perfectly. I have been known to borrow from the kids money jar to pay as tooth fairy. Last night I borrowed from the piggy bank to pay for bootcamp, too

Gaye, congrats on a terrific last day and enjoy your trip!!

real, congrats on the tenure. I hope you're doing okay.

sparkle, get better soon!!!

Geo and Mel, count me in to team dumbfounded about Valentine's as a candy grab holiday. A little bit of chocolate seems fine, but goodybags full of candy are excessive. I love the handmade cards and crafty stuff, and it ends there.

RR- Bootcamp last night was hard with the lingering cough, but awesome. It made the cough worse all night and much of the morning, but I stole a couple of puffs of DD's ventolin to loosen things up. Headed for a short run now.

NRR- Does anyone have experience with flower remedies for little kids? I've used a bit of rescue remedy for the random tantrum and a brief time when my oldest had night terrors. My youngest is not doing very well- still recovering from the cold but with really disturbed sleep patterns (a predictable pattern of waking mad and screaming at me at both 11pm and 5 am- sometimes not getting back to sleep after the 5 am freak out). Partly because of the sleep disturbance and also because of generally being out of sorts, she's been very difficult during the day- angry and a bit destructive. She also has a hair twirling habit, which seems anxiety and tiredness related, but it's really bad right now- I'm needing to detangle a couple of times every day and she's still full of dreadlocks. There's a worried, hair twirling look that just seems so unsettled. Full disclosure: I'm a hair twirler, too, since childhood. So is MIL and one BIL. It is related to OCD and sometimes treated with SSRIs. I've never been treated, but both BIL and MIL suffer from depression and anxiety and have been on and off meds for years. I don't want to pathologize something that's in the same realm as thumb sucking and nail biting, but also see an escalation of this behaviour at the same time as other cues show me that she's struggling day to day with something- be it illness related, developmental, or otherwise.

Some things help: predictable routines, lots of warning for transitions, getting outside and out of the house in general and lots of playful parenting stuff. But I wonder if she wouldn't benefit from some homeopathy or something as we try to get back on track. Her dad will be here next week which will be terrific for a much needed break for me, but brings another transition and I can see how this might be difficult for her too. Ideas? Experiences?

[sparkletruck]

MelW - I havent used flower remedies other than rescue remedy, but I would certainly give it a shot. Rescue Remedy has proved so helpful for me, that I cant help but think others would be too. I actually did a bunch of research on them when we first got our dog (dont laugh), as I thought she might benefit, but her behavior issues resolved. What about regular doses of rescue remedy for awhile? The only other thing along those lines that Ive experienced real change from is Fish Oil. We were having real challenges with DS, sort of always, but really hard last year, and I started mega-dosing him with fish oil with the idea of throwing anything at the problem and seeing what sticks, and the change was dramatic, and within a week. Dh noticed, and he didnt know about the fish oil. Anyway, I'm not a zealot about anything, b/c individuality plays such a big role, but I give all my kids ~1000mg./day (twice the recommended amount) and myself 2000mg. Try some flower stuff with a Hmmm, let's see outlook?

JG - Curious, how did they know the nerve is entrapped? And will the orthopod do an MRI or ultrasound to find out exactly where? (I ask for my brother, who has undiagnosed foot drop, although it's not foot drop, but they dont know what's going on, so Im always trying to think of things he may not have investigated ... although i think he's done it all...)