I'm blogging live....ooo la la!
Stephen Colbert...I love you, but you weren't meant to host the Grammys. (Just like Ricky Gervais wasn't meant to host the Golden Globes.)
Lady Gaga and Elton John surprise duet....loved it!
American Idiot cast and Green Day: LOVVVVVVED it! Very unique.
Beyonce-legit. Covering Alanis? Genius.
Pink. Didn't care much for your "outfit", but loved your performance.
Black Eyed Peas....more than terrible. But I enjoyed the robots.
Lady Antebellum. You are in Taylor Swift's live category. Stick to the radio. You were flat the whole time.
Jamie Foxx: Please stop trying to pull a Michael Jordan. You have no future in a music career. And were you really attempting the "running-man" as a legitimate dance move? Please, no.
The Zac Brown Band: You have mad-crazy guitar skills. That's all.
Taylor Swift: You are awkward. You are always flat. I can't tell if your hair is naturally curly or not and that bothers me. I think you should stick to the studio. And please stop swinging your hair around.
MJ Tribute: Celine: I've missed you. Usher: You are showy. Carrie: I love you. Jennifer: You're legit. Smokey: You're the only one who knew Michael.---Did anyone else think about Free Willy when they showed the killer whale? ----PS No one looks cool in 3D glasses. Even celebrities. (Yesssss)
Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles: Fairly good. Jennifer saved you. PS. "Living On A Prayer" has been out of your range for some time now Jon.
Haiti tribute: I've loved Andrea Bocelli for a long time. His voice is insanely clear. Mary J, did you know he is blind? I left like you didn't. And you're standing really close to him. But you were legit nonetheless. (And your body is bangin')
Dave Matthews Band: You are great. Still querky. Still singing out of the side of your mouth. Still doing that weird walking/dancing thing you do while playing.
Maxwell: Who are you? Take your stage fog and lame falsetto and go home.
The people Jeff Bridges introduced: We all know you're lip-syncing.
Dre, Eminem, Lil' Wayne: The best part about you guys was Travis Barker on the drums.
Best of the night: Pink. DMB. Mary J and Bocelli.
In other news:
I'm over the auto-tuning.
I'm soooooooooooooooo annoyed with Taylor Swift. She only writes about fairytales. She can't sing live. She can't harmonize. I think she's still 15. And her hair bothers me (as previously stated.)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
think about it
I read an article today that has lead to some great conversations. Just something to think about. Check it out and let's chat.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
I don't know why
But seriously. American Idol and Biggest Loser: Will you PLEASE stop tugging my heart strings?!??! I refuse to shed tears over TV shows (with the exception of Friday Night Lights.) I can't lie. I have been reeeeeeeeeeaaaalllyy close.
Seeing people come from horrible circumstances and situations and overcome them and get a chance at a better life....it stirs something in me. I can't help it. You can laugh at me. I don't care.
In other news, here's a Polaroid from our recent trip to LA! Thanks to our new friends Scott and Mary!
Seeing people come from horrible circumstances and situations and overcome them and get a chance at a better life....it stirs something in me. I can't help it. You can laugh at me. I don't care.
In other news, here's a Polaroid from our recent trip to LA! Thanks to our new friends Scott and Mary!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
the update
Carl and I went back to the nutritionist this morning for my 1 week follow up. He is a clinical nutritionist with a background in pharmacology and is currently a candidate for his N.D.. I will be calling him Keith. I've had a really good experience with him so far and feel that he has been the most helpful and realistic in unraveling the web of health issues I seem to be having. I will start with last week and then fill you in on today.
Last Wednesday, I went to have a consultation with Keith. We met for about 45 minutes to talk and go over some "homework" I had done before my appointment; mostly questionnaires. I had a Natural Wellness Screening done and was sent home with more homework and some other tests to complete before coming back. The NWS consisted of getting my vitals, height, weight, etc. I also completed an electrode test which measures how quickly electrical current moves through the body. It also measures your cell walls and water retention. Lastly, I had an iodine test done to see how quickly/slowly my body absorbs it. Turns out, my body is within normal range. I scored well with my blood pressure! Unfortunately, that's about all. I'm retaining water at a fairly high amount, my cell walls are thin and cells move fairly slowly. I have 21 pounds of body fat and am lacking 5 lbs of muscle. I also have an extreme magnesium deficiency. I scored in the age range of a 55 year old woman! Oops! Keith was very shocked at my results. He said he's never had anyone as young as me score so poorly. I was put on 2 supplements and a multivitamin. I was also given a restricted food list to follow for the next week. He is very interested in my food allergies and how that may correlate to my seizures. No wheat/gluten. No dairy. No grains. No sugar. No citrus fruits or tomatoes. Needless to say, it was a VERY hard week! I cheated a few times (wheat was VERY hard to eliminate completely) but gave myself an overall grade of 75%. Going cold turkey was definitely a challenge. My homework was to fill out more questionnaires, have a complete blood panel done, and a urine test to look for metal toxicity.
I was in shock and mourning for about a day over the loss of cheese, butter, tomatoes, bread, ranch and granola. I had an attitude adjustment Thursday night after talking with Holly and realizing that this wasn't the end of the world. Since, I have also talked with a couple of other friends who have either been on a vegan diet or have gone gluten free. I feel very encouraged and hopeful that I can make the best of the new foods I have to eat.
Today:
Carl and I met with Keith to go over my test results and put together a plan for the next few months.
Bad News:
-I am "dangerously low" in Vitamin D. (There is a lot of research showing links between low Vit D levels and seizures as well as other issues.)
-My Homocysteine level was high which could indicate a deficiency in B vitamins. (I had found to be a HUGE link to seizures through a book I just finished reading about treating Epilepsy naturally)
-My hsCRP level is very high which indicates there is some type of inflammation occurring in my body. hsCRP usually correlates to the blood vessels and heart. While he is not ruling this out, it can also be a sign of it in other areas of the body.
-My Free T3 (the non-bound carrier protein associated with the thyroid function) was a little more elevated than he would like.
-My BUN and Creatinine levels are low. This shows I am low in protein and could have malabsorption which means my body is not absorbing the appropriate proteins/minerals. It also shows that I could have muscle atrophy and/or nerve/muscle degeneration. (This is linked to my lack of muscle.)
-Potassium is low. This is linked to the adrenal gland. This could be connected to blood pressure and hypertension.
-Chloride is high. This is also linked to the adrenal gland. This is linked to your metabolism.
-I am possibly not absorbing fats and proteins correctly. My digestive tract is officially under construction.
Good News:
-Thyroid panel came back within normal limits
-I get to eat cheese and tomatoes again!!!
The Plan:
-Continue with Gluten-free diet. This means no wheat. I will be foraging for gluten-free bread, crackers, and other options. I need to be eating 3 meals and 3 snacks a day.
-Up my protein intake. I am supposed to eat 1 palm sized portion of protein, 3 times a day (at least.)
-Have Dr. Waggoner (chiropractor) evaluate me for fibromyalgia.
-Conduct stomach acid and pH tests.
-Conduct blood work and NWS in 3 months to see if levels are within normal range.
I'm sure after reading all that it sounds really bad. It is a lot of information. I felt very encouraged to have some answers and a plan to move forward. I am confident that Keith is committed to getting me better and getting my seizures under control.
Now? We're heading to LA for a week! At least it's the epicenter of the gluten-free revolution!
Last Wednesday, I went to have a consultation with Keith. We met for about 45 minutes to talk and go over some "homework" I had done before my appointment; mostly questionnaires. I had a Natural Wellness Screening done and was sent home with more homework and some other tests to complete before coming back. The NWS consisted of getting my vitals, height, weight, etc. I also completed an electrode test which measures how quickly electrical current moves through the body. It also measures your cell walls and water retention. Lastly, I had an iodine test done to see how quickly/slowly my body absorbs it. Turns out, my body is within normal range. I scored well with my blood pressure! Unfortunately, that's about all. I'm retaining water at a fairly high amount, my cell walls are thin and cells move fairly slowly. I have 21 pounds of body fat and am lacking 5 lbs of muscle. I also have an extreme magnesium deficiency. I scored in the age range of a 55 year old woman! Oops! Keith was very shocked at my results. He said he's never had anyone as young as me score so poorly. I was put on 2 supplements and a multivitamin. I was also given a restricted food list to follow for the next week. He is very interested in my food allergies and how that may correlate to my seizures. No wheat/gluten. No dairy. No grains. No sugar. No citrus fruits or tomatoes. Needless to say, it was a VERY hard week! I cheated a few times (wheat was VERY hard to eliminate completely) but gave myself an overall grade of 75%. Going cold turkey was definitely a challenge. My homework was to fill out more questionnaires, have a complete blood panel done, and a urine test to look for metal toxicity.
I was in shock and mourning for about a day over the loss of cheese, butter, tomatoes, bread, ranch and granola. I had an attitude adjustment Thursday night after talking with Holly and realizing that this wasn't the end of the world. Since, I have also talked with a couple of other friends who have either been on a vegan diet or have gone gluten free. I feel very encouraged and hopeful that I can make the best of the new foods I have to eat.
Today:
Carl and I met with Keith to go over my test results and put together a plan for the next few months.
Bad News:
-I am "dangerously low" in Vitamin D. (There is a lot of research showing links between low Vit D levels and seizures as well as other issues.)
-My Homocysteine level was high which could indicate a deficiency in B vitamins. (I had found to be a HUGE link to seizures through a book I just finished reading about treating Epilepsy naturally)
-My hsCRP level is very high which indicates there is some type of inflammation occurring in my body. hsCRP usually correlates to the blood vessels and heart. While he is not ruling this out, it can also be a sign of it in other areas of the body.
-My Free T3 (the non-bound carrier protein associated with the thyroid function) was a little more elevated than he would like.
-My BUN and Creatinine levels are low. This shows I am low in protein and could have malabsorption which means my body is not absorbing the appropriate proteins/minerals. It also shows that I could have muscle atrophy and/or nerve/muscle degeneration. (This is linked to my lack of muscle.)
-Potassium is low. This is linked to the adrenal gland. This could be connected to blood pressure and hypertension.
-Chloride is high. This is also linked to the adrenal gland. This is linked to your metabolism.
-I am possibly not absorbing fats and proteins correctly. My digestive tract is officially under construction.
Good News:
-Thyroid panel came back within normal limits
-I get to eat cheese and tomatoes again!!!
The Plan:
-Continue with Gluten-free diet. This means no wheat. I will be foraging for gluten-free bread, crackers, and other options. I need to be eating 3 meals and 3 snacks a day.
-Up my protein intake. I am supposed to eat 1 palm sized portion of protein, 3 times a day (at least.)
-Have Dr. Waggoner (chiropractor) evaluate me for fibromyalgia.
-Conduct stomach acid and pH tests.
-Conduct blood work and NWS in 3 months to see if levels are within normal range.
I'm sure after reading all that it sounds really bad. It is a lot of information. I felt very encouraged to have some answers and a plan to move forward. I am confident that Keith is committed to getting me better and getting my seizures under control.
Now? We're heading to LA for a week! At least it's the epicenter of the gluten-free revolution!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg.
In the last few weeks I've embarked on an adventure of seeking alternative treatment for my seizures. It has been really frustrating. I guess I was hoping for a quick fix but at the same time, I knew it would probably be hard. I've been going to my chiropractor for about 3 weeks to get my spine back in place. As of today, I'm doing so much better! No seizures either.
Last Wednesday, I went to see a clinical nutritionist. He has a 15 year background in pharmacology and is currently a N.D. candidate. I really like him and trust him. I had some tests done while I was there and have been completing some other tests in the meantime. I go back again this Wednesday to see the results and get the news of where we're going to go from there. I'm on a restricted diet that contains: no gluten, no wheat, no dairy. It's insane and really hard. I'm hoping on Wednesday he'll allow me to have my cheese, bread, and tomatoes back.
That's all. And my insurance decided my medication is "not preferred" so they upped the price $50. How ruuuuuuudeeee.
Last Wednesday, I went to see a clinical nutritionist. He has a 15 year background in pharmacology and is currently a N.D. candidate. I really like him and trust him. I had some tests done while I was there and have been completing some other tests in the meantime. I go back again this Wednesday to see the results and get the news of where we're going to go from there. I'm on a restricted diet that contains: no gluten, no wheat, no dairy. It's insane and really hard. I'm hoping on Wednesday he'll allow me to have my cheese, bread, and tomatoes back.
That's all. And my insurance decided my medication is "not preferred" so they upped the price $50. How ruuuuuuudeeee.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Best of 2009!
Here are some of my favorites from 2009! It's been such a fun year.
Book: In Defense of Food by: Michael Pollan
Movie: Hmmm. Defiance and Everybody's Fine. Those may be the only movies I saw this year though.
Trips: Well obviously, attending the Inauguration was pretty incredible. My first time to California was a blast thanks to the Herberts. Michigan for Emily's wedding was up there too. Seeing The Counting Crows for free in a small park in Iowa with some of our best friends and my brother was pretty awesome. Oh and then seeing the Cubs play at home while seeing the Pickles in Chicago was amazing. Then, seeing my cousin and her boys reunite with her husband in Mexico was heartbreaking but also incredible. And getting to be in Oregon 3 times in 1 year was awesome too. So.....I can't choose.
Moments: I think my favorite moments this year have involved my grandparents. They're just so darn cute. Seeing U2 live was great.New babies has been awesome! And Carl opening his studio with Aaron Snow has proved to be a great decision.
I hope you've had a great year! One of my goals is to be better at documenting the exciting things we've done this year. As for my 2010 resolutions, they involve getting healthy and losing weight (who's don't?!) And maybe to read more? I haven't really sat down long enough to commit to ideas on paper. Any of you?
Book: In Defense of Food by: Michael Pollan
Movie: Hmmm. Defiance and Everybody's Fine. Those may be the only movies I saw this year though.
Trips: Well obviously, attending the Inauguration was pretty incredible. My first time to California was a blast thanks to the Herberts. Michigan for Emily's wedding was up there too. Seeing The Counting Crows for free in a small park in Iowa with some of our best friends and my brother was pretty awesome. Oh and then seeing the Cubs play at home while seeing the Pickles in Chicago was amazing. Then, seeing my cousin and her boys reunite with her husband in Mexico was heartbreaking but also incredible. And getting to be in Oregon 3 times in 1 year was awesome too. So.....I can't choose.
Moments: I think my favorite moments this year have involved my grandparents. They're just so darn cute. Seeing U2 live was great.New babies has been awesome! And Carl opening his studio with Aaron Snow has proved to be a great decision.
I hope you've had a great year! One of my goals is to be better at documenting the exciting things we've done this year. As for my 2010 resolutions, they involve getting healthy and losing weight (who's don't?!) And maybe to read more? I haven't really sat down long enough to commit to ideas on paper. Any of you?
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