Happy Monday everyone!  Is Spring here or what?  I am loving it and my crazy furbaby sure does too.  Thank you, Lord for the warmer temperatures, this island girl welcomes them with open arms.  This past week was very good to me and my peace of mind.  I am finally feeling like I am finding some balance in my life and I can breath easier. 

Fitness.  

~  The weather held up pretty good so on Saturday I took the pup hiking to nearby Weston Bend State Park where Jack had a blast exploring all that new flora.  We even had a standoff with a fearless squirrel.  Those critters are fearless here in Kansas!  The hike was awesome and a bit taxing thanks for some super inclines.  But in all it was fun.

Faith.

~  This weekend was one of spiritual fitness preparation too.  Many of you are familiar with the website (in)Courage and their annual (in)RL event-- an event dedicated to lifting each other up while growing as a community in Christ.  I participated two years ago (last year I couldn't because of my father's passing) and it was one of the most unique and amazing experiences of my life and made a few friends that have remained so after the event.  This year the event will take place on 26 April and I am looking forward to it.  So yesterday I spent my afternoon watching last's years event and it was such a blessing.  Love these girls and their mission.  

Wellness.  

~ March is not Thyroid Awareness Month but myself along with a group of bloggers concerned about thyroid disease and treatment are trying to bringing more awareness anyway we can, so make sure you read my post "A Day In the Life of a Hypothyroid Health Nut".  I was trying to be a bit funny but really, this is a serious matter as thyroid disease has reached epidemic proportions around the world.

~  Came across this article about the 25 superfoods that we must incorporate into our diet.  Check it out.  Some really good information.  

Everything Else.  

It's been a while since I talked wedding plans so let me get you up to speed real quick.  I told you that the wedding planning process is overwhelming to me and I know I have to start at least in June.  But my wedding coordinator asked me for an idea of where I am going with this destination wedding.  As I mentioned the wedding will be in Puerto Rico so a whole new concept was needed.  And this is my inspiration board. 

There are many interpretations to what an island wedding is or what it looks like.  For me a few words come to mind: RELAXED.   LUSH.   STYLISH.  I really like the West Indies feel that combines old world with a relax attitude.  There are lush plants, natural materials, and things that are local like good Puerto Rican rum.  Anyhow, this is where we are going.  And my grandmas-- the reason I moved the wedding from Minnesota to Puerto Rico-- are ecstatic.  They are ready to party. I love these women!  What do you think?  How do you like my concept?

And there you have it friends, my week at a glance.

How was your weekend?  How is the weather in your neck of the woods?

For those of you new here my name is Maria and I have been a hypothyroid since 2010 when I had my thyroid gland surgically removed.  The story is long but if you want to read go HERE or check out the sidebar tab "THYROID DISEASE STINKS".  As a former college track and field athlete and then someone who really enjoyed fitness as a whole, thyroid disease came with a different set of realities and changes-- the biggest one being that my body did not react nor behave the same way as it did when it had a normal thyroid function.  I went from being fit to someone who heard cruel words like OMG, when did you become the fat one? or Chick, you need to lay off the donuts. 

Within 30 days after having my surgery I gained 20 lbs. ballooning to 208 lbs. which was also 3 months before what was supposed to be the culmination of a dream of mine: running the ING NYC Marathon.  Yeap, that never happened.  My body went into full blown chaos and I felt horrible. 

But these days comments like that do not bother as much (although they still sting) because my main concern now is getting healthy and feeling like I do not have to struggle every single day.  It has taken three years after my surgery to finally start getting my system back into a semblance of normalcy which at time can be very fleeting.  Whenever I mention that a lot of my problems I have are because of hypothyroidism, I always this reaction from people as if saying "Right. Hypothyroidism".  And what I want to say is "Shut the hell up! Yes, that is exactly what it is! I really want you to walk in my shoes for one day and see how it feels when I am having a bad day".  I know people with hypothyroidism who are doing great, but others like me? Not so much.  And make no mistake, when it is bad I am a mess of painful joints, sluggishness, lack of motivation and emotional mood swings.  Here is how a day in my life goes: 

5:00 AM: Wake up, let the doggie out and take my Synthroid medication.  I have to take the medicine on an empty stomach and then wait one hour before I can eat breakfast or drink coffee.  Then I go back to bed.  You may be wondering at this point why doesn't she go for a run?  I am going to tell you why:  BECAUSE I HAVE NO FRIGGIN' ENERGY!  THAT'S WHY! One of the worse symptoms of hypothyroidism is chronic fatigue no matter how much you rest.  This is how I feel most morning {except I'm not that cute}:

However, if I do have the energy I usually go for a run.  But it is very rare for me to workout in the morning because I am dragging.  Which was a big problem when I had to do Army physical training with my unit.  My best runs and workouts are in the evening.  At that point my body is ready to roll for some major workouts.

By the time 1:00 PM arrives I have lost whatever little energy I gained from breakfast and lunch.  Usually I grab an energy drink however, I stopped taking those about two months ago.  The other option is coffee and I am trying to keep that to 1 cup a day in the morning, so you see: I'm sucking wind by then. 

If I have a meeting pray that I have energy and that the mental fogginess that comes with this disease has not taken over because it does not matter how much I try to concentrate, part of my brain is not going to be at that meeting.  This was very problematic when I was initially diagnosed with Grave's Disease and then after my thyroid was removed.  Mentally and emotionally I was so bad that I almost resigned my Army commission (of course it didn't help that my boss at the time thought I was making this up and started every freaking conversation with the words "now, don't get emotional about...").

 

Here is the funny part, around 3:00 P.M. I start catching a second wind and my energy is usually back after that... for the most part.  This is why I do any major projects in the afternoon and why I workout during the evening.  I am like the Energizer bunny in the afternoons and I love it because it is also when I take my dog for his long walks so I need to have the energy to do that.

I go for my runs around 6:30 PM and then head off to the gym.  If I am doing another type of cardio in the gym, I am there no later than 7:00 PM.  This is when most people are winding down for the day but this is when I am just getting started.  I tell you one of the advantages of working out this late?  The majority of the machines at the gym are empty at those hours.  This is my time to bring it and leave all in the gym. 

Now, workouts do not always go as planned especially if I am having joint pains.  I am not talking about arthritis here.  I am talking painful joints that hurt to move even sitting down.  This is one of the worse symptoms for me YET it is the best symptom for me to know when my hormone levels are off.  More than anything other symptom I get from this disease, joint pains is my measure of how my system is doing.

By the time I make it home from the gym, I am starving... like I could inhale my food.  One of the tricks I have learned to avoid this and the overeating that usually can follow, is as soon as I leave the gym I start drinking a protein shake.  This immediately helps me with that "feed me, feed me, feed me" frenzy mode my body goes into.  By the time I prep my food and sit down to eat dinner, I am ready to eat slow and what I need-- not what all I can possibly shove in my mouth in 5 seconds.  Then after a shower and relaxing time either reading or watching tv, I am ready to sleep.  I usually go to bed around 10:30 PM, this has always been my normal time to go to sleep even before my thyroid problems.  

The weirdest thing for me is that about three nights a week I wake up around 3:00 AM and then can't go back to sleep.  Just wide awake.  Usually this lasts about 30 minutes and then I start getting tired so I am back to bed... only to wake up at 5:00 AM and start the cycle again. 

So yes, when I say that one of my many aches, pains or weight gain may be because of my hypothyroidism... IT PROBABLY IS.  I am not making it up or making excuses.  I love to workout and being fit but sometimes the body has another plan and it does not give me a choice.  I have to stop and rest.  Sometimes I am stubborn and push through.  This never turns out good especially as it relates to joint pains.  But in this fitness journey as a hypothyroid there are a three important things I have learned and have helped me.

1.  Do your research when it comes to the right workouts.   This is a lot of trial and error.  Whatever fitness plan you start, make sure you tweak it for your situation and ensure it is right for you.  Workouts like Crossfit and such do not work for me.  I have to rely on workouts that are more gentle to my body.  Believe it or not running without overdoing it has worked for me which is why I continue to do it-- plus I love doing it.  I personally need cardio to lose the weight.  No way around it. 

2.  Diet.  My diet is 95% gluten free and it has made a tremendous difference.  I am not as slugging and have more energy.  Plus it has made it a bit easier for my body to start losing the weight.  Get rid of processed foods, refines sugars and ditch the soda!  When it comes to cruciferous veggies and goitrogens, do not stay away from them completely.  You can still enjoy them cooked them to reduce the goitrogens and in limited amounts.  I know this may be controversial for some. But again: this is what works for me,

3.  Weight loss.  It takes time and as you know, it is a yo-yo for the most part once you are hypothyroid.  You seem to find the balance between your meds, exercise and diet, only to have your hormones levels go out of whack again.  It is a fine science trying to lose weight with this disease but you must have patience.

All of this that I have gone through is why I now celebrate small victories: the morning I wake up full of energy, the days my hair does not fall when I brush it, when I lost 1 lbs. instead of 5, when I was able to have a completely happy day without an emotional mess.  These are things most people take for granted but I bet you, if you ask a hypothyroid they do not.  When you have a bad day, it is like living with a debilitating disease.  What am I talking about?  It is a debilitating disease at time and it takes a toll on everyone around them.  It is no joke and it annoys me when people make jokes about hypothyroids or snide remarks about the disease.  So the next time someone tells you "I am hypothyroid" do not dismiss them and be thankful you are not walking a mile in those shoes.  Believe me when I tell you-- you do not want to.

The nutrition part is going really good and since last week I have lost 4 lbs. which is great and so much more than my goal of losing 2 lbs. per week.  This is a total of 10 lbs. since I started this new meal plan.  You know what has made a difference?

1.  Cutting all of what one of my favorite bloggers () calls CRAP:

• Carbonated drinks
• Refined sugars
• Artificial sweeteners and colors
• Processed foodlike products}.  

After last week's horrible withdrawal that gave me the shakes and headaches, this week I am feeling much better.  And except for Wednesday's bout of tiredness, I've been feeling more energetic.

2.  MyFitnessPal app.  I am not much of a food journaling person but my Army nutritionist recommended it so I gave it a try and wow, it is pretty remarkable what you can find out about your eating habits when you see it written down.  Apparently I have been eating about 200 calories less than I have to which can cause the body to go into starvation mode.  So been paying more attention to what I eat.  And to celebrate all this success I rewarded myself with this super cute Lululemon top.  I actually bought it a month ago and saved it until I could wear it.  That was my motivation.  Hey whatever works, right? 

One of my favorite foodie related things about having grown up in a Caribbean island is the many culinary influences that eventually make their way into our local cuisine.  It is always pretty funny-- and annoying at times when people assume Puerto Rican food is like Mexican food: hot and very spicy.  And they could not be further from the truth.  Yes, my island's cuisine has some spicy dishes but mainly Puerto Rican food is all about flavors than it is about heat.  We use lots of aromatics and spices to add flavor not spiciness. 

 

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When it comes to teas, I am more partial to black teas (hello Churchill's Toddy deliciousness) or green (like a beautifully delicate Fukamushi Japanese Sencha).  So when I was asked to try the Tisano Chocolate Teas I immediately was intrigued because it sounded so different.  When give the opportunity to choose the flavors, I went with the Rose Cacao Tea and a sample of the Chai Cacao.  I am not sure what I was expecting  but it certainly was not the beautiful array of cacao shells and dried rose petals.  My friends will tell you I am a sucker for a beautiful tea (meaning the leaves). 

 

So, what does this tea purist thinks about this Rose Cacao tea? I brewed this tea at the recommended temperature and ended up with a beautiful golden liquid that was very fragrant thanks not to roses but to the cacao shells.  The roses however, gave it a floral mouth that combined with the "chocolaty" fragrance as you drank made for a pretty good sip of tea.  I was a deep chocolate flavor so I was kind of skeptical because while I am a chocoholic... not so much in my tea.  But was pleasantly surprised because while these two notes create a depth of flavor, it is also very delicate and comforting.  This is a tea that would be great anytime of the year.  And in all honesty-- and not because I am a purist-- but to add anything to this tea would be to ruin the delicate taste of it.  

Now, you will think I am crazy but the minute I tasted this tea I thought of food.  This is a tea that would be perfect to have when you are eating a little bite of something a little sweet.  I emphasize a little because anything overtly sweet would mask the tea flavor.   I am all about afternoon teas and delicate cakes with my tea so I decided to go crazy and put a twist on my favorite French cookie: madeleines.  If there is a cookie that is delicate enough to complement this tea, the madeleine is.  So I share with you my recipe for Rose Cacao Tea Infused Madeleines:

  |    | Website  | #tisanolicious

I Am Sharing with other tea lovers:  A Return to Loveliness ~ http://www.adelightsomelife.com/    Tea Cup Tuesday~    Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/  Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/  Friends Sharing Tea~ http://blog.bernideens.com/   Share Your Cup Thursday~   Home Sweet Home~

On Sunday, I was in Kansas City and after I was done with the errands I had to do I decided to check out the Nelson-Atkins Museum.  This visit has been on my list to do since I moved here and I am beyond thrilled I was able to experience this.  As a history major, museums are one of those places that as a friend mentioned to me recently "puts me in the zone".  His way describes it nicely, my silly self describes it as "going geek".

Let me begin by saying that whatever preconceptions I had about this museum were thrown out the window the minute the building housing the museum came into view.   This marvelous neoclassical structure is pretty impressive and the ground are beautiful.  When I saw the statue of Rodin's "The Thinker", I knew I was in for a great day. 

This museum is recognized (though I did not know it) one of the finest general art museums in the United States, and it currently houses collections of more than 33,500 works of art.  Because of the vastness of the collection, you literally create new connections and unique experiences at every turn.  From Egyptian to Greek and Asian art, from Native American to African art, there is something to please everyone in this museum.  

I am not a Hindu not Chinese art fan... or so I thought, because after yesterday, I am in love.  This museum is so big that they managed to build a Hindu and a Chinese temple replica inside actual museum building and it is stunning.  And the center piece in this temple is the statue of the bodhisattva (or Goddess of Compassion) Guanyin of the Southern Sea.  She is just... awesome.  As you turn into the room you face this massive carved wall as you enter the exhibit room.   It is in the background but it commands attention. 

Here is some information from the museum's website:

"This polychrome wooden figure of Guanyin is possibly the best-preserved and most magnificent sculpture from this period of Chinese Buddhist art. A bodhisattva, unlike a Buddha, refrains from entering Nirvana until all sentient beings have attained enlightenment. Guanyin, the bodhisattva most associated with compassion by Chinese Buddhist followers, is depicted here in a pose of royal ease. Gentle and calming, the Guanyin bodhisattva would appeal to patrons in need of emotional support and guidance. With coloring dated to no later than the mid-16th century, the sculpture’s vivid tonal intensity adds to the bodhisattva’s emotional approachability.  Apart from the right forearm and a small outcrop on the rockery, the figure and base were carved from the trunk of a single tree."

Whether it is the facial expression or the attitude of confidence this statue has or the flowing lines, one thing is for sure-- this was my favorite sculpture in the collection.  I think there are times when one comes across a work of art that makes you feel like "wow, I am not worthy of all this beauty" and this was one of those moments. 

The amount of ancient art is astounding also and there is so much to see that I know I will be back again and again until I can see everything it has to offer. 

Now, as a girl who loves beautiful things I am drawn to architectural and design details and the next few images are of my favorite areas and painting in the museum.   This room below-- what can I say but STUNNING.  This is a replica of a sitting room in one of the grand home in the Quai des Celestines, in Paris circa 1720.  In the late Baroque style called Regency, I loved this room because the aesthetic is much clean than previous Baroque styles.  And the intimate petite room is very elegant and aristocratic thanks in part to the serpentine lines of the furniture and architectural details like that stunning medallion above the chandelier.  I felt like I was in the pages of Architectural Digest. 

Good morning.  So glad you joined me for coffee today.  Go get yourself a cup of coffee (or tea) and get comfy.  While you do that I will be here sipping on this cup of latte.  So, how have you been?  What is new with you?

Hello ladies, welcome to our virtual coffee gathering.  I hope some more girls will show up but in the meantime, why don't we relax and catch up on life?  What's on your mind?  If you were here having coffee with me what would I tell you?

If we were having coffee... that I just finished reading the most wonderful book titled AHA by Kyle Idleman.  I picked up this book when I was in NC and I read most of it on the flight back home.  I did not finish it until this weekend because this book really made me face some things in my life that I need to deal with.  And with that realization comes a need for action.  And let me tell you, when a book moves you to do this, it can pretty scary.  The book basically looks at those AHA moments, or alarms that God sends you in life to let you know when something is not going  according to his plan, and it explains this concept in the context of the Prodigal Son story.  It truly was an amazing book. 

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that with my new half marathon training I've had to change my runs to the morning.  But it has allowed me to see some gorgeous sunrises this week.  It is in those moments that I am in awe of God's greatness and creation.  I sometimes have to stop and just smile.  This is when I feel closest to Him. 

If we were having coffee... I would share that I found this picture on a blog the other day and it really made me stop and think about my talents and how I use them. 

I sometimes feel that I am mean o use my talents but... I am not sure what my talents are to be honest.  I keep praying for clarity and discernment that I can find out what they are before it is too late.  Doesn't it really made you think about how we use the talents we have?

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that the new ABC tv shows Resurrection and Believe have two thing in common: creepy little kids being chased by even creepier adults.  Can we talk about this for a second?  Is it me or suddenly everything on tv is paranormal.  Witches, vampires, werewolves... And this makes my choices tough because I am a chicken when it comes to stuff like that and I personally think that is inviting negative vibes into my home that I do not need.  And then the alternatives are Scandal, Betrayal and Revenge.  I found myself watching Betrayal one  night when it suddenly hit me: I am cheering for cheaters to cheat on their spouses and get together because-- ok, get this-- it's so romantic.  Ummm... what is wrong with this picture?

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that one of my friends asked me to help her with an iPhone project for her photography class and I said yes. She took a bunch of funny pics of me and snugglebug extraordinaire, Jack (who so needs a haircut).  These are my favorites and love the filters she used.  Nothing better that snuggling with my boy.  But my friend pointed out something that kind of made me tear up.  She said: "Maria, for the first time you are smiling with peace.  It is not a forced smile or one that doesn't reach your eyes.  I can see you are making your way out of the tunnel that sadness put you in".  And it is true.  I am seeing life in a whole new way and I am so thankful for Him who never leaves me alone.

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that wedding magazines and sites are pretty overwhelming which is probably why I have not started planning my wedding yet.  How do people do this?  I can so see why this is a multi billion dollar business.

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that I love small town peeps.  There is a farmer who makes fresh eggs deliveries every week.  Well, I was not home this week when the delivery happened so she emailed me to tell me that she had left me the eggs in the front porch and to pay her the next time.  Yeah... not in the big city.  I love this small town kindness.  This has been one of the rewards of moving to a small town in Kansas.  Getting to know the locals to the point that if I walk into the general store, they already know what I need.  I have never experienced this and I love it. 

If we were having coffee... I would tell you there are signs of spring popping everywhere, even as winter decides to be stubborn.  I always love the transition of seasons because it is nature's way of saying NEW POSSIBILITIES AHEAD. 

There was something else I wanted to tell you but I forgot.  You know how it goes.  Oh well, it will have to wait until our next coffee date.  I hope you can join me.  I do enjoy this little break from the week.  I hope your week is beautiful and blessed.  Until next time. 

Joining Whatever Is Lovely.  The Weekend Brew.  Multitude on Mondays.  Treat Yourself Tuesday.

Hello peeps!  Well, tomorrow is going to be crazy busy, so I'm posting this today.  Another week has gone by and I am beyond ecstatic about how week 1 of my half marathon training is going!  the running + the strength training proved a bit of a load because I tend to workout in the afternoons after work.  But the first few days proved how unwise that decision was especially when work gets really busy.  So, I have to defer to my Army default: running in the morning and strength training in the afternoon.


For those of you who do not know, most Army units do PT (physical training) in the morning.  But there are units or posts where you can do PT on your own (kind of a honor code).  Since I arrived in Kansas in April I have been doing PT on my own which works great because I am not a morning person. The good thing about running in the morning is that while it may take me a bit longer to warm up the muscles, I have more energy.  Plus seriously, I have been given the gift of seeing some gorgeous sunrises.  

In easing into this half-marathon plan with lower miles in the front end allowed me to work on my pace, managing to go from a 13:00 minute average pace down to a 11:00 average.  And I am thrilled about it because my foot cooperated with this pace.  Stretching after running is something I rarely do (I know, horrible) so I am also getting better at that.  I noticed how, unlike the times I do not stretch, my legs are not stiff through the day... and as Martha Stewart would say that "it's a good thing".

But can I tell you a secret?  I am totally IN LOVE with my strength training routines because they are a combination of exercises I know with some new variations to challenge my muscles.  I really like working my lower body but working upper body is my favorite.  Loving, loving, loving these routines.  Something about working upper body makes me feel like I am tough...lol.  The exercises on the photos above are my new favorites.  LOVE them!

Now, can we talk about the food portion of this plan?

1.  First a funny story. Remember me complaining about the frequency and amount of food I have to eat in this plan?  I even emailed my coach about it and she laughed but explained why this was important.  So for the first three days I basically force fed myself.  But on day 3 I woke ravenous, like I could eat a horse and his baby pony too!  Holy mollie!  Suddenly I feel like my life revolves around food.

2.  Second, I am a sugar addict.  Because my processed sugar intake went down to like nothing, I had the worst sugar withdrawals ever!  I've never considered myself an addict but this week proved me wrong.  From day 1-3 I experienced headaches and shakes... like seriously: the shakes.  It was the weirdest thing ever!  By day 4 I was feeling better.  Now, my coach is an angel and she does allow me to have 1 poptart post workout with 1 scoop of protein shake (mixed with water).  I know.  You probably have the same expression on your face that I did when I read the word POPTART.  But it turns out that a poptart after a hard workout works.  HERE is a good article on this subject.   And all I am going to say is that I never loved a poptart more.  Haha!

3.  Third, let's talk coffee.  Y'all know I am a coffee fiend.  I love my coffee; Seriously, the phrase "I drink coffee for your protection" was invented with me in mind.  But here is the thing, for the past four days I have not needed my coffee in the morning.  Maybe a sip or two but once I eat breakfast, my desire to drink coffee goes away.  Hmmm.

 

Today started my week 1 of the half-marathon/weight training and so excited!  I actually went running this morning because tomorrow is an all day at work that I just know will leave me zapped.  Run went good although it was a bit too cold and my muscles just were not wanting to warm up.  As you can probably tell from the picture, I am a bit type-A when it comes to information and like my information visually organized.

This training program looks pretty busy but the good thing is that I am used to most of these exercises and know how much exertion they will cause.  Because of that I am breaking down my days by doing my runs in the morning and strength training in the evening.