Diet Pulpit

Some of you may already know that I also co-author a blog with my best friend, Mama Kelly over at 2 Witches Blog.  Today is our grand opening of our very own domain for 2 Witches.com.  It has taken us a few months to move over two years worth of posts and over 95 pages of content, but it was well worth the effort and I invite everyone to stop by and check it out.  (Note: we also have a Forum, so please stop and be sure to check out all the topics of discussions and join in, including Ask A Witch (get a link back).

I thought it would be appropriate to post here a little bit about what it means to me to be a Wiccan (a witch). 

First a little bit about me. I’m 53-years-young, married to an awesome guy, and mom to a delightful daughter. I work in a cubicle, drive a 10-year-old car, have a mortgage, and own a cat (she is grey striped - not black). I don’t fly on brooms, have no warts, and only wear my black, pointy hat on special occasions (like a Halloween costume party). The only slightly unusual thing about me that you might notice is that I have a few small tattoos. But if you didn’t know me, you would not be able to tell that I am a witch by passing me on the street. We are everywhere! (just kidding) However, the point is a witch can be anyone, from any background, of any age, and we are just normal folks going about our daily lives like everyone else. What makes us a little different is that when the moon is full, you might find some of us out in the woods having a good howl. (again, just kidding!)

I was drawn to Wicca at a young age and read my first book about it when I was 12. I met a woman when I was 18 who I studied with and was a member of her circle for about 7 years. In my late 20’s, I was invited to be a guest speaker at a college and ended up lecturing on several occasions throughout my home state for a few years. I also branched off on my own to form a Wiccan circle. As people moved, married, and experienced various other life changes, the circle disbanded and since then, I have been a solitary Wiccan (witch). I do, however, enjoy attending pagan festivals and open circles or picnics that are held by Wiccan or like-minded eclectic pagan groups.

When trying to explain what it means to be a witch, it is useful to have some overall definitions, a bit of historical perspective, and clear up some common misconceptions.  For those who are interested I invite you to read An Introduction to Wicca I put together at our new location for 2 Witches Blog.

Below is an excerpt:

Basic Wiccan Facts, Beliefs and Traditions

• There are many different traditions of Wicca, so there is no one way or “right” way to be a witch.
• “Harm none” is the guiding rule for all who follow the path of Wicca.
• Wiccans strive to live in harmony with nature and others.
• The Divine (Great Spirit) is viewed as being both male and female, or the God and the Goddess; however, in some traditions, there is more emphasis on the feminine.
• What is referred to as “magic” is actually focused thought, will and emotions, often using symbols and various tools or items as focal points and\or to enhance the focused intentions.
• The Earth (the Mother of all Life) and all the creatures of the Earth are honored and held sacred.
• The soul continues to exist beyond the veil of death, and lives in an afterlife (Summerland) until it is time to be reborn.
• The 8 seasonal changes of year are celebrated at the solstices and equinoxes.
• The phases of the moon mark the times to gather to honor the Goddess and God.
• Witches respect all positive, life-affirming spiritual traditions and religions.

What Witches Are Not

• Witches do not worship the devil. The devil is a Christian concept and has nothing to do with Wicca (historically or today).
• Witches are not evil. They adhere to the basic principle of “harm none,” as well as the belief that all you do comes back to you threefold.
• Witches do not recruit or brainwash any one. Being a witch is a personal choice that has to come from heart and spirit, and is not something that is drummed into anyone. Witches have no desire to “convert” anyone.

Why I Am A Witch

Wicca is the spiritual tradition that resonates with my soul and with which I feel most comfortable. I enjoy the rituals and ceremonies, and my soul is uplifted by the connection with the Divine in Nature. For me, being a witch is also about honoring the Divine God and Goddess within each person and within myself. It is about healing the planet, connecting with the Web of Life, and helping to bring balance, harmony, and peace to my life and those around me.

There you have it, wicca and me in a nutshell.  I hope you’ll stop over 2 Witches Blog and check out the new domain, poke around a bit, check out some of features and highlights, such as our new forum, Harry Potter Party details, Blog Your Blessings (Sunday), and much more.

Bright Blessings, Lady Rose

(Full Introduction was also cross posted On the Horizon written by Lady Rose as a guest post in two parts: Aug. 3 and 10, 2008)

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Tags: about me, wicca, witch

Weight 290 - same as last week

Staying the same at this point is a success, at least I haven’t gained this week.

I met with my NEW cardiologist yesterday.  I like him, he was very patient, took his time, went over my past records and we talked a lot, and not once did he make me feel stupid or humiliated.  

In a nutshell he said - it has been medically proven that there are many factors that contribute to weight, and that I shouldn’t feel like I failed - hormones, body chemistry and even the fat cells themselves all work against releasing fat and genetically some people have a great deal of difficulty, if not almost impossible, situation to overcome.  That having lost 100 lbs and then being stuck at 190, may be all I can accomplish, and that is ok.  Gaining it all back so quickly is a problem and he will do everything he can to help me get the medical care I need to lose whatever my body is capable of losing.

He has referred me to a specialist at the University of Penn that specializes in the stomach surgery.  My first step is to find out if my insurance will  cover it.  Two years ago when I looked into it, I was only allowed to go to one hospital in New York and that was too far away - but my doctor said insurance companies change policy rules almost weekly or monthly so I should check it out.  If the insurance won’t cover the experts at U. of Penn, he knows of someone locally who is good and we can try that next.   If not, it may mean going to New York.  But the bottomline is, I will not live a very long time like this, so something has to be done.  Granted no one can say how long I have to live, but where I am now will definitely shorten my life expectancy by a lot.

My hubby is totally against the idea of stomach surgery.  We will have to have some long talks about it before I make any final decisions.

I explained it him to him likes this - I have three choices -

1. I can either spend the rest of my life starving and fat, resisting any and all food while every one (including him at times) tempts me and pushes food at me to taste this, nibble on this, give in it’s a holiday, etc.  and hoping for the best that on my own I can drop a pound or two, but facing a much shorter life span.
2. Or I can just say the hell with it and just eat normally, gain even more weight, and face a much shorter life span.
3. Or I can have the stomach surgery, be able to not be hungry, eat small amounts of very highly nutrious foods, drop whatever pounds my body is able to, and most likley increase my life span.

I have wanted stomach surgery for years now, and with a doctor being supportive and even highly recommending the procedure I may be able to get it.

If nothing else it would be a great relief. Finally I won’t be hungry, and I will have an official “do not feed sign” hanging on chest so people will leave me alone! and stop telling me to eat more. The doctor did tell me though, that my body may never lose that much, that I have to mentally and emotionally be prepared that I may still have a lot of fat to carry for the rest of my life. I told him I could handle it - as long as I could tell people to go shove the food up their butts and leave me alone I would be happy. As long as I could medically show people that I have indeed done everything I possible could and that I truly do NOT eat that much, including my primary doctor who tells me to eat less even when I was only eating 800 calories day. If I’m fat forever so be it - but I will be able to proudly prove that I’ve done all I can.

But first the insurance company hurdle, then long talks with hubby and then,hopefully, I’ll make my first appointment and see what hoops I need to jump through with surgeon to get approved.

It’s too soon to get my hopes up yet, since I’ve been down this road before and run into dead ends, but I can least explore and see what happens.

NOTE: my laptop if fried, and my desktop is totally wonky so I haven’t been online that much lately, so my apologies to my Entrecard dropping buddies and fellow bloggers.

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Tags: diet, fatblogging, gastric bypass surgery, weighin

I care about our country, about our future, and about our safety. I am providing this information just as a heads-up, so folks are not frightened should Al-Queda pop-up (like a new tape appearing with threats) and decide their vote based on fear. THINK first, and don’t let them sway your vote.

They want to drain our country financially and militarially, and Al-Queda feels McCain is the candidate to do it for them. Excerpt from Al-Queda Message Boards say they want McCain as President:

“Al-Qaeda will have to support McCain in the coming election,” said a commentary posted Monday on the extremist Web site al-Hesbah, which is closely linked to the terrorist group. It said the Arizona Republican would continue the “failing march of his predecessor,” President Bush.

“The idea in the jihadist forums is that McCain would be a faithful ’son of Bush’ — someone they see as a jingoist and a war hawk,” Raisman said. “They think that, to succeed in a war of attrition, they need a leader in Washington like McCain.”

Source: Washington Post

I only saw a brief mention of this on the morning news this morning and then everyone was talking about Sarah Palin’s clothing allowance. I don’t care what Palin’s wears or how much they spent on the clothes! (Which the RNC claims will be donated to charity any way after the election.)

Also reported on Huffington Post - Al-Qaeda Supporters Endorse McCain: SITE Intelligence Group, based in Bethesda, Md., monitors the Web site and translated the message.

“If al-Qaida carries out a big operation against American interests,” the message said, “this act will be support of McCain because it will push the Americans deliberately to vote for McCain so that he takes revenge for them against al-Qaida. Al-Qaida then will succeed in exhausting America till its last year in it.”

All that being said - no one should let crazy luantics like Al-Qaeda decide for us who to vote for. We are Americans, our vote should be based on our convictions, our values, and who we feel will be the best President.

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Tags: election, in the news, vote

OAKLAND, California – October 16, 2008 – Walk into any grocery store and there’s likely to be a Halloween aisle brimming over with candy. Those who struggle with mindless eating have already begun to wonder how they’ll stay clear of trick-or-treat sweets. Many people find that Halloween spurs a particularly tough time of the year, and as the holidays keep coming, it only becomes more challenging. Dieters, mindless eaters, self-described chocoholics, and others wonder how will they survive yet another holiday season.

Susan Albers, a psychologist and author of Eat, Drink, and Be Mindful, recommends that people practice a mindful chocolate meditation. She doesn’t believe people should avoid chocolate, or other trigger foods, completely. Not only would that not be fun, but it also isn’t realistic. Instead, she advocates that people eat candy and other foods they crave in a new way. “The problem is that people often think about eating the next piece of candy before they’ve even finished enjoying the one they have,” Dr. Albers says. “Then they feel unsatisfied and go for more.” She acknowledges that learning to eat foods mindful might not be easy, but it is worth it.

Dr. Albers recommends that as people practice the exercise, they get into a comfortable position, notice what emotions arise, and use all of their senses.

Some of the steps are:
1. Notice the weight of a piece of chocolate in your hand.
2. Observe the shape and color.
3. As you unwrap it, listen to the crinkle of the foil or paper.
4. Bring the chocolate up to your nose, and inhale deeply. Notice what
thoughts come in your mind as you do this. Let the thoughts come and go.
5. Place the chocolate in your mouth. Notice the flavor, richness, and
texture.

People will notice that when they slow down long enough to be present while consuming chocolate, they can fully taste each piece instead of scarfing it down. When people are mindful, they naturally eat less chocolate and other trigger foods. Their fear of uncontrollably eating every piece of Halloween candy will lessen, and they’ll be able to fully enjoy the experience.

Susan Albers, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist who specializes in eating issues, weight loss, body image concerns, and mindfulness. Albers conducts mindful eating workshops nationally and internationally. Eat, Drink & Be Mindful: How to End Your Struggle with Mindless Eating and Start Savoring Food with Intention and Joy will be published January 2009 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.com. You can find her online at www.eatingmindfully.com.

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Tags: chocolate, halloween, healthy choices

Weight 290     -1 lb

At this weight one or two pounds either way really isn’t a big deal.  I’m just happy I haven’t gained any more in two weeks.

I am exhausted this week and really busy so I haven’t been online as much as usual.   I started volunteering with our local campaign office for a few hours here and there which has also added to my hectic schedule, but I feel really good about getting out there and doing something constructive.

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I have very long hair (down past my waist) so I’m always interested in ways to keep it healthy and was very glad to try out a sample of Viviscal, the All-Natural Supplement Proven to Improve Hair Quality and Growth

According to hair expert and tricologist Vetta Thompson, “Viviscal decreases hair loss and regenerates new hair growth by nourishing hair follicles with a healthy balance of needed nutrients.”

According to Vetta, Viviscal is the first step in taking control of your hair. Vetta believes by managing your diet naturally you can reverse many of non-permanent causes of thinning hair. Through her practice of tricology, which is the study of the scalp and hair problems - Vetta has devised the perfect plan for women to follow to ensure their hair is at its most healthy. 

The Healthy Hair Diet
Not all diets are created equal. Vetta lists her most important foods to include in your daily diet for luscious and healthy locks:

• There are some things you just can’t get from foods, explains Vetta. Viviscal Thinning Hair Vitamins for Women are been formulated with 22% marine protein for the ultimate in full, healthy hair growth. Viviscal’s unique formula has been reputed to help with a wide variety of hair concerns, including thinning hair and hair loss. The hair vitamins contain a high amount of amino acids (proteins) derived from marine origin extracts along with Vitamin C. Price: $49.95<
• According to Vetta, drinking eight 12-ounce glasses of water a day is vital to building the foundation for healthy hair. When hair becomes dehydrated, it can develop problems with dandruff, become brittle, and require more styling products. Vetta recommends staying away from beverages that are known to dehydrate - those that contain alcohol and high fructose corn syrup such as soft drinks are the biggest culprits.
• Getting an adequate amount of calcium in your diet daily can promote hair growth and strengthen hair overall, says Vetta. Calcium in the form of dairy products that are low in fat are the best choice, as well as leafy green vegetables.
• Your hair is made of protein - protein deficiency can cause a loss of hair color, and can also cause the hair to become brittle and prone to breakage. According to Vetta, “many of my patients arrive with weak hair, usually a telltale sign of protein deficiency. Once I get them on the right track nutritionally, they see marked improvements.” Vetta recommends incorporating lean protein such as chicken and beef.
• Essential omega-3 fatty acids are key for a healthy scalp. People who consume few essential omega-3 fatty acids can experience brittle, dry hair and eventually hair loss. Vetta recommends eating fish, nuts and healthy fats like olive oil to maintain a good balance.
• Take a Hair Vitamin
• Stay Hydrated
• Get Plenty of Calcium
• Eat Your Protein
• Eat Healthy Fats

How Viviscal Impacts the Hair Growth Cycle
Hair is a fascinating feature: it is the second fastest growing tissue in the body, and hair loss is only visible once you’ve lost more than 50% of your hair.  In a 2007 survey conducted by Viviscal, 93% of women considered their hair to be important to their overall appearance - making hair loss a point of concern for many.

What many women don’t realize is their hair follows a patterned growth cycle in which the hair is constantly being lost and then replaced again. Viviscal works to stimulate the hair growth cycle over the period of four months.

There are four stages of hair recovery:
Months 1-2: Viviscal slows and nourishes thinning hair
Months 2-3: Hair becomes stronger and growth of existing hair is promoted
Months 3-4: Viviscal promotes the growth of ‘dormant’ hairs, which are thin and wispy at first
Months 5-6: New hairs become stronger, healthier and more vibrant

According to Vetta, opting for a natural supplement to promote hair growth is the perfect option for women suffering from hair loss. Even the most dedicated women will fall off course or not be able to include all of the necessary dietary requirements for healthy hair. That’s why Vetta believes Viviscal can be instrumental in a woman’s recovery from hair loss. Through her studies as a tricologist, Vetta has found that natural products such as Viviscal can be just as effective as their synthetic counterparts, and safe and more economical in clinical trials.

Vetta believes many women experiencing hair loss may be suffering unnecessarily. “Thinning hair can make a devastating negative impact on a woman’s life,” says Vetta, “the fact that more than 40 million American women suffer from hair loss is astounding. It shows how common this issue is and how often this issue is hidden from family members and friends. It can take over a woman’s entire existence.” Viviscal offers a simple solution that can help women overcome the embarrassment and anxiety of thinning hair. By making simple lifestyle changes and incorporating Viviscal into your daily routine, it is possible to reverse the harmful effects of thinning hair and gain back confidence in the process.

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Guest Writer:  Sarah Scrafford

You’ve been working out for at least an hour every day and yet your weight seems to be at a relative standstill, or worse, increasing rather than decreasing as you hoped and prayed it would. You’re at a loss to understand how your dedication to lose weight could turn out this way, not after you struggle to wake up each morning and struggle harder not to hit the snooze button and cuddle back under the covers. You’re thinking of throwing in the towel and going back to a life where you can sleep longer and not have to push yourself this hard in order to lose weight. Hold that thought before you make it a reality, and push it out of your mind, at least till you understand why you’re not losing weight the way you want to, and how to make your workouts more effective without pushing yourself harder.

• Increase your workout time: Before you start to protest, let me tell you that an increase of just 10 to 15 minutes each day is enough to make you burn a few calories more. And the more calories you burn, the more weight you tend to lose.
• Increase the intensity of your workout: Not by much, but every small bit helps. Don’t push yourself beyond the message your body is sending out – stop at the first sign of aches or pains. The trick is to challenge your body, not alienate it. Concentrate on your workout rather than attempting to relieve the monotony by reading a book or yakking over your cell phone as you work out, and you’ll see a marked improvement in your weight loss campaign.
• Invest in interval training: In simple language, this means that you must alternate your regular workout with bursts of high intensity exercises. For instance, if you walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day, walk for the first 5 minutes, jog for the next (at an increased speed), then slow down to a walk, and so on. You’ll find that you burn more calories and increase your stamina as well.
• Consume a lower number of calories: It’s a plain enough fact – when you burn more calories than you consume, you lose weight. So count your calories by watching what you eat. A sensible diet must go hand in hand with your exercise routine for you to shed those excess pounds. You can’t eat all you want simply because you spend an hour at the gym every day and still expect to lose weight.
• Be more active: Don’t spend the rest of the day lolling on the couch and filling up on snacks because you spend some time working out each day. Stay active to boost your metabolism and lose more weight. Household chores, babysitting kids, walking to the mall, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking away from the entrance – these are a few simple ways that help you burn up each of the calories that you’ve consumed.
• Build your muscle mass: Work out with weights if you want to lose weight faster. While cardio exercises do burn fat, it’s the strength training ones that build your muscles and boost your metabolism. With an increased metabolic rate, you tend to burn calories even when relaxing or at rest.

By-line:

This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of x ray technician salary. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.

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Tags: exercise, weight loss

I have added a new show to the list of my TV favorites and must sees, The Mentalist on CBS.  The leading man, Simon Baker, is hunk too!  If you get a chance to check it out, I recommend it.  Definitely check out the first episode - it explains his dark events of his past.   Here’s a review.

Brief Plot Summary: “Simon Baker as Patrick Jane, an independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), who has a remarkable track record for solving serious crimes by using his razor sharp skills of observation. Within the Bureau, Jane is notorious for his blatant lack of protocol and his semi-celebrity past as a psychic medium, whose paranormal abilities he now admits he feigned.”

I admit I’m a TV adict - some current shows I love include - Ghost Hunters, Monk, Psych, Law and Order (all versions), CSI and NCSI, In Plain Sight (new last season - very good).  Here’s a small sampling of past tv shows I love (in no particular order) - Charmed, Seinfeld, Raymond.  Going even further back some of the shows I watched included: Mash, Mad About You, Frazier, Bewitched.

What are your favorite tv shows?

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Last week (#121) Weight 291,  gain 6.5 lbs

This week (#122) Weight - 291, stayed same

At this point eating three small meals and sometimes less when I can make it through the day continues to not be working.  I gave up a bit last night and had Chinese take out (Chicken and Broccoli) with my hubby.  I may try going back on the medically supervised Medifast Diet on Monday (4 liquid meals, 1 small meal for 800 calories a day) - but it didn’t work before when I tried for a couple months and I’m just not sure I have the stamina, focus, and determination right now to be that hungry all the time.  I’ve tried a couple times to get back on it and I end up failing.   However, I just can’t think of anything else to try.  I’m going to relax this weekend, stick to the three small meals, and see how I feel on Monday.

My starting weight was 293.5 May 1,2006 - I’m only 2.5 lbs from being back to my starting weight and within a week or two I will probably top that weight.  I had managed to lose about 90 lbs until last fall, then I stopped losing.  In Jan. 08 I went to see my doctors. My doctor said she wouldn’t help me until I was exercising an hour a day to the point of exhaustion, but when I tried increasing my excersing the first two weeks I ended up gaining 9 lbs overnight the first week and 16 lbs the next week and since then my weight has gone up almost every week since.  My theory is I think it is because of the heart failure and a lot of fluid retention - however, that is just a theory.  I mentioned the rapid weight gain to my cardiologist and she just said eat less.  

I haven’t been able to bring myself to go back to either doctor, emotionally I just can’t handle their disapproval. I was already eating as little as I can  and I can’t get my exercise level up to what my doctor wants me to because I get dizzy, the pain is unbearable (arthritis pain in the joints),  I can barely breathe and I gain weight even faster. 

Later this month I am seeing a new cardiologist.  I am trying to not get my hopes up that he can help me in any way other then to just keep renewing my perscriptions like the other doctor.  I don’t want to be disappointed.  But I will try to discuss the issue with him a little.

All I can do is take one day at time and focus on the positives.

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The winner of our Skin Care Give Away Contest is Juicebox Mom.

Congratulations!

Feel free to stop by and congratulate her.

About Juicebox Mom blog - “to help parents stay sane (or at least to realize all the other parents are insane, too) while their young athletes progresses through the ranks of their chosen sports (recreation, school,and all the way up to elite travel athletes). I’ll share my opinions, and the little bit of insight I have when it comes to youth athletics.”

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