2010!!!

Yay! So, the new year is here and I'm ready to conquer it! Not in a big, new year resolution kind of way, but I do have a lot of things going on right now.

I am currently working on a documentary (currently titled, "Heart of the Matter") for my yoga teacher training practicum. Yup, all by myself. Well, ok, not really. Allan is helping me film and I am interviewing lots of interesting people and basically directing it all. We will be following my journey during my yoga teacher training along with all of the mess that I am having to deal with about my hip, weight loss, being away from family, etc. Tomorrow is our first day of filming, AND it is my first "official" appointment in Baltimore (about a 2hr drive) with an orthopedic Dr. at Johns Hopkins. So much has been going on, and since the last post, I found out that I will more than likely need to get a hip replacement (yeah, I know, bad news). We have decided to go to the best possible doctor on the East coast. I did some research, and this is where it has led me--Dr. Valaik. I'm really counting on this guy. I hope we have a connection and I like him. We'll see (apparently, he's an ex Navy Seal, so that encourages me to think that he'll at least be a meticulous, and I'm assuming, an anal person) haha!

My yoga teacher training seems to be at a halt right now due to all of this "new news". I really don't want to let it stop me, but I am going to talk to the Dr. tomorrow and see what kind of advice he has to offer. For now, I am trying my best to stay positive. Maybe he will let me film some of the appointment, I don't know?

I am vowing to blog more about this whole experience...more or less just to get it off my chest. Its a great outlet for me to just let it all out. I also want to start incorporating some new things to my blog (school related). In case some of you don't know, I am going to school studying holistic nutrition (Complementary Alternative Medicine), and would love to start posting some of my recipes, holistic remedies, nutritional facts and findings, etc...

I have resorted back to my strictly Vegetarian lifestyle, bordering Vegan. Crazy, I KNOW! I mean, I am from TEXAS! I was practically raised on BBQ'd meats, and brisket. I've been a vegetarian for the past 5 years, and only in this last year have I been cheating and sneaking a filet mignon, or turkey burger or two...I know, BAD! hahaha! Hey, I am human, and now, (sigh) I know what I need to do. Plus, no lie, it makes me feel so much better...from the inside, out.

Being a veg is the only way I can guarantee the health and nutrition that I need to:

1. Keep my weight down, for the sake of this damn hip!

2. Ensure that I am putting the healthiest, cleanest foods possible into my body

3. Keep my cholesterol in check (yeah, an unfortunate genetic blessing that I have inherited...yay.)

My last blood test showed that my cholesterol went back up after I had incorporated meat back into my diet (yes, even lean meat...No, I wasn't noshing on bacon.) Believe me. I LOVE the stuff, I just know that it doesn't work with my system. I'm finding it a great challenge to cook amazing meals that don't make me miss the meat at all.

I will start adding some of my favorites to this blog. Try them out, you may even like them too! ;)

Tonight--since football is on (GO COWBOYS!), we are making vegan "bacon cheddar burgers" (a la 'Five Guys' style) and oven baked fries. Yummmtastic! :)

Peace out, and Happy New Year!!! xo

Fall Update!

Cat in the hat, Dorothy, Misch"elvis", and Ballerina

Beer wench, Rag doll, and Jem

Redneck, and Charlie (from 2 and a Half Men)

The Bear #$&!er from Super Troopers (I personally never saw the movie)

Mrs. Lovett and Sweeny Todd

Little ___ in a box, Shaggy, Chuck Norris, and Big ___in a box!

Ok, I haven't really found the time to update, so here is a quickie! This fall has been pretty crazy/hectic...
Let's see...here is what's new:

-My family came to visit, it was awesome! Of course they came while Philadelphia was having its first Nor'easter so the weather sucked. Rainy and cold the whole time! It was just nice to sit and talk, and just be with loved ones. I miss them all so much. Next time, I want them to bring my nieces and their wives. The girls would love it here; its so kid friendly!

-Danny came and we had our Halloween party. It was a blast, with an interesting mix of people--neighbors, coasties, and yogis, oh my! :) Danny really seemed to enjoy his time here in Philly. We showed him around a little, but his stay definitely wasn't long enough.

-Yoga teacher training is going well. I've met some incredibly amazing women and just know they will be part of my life for a very long time. YTT is also humbling at times (dealing with my hip issues makes it a bigger challenge). I keep pushing through and refuse to give up, even though sometimes I feel like crying in the corner. I have such wonderful support from my friends and family and know that I am doing the right thing.

-Allan is doing his first ever marathon here on Sunday and I am making a sign and will be cheering him on all the way! I am so proud of you, honey! YOU CAN DO IT! xo

-I've already gone through two prolotherapy treatments and the second one was much better than the first. This time, Dr G. added some glucosamine to the injections. Oh, and I did take the valium. (Maybe that's why it was more bearable than the last) Again, Allan was there holding my hand and I only cried a little. I didn't even get a lollipop. Wth?

-Oh, speaking of lollipops, my "diet" is going really well. I cheated for a bit when we had company, and had a gluttonous Thanksgiving dinner with our neighbor friends on Sunday. Other than that, I would say I've been pretty good and have lost about 11 lbs so far. I am still a work in progress. I hate that most of my Halloween party guests brought me tons of chocolates and wine! So tempting! Whatever, wine and dark chocolates are good for you anyways! ;)

Not a fan of needles.

Ok, so I had my prolotherapy procedure done yesterday, and all I have to say is, OUCH, and Wow, I LOVE ALLAN! He deserves the Super-Duper Husband Award. Poor guy, he held my hand the whole time while I was crying like a baby (bawling, nearly screaming) enduring some of the worst pain that I have ever felt in my life, ever. I was a ball of nerves before we even got there, which probably made it so much worse! Yep, I was a mess. I didn't want to look at the needles, but when I did, I nearly fainted! I think I may have even grabbed the Dr.'s hands and moved them away from me at some point. Allan said at some other point, I screamed, "OUCH", and he hadn't even injected the needle yet. Whatever. :P Dr. Greenberg (who truly is amazing, and extremely patient) stuck me with these long needles on the bottom of my left foot (the issue is with my right hip--weird, I know), on my "good" left hip, my right and left inner thighs, all over my right BUTT cheek, near my bikini line area and around my right pelvic bone. Ugh! I am sore, bruised, and so worn out from the stress of it all and the fact that I haven't slept well in two nights. (If you're confused about the procedure here is a link to my Doc's website.)

http://www.drmagaziner.com/Medical-Services/Prolotherapy&PainManagement.asp

So, he does the needle thing, and honest to God, I got up afterward and walked without limping for the first time in my life ever! I've always had a slight limp, sometimes unnoticeable, but it has been getting a bit worse as I get older. My hips have always been misaligned, and when he was done with the injections, they were balanced again. It seriously was miraculous! I truly feel so much better already--although, I will have to go through this process several more times (every 3 weeks for maybe 3-6 months). Dr. Greenberg even prescribed me some Valium for the next time I come in. I don't know if I'll use it yet. I try not to take any unnecessary drugs at all cost. I hardly ever even use Tylenol. The pain that it takes to make me better is way better than the pain I suffer on a daily basis, and the pain it would be to get a hip replacement (that was the alternative). I'm just so glad that I found a Dr. who really knows what he is talking about, seems to really care, and take the time to explain everything thoroughly. I hope that I keep seeing improvement. The only thing that stinks about this type of treatment is that our insurance doesn't cover it. You pay a lot these days to get torture by Dr's! Seems like insurance companies don't want to cover anything that actually works. Dr. G also put me on a pretty intense weight-loss program with lots of fun vitamins, meal replacements, and stuff. Any extra weight at all can cause unwanted pressure on the hip joint and make it worse. I've been in so much pain that working out cardiovascular-wise has been hard for me. The pain apparently makes me produce more cortisol, the number one factor in weight gain. I know I have gained more than a couple of lbs. and need to get on it-quick. So here I am--ready, starting a new life for myself, getting serious about getting fit, and healing my hip so that I can live a normal life again. So, if I blog about the wonderful chocolate brownie or french fries that I had last night, you have my permission to kick. my. ass! LOL! :)

I can't thank my friends and family enough for all of the support that you have already given to me. With you in my life, it makes it easier for me to push through the hard times, thanks! Love you all! xoxo Wish me luck! (This new eating regimen might make me a tad bit cranky! BEWARE! Grr!!!)

Autumn, a time for change

This is a picture I took from Fall of last year.

The cool weather is here, and I'm loving it! The windows are open, the crisp air is coming in, and I'm freshening up the blankets. The leaves are beginning to change, and I feel like its a metaphor for my life--a little bit of revamping, change, and new things to come. This Fall is a very exciting and hopeful one for me.

Here are somethings that I'm expecting to happen this Fall:

- My Mom is coming up to celebrate her 60th birthday along with my two older twin Brothers. They haven't been up here yet, so I am thrilled to have my family here--I can't wait! :)

- I am starting another yoga teacher training. This time, here in Philadelphia with Yoga Schelter and RYAH yoga. It should be a very challenging yet rewarding journey. I can't wait to challenge myself mentally, physically, and spiritually. I'm sure I will be blogging all about it!

- I am having prolotherapy done on my hip (next week!). Its an alternative orthopedic procedure to non-surgically reconstruct joints, ligaments, and tendons weakened by trauma or arthritis (for those who don't know, I have a bad hip--born with congenital hip dysplasia, had several surgeries as a child, which has caused me to now have arthritis). This procedure makes me extremely nervous because it looks incredibly painful (think flavor injecting a turkey with a big ass needle)! It looks awful, but it is about time I do something about all of the pain that I have on a daily basis. Pray that it works! Apparently my other alternative is a hip replacement--no bueno. :(

- Our dear friend Danny is coming to visit on Halloween weekend from Florida! He has been to Puerto Rico to visit us a couple of times, but hasn't been to Philly yet. Its always a fun time when Danny is around. He is one of Allan's best friends and like another brother to me.

- Apparently, I am in charge of making Allan and Danny's Halloween costumes this year. God help me. Lol!

- We are having a Halloween cocktail/costume party at our place this year. I've realized that I really don't entertain as much as I'd like to and I just looove to dress up, so...why not?

- I am also making our dog's halloween costumes for the annual doggy halloween costume contest in my apt building. Yep, busting out the sewing machine and all. They will be winners for sure. I have some ideas and will tell you what ALL the boys will be later. ;)

- I just started a new semester of school for my CAM (Complementary Alternative Medicine) degree. I still LOVE it, and it is going very well. I will be a student forever it seems.

- I am doing a major overhaul of organizing and cleaning our apartment. One bedroom down, two more to go, plus two bathrooms...oh, and the kitchen! We have collected too many things move after move and some of it will just have to go to Goodwill or donated elsewhere. I don't even want to think about all of the stuff that is in our storage facility...good lawd!

Hmmm...Well, thats all I can think of right now. Hahha! If anyone has any good ideas for halloween costumes (pet or human), party recipes, or decorations, leave me a comment! :)

Blue Hill Fair

I was just thinking about all of the fun that we had at the Blue Hill Fair in Maine. I thought I'd post some of the pics that I took. We seriously felt like it was something out of a movie. Everyone was holding hands with their family members, riding rides, playing carny games, holding big, pink, puffy cotton candy cones, and entering contests (quilts, crochet, produce, pies, etc.). It was a nice break from the city life. It screamed Americana. Almost too much. I couldn't believe it.

Howdy! :)

This lady made yarn from her own sheep.

I think everyone in town entered a flower from their garden to be judged.

The 3 Horse Hitch Pull (talk about horse-power!)

I really felt like we were in another era.

The farm that inspired Charlotte's Web

The sheep were super friendly, and so fluffy

This dude looked so sad. (He had GREAT hair though)

The Ferris Wheel

Sweet piglets (they were so adorable!)

We said no to fried dough,

and opted out on the Bologna Burgers...

and had Thai food (of course)! LOL! (small cart on the left)

Ciao bella!

Our trip has come to an end and we are on the road again tomorrow morning. I really didn't expect to get so attached to Maine or the people like I did. I included some photos of the guest cottage that we have been so fortunate to stay in. This place is incredibly wonderful! I see us coming back again someday. I feel like the Bianco family have become family to us, and I will never forget them. I think I may have even asked if they wanted to adopt me. :) My heart is full and I feel so blessed to have been able to visit this beautiful place. We stopped by their house tonight to say goodbye and shared our last glass of wine with each other...for now. They gave us a nice bottle of french wine and some homemade blueberry jam that Mrs. Bianco made this summer. I made Mrs. Bianco (Diane) promise that she'd send me a signed copy of her cookbook that will be released later in the fall if not, early winter. We traded hugs and swore to keep in touch. They will definitely be on my Christmas card list for years to come. :)
I am now ready to head back to Philly feeling fulfilled and ready to go about my routine and everyday life.
Ciao, Bianco's and grazie mille! xoxo

She's a Maine-iac...

Allan and I are in Brooklin, ME right now on vacation. Well, not really vacation. Allan is here for work, attending the Wooden Boat School (a school where they build, yep you guessed it--wooden boats), and I am just living the life of leisure along with our two dogs. :) Not bad. We only have a couple of days left, and it makes me sad.
We took a 2 day roadtrip to get here from Philly and it was a blast! I must say, Allan and I are wonderful travel partners. He puts up with my obnoxious, "Ooh, I LOOOOVE this song!", and my, "OOH! What's that???"...you'd think I had never been anywhere before. Then when you top it all off with my obnoxious singing voice, wow. I'm lucky to still have Allan in my life.
We have a perfect snacking pattern in the car. First, we enjoy something salty like, Chex Mix. Then we move to sweet, my favorite being Fiddle Faddle. Later we will end it all with a nice handful of sunflower seeds to spit in plastic cups while talking about our dreams and options of where we could live next. Our little salty-sweet rotation. Its a routine, we love it, and we do it well. No one said it was healthy. ;)
While driving up to Maine we went through Vermont. Now that's a place that I could live. It was GORGEOUS! Burlington, Vermont to be exact. It reminded me of an Austin, TX in the mountains. Its a college, bohemian-artsy town with a lot of character, great shopping, and cool pubs. I wish we could have visited there longer instead of just driving through and staying one night. From what I could tell, I'd definitely move there. I NEVER thought I'd say that. Honestly, I never even gave Vermont a chance...it wasn't in my radar. Now I know.
Although, I do think the winter's would be way too harsh for me. I like the warm tropical climates. Scarves and boots are nice, but the novelty wears off quick.

While in Vermont, we stopped at a cute, old General Store so that I could get some maple syrup--because that's what you do in Vermont. I don't even really eat pancakes or could even tell you the last time that I've made them, but I did watch a Martha Stewart episode where they tapped syrup from maple trees and was pretty amazed. This image stuck in my head, hence why it was a mission of mine to find 100% pure Vermont Maple Syrup! So we did. I hope it's good, the stuff isn't cheap. I see french toast in my future. :)

Once we got to Maine, we settled in our beautiful, oceanfront guest cottage and immediately felt right at home. Ahh...the fresh air and cool breezes...
Since we've been here we have partied with the owners of the guest house, The Bianco's, a family that distributes meat and Italian sausage products to all of the local restaurants...possibly mafia related??? haha! Who knows, and who cares--they are great! Laughter and Limoncello, a great combo. We also went rowing along the Maine coastline (Um, well, kinda. poor Allan--long story), went to The Blue Hill Fair (the one that inspired the book Charlotte's Web), did some hiking, biking, shopping, sampled lobster ice cream in Bar Harbor (Yes, ew. This is also something I saw on tv and HAD to at least try), and have seen some of the most amazing sights ever! I will be sad to leave, but have met some incredible people and will take this trip with me forever. I will always have a sweet spot in my heart for little ol' Brooklin, Maine, population: 722.