Invisible Illness Week Meme

By Vickilynn • September 2, 2010 • No Comments

Invisible Illness Week

This is a great way to blog about your invisible illness too. We may say, “no one understands!” but have we really given them the chance to? Fill this out, post it on your blog or on Facebook, etc. and then let your friends and family know. You may even be surprised to find out who you know who is living silently with his or her own invisible illness.

Be sure to comment below with the name of your blog and where it’s posted so we can come read it!

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is:  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS, CFS), Fibromyalgia, Chemo-Brain.
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:  1991 for CFS and Fibro.
3. But I had symptoms since:  1984 for CFS and Fibro.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: having to say no to activities because I have simply run out of steam or I am in pain, or both.
5. Most people assume: I am well because I don’t look ill and I try to push myself.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: making my body move because of the pain and stiffness in my joints and fogginess in my brain.

7. My favorite medical TV show is:  reality hospital shows, Royal Pains, forensic shows.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: large bread mixer (Bosch).
9. The hardest part about nights are: the pain is  much worse and it’s difficult to get to sleep without help.
10. Each day I take _several_ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
11. Regarding alternative treatments I:  embrace the ones that are G-d-given and try them before thinking about other treatments.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Neither! :-)   I guess, a visible one if I had to have one at all.

13. Regarding working and career:  I am unable at this point to do either.
14. People would be surprised to know: how much the pain and fatigue sidelines me. And yet, I am able to get things done by careful planning. They would be surprised to know that I don’t cook every day.


15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: how I want to go, go, go and my body says “no, no, no!” The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Bake again.
17. The commercials about my illness: Get the word out about the validity of this disease that for decades (and even now) some doctors mocked and refused to accept as real.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: being active with my family.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: just about everything.



20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: writing.


21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: run with my children and fly kites or go fishing!
22. My illness has taught me: to trust G-d for my strength and seek Him for the wisdom in how to use what strength I get from Him and when to stop and rest when I’ve done enough.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: “Well, you LOOK fine.”
24. But I love it when people: try to understand that an invisible illness is very real.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:  Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the L-RD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: It may be overwhelming at first, but there are people who care and will help you get to a place where it settles down and is more manageable. There are more and more resources available as our diseases become more widely known.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:  how much G-d has blessed me!

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: made supper for us and brought it over.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I wish more people knew there are so many people who live with invisible illnesses and need support and love.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: like you care about people you may or may not know who may be dealing with this and you want to know more.


Are you blogging for Invisible Illness Week? Be sure to sign up and let us know at Bloggers Unite!

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Pizza Swirls instructions

By Vickilynn • June 29, 2010 • 2 Comments

Shalom Y’all,

I posted a picture of our fab Green Pizza Swirls and promised more info, which I promptly forgot about until today. I was looking up the Pizza Swirls for a friend’s request and saw that I left this undone! Accccckkk!

So, here is the follow-up:


OK, the Pizza Swirls. My family (and friends) have been going crazy over these and the possibilities of stuffings are endless.

Basically, think of a jelly roll, or rolled cinnamon buns made savory.

So, you choose your bread. I really love using  Green Pizza Crust if I’m making pizza swirls. And many, many stuffings work well with her crust. I also use my plain WW bread dough, OR my WW Challah dough.

Next week, I’ll be making some Rueben swirls using rye bread dough!
YUMMMMMMM!!!

OK, so you take about a loaf worth of dough. Anywhere between 1.5 and
1.8 pounds by weight. Roll it out into a rectangle of 16 inches long, by 10 inches wide.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

On 1/3 of the rectangle long-wise, (the wide end away from you) leaving a 1-inch lip, spread your filling generously and evenly. I’ll post some fillings below. Starting at the wide end, roll up tightly, jelly roll style, pulling the dough gently to cover the filling and roll to the end. Pinch the ends and the seam. Let rest for 5 minutes.

Place unbleached parchment paper on a large baking sheet. With a sharp serrated knife, (or clean dental floss or thread) gently cut slices from the long roll. Each slice should be about 1 1/2 inches. Carefully move them to the covered baking sheet. If some filling escapes, no worries, just pile it on top of the swirl.

This usually makes about 14 swirls.

When all the swirls are finished, pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10 – 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, the swirls are puffy and the cheese (if using) is melted. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes (the swirls will deflate slightly).

Serve with dipping sauces if desired.

Filling suggestions:

Pizza with sauce
Layer mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, drizzle organic marinara and any other fav pizza toppings chopped finely. Only drizzle the sauce (a few tablespoons) or the swirls become soggy.

Garlic and cheese
Layer mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic

Smoked Chicken and Green Pepper
Layer cubed smoked organic chicken, sauteed green peppers
Cheese if using

Asian Chicken and Veggies
Layer sauteed chicken, roasted Asian veggies and drizzle toasted sesame oil

Veggie Omelet
Layer scrambled eggs, veggies, cheese, if using

Smoked Salmon Spread
BBQ Chicken
Curried Veggies

You see? Endless possibilities!
Our favs though are the Pizza ones and the Garlic Cheese ones. My family wants these every day! The ones I’ve done for my class and for home groups were these as well, and WOW, were they a hit!

Categories: Real Food Diet, Real Food Fun, Real Food Health and Nutrition News, Real Food On A Dime, Real Food Recipes, Real Foods, What's Cookin'? - Real Food!
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Gardening!!

By Vickilynn • June 22, 2010 • 1 Comment

Shalom Y’all,

Each year we learn a bit more about how to garden organically and what’s best for our area and family.

This year we have 4 small raised beds (4 x 4) so that I can reach them without too much pain :-) In them we have zucchini, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, seedless cukes and spinach and lettuce. Some are doing well, but we are just budding as I got them in late.

Yesterday I had to hand-pollinate the first squash blossoms as our bee population is low here. The bad thing is, there was only ONE male blossom (with the pollen) to several female blossoms. I need more pollen-carrying male blossoms to be able to have a harvest.

We also have Earthboxes and they do pretty well. We have lots of strawberries growing and some herbs (basil, garlic chives, sage, mint). We also have some roma tomato plants which are flowering.

We have some fruit trees, but they are young and this year we see our first peach! The pear tree has no blossomed yet. We have some apple trees, blueberry bushes, blackberry and raspberry brambles.

We want to plant more fruit trees each year.

Oh, this year I am growing more stevia. I tried it one year and it did not do well, but I have a nice plant and we’ll see how it does.

Our mint patch is awesome!! I dried some chocolate mint and will harvest again soon. We have Chocolate Mint, Peppermint and Spearmint.

Please share what’s going on in your gardens!

Categories: Real Food Diet, Real Food Fun, Real Food Gardening, Real Food Living News, Real Food On A Dime, Real Foods
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Cutting Carbs More Effective for Insulin Resistance

By Vickilynn • June 22, 2010 • No Comments

Cutting carbs is more effective than low-fat diet for insulin-resistant women

June 18, 2010

Obese women with insulin resistance lose more weight after three months on a lower-carbohydrate diet than on a traditional low-fat diet with the same number of calories, according to a new study. The results will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society’s 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego.

“The typical diet that physicians recommend for weight loss is a low-fat diet,” said the study’s lead author, Raymond Plodkowski, MD, chief of endocrinology, nutrition and metabolism at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno. “However, as this study shows, not all people have the same response to diets.”

People with insulin resistance, a common precursor for Type 2 diabetes, metabolize carbohydrates, or “carbs,” abnormally, which may affect their rate of weight loss. For them, Plodkowski said, “the lower-carb diet is more effective, at least in the short term.”

At 12-weeks, the study funded by Jenny Craig and using prepared calorie-controlled meals as part of a behavioral weight loss program, found that the insulin resistant women on a lower-carb diet lost 3.4 pounds more than those on a low-fat diet.

Forty-five obese women between the ages of 18 and 65 years participated in the study, and all had insulin resistance, as found by fasting blood levels of insulin. The researchers randomly assigned the women to either a low-fat or lower-carb diet. The groups did not differ significantly in average body weight, the authors reported. On average, women in the low-fat diet group weighed 213 pounds, while women in the other group weighed 223 pounds.

The composition of the low-fat diet was 60 percent of calories from carbs, 20 percent from fat and 20 percent from protein. Although the lower-carb diet also had 20 percent of calories from protein, it had 45 percent from carbs and 35 percent from primarily unsaturated fats, such as nuts. Menus included a minimum of 2 fruits and 3 vegetable servings a day.

Use of prepared meals helped make the structured diets easier and more palatable for the dieters, according to Plodkowski. “We wanted to make this study real-worldA—anyone could follow this plan by making moderate changes as part of a healthy menu,” he said.

Both groups lost weight at each monthly weigh-in, but by 12 weeks, the insulin resistant group receiving the lower-carb diet lost significantly more weight, 19.6 pounds versus 16.2 pounds in the low-fat diet group A– approximately 21 percent more on average.

“These data have potential widespread applications for clinicians when counseling people with insulin resistance to help improve weight loss as part of a calorie-restricted diet,” Plodkowski said. “They should at least initially lower their carbohydrate intake.”

Categories: Real Food Diet, Real Food Health and Nutrition News, Real Foods
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New Review: SideSwipe Spatula Paddle for Standing Mixers

By Vickilynn • May 24, 2010 • No Comments

Hey, y’all! I’ve got a new review up, for the helpful SideSwipe Spatula Paddle.

“If you have a standing mixer, such as Kitchen Aid, you know all too well that you must stop and “scrape down the sides of the bowl” during the mixing process. We all put up with having to do this and we figure it’s just part of the process. Until now…”

Check out the review over at the Real Food Living website. See you there!

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Asheville Artisan Bread Festival 2010

By Vickilynn • March 21, 2010 • No Comments

Shalom Y’all,

I was blessed to attend the Asheville Artisan Bread Festival 2010. It is a wonderous yearly event highlighting local natural bakeries and farms who bring their best breads, jams, jellies and goat cheeses to sell.

Walking from table to table sampling the aromas and tastes, drinking in the beautifully-shaped loaves and the rustic free-forms that are truly artwork, a bread aficionado can literally spend hours in paradise.

On top of that, the world-famous /bakers/chefs/teachers/authors were on hand to give classes and demonstrations. To obtain a ticket to a class, one had to buy a loaf of bread from one of the bakeries (as if we had to be cajoled)and the difficult part was choosing from the hundreds of offerings!

As is my usual choice, I opted to attend Peter Reinhart, Master Baker / teacher and author in his class demonstrating recipes from his newest book; Artisan Breads Every Day. As usual, Chef Reinhart is warm, funny, and totally accessible in his demeanor. The best part was tasting the decadent and deliciously-rich Chocolate Cinnamon Babka warm from the oven. Oh my! That recipe alone is worth the price of the book!

I plan to re-create Peter Reinhart’s Artisian Breads Every Day recipes only using 100% whole grains. I believe the first one I will try is the….yes, you guessed it, the  Babka!

May Your Bread Always Rise (writes Peter Reinhart) and I add my my blessings!

~~In Messiah Yeshua,
Vickilynn
Micah 6:8

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Book Review: The King Is Born

By Vickilynn • February 13, 2010 • 2 Comments

The King Is Born: Book Review
Author: Wendy Dena Cohen
Illustrated by Baruch Maayan

“Adonai Keeps His Promise: The King is Born” is a unique and visually exciting reading and learning adventure for children, teens and adults. Yes, for all ages, in the same book! The story is the birth of the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) in the context of fulfillment of Scripture showing the prophetic plan of the coming Messiah and how only Yeshua (Jesus) could be that Messiah.

The hardcover book opens to reveal a scroll. The story unfolds in words and pictures as the scroll is unrolled. The beautiful, rustic illustrations and story for young children appear right on the scroll where we have the narrative and integrated prophetic Scripture verses showing Yeshua is the Messiah.  Search for the Messianic prophetic Scriptures hidden in the illustrations and see them revealed on the next page!

On the outer edges of the pages are the rolled portions of the scroll which we are opening, and here we find teaching material, background, history and verses for further study and deeper insight into the events on the open scroll. This helps the older reader to understand and convey more Scriptural truths (similar to a study Bible) as the story content (for children) continues. It is an amazing concept and one that works extremely well.

The color illustrations by Israeli artist Baruch Maayan are described as “exhilarating.” They create a sense of an actual scroll experience and capture the look and feel of the time and people.

Adonai Keeps His Promise: The King Is Born video trailer

On the opening scroll, the author Wendy Cohen writes to the older readers explaining the heart vision of the author for her readers….    “You will notice in this book that I have used Hebrew names for many people and places. So, Mary is Miriam, Joseph is Yosef, Elizabeth is Elisheva, John is Yochanan, Simon is Shimon, Anna is Hannah, Jesus is Yeshua, Jerusalem is Yerushalayim,  Bethlehem is Beth Lechem, Israel is Yisrael and the Messiah is Mashiach. I have used Adonai, El, Elohim and Eloheinu for God and the Lord.”

“Why did I do this? I think it gives you the flavor of how people spoke in those days. Calling them by their Hebrew names reminds us they lived in the land of Israel.”

“Also, there are Hebrew quotes in many of the pictures and all the quotes are significant to the story. The English translations are those quotes found on each page and all the quotes are from Scripture, the Bible.”

“If you paid very close attention you would have noticed that I am now writing on the back of the scroll. Although the Israelites never did that in the Torah, they did do it in other documents. In a vision to Ezekiel, Adonai did it too. (That’s in Ezekiel 2:10) When people had too much to say for only one side, they wrote on both sides. Here the story is on the front, and the comments are on the back.

The comments show Adonai keeping His promises. Perhaps as you through the story Adonai will reveal to you other promises He kept, promises we did not mention. If He does, let us know. Our email address is thekingisborn@gmail.com”

This book is an excellent story to read to children as well as a teaching vehicle for older children and adults and would be excellent for Sunday School classes or small groups for all ages of people desiring to learn more about the Scriptures.

You can find out more about “Adonai Keeps His Promise: The King Is Born” at JHousepublishing or directly from the author at thekingisborn@gmail.com

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Book Review: In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me

By Vickilynn • January 30, 2010 • No Comments

Book Review: “In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me”
A mother finds purpose and victory through heartaches
Author: Lynnette Kraft
www.growingthroughaffliction.com
Paperback, published by Tate Publishing, 2008

book

“Lynnette is the mother of nine children but has been called to endure the great sorrow of watching three of them die. She has suffered, but she has been victorious through the loving help of her Savior. Her heart’s desire is to offer hope to other along their road of heartache.”

When our three-and-a-half year old son Benjamin, suddenly went home to be with Yeshua one day while playing, part of my grieving and healing process was to read books from other parents who shared similar experiences, but who came through it by the grace of G-d. This gave me hope that one day, I too would come out of the dark side of the paralyzing grief a parent feels when their child dies and have the hope that I too would be praising my L-rd, even in the midst of the pain.

Lynnette’s title and sub-title said her book was for me; even through the devastating loss of her three of nine children, Lynnette found purpose and victory by the faithfulness and love of her L-rd Jesus. Her personal journal entries speak of her unwavering faith in a loving G-d even when her mind and body were numb with pain and her mind could not process the events happening to her family. She poured out her thoughts, emotions, faith and hope because of her G-d.

In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me while exploring deep pain and sadness, is a true story of HOPE. This hope Lynnette shows us in her day-to-day dealings with grief, is based firmly on the truth that G-d is good, all the time and He loves us more than we could ever fathom and He loves our children more than we ever humanly could.

Lynnette also has a gentle, caring heart to help others who are also in the same place, sharing G-d’s comfort and she was comforted. She has very interesting perspective as she addresses relates raising a medically fragile child and what she writes can encourage parents who have not dealt with a child’s death, but deal daily with a child or children who are medically fragile. Her book and the hope and edification it contains is for all people, young, old, parents, caregivers or just anyone who cares about other people and desires to learn how best to minister to a grieving parent. Lynnette includes the best ways to help and some ways that are not the helpful for those who are hurting. This is so important for friends and family to know!

In her introduction, Lynnette Kraft writes; “The wisdom and insight I have gained have not only been a true revelation of the love of G-d and His tender care and protection, but I have also gained a new perspective. G-d chose a path for me that I never would have chosen for myself, but having traveled it, I can truly say I’m grateful for the journey.”

Theses Scriptures come to mind which describe Lynnette, her story, her ministry and her efforts;

1 Corinthians 1:3-7

Blessed be the G-d and Father of our L-rd Yeshua Ha Mashiach, the Father of mercies and G-d of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by G-d. For as we share abundantly in Messiah Yeshua’s sufferings, so through Messiah Yeshua we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me is an honest, moving, faith-filled, hope-filled books, suitable for all people, but especially those in ministry, those caring for medically fragile children or those who have lost a child.

I recommend this book highly. For information on purchasing In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me, please visit Lynnette’s blog.

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Weekly Friend Update #1 and #2

By Vickilynn • January 5, 2010 • No Comments

Shalom Y’all,

One thing I want to do more consistently is update my blog with personal entries. A dear friend of mine, Sylvia Britton of the Christian Homekeeper Network sent me this idea today and I love it! That structure helps me from rambling on too much (oh dear, am I already rambling? :-) ), but it gives me places to insert where I am.

Please feel free to share your updates with me! The first one is more generic and the second is more intimate (in my opinion). I think next time I’ll use a combination of the two! Copy the categories and insert your own answers and share with your friends! If using Facebook, make this a note and tag all your FB friends.

#1

Sitting… in my computer chair in my home “office”

Drinking…
nothing at the moment, going for water soon

Thinking…
that I’d better get the laundry started! LOL!

Loving…
my precious family (hubby and kids)

Anticipating…
new changes in my walk with Yeshua as I strive to draw in closer to Him

Dreading…
this week’s activities and a medical procedure on Friday. YUK!

Starting…
more structure

Reading…
the Word and 2 books for review

Liking…
the snow

Ordering…
from the natural food co-op, lots of great things!

Nervous…
about the upcoming snow storms and more possible power outages

Planning…
articles, reviews and speaking engagement

Pouring…
out my heart to Yeshua to make me more like Him, a better wife to my hubby and a better mom to my children

#2

This is the HomeKeeper’s Journal from Sylvia Britton and the Christian HomeKeeper’s Network.

What’s happening in my home?….
Today we’re having school, even though the schools are out for a snow day.

Today is also a “cleaning” day for me on my new schedule (some days are cooking or baking or errands and some are cleaning.)

I am excited to be getting my belated birthday present from a friend. He is giving me his 55 gallon freshwater aquarium and I am buying his fish (that come with it!). I am bursting with excitement since I love, love, love my aquarium fish!

In my kitchen
Warm oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon for breakfast
Homemade whole grain pizza for lunch
Creamy Slowcooker Macaroni and Cheese and roasted broccoli for supper

With our marriage…
As we approach 28 years of marriage, we have both “mellowed” quite a bit. I’m still excitable and vocal and he’s still laid-back, but we “mesh” better. As I care for him during his post-op needs (major back surgery 8 weeks ago), we grow closer.

With the children…
It was fabulous having all the children (except Benjamin of course) home for the holidays. They are so grown up, mature and responsible! Our eldest daughter is so lovely. She left to go to Israel, where she is right now. She’ll be home and then back off to college for her final year. The 2nd son is growing in height, in his walk with Yeshua and in his musical proficiency. Our baby girl continues to bring us joy, love and sweet kisses. We are back at homeschool today.

Around the homestead…
The raised beds and containers are covered with snow and there is some damage done by the recent snow storms, high winds and downed trees. I look at the ground and wish I could get these projects done, but this is G-d’s time for the ground and the homestead to rest outdoors. I must be patient.


In my “Inner Man”…
I am excited for the fresh start the new year brings. I am looking forward to more consistency in my time alone with Yeshua and our family devotions. I desire intimacy with my King, Master and Savior and I know the only thing that hinders that, is me.

Today I read on a friend’s Facebook page something that blessed me…
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to G-d. And the peace of G-d, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua.” Philippians:6-7

Now, it’s YOUR turn!

Categories: Real Food Fun, Real Food Living News, What's Cookin'? - Real Food!
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Drawing for FREE Bible!

By Vickilynn • January 5, 2010 • No Comments

The Bible
Center column references
Book introductions
Translation and explanatory notes
Concordance
Words of Messiah in red
Full color maps
Black bonded leather
Gilded-edge pages
A $40 value

This is a drawing for Christian Homekeeper members. I love that board and discussion group and have been a participant for many years. Come and check out the articles and discussion and if you sign up (it’s FREE to sign up), please enter the contest! You’ll see the link on the website below.

http://christianhomekeeper.org/

Come and peruse and be blessed!


~~In Messiah Yeshua,
Vickilynn
Micah 6:8

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