The disappearance of the girl

All you ladies out there that may be feeling devastated because your man cannot deal with your fat, or he has gone because “you are Not the girl he married”
Well here is the news, you are not!!
That GIRL and rightly said, girl, has gone, she left a long time ago!
In fact she was only around for a few precious years, that thin body, tight all over, firm breasts, ….insecurities acne…shyness…..my goodness, she slipped by without my even knowing she was leaving.

Man was I sick!! My poor body didn’t know what had hit it, it took on some major changes in that month of August 1973, when my first daughter was conceived, and my body was on a roller-coater of imbalanced hormones and chemical changes.
Mixing and fixing preparing me for motherhood.
I had ‘thrush’ …yep thrush!! and I was soooo young and green I had no idea what was happening to me.
Sure, I was having loads of fun experiencing my new found sex life that year.
I had left home, on my eighteenth birthday and it was fun fun fun sex sex sex, I was my own woman and I had me a man!
I had never had sex with anyone else than with my baby’s dad, so when I was feeling crazy from my ‘itch’, I was sure I had VD!! And if I had ‘caught’ it must have been because of HIM, ‘cause I had not been with anyone else!!
I would itch until I was sooo sore.
Venereal disease were big when I was a girl, and as scary as aids is for most, everyone was getting some thing, from someone, so that made a girl scared to do anything with anyone!
At 18 I was considered, old to be experiencing my first sexual encounter, and now a year and a half later, to have VD!! I was scared and angry.

Not being able to take it any more I went to a special clinic, on my own, where you were only known as a number, that way I could conceal my identity.
After I was examined by the doctor, he explained I didn’t have VD. I was soooo happy to hear that, then he asked, me if I knew I was expecting.
Expecting? Expecting what??!!
Aaaahmmm a baby??
I was blown away, there I was three months pregnant and I didn’t even know it!!
AlI knew was that I was feeling bad!! Itching awfully and all it was all because my hormones were taking on a change, preparing me for motherhood!

Young and fresh and fit!!??!

It is so amazing how the hormone system works.

The endocrine glands system make chemicals called hormones and pass them straight into the bloodstream. And the hormones can be thought of as chemical messages. They communicate with the body and bring about all our “changes’
Look at it this way, the hormone is a ‘key’, and it will only act on a part of the body if it ‘fits’ and if the key (the hormone) fits the lock (on the cell wall of the organ) then it will work.
Ha ha! I got! So when there is no more growth, repairs, sexual drive, eating dis-order then you can say my Pituitary gland is NOT working by balancing the hormones or the hormones (the keys) are lost of …or don’t fit anymore....hhhmmmm

Here are some facts

The glands of the endocrine system include:
• Pituitary gland - is inside the brain. It oversees the other glands and keeps hormone levels in check.
It can bring about a change in hormone production somewhere else in the system by releasing its own ‘stimulating’ hormones. Such an important pea size gland.
The pituitary gland is also connected to the nervous system via part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
• Thyroid gland - is inside the throat. It controls the rate of metabolism.
• Parathyroid gland - is inside the throat. It controls the level of calcium in the bloodstream.
• Adrenal glands - are on top of each kidney. They make a number of different hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol in times of stress, and sex hormones.
• Pancreas - an organ of digestion, which is inside the abdomen. It makes insulin, which controls the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.
• Ovaries - are inside the female pelvis. They make female sex hormones like estrogen.

Examples of exocrine glands that secrete straight to a target site, via ducts or tubes are called exocrine glands.
Some examples include:
• Salivary glands
• Sweat glands
• Sebaceous glands.
Common problems
some common problems of the endocrine system include:
• Diabetes - too much sugar in the blood caused by problems with insulin production.
• Premenstrual tension - symptoms include bloating, breast tenderness and mood swings.
• Thyroid problems - when the gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or under active (hypothyroidism).
Things to remember
• Endocrine glands secrete hormones straight into the bloodstream.
• Hormones help to control many body functions, such as growth, repair and reproduction.
• The pituitary gland inside the brain oversees the endocrine system.

So when you were that young and beautiful girl, with that prefect body (even though you didn’t think so at the time, you were either too fat or too thin, not enough boobs or far too much) you were going through so much changes back then, changes your poor brain couldn’t cope with.

You were shooting out in all areas of you body, hair was growing where you really didn’t care for them to be and then the monthly disaster!! That left you feeling dreadfully, sick and nauseous every month!!

You were able to understand more complex matters but dealing with your mood swings was unbearable for you and those around you.

Making your own choices seemed perfect, you knew what you liked and disliked but the worries of dealing with boys were sooo confusing, the peer pressure at school and all the social issues.
What to do, what not to do and very rarely choosing for what you really wanted, yep that was the first time we expeirenced that emotional roller coaster.
Remember feeling sooo all alone, even though everyone was going through it too, well here we are again, on a similar roller coater only hopefully we have our wisdom to guide us through it, some thing we didn't have when we were young, fresh and so called, fit. The traumas in our heads are still the same. The battle with the hormones part II.
Oh and not to forget Oprah!! Ahahaha she is in her 50’s now so the whole world will now hear about ‘MENOPAUSE" and how to deal with it :-D

Celebrate my FAT!!!

If the menopausal years are 35-55 then I could be coming to an end with all my ‘bad’ feelings!!!
Can’t wait!!
I just discovered I am not suppose to be dieting!! Can you believe that!! When everyone claim, thin! Diet! I knew it!! All the ‘Sonja Bakker’s’ diet are not good for me!! I really felt bad when I dieted and last year I decided never to do it again. I would feel soooo bad, almost ill! Sure I am supose to stay trim by working out, 30mins per day. Fine….but also not excessively.
I have been reading a passage from “menopausal years, the wise woman’s way” by Susun S. Weed and there it says,

“Gain up to a pound a year for ten years!! Thin women have more hot flashes and altogether more difficult menopause than heavier women. Fat cells produce estrone, a kind of estrogen. (If you won’t let yourself gain ten pounds, at least STOP TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT!! Dieting decreases bone mass and weakens the heart.)”
I couldn’t believe it!! I felt it all along!! Dieting is bad for the menopausal women!
Hey I wonder is that why I am having all these heart related problems lately? hhmmm

a quote

I woke this morning, with a worried feeling because of it, my day was very slow in starting; but all in all it turned out to be a good day!!

But I an too tired to relate it.

I will end with a quote:-

"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight."

Benjamin Franklin
US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)

Should I be worried that my cholesterol level is 5.1?

Generally the following will apply to anyone wanting to bring down a borderline or high cholesterol reading:

Low saturated fat diet, high in fiber, avoid fried foods and salt and limit dairy and meat and prawns.
The best diet would be oily and white fish, eggs plus vegetarian foods. Eggs are fine as there is at present no association with an increased risk of HD. Cholesterol levels should be in the range 3.5 - 5.1.

It is important not to go below 3.5 as cholesterol is important to the body as can be seen in the enclosed information. Foods high in potassium would be beneficial. Avoiding stress, particularly prolonged stress is important.

Most people would also benefit from a multi vitamin and mineral without iron and copper, and an antioxidant that contains A, C, E
So 5.1 is good!

.

Frankenstein’s bride!

I had the normal ECG test and that showed that a valve was defect and was possibly allowing blood to flow back to my brain in a way that it shouldn’t. So in order to control this I am having the 24 hour ECG control.


Here I am sitting at work wired up as Frankenstein’s bride!
I have six colored wires yellow, red, green, white, orange blue and black all stuck to different parts of my chest. I have just had a 24-hour ECG recording.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram, or ECG, records the rhythms and electrical activity of your heart. A number of electrodes (small, sticky patches) are put on your chest. The electrodes are connected to a machine that records the electrical signals of each heartbeat.
Although an ECG can detect problems with your heart rhythms, an abnormal reading does not always mean that there is anything wrong. Therefore, as well as an ECG, you may need to have some other tests, such as:
• An exercise ECG - an electrocardiogram recording is taken while you are exercising (usually on a treadmill or exercise bike). If you experience pain while exercising, the test can help to identify whether your symptoms are caused by angina, which is usually due to coronary heart disease.
• 24-hour ECG recording - an electrocardiogram recording is taken continuously over 24 hours. It can be used to diagnose symptoms that do not occur regularly, such as palpitations. You can usually do the test at home, as an outpatient.



I look something like this person....even tho it looks like my children uncle!! :-)

Myself as a crone

I describe myself as a crone, because at 55 I am nearing the end of my menstrual cycle.
Even though have had an hysterectomy, I still go through the ‘silent journey’, I feel and react as a crone, so I am doing my best to embrace this period of my life that is so rarely celebrated.

The Crone, is described as the dark mother of time, she is in the last aspect of the woman’s cycle of life, where we had the maiden, the mother and now the crone.
In our society youth and beauty has so much adoration, respect and even abuse.
The crone’s aspect is often misunderstood, feared and neglected as she represent decay and eventually death, which is inevitable of all nature.
As a grandmother, an old mother and a wife, I still consider myself as a nurturer, way past child bearing years and still someone whose wisdom and soul healing powers comforts are sought after by others going through life’s hardship and transitions.
I dream dreams, my intuitions are strong, I use herbs, I brew teas and I lean towards the natural form of healing. My 'chi' is strong!!

Such a women, if assertive the middle Ages was considered a wicked witch and an hagged archetype of our fairytales. For her knowledge and wisdom she was persecuted by people’s fear.
She is associated with the colour black, the waning or new moon, Autumn and Winter, change, quitting of a regular job that absorb her time, devorces, transformation and death, all extremely negative.

The Crone women are wonderful to call upon to help you deal with the menopause, change or to help face your own mortality.
She can help you remember the cycles of life if you are experiencing a loss.
She can help you face your deepest fears,
She can encourage you to be wild and free,
She show us our strength and courage us all.
She has her experiences which she is willing to share.

Healthy Menopause Diet

Healthy Menopause Diet - 15 Suggestions

• Boost your daily intake of fruits. Choose melons, bananas and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, which are high in potassium. Potassium rich foods help balance sodium and water retention. Also include some dried fruit like apricots and figs. (a smoothie works!)
• Boost your daily intake of vegetables (inc. salad) Choose in particular, yam, dark leafy vegetables like kale, collard greens, spinach, pak choi, broccoli and cabbage, as well as peppers, tomatoes and a variety of others.
• Introduce soy foods (eg. soybeans, calcium-fortified soy milk, soy yogurt and tofu.) into your daily eating.
• Eat regular amounts of fiber, especially soluble fiber.
• Junk the fried foods, instead broil or bake.
• Junk the white bread/flour, eat wholegrain bread, oats, rye, wheatgerm.
• Junk the white rice (except basmati), switch to long grain brown rice.
• Eat fewer regular potatoes, eat more sweet potatoes and pasta. • Add regular helpings of beans and lentils to your meals.
• Junk the processed cooking oils, switch to unprocessed oils. Choose extra virgin olive oil, canola, wheatgerm and flaxseed oil.
• Make oily fish (salmon, mackerel) a regular feature of your diet
Oily fish is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids which provides a huge range of health benefits.
• Snack on nuts (Brazils, walnuts), seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, linseeds), dried fruit (apricots, figs).
• Try adding seaweed to your diet; ask at your local health food store. Choose Nori, Wakame, Kombu, Arame, which contain natural hormones and plant chemicals which help during menopause.
• Drink more mineral/bottled water, less caffeine and modest amounts of alcohol. (in small amounts then?!?)
• Enjoy high-calorie junk foods as an occasional treat only

Healthy Eating Doesn't Mean Being Perfect
You don't have to follow all 15 of the above dietary suggestions. As long as your menopause eating habits don't stray too far from my guidelines, you'll do fine. That said, these eating advice should help to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, including: hot flashes, bloating, water retention, tiredness and depression. In addition, if you combine the eating advice with regular exercise, you will reduce weight and find it much easier to maintain a healthy weight as you get older.
Enjoy!!

My heart is old!

Last friday I had a visit to my cardiologist and after a few examination he explained my heart appears to be unusally big.
Now that could be one of two reasons, if I am very sportive or my heart is working too hard. It turned out to be the later.
I was then signed up for further tests!! to ensure the best method of solving my problem.

Arriving home I logged on to do my own research and indeed I found a site where I could do a test, this was the result.

Dear Acrone,

Thank you for completing the Heart Age Test. Here are your results so that they can see again. Your heart age
The age of your heart is much higher than your actual age. This means that your heart is much less healthy than their peers. Your weight is too high and that gives a greater chance of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Remember that a weight loss of 10 to 15% already do much good for your health and your risk of diseases late fall.


Before you make changes in your lifestyle, it is advisable to contact your GP. If any of the aspects of your heart health than optimal level, we encourage you to pursue this with your doctor to discuss.

BLOOD PRESSURE
Your blood pressure is too high. If you have your blood pressure measured, let it again with your doctor to check the measured value to check and to discuss methods to reduce blood pressure. Perhaps you can use small changes in your lifestyle to reduce your blood pressure. If you're overweight, you help a few pounds to fall. Notice also the use of salt in cooking and make sure that you eat many vegetables and fruits. That is good for your blood pressure. Including more physical activity helps your blood pressure to fall.
For more information>


CHOLESTEROL
Your cholesterol is needed to correctly estimate the age of your heart to them. Try your cholesterol so too (to) measure.
For more information>


DIABETES
Your chance of getting diabetes may increase if you are over 40, if you have overweight and diabetes in your family. If you are in one of these categories, it is important to ensure a proper weight. Several studies show that 5 to 10% waste when you are too heavy and as well as daily 30 to 60 minutes to move your chance of getting diabetes is greatly reduced.
For more information>


FAMILY HISTORY
If heart disease in your family, you have a greater chance also cardiovascular disease to get. But this does not mean that your fate is sealed this. It would only say that for you is especially important at the age of your heart to watch. Try your blood pressure and your cholesterol under control, care for a healthy weight and not smoking. Think a minute about your lifestyle. What can you change? Also regularly check your blood pressure and cholesterol. Never done? Perhaps now is the time to even get started. With this data you can test more complete.
For more information>


SMOKING
Keep it up! Smoking is one of the main risk factors for getting heart disease. It is very healthy not to smoke.
For more information>


WEIGHT
You're too heavy, that means you likely have an increased blood pressure and elevated cholesterol in your blood. The aging heart enormous. Is there diabetes or cardiovascular disease in your family? It is more important for you your weight well under control. If your 5-10% of your weight loss, do you much good for your health.
For more information>


FOOD
Your score indicates that your efforts to eat healthy. Very good, keep up the good. A diet with plenty of vegetables and fruit, the right kind of fat and not too much salt helps to keep blood pressure low. Moreover, it is good for the cholesterol in your blood and a proper weight. And that helps them all to keep your heart young.
For more information>


MOVEMENT
Your score indicates that more time should be free to move! Try at least 30 minutes per day to move for at least five days per week. Research shows that it helps the blood pressure, cholesterol and weight maintenance. Exercise is good for a younger heart.
For more information>


LEISURE
You are not physically active. Try to find a way to get some extra movement. That may continue to exercise every day but also by some extra movement to build. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, get off at a stop before the bus or tram and go by bike to work instead of by bus or car. Research shows that people who are physically active, much less to thicken. They have many more good blood pressure and good cholesterol in the blood. Exercise is a way to keep your heart young.
For more information>


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Menopausal Climax Years

Wise Woman Ways
Menopausal Climax Years

The menopausal climax years include the year or two before and a year or more after your very last menstruation. The average age of a woman in the midst of her Change is 51. But women come to their menopausal climax in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, as well. Some achieve menopause by surgical means, some by way of chemotherapy or radiation, and some just naturally arrive early. (Menopausal climax before the age of 40 is considered "premature.")

During this 2-5 year climax period, the bones refuse to take in cal-cium and bone scans will show growing osteoporosis; flashes, flushes, and night sweats may be frequent; palpitations, emotional sensitivity, and sleeplessness are common. Depending on the individual woman and her circumstances, other physical and emotional changes may come with the Change, or she may experience next to nothing.

Take time for solitude. Although many women feel enormous satisfaction in tending and nourishing others, as our reproductive years come to a close, it is appropriate to turn away from care-taking. Hot flashes, sleeplessness, moodiness, and the like are easier to recognize as allies of wholeness when you are free to follow your own needs without concern for others. Take one day to be totally by yourself, or a Crone's Year Away, or anything in between.

Experiment with eggs, meat, and butter in your diet. Some women find these foods, especially if from organic sources, decrease menopausal symptoms. Some practitioners insist they increase menopausal distress, especially when from commercial sources.

Relax and enjoy your hot flashes. Ride them like waves, feel them in your spine, ski the edges of your flushes, honor the volcanic heat of your core. Like labor pains, hot flashes are the outward sign of metamorphosis. Like labor pains, they are worse when resisted. Herbal allies help those with unrelenting flashes relax and enjoy, too.

Spend time with a journal. Buy a blank book and write in it, draw in it, paste articles in it. Visions and dreams are particularly vivid and intense in the menopausal climax years; keep your journal handy so you can record them. Your emotional energies are readily available during the menopausal climax years; draw them in your book. Memories abound during these years; cherish them in your journal. Write your autobiography.

Plan your Crone's Crowning. As months pass and the moon waxes and wanes without drawing forth your menses, you pass through the second stage of initiation, death. Your identity as Mother dies. Let yourself break all the rules. Be someone totally different than you thought you could be.