Rantings of a Creole Princess

Question...Baking Soda Soak

Any of yall ever take a baking soda bath for sore muscles?  I remembered it from back home and took one this morning.  1 cup of a new box of baking soda in warm water and soak for 20 minutes.

It really helped.

Workout Slump

I realized pretty quickly that I can't work with a personal trainer. See...I'm a child of abuse.  Yelling at me will get you the absolute opposite reaction you thought you'd get.

*HARD.STARE*

I've been bored with my workout routine.  Sure...it helped me maintain but I was soooooooooo bored.

So ya girl decided to amp it up by 100 notches.

Yeah...um...no...

So yesterday I had to do a stretching class so I could work out the kinks from the Crossfit'in.  When I walked in...I found it was filled with senior citizens.  Senior citizens who all looked at me with a serious damn side eye.  As I unrolled my mat I looked at each of them like..."FEELING FROGGY?"

Folks don't know I'll cut an old person.

Or a kid.  

Yup...I'll cut a kid.

So I'm still sore as hell but I seriously think I must be going crazy cuz yeah...I'll do it again.

I'm vain as hell so there is no way I WON'T workout but yeah...I need to figure something out quickly in order to make it continue to do what it do.  

I was talking to a friend and she shared that, while she has the time, she's in a major work out slump and needs to desperately get out of it because her middle just ain't what it used to be.

I'm actually thinking about doing a boot camp so I wanted to ask how many of you have done one too.  Would you recommend?

CrossFit!

I did some crossfit training today for the first time.

That ish had my azz trembling.

I'm SO confused.

This was like...WHOA!  The only thing that kept me going is that I ain't no punk.

And now I'm sitting here in my pj's trembling with a plan to move around as little as possible for the rest of the day. 

Have you ever tried it?

Mat-tastic

Do you bring  your own mat to the gym or do you use their mats?

Yoga Direct Extra Long Yoga Mat, Purple

Allergy Alert!

I had another outbreak this weekend on my face so I went to the doctor this morning.

Guess what I'm allergic to!

Nothing much...just pollen.

o_flipping_0

SERIOUSLY.

The country girl is now allergic to pollen.

Pollen which flies through the air and touches my super sensitive face.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  

I can't make this shit up if I tried.

Doc says when the pollen is really high...I gotta lay low.

Just crazy.

He gave me some ointment for flare-ups.

Yup...more ish I have to keep with me at all times.

*sigh*

I'm not feeling this aging nonsense at all.  Developing new allergies is NOT fun.

UGH!

Anybody out there allergic to POLLEN?

 

33 Minutes

My CURRENT treadmill playlist.

What's on YOUR cardio playlist currently?  How often do you change it?

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

Would it be difficult for you to get used to an allergy to seafood and shellfish?

Allergic Reaction

Doc says it could be the sunflower oil or the new liquid foundation I just got.  The first time I wore it was on Thursday.  I have to take a mild steriod for 5 days to clear up my face.  UGH!  The only way to know exactly what it was is to be tested for everything.  DOUBLE UGH!

I gotta go get a full allergy test done next week.

Have any of you ever had to do that?

What did they find?

Anybody ever take steroids?  I did once before and gained weight.  I'm not feeling great about my current options.  LOL!

I blame Justine!

Thursday night I had drinks with my friend, Justine, at this super swanky spot.  Along with the drinks, you got fresh baked sea salt and white truffle oil chips.  

They were DELICIOUS!

Justine and I discussed it and decided that we MUST try white truffle oil on homemade kale chips.

After dinner I grabbed the red eye home so I could spend as much time with my mommy-in-law 'nem as possible and, of course, she wanted me to take her to some of my favorite shopping spots, of which one is the TJMaxx out by us.  I always go to the food section because they always have all kinds of FABULOUSNESS that I've wanted to try but haven't because of the crazy cost.  As I'm doing a visual scan...I see some white truffle oil and I bought it, of course.

I couldn't wait to get home and try it!

As soon as I walked in I put the oven on 350 degrees and got my kale ready to bake.  I drizzled a pretty good amount of the white truffle oil on the kale and was sooooooo excited to try it!  I mean...it was soooooooooo fragrant!

Yall...they were soooooo good!  I ate a whole bowl by myself.  

Then...we had dinner and drinks out on the deck and we all went to bed with a smile on our doughy cheeks.

Saturday morning I woke up with my face on fire.  I got up and went to the bathroom and yup...my face was certainly on fire.  Swollen eyes, tiny red bumps, red ears, etc.  Doughy cheeks to fiery cheeks.  UGH!

Yall know I'm vain so I freaked the hell out and, all the nerds in the house immediately took to Mr. Google to see what's for what cuz it was a straight up "MAN DOWN" situation.  I took one Benadryl for the itching to see if it would help.  The last place I wanted to be was at the Emergency Room for an allergic reaction which wasn't life threatening.  Hell...they'd keep me in the lobby for umpteen hours behind that so I decided I'd wait until Monday morning to go to the doctor and just hope it would go away.

We figured out that it must have been the white truffle oil after The Robinator realized the oil used in it was sunflower oil.  You know...the cheap stuff.  Hey...it was only $12.99.  The last time I bought white truffle oil it cost $40 and it was in a MUCH smaller container than the one I bought at TJ Maxx. My recent allergy to almonds is in the same family of allergies so yeah...Imma have to go get something official mocked up on me so I know what I need to know so this doesn't EVER happen again.

Now yall know why the kid was rocking shades all day yesterday.

This morning I woke up and yeah...it was even worse but again...no breathing issues so I'm not compelled to go wait in an ER all dang day.  I'd rather stay "Benadryl high" until tomorrow and post up at the crib.

It's pretty bad too.  Like...if you saw me right this minute you'd scrunch up your face and wince.  I promise.

Developing food allergies this late in life is going to be difficult.  Robby didn't want the sunflower oil in the house anymore even.  What in the world am I going to do?  

Any of you developing allergies later in life too?  If yall know of something I should be doing today to get me through till tomorrow with a doctor...it would be GREATLY appreciated.  

But I'm not leaving my house.  Nerp.  Unh...uh...

Additional Heartbeat

Remember when I was dealing with the pain in my chest and they concluded that it was inflammation that reared up again?  Well...I had to go through a whole lot of testing and whatnot.  One test was a stress test.

I showed up and showed out.  Like...running like a big azz dude with a baseball bat was chasing me all the while holding a conversation with the doctors monitoring me.

Every now and then...I have a weird feeling in my chest.  Like...my heart just lurches for just a SECOND.  I don't pay it any mind because it happens for a SECOND and then all is well.  

But I keep it in the back of my mind. 

It usually only happens when I'm REALLY stressed and my heart is racing like CRAZY while I'm trying to appear outwardly calm.

After the stress test the doctors kept talking about how well I did and that they'd be in touch with me regarding the official results.

Monday I got a call from the cardiologist stating they needed me to come in.  So...since Monday...I've been kinda weirded out and it didn't help any that I got a late night call Monday night which woke me up out my sleep and had me all panickey.  (If massive amounts of blood isn't involved...just call me first thing in the morning PLEASE!)

My appointment was scheduled for Wednesday.

Yesterday.

I went in and the cardiologist told me that they found some additional heartbeats toward the end of my race with the machine and he wanted to talk to me about it.  We discussed the feeling I get sometimes and when I get them.  That's it's usually when I'm in a high stress situation and trying to remain cool.

He listened and then said that, since I'm in such great shape...he's not really worried but, if I was and we wanted to really get to the bottom of it...I needed to wear a monitor for a while and track exactly when it happens and WHY it happens.

I told him that I didn't think it would be necessary because he doesn't know what I already know...SIP is going to end up being the death of me.

I thanked him and went to check out only to find I had a bill of $665 because I have a high deductible and it's my first time hitting up real doctors this year.  As I paid the UNEXPECTED bill trying to not cuss out everyone from the lovely, friendly clerk to the doctor who ordered all of them damn tests knowing I had GOOD INSURANCE...

...my heart lurched...but just for a SECOND.

From My Inbox:

Hi,

Hope you are having a great day. I was wondering if you could send a message to the tribe. I'm using the My fitness pal application and need friends to hold me accountable. Would you please find out if any of them use this app?

Thanks,

Kimmie6992

Dear Atlanta:

Atlanta weather | Pollen count over 8,000 shatters old record for Atlanta

 

Fiber

I got worried that we weren't getting enough fiber so I started buying Moral fiber muffins.  I can only eat a third of one in one sitting mind you...but I'm feeling like it's a good thing.

Are you getting enough fiber?

 

 

Do you know YOUR risk level?

Of course this isn't super accurate or anything ya know?  I mean...it's not like they have your blood or scan results but I took it and my results are up there.  As I was answering the questions...I really had to think about it.  I hope they make you think too.

Heart Disease Risk Test

 

 

Insurance and Doctors

I have no respect for doctors who don't accept any kind of insurance.  It's like they are totally out of touch with the times and they only want to deal with the really rich.

So annoying.

To me.

Pink Boxing Gloves

I need these STAT. 

Everlast Women's Pro Style Training Gloves (Pink, 12 oz.)

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

Okay...I'm curious as to what you think.

A.  Excellent public service awareness spot.

B.  Weird and awkward but message understood.

C.  Total turnoff.

A Cancer Survivor on Susan G. Komen

Yall know I've never been one to hold my status as a cancer survivor on my sleeve.  I was one of the lucky ones.  Because I had healthcare...I had the benefit of early detection so I survived and, 18 years later...I'm still here alive and proud to be so.  However, I didn't have to do much ya know...why?  BECAUSE I HAD HEALTHCARE.

Many people don't.

Planned Parenthood provides healthcare for millions of people who aren't as blessed as I am and there is no way in hell I'd ever do anything which would diminish their place in society.  So many people can't afford adequate healthcare and Planned Parenthood makes sure as many as possible have access to treatments for early detection which saves lives.  Their offices are posted up in areas which NEED it. 

Cutting funding for such an organization based on ri-damn-diculousness has caused me to have a seriously negative reaction to Susan G. Komen and yeah...ya girl is DONE.

See...I know I'm blessed and I know I've always been.  I've never had a period of time in my life where I didn't have the best healthcare possible.  I also know I'm not the norm because LOTS of Americans can't say the same.

I've never been to a health clinic but I'm glad to know they exist.  I'm the type of American who wants Americans to have what they need to survive.  EVEN IF THEY CAN'T PAY FOR IT.  We're not a third world country.  This is something we CAN do.

Again...I don't wear my status as a cancer survivor on my sleeve but I do speak up when I see some seriously crappy crap being rolled out.

Be a better person.

If you want to help...donate to Planned Parenthood or the American Cancer Society.  Help save a life that is just as valuable as my life was.  Help somebody who doesn't have it as good as we do.

We're better than this.

Fug Susan G. Komen and their right wing bullshit rhetoric.  I'm ashamed I was once a supporter.  Sheesh.

Geico "Ew. Seriously. So Gross"

99% Better!

I'm feeling much better.  Just a bit of congestion left and then I'll be back to my normal breathing cranky-because-I'm-cranky-and-not-because-I'm-sick-self!

By the way...anybody want Shelly?  I was telling her about something I need help with this morning and she stated that if I paid her $95K she'd move up here and take care of it for me so I nevr had to worry about it.

o_0

I recognize attempts to exploit.  LOL!

GO ME!

Wait...I was sick for 10 days.  That seems like a lot.  The last time you were sick...how long did it take?

Cold Explosion

Have you been sick this year yet?

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

How many times have you worked out this week?

Question...

Have you ever had one of those lil painful bump thingys in your ear?  Where in the hell does that come from?  Sheesh!

Break Yourself Off Fool!

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

How do you feel about your choice?

Convo at 13700: Salty Snacks

A friend asked me do I ever crave salty snacks around Midol Week.

Me:  Absolutely.

Friend:  Do you buy potato chips?

Me:  Not really. I'll buy veggie and flax chips every now and then but certainly not monthly.  I just had some this Sunday with guacamole.

Her:  How do you deal with the salt craving?

Me:  Olives.  Hummus and carrots or celery.  A couple of slices of turkey breast.  Stuff like that.

Her:  Oh...I buy chips.

Me:  If you're not eating them every day...it shouldn't really be a biggie.

Her:  You make me feel bad about what I eat.

Me:  Stop talking to me.  Bye.

What do YOU eat when you're craving salt as many of us do during Midol Week?

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM): Fitbit Wireless Activity / Sleep Tracker

Fitbit Wireless Activity/Sleep Tracker

ROFL!

The gift that keeps on giving.

So...it seems to me that she only came forward cuz she is going to be the spokesperson for some Diabetes stuff.  ROFL!  You gotta give it to her man...that's hustling smart.  That's making money by any means necessary.  Just...wow.

Paula Deen: I Have Type 2 Diabetes

What say YOU?  Does this change your opinion about her in any way?

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

Are you drinking enough water?

(TIP:  If you used the bathroom and your urine is closer to the color of apple juice than to lemonaid you soooooooo aren't.)

Work It OUT!

When was the last time you worked out?

What did you do?

Are you working out with a plan or a goal or do you just work out?

Scenario...

You are doing well in all aspects of life.

You're overweight.

15 pounds more than you were this time last year.

35 pounds more than you were year before last.

You go to your family doctor for your annual physical.

You've been going to the same doctor for years.

Your doctor tells you that he's concerned about your weight and that, since there is nothing physically wrong with you and you're smart, he wants you to go to a psychologist because it's nothing he can obviously help you with since you're not doing any of the things you know you should do.

You good?

Break Yourself Off Fool!

What did you eat for breakfast this morning? 

I stopped asking yall cuz yall stopped answering but turns out a lot of you miss it as a tool you use to hold  yourself accountable.

Me?  I had water and lemon, coffee and oatmeal with fresh blueberries so far.  I say so far because I usually pace out what I eat in the morning because if I do anything too heavy it makes my tummy hurt when I work out and if I eat too light...I got too hungry working out.  LOL!  I usually just have some yogurt and fruit but I've been doing dairy minimally.

I gotta tell yall about the South Beach Diet that Robby and some of my friends have been doing.  Robby and one of my friends started last Tuesday and have lost between 7 and 10 pounds each.  Cool huh?  I'm getting emails from a lot of folks saying they are having similar results. 

Oh well...getting off track...AGAIN.  What did YOU eat for breakfast this morning?  Did you make a good choice?????

Interesting...

How to Calculate Your Weight Loss Goal

Contemplating Suicide

One of the loveliest people I knew was a double amputee.  She was smart as heck and funny and truly the sweetest woman alive.  She loved hard and she called me Molly. 

Why?

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

When was the last time you weighed yourself?  Were you happy with the result?

Question...

If you could know if you were at an elevated risk for Alzheimer's disease...would you want to?

Traci Anderson Metamorphosis

I'm considering buying this program.  The other night in the hotel I turned the television on and took a call before I changed the channel.  When I completed my phone call...I looked up at the television and the infomercial about this program was on and I ended up watching it.

It made sense and I thought about it but didn't pull the trigger.

I thought about it some more today and went to the website to read up more on what would be considered my body type based on Traci's system:

Medicare / Medicaid

Do you know anything about either of these?

An Aetna commercial just came on talking about helping folks answer questions about Medicare.  I figured I'd take up all kinds of time cuz seriously...I know NOTHING!

What about you?

Do you know what to do to sign up?

Do you know anyone using these yet?  What about your parents?

Plant Based Diets

A guy I know and respect just had a scare of a lifetime recently.

See...a good friend of his died of a heart attack so he went to get checked out.

While there...he found he had a 100% blockage of one of his arteries.

They did a stint pretty immediately and it turns out it is hereditary for him.

I was shocked when I heard this because, if you looked at him, he was the picture of health.  He worked out often, ate well, and seemed to have a good balance of family/work.

It brought him to the realization that he needed to change up his lifestyle with the quickness so he just shared with me that he is in the beginning stages of a plant-based diet.

Plant-Based Diet for Beginners: How to Get Started

I think Imma get Robby checked out.

We don't eat a lot of red meat.  In fact...I try and keep it to once a month but sometimes it's twice.  It's been twice this month and now...I'm feeling some kinda way.  Cuz we had a ribeye one day and a filet mignon a week later. 

Yeah...Imma get him checked out using the cardiac nuclear scan test.

I gotta keep on top of this ya know?

Again...I'm not worried but this dude I know and respect?  He was the PICTURE.OF.HEALTH.

And so was his friend from what I gather.

I don't think I could give  up meat unless we had to...but yeah...I'll cut waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in an instant.

Do you get concerned too? 

 

Medicine of Choice

When you're sick and take over the counter drugs...what are your drugs of choice?

Cootie Clouds

 

I try my best to stay off the Metro but when you're in the city hopping from spot to spot...it's kinda inevitable that you'll have to hop on.

And that's where I think I ran into a cootie cloud cuz now I'm sniffling and sneezing and all achy-crappy-grumpy feeling.

I remember watching a video like this on the Discovery Channel years ago.  If you don't cover your mouth when you sneeze...I'm truly hoping this will make you start. 

STOP.MAKING.COOTIE.CLOUDS!

Thank you in advance.

Organ Donating/Selling

If you could ethically get paid for selling your organs...would you ever consider it?

Do you think people should be allowed to pay for organs?

Lemonade or Lighter

"Stay Hydrated.  It helps keep joints lubricated.  The best indicator that you're getting enough water:  the color of your urine and the frequency of which you go.  If you urinate often and it's clear or the color of lemonade, you're well hydrated.  If it looks more like apple juice, it's time to drink up, says Kari Kooi, R.D., of Houston's Methodist Hospital."

I subscribe to this.

What about you?

Doctor, Doctor...give me the news...

The last time you changed doctors...what was your reason?

BMI?

What's YOUR BMI?

Calculate your Body Mass Index:  BMI Calculator

A Squat Toilet??????

I was reading more information about that clean program and ran across this comment from Amazon on the book about the program:

A key element everyone misses is the squat toilet. I traveled to Asia and saw how most people their have flat stomachs. They squat to eliminate. That is the key. Google nature's platform and get the adjustable squat toilet. That combined with the Clean program or something similar will help.

Also thank you for posting the steps to the Clean program!!

So I asked Mr. Google about squat toilets and the claim made about flat tummmies.

Some benefits of using squat toilets are:

• It is less expensive and easier to clean and maintain.^[2]
• It does not involve any contact between the buttocks and thighs with a potentially unsanitary surface.^[3]
• Squatting might help to build the required exhaust pressure more comfortably and quickly.^[4]
• Squatting makes elimination faster, easier and more complete.^[5]
• Elimination in squatting posture protects the nerves that control the prostate, bladder and uterus from becoming stretched and damaged.^{[6][unreliable source?]}
• Squatting relaxes the puborectalis muscle which normally chokes the rectum in order to maintain continence.^[7]
• Squatting securely seals the ileocecal valve, between the colon and the small intestine. In the conventional sitting position, this valve is unsupported and often leaks during evacuation.^[8]
• For pregnant women, squatting avoids pressure on the uterus when using the toilet. Daily squatting helps prepare the mother-to-be for a more natural delivery.^[9]
• Squatting may reduce the occurrence or severity of hemorrhoids^[1][10] and possibly other colorectal disorders such as diverticulosis^[11] and appendicitis.^[12]

It's all very, very interesting.

What say you?  Would YOU squat only if you knew it would help make your tummy flatter???????

 

Cleansing?

Have you ever done a cleanse?  Which one?  Did you feel better?  Would you do it again?  Would you recommend?

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

Have you ever used Dr. Tichenors back in the day?  Remember how that madness used to BURRRRRRRRRRN?

Sick Plan

If you got sick...like REAL sick...who would you lean on to take care of you?  Do you have supplemental insurance?

Things that piss me off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate it when I hear that someone died of breast cancer.

It makes me sooooooooooooooooo mad!

Early detection saves lives.

GOING TO THE DOCTOR SAVES LIVES!

Once a year, around your birthday (so you don't forget) you need to have get your annual check-ups.

Full physical, pap smear, etc.

GOING TO THE DOCTOR SAVES LIVES!

Please...go to the gotdamn doctor.

Value your life.

Monica Mingo, Cancer Survivor, 19 Years and STILL going strong.

Question...

What in the HELL is surgical mesh???????????????????????????  iCan't!