Blood pressure, B-vitamins and less me!

Hi,

I've not taken my blood pressure for a while and since it has been an issue when I've not specifically been "doing something" for it, like apple cider vinegar, it has tended to be a bit high. I'm excited to report that I took it night before last and got a reading equal to my previous "lowest reading" I had posted in my blog -- 137/74. I was pleased! It's not "perfect," but is most definitely acceptable and not needing meds. Woo Hoo!! All I can attribute it to is this adrenal program I'm on, specifically thinking of the sublingual B-complex.

Also, I've not really lost any weight this month. It's been discouraging since I am on a "diet." I know the diet is not for the purpose of weight loss, rather to heal my adrenals, but I was hoping that would be a side effect! Last week I started wondering if things weren't maybe moving around, ie. inches lost. I nearly lost my pants at the store because of carrying things in my pockets. I had to give my stuff to my daughter. Then, I tried to wear a shirt yesterday that had previously fit, and it was too big. I weighed myself and have not lost anything significant since I started. I measured -- I've lost 2" pretty evenly distributed. That makes a total of almost 6" since starting, with no discernable weight lost! I've always said the scale was a cheat and a liar!

I'm going to do a "Three Day" diet with my friends hoping to straighten out their body clocks and help my own sleep pattern. We are going to only eat meat, green veggies, nuts, a little sour cream in the form of dip, pork rinds, salad dressing, butter or oil for the veggies and beans (dry legumes.) I'm also going to continue my "green drink" and my supplements. After the three days, then we will add some fruit and see how we feel. I'm hoping to get to where I do not need a nap at all, eventually.

Oh, and I've discovered that my Flax Cereal recipe (in my books) makes up quite nicely just by adding boiling water rather than putting it into the microwave. So easy!

Blessings,

Sharron

Low Carb Flax Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are kind of a prescription in a cookie. They have flax with all its wonderful essential fatty acids and fiber, almonds with their heart-healthy fats, too, and fiber, soy protein, molasses...

Here's a quote about molasses from the World's Healthiest Foods site:

Blackstrap molasses is an excellent source of manganese and copper. It is a very good source of iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. In addition, blackstrap molasses is a good source of vitamin B6 and selenium.

SteviaPlus with its fiber and blood sugar stabilizing properties, agave nectar that's sweet but doesn't raise the blood sugar, walnuts ...

Here we go!

Low Carb Flax Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is NOT a gluten free recipe
Makes 16 cookies

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine the following ingredients in a bowl and set them aside:

3/4 cup flax seeds, ground to 1 1/2 cups or 1 1/2 cups flaxmeal

1 cup finely ground almonds

1 cup soy protein isolate

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons SteviaPlus

In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the following until they are light and fluffy, about two minutes:

1 tablespoon molasses

3 tablespoons agave nectar

3/4 cup butter, softened

Add

2 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

and beat for another minute, until they are well beaten.

Gradually add on low speed until they are well combined:

1 cup dark chocolate chips*

1/2 cup broken walnut meats

Using a 1/4 cup measure or a scoop, scoop out the cookies and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. They do not spread out, so you can put quite a few on a pan. Press the tops down so that the cookies are as flat as you want them to be when they are done, about 1/2" thick. Bake them for about 10 minutes and remove them to paper towels to cool immediately. Store tightly covered.

I no longer have a program with which to figure nutritional info, but because these are so fiber-dense, the actual carb count on these babies is going to be pretty low.

*Note about the chocolate. You could use artificially sweetened chocolate and break it up into chips, however, my goal here was to keep everything all-natural. The chips I use are dark chocolate with 73% cocoa. Their carb count is actually pretty low, though I don't remember what it is. You could also decrease the chocolate by 1/2 and double the nuts for even fewer carbs, but still a very yummy treat.

My kids and I enjoyed them, I hope you do, too!

Stuff & continuing to improve...

Hi,

I'm continuing to improve health-wise. I'm completely off all pain medication -- even over the counter naproxen. I've not taken any for almost a week, and the only reason I did then was because I saw the chiropractor! Kind of ironic, eh? I'm generally having more energy. Sleep is so-so. I think maybe the naproxen might have been some of my sleep problem. Since I went off it, I'm regularly sleeping 2 to 3 hour stretches rather than 45 minute to 1 1/4. I'd sure like a more normal sleep pattern, though. I still might be eating too many carbs.

Aaron is improving. We can sure tell when he's had too many carbs! He has trouble sleeping and is wild.

I'm experimenting with a sugar-free cookie recipe for us right now. If it works, I'll post it. If not, then forget I mentioned it!! :)

Blessings,

Sharron

A good day!

Hi!

Today was the best day that I can remember in some time for my son, Aaron.  It is slow going with the healing process of the adrenals, but we are definitely seeing progress.  Today, for the first time in ages, my son had a "normal" day.  He was neither sick nor hyperactive.  I'm not saying it was a perfect day.  He did end up with a bit of a headache by the end of school, but I think he was just needing to eat and drink.  As soon as we ate lunch, he felt fine.  Also, with regard to the hyperactivity, instead of him not being able to control his mouth or himself, this time I only needed to remind him.  I explained the difference between what "you CAN do and what you SHOULD do."  Then, when he did something he shouldn't, a gentle reminder was all that was needed.  Two weeks ago, even two days ago, it would have done no good.

I had a good day, too.  I did crash / get sleepy in the morning, but I did not fall asleep.  It wasn't overwhelming sleepiness and eating just a few sunflower seeds took care of it.  That was all I needed.  Then, after lunch I was "lethargic" -- sleepy and slug-like, but again, it wasn't overwhelming.  I did take a nap, but only about an hour rather than the 2+ I've been taking!  I didn't feel so brain-starved after I woke up, either.  I've had good energy the rest of the day.

I'm looking forward to many more such days and even better ones!

Blessings,

Sharron

Continuing to feel better & losing it

Ha!  Did I get you?  No, I did not lose my temper or my sanity!  I've lost 5 pounds :)

Also, I'm feeling better.  I didn't sleep on the way to or from church this evening.  This is the first time in ages that I haven't done that.  

I'm still having sleep apnea issues.  I've been forgetting my mouth exercises.  Oops!  They won't help if I don't do them.

I am excited about my improved energy.

Blessings,

Sharron

Salisbury Steak Recipe

Hi,

I wanted to do something different with ground beef and found Salisbury Steak recipe.  I modified it and this is what I came up with.  It is neither gluten free nor low carb.

2 1/2 pounds regular ground beef

8 ounces mushrooms, finely chopped (optional, but not really!)

1/2 cup sweet onion, finely chopped

3/4 cup whole rolled oats 

2 eggs

1 can cream of mushroom soup (you could substitute 1 cup of sour cream or yogurt)

1 tablespoon prepared brown mustard

1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt

3/4 teaspoon lemon pepper

3/4 teaspoon basil

Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Mix them together by hand or with an electric mixer until the consistency is uniform.  Shape the meat mixture into patties and place them on a large baking sheet and bake them at 350 for about 20 minutes or until they are done.  Alternatively, they can be fried or frozen for later use once made into patties.  Serves 8.

Enjoy!

Sharron S. Long c2009 Adams Media Corporation

Author of Extreme Lo-Carb Cuisine, available where books are sold

B-12 Sublingual continued benefit

Hi,

I've been continuing to take extra of the B-12 sublingual B-Complex liquid.  I just take about 1/2 dropper whenever I feel weak, shakey, tired, hurting, etc., and it really seems to be helping with my pain level and the adrenal fatigue.  

This morning we had a showing (house for sale) and I crashed about 1/2 hour before we were supposed to leave.  I was completely fatigued with fibromyalgia symptoms (muscle pain and weakness, etc.)  There was still quite a bit of work left to do.  I got a glass of water, took some of the B-Complex sublingual liquid and put my feet up for about five minutes.  Sure, it would have been nice to have been able to just go to sleep, but I didn't have the time for it.  Instead, I was able to just get up and go back to work.  I wasn't at full strength, but considering I was completely exhausted when I sat down, just getting back up is pretty amazing!  

People are starting to see the difference in me.  Yesterday, my friend, B, commented on it and this evening my in-laws noticed that I was joking around and being silly.  Usually, I'm just tired and sit there when we go over there.  Not tonight!  I was up, helping with the meal and being corny, too :)

I hope these posts are helping someone.

Blessings,

Sharron

Sublingual B-12 Complex and Fish Oil

Hi,

I was not feeling well today, (TOM), but couldn't use my regular remedy of molasses because of the sugar content.  I remembered how much better after I took that extra dose of the B-12 liquid (B Complex), so I decided to try it.  It actually helped!  I didn't feel fantastic by any stretch of the imagination, but I was able to function.  I needed to re-dose about every two hours, and I only gave myself 1/2 the normal dosage.  I checked a couple of medical websites to make sure there's no risk of toxicity, and there isn't.  I could tell when it was going out of my system; I would feel all tired and shakey again.  I then re-dosed and was able to function again.

I read on Kalidasa's website about how Fish Oil is supposed to help completely eliminate monthly cycle problems.  He says it can take up to three months, but sometimes benefit can be seen in a month.  Well, I know it helped me today.  After I got the fish oil, I took two of them along with my B-12 and I felt better than without it.  I'm encouraged!  

I purchased 1000 mg capsules of lemon flavored fish oil.  I muscle tested with a couple of different brands.  Some I was very weak with, but this one was fine.

Blessings,

Sharron

A Poem for Memorial Day

In Loving Memory by Sharron Long 2009

They were noble men of valor

Loved by their comrades

Esteemed by their peers

They heard the call

To serve their country

With Pride

Over the Land and

Over the Sea

They went

Fearlessly,

They faced

The enemy

They fought on different

Continents in different

Countries

Their wars were not the same

But their hearts

Shared the same vision

The vision is

That all men can be

Free

Let us not

Take that

Freedom lightly

Let us

Preserve it with

All that we are

America!

The Land of the Free

The home of the Brave

Lord, Please

Let us remain

Free

I wrote this poem in memory of my father, Russell L. Sisung, my brother, Russell A. Sisung and my brother-in-law, Timothy Yates. May their service, and the service of all the others, never be forgotten.

Blessings,

Sharron

Stress and Sublingual B-12 Complex

Hi,

We had a very stressful morning around here.  I put us all on this "heal our adrenal glands" diet and supplementation regimine two days ago.  I'm doing fine with it -- a bit of cravings, but I've done this before and know what to expect.  My kids, esp. my son, aren't having such an easy time with it.  Oh, he was grumpy this morning.  We got into a couple of significant Exchanges of Opinions that I'm sure sent my blood pressure through the cieling!  

I sent them all outside so I could cool down.  I felt like my head was going to explode from the stress.  Also, my pain level was pretty high overall.  I was having "nerve pain" running up and down my leg from my L-5/S-1 to my heal and back again.  Then I saw the B-12 Sublingual B-complex liquid sitting next to me.  I thought, "It surely can't hurt!"  I took a dropperful, which is the standard dosage, and within a couple of minutes I was feeling better.  About 15 minutes later I took some sea salt on my tongue.  By the time 1/2 hour had passed, my pain was completely within tolerable limits.  I was, also, calmed down and ended up having a really good evening.  I'm very pleased.

Praise the Lord for guiding me!

Slept better!

Just a quick note that for the first time in ages, I only got up once during the night!  I did not get a full 7 or 8 hours of sleep because I needed to get up fairly early, but I did have a 3 1/2 hour stretch of sleep and another 3 hour one.  For me, lately, that is amazing.

Hubby reported that I still snored a lot.

I, also, observed yesterday that earlier in the day I did not have any back pain.  I kept my carbs really low.  Later, after we ate dinner in which we had potatoes, my back hurt, and it still does this morning.  I don't know if it was having the potatoes or having too many potatoes that is the problem.

And I can't remember if I've blogged about it or not, but hubby had applied for a job in CA.  That one looks as though it has fallen through.  However, there is another possibility, also, in CA.  We submitted an application last night, and I'm going to call on it this morning.  Prayers appreciated!

Blessings,

Sharron

A Great Verse...

"Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31