Healthy Fat Giveaway

So, in my quest towards Real Food, otherwise known as SOLE (sustainable, organic, local, ethical) food, I've been investigating healthy fats. I have moved almost entirely away from all vegetable oils and margarine. For us, it's cold expeller-pressed olive oil and butter from grass-fed cows all the way, baby.

Something that I have wanted to try though is frying in beef tallow. Did you know that beef tallow (rendered fat from cows) can be a healthy fat? If you get your meat or tallow from happy cows raised in a healthy environment, the fat is good-for-you! Per U.S. Wellness Meats' blog, one of the reasons to switch to grass-fed beef is that it is high in omega 3s (the "essential fatty acid") and CLA (an anti-carcinogen shown, among other things, to increase lean body mass, prevent arteriosclerosis and slow or halt diabetes).

Right now, Kelly the Kitchen Kop, a Real Food blogger, is hosting a giveaway of a tub of healthy beef tallow from U.S. Wellness Meats. The 36-pound tub is normally sold for almost a hundred bucks, but you could get it for free to make all sorts of deliciousness. Go on over, start reading and enter the giveaway today!

HA!

Everyone I know must read this. NOW. It made me spit out my drink and most of my internal organs with laughter.

Then, come back here and tell me your thoughts on: a) how it absolutely stinks that Glee was not on this week, b) this week's episode of Top Chef, and c) my inability to keep off any of the weight I lose.

Donor Insemination Research Project

H/t to Somewhat Ordinary (she has a private blog) for the idea.

Recently, Mel posted in the LFCA about a donor insemination research project. In case you missed the blurb, I'll repost it here.

This is "a research project examining the way in which the Internet is used to facilitate donor insemination; to negotiate access to donor sperm, to establish kinship ties or as a support network, for example. The experiences of anyone invested in sperm donation are sought: this could be women/couples who have been recipients of donor sperm, children from donor sperm or the sperm donors themselves."

I recently contacted the researcher and she told me that she would be looking to start the research soon, but wanted to make sure that she had enough participants.

If you have used or are using donor insemination to help build your family, I encourage all of you to please contact the researcher here. I'm hoping that we can get a large number of DI bloggers to participate.

It Was Negative

I went in for my beta at 8:30 AM. I did not receive a call until 3:30 PM. They made me wait all fucking day for this.

All these symptoms and it means absolutely nothing. I really thought this was it. It was all for nothing.

Giant289Pig

Please forgive me for interrupting the current programming with a surprise part 3 of our four hundred thousand, seven hundred and ninety two part series...

People Who Hate Me

So, I had to reset a password. The site sent me a temporary password to log in with. Yeah. The title above is my temporary password. They don't even know me and they're calling me a giant pig. Effers.
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In other news, I commented at:

The Pitter-Patter (on her BFN)
The Baby Chase (on her pregnancy after IF)
On (In)fertile Ground (on being lapped)
Local Nourishment (on an awesome reusable grocery bag)
Into the Light Again (asking a question about knitting)

I returned a comment to:
Grace by Inches (aka Girl, Esq. who I know IRL!!) (on making good choices for herself)

Slog Going

Add cons.tip.ati.on to the list of symptoms at 11-12 dpiui (days past the IUI). Ugh. Was laid up last night on the couch with cramps from it, even though I ate an apple and spent all of Glee and Top Chef sipping water.

I'm meeting my mom today for lunch, and we usually go to this restaurant with fabulous veggie burgers. Seriously, they are the best veggie burgers EVER! I'm hoping that the beans in them will help. I'm also counting on the french fries for awesomeness.

Been following the basic routine today of being nauseated except when I'm eating. To paraphrase Sam the Blue Eagle, I'm a weirdo.
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Here's where I've commented today:

Three Is a Magic Number (on Top Chef and organic gardening)
The Privileged Infertile (on her recent weight loss. Go Alison!)
The Pioneer Woman (on some awesome Pac Man jewelry)
I Never Thought It Made Sense Anyway (on the fact that she is a strong, awesome woman)
Banking On It (on side effects from Pr.ome.triu.m)

I returned a comment to:
The Desire of My Heart (on depression and MF results)
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Edited to add: the title of this post should be "Slow Going," but apparently, I can't type. Is that another symptom?

Disc 27!!

Warning: This post is going to be all over the place.

Coming down the home stretch for the end of this two week wait. My beta is scheduled for Monday morning. I've been feeling increasingly dizzy over the past three days and the amount of nausea that I have has also increased. There's also intermittent breast tenderness in there too (though definitely not as much before I miscarried).

I went to acupuncture and yoga yesterday. I think the acupuncture helped the dizziness. We were doing guided imagery in yoga though, and at one point, my teacher started talking about the ocean and a lotus blossom floating in the waves. Nausea City, people. Of course, then, for absolutely no reason, I started thinking about fried chicken and the nausea subsided. Darn, now I want fried chicken!
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This post's title refers to the fact that after a long, hard slog, I have finally made it to the last disc in my audiobook on the Korean War, The Coldest Winter by David Halberstam. DISC 27, baby!

I am a history buff, but generally concentrate on much earlier periods in Europe -- pretty much anywhere from the Middle Ages through the late 19th century. In my high school history class, we never got past the early stages of World War II, so I've always felt lacking in knowledge of the 1950s - 1970s.

David Halberstam's The Coldest Winter came highly recommended as a good study of the reasons for and actions during The Korean War. I genuinely enjoyed the book, but don't think it translates very well as an audiobook. Halberstam makes frequent digressions to talk about the personal histories of the main figures and this makes the reader lose place and confuse context.

I would like to give huge marks to the narrator, Scott Brick, who has a great, clear voice and speaks with just the right amount of feeling.
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So far, so good. John Dear is doing good at his new job. He's been getting up and out the door early to get to work on time, and he's determined to pull his fair share of the household responsibilities.

There are a few kinks that we need to work out, but I think that everything is going well (knock on wood).
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Today marks the start of IComLeaveWe for October. This comes at the perfect time to distract myself from the 2ww.

Here's where I've commented today:

One Day Two Day (it was her birthday! three weeks ago. whoops.)
Kitchen Stewardship (in response to an anti-abortion post)
Ship Full of Pirates (on her lemon curd recipe)
Not the Jet Set (on her baking mix recipe)
Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free (on her pumpkin dog biscuits recipe)

I returned a comment from:
Who Shot My Stork? (on the one day I happened to be productive)

First Day

Today is JD's first day of work at his new job. Thank G-D.

Since I got up early to help him get out of the house on time, I was able to accomplish a ton last night and this morning.

Last night I:
-Filled and ran the dishwasher
-Filled the tea pot for the morning
-Set out mugs, teabags and spoons
-Set out our clothes for the morning
-Charged JD's phone
-Set up my bags and bag of dry cleaning by the door

This morning I:
-Made the bed
-Made tea
-Emptied the dishwasher
-Put all the breakfast dishes, spoons, etc. in the dishwasher
-Brought in the dry cleaning
-Deposited checks at the bank and took out money
-Brought The Boy to day care

I wonder if I can keep this level of effectiveness up?

WFMW: Fertility Help

I have always been a tea drinker, but never got into herbal teas until we started struggling with infertility. Now, I try to incorporate various blends to help with my overall health and fertility. I use ARTeas (assisted reproductive technology teas) from my integrative care center and I believe you can buy them on their website.

During my current two week wait, I'll be drinking an Implantation blend. Here's what's in it:

Lemon Citrus - for flavor
Wild Yam Root - Supports liver and balances hormones
Skullcap - Supports heart and essence; calms the mind
Chamomile - Calms nervousness; good digestive aid; anti-inflammatory
Red Raspberries - Good uterine tonic
Black Haw - Uterine tonic; may help in preventing miscarriage
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Need ovulation predictor kits or pregnancy tests? You can get 10 for FREE from this website! (Hat tip to Hillary from Making Me Mom for passing on this offer.)

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Want to see more helpful hints and tips? Check out the What Works for Me Wednesday blog carnival this week and every week at We Are THAT Family.

I'm Kreativ!

I just got the Kreativ Blogger award from ma chere Clare of The Pitter-Patter. Thank you very much!

The Rules:

1) Thank the person who gave you this award.

2) Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3) Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

4) Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.

5) Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

6) Link to your nominees' blogs.

7) Leave them a comment letting them know they've been nominated.

The Things:

1) I eat sandwiches and Reese's cups in circles -- all the way around the edges, then I eat the middles.

2) A song on the radio that I heard when I was 5 scared me off of listening to the radio for the next 7 years. It was "Muskrat Love" by The Captain & Tenille.

3) I totally beat John Dear's 5 and 6 year old nephews at Disney DDR. I told the family I was keeping my amateur status for the Olympics.

4) I have become an utter Gleek.

5) My shoe obsession: ballet flats.

6) I have six articles of hockey memoribilia in my office (two bobbleheads, one clapper, two posters, one wristband).

7) I'm working towards keeping kosher and have cut out pork and am now working to cut out shellfish.

My Nominees:

1) Dreaming of Quiet Places

2) On (In)fertile Ground

3) No, I'm Not Pregnant, Just Fat

4) Baby Making Journey

5) Baby OCD

6) Flotsam

7) The Privileged Infertile

PWHM - Part 2

Thank you for all of your good wishes for John Dear and myself. We really appreciate all your good thoughts. :)

It's time for part 2 in our four hundred fifty seven thousand part series...

People Who Hate Me

The people hating me today are the makers of Pr.om.etri.um. I just started it this morning and am already feeling incredibly dizzy and nauseated.* Blech. My mind keeps going to the group vomit scene in The Office. I could've totally nailed that scene. Heh.

In other news, we saw our RE today who told me that a) we do have a plan in case this cycle is negative (4 more OPK-predicted dIUIs) and b) I can get a flu shot. So, I'll be doing that on Wednesday and hopefully not puking.

I woke up at 6 AM so that I could get my walking in before work. It was freezing. I did not know this before going out, so wasn't wearing a jacket. It became fall in like a day and a half here. I am an iceberg; I am awesome.

*Just for my own notes: I had regular nausea early this morning upon waking. Heartburn around 10 AM. Major nausea throughout lunchtime. Dizziness starting after lunch and continuing this afternoon.

Good News

John Dear has a JOB!

He'll be starting next Monday, doing the computer contracting that he used to do, only this time with a Pigs In Space vibe, as opposed to the Secret Squirrels vibe that he had concentrated on. We're both sooooo excited! Hooray!

I'm hoping that doing good things for ourselves (exercise, eating good, pain management, prayer, etc.) is helping us to turn things around and bring good things into our lives.

Oh, and dIUI #3 is on for tomorrow and Sunday. I've got my lucky socks, jewelry and acupuncture all lined up. Let's do it!

Due to the vagaries of scheduling, our "follow up" with the RE is for Monday. What are we going to discuss? I'd just like to know what the plan is if Project Insemination - Season 3 is not a success.

One Word Meme

I'm pretty sure I did this meme before, but I like it, so deal.

Answer the questions below with only one word.


1. Where is your cell phone? Purse

2. Your hair? Highlighted

3. Your mother? Friend

4. Your father? Close

5. Your favorite food? All

6. Your dream last night? Scary

7. Your favorite drink? Tea

8. Your dream/goal? Baby

9. What room are you in? Office

10. Your hobby? Reading

11. Your fear? Electrocution

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Maryland

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. Something that you aren't: Boring

15. Muffins? Blueberry

16. Wish list item: Canner

17. Where did you grow up? Maryland!

18. Last thing you did? File

19. What are you wearing? Work

20. Your TV? TiVo!

21. Your pets? Boy

22. Friends? Best

23. Your life? Ongoing

24. Your mood? Hopeful

25. Missing someone? Girls

26. Vehicle? Hybrid

27. Something you're not wearing? Heels

28. Your favorite store? Container

29. Your favorite color? Green

30. Last time you laughed? Three

31. Last time you cried? Therapy

32. Best friend? Bombacita

33. Place that you go to over and over? Clinic

34. Person who emails you regularly? Mentor

35. Favorite place to eat? Paradou

PWHM Series: Part 1

Welcome to the introduction of a new series, dear Readers, the first edition of our special report:

People Who Hate Me

Part 1: My Accountant
I'm pretty sure that my accountant hates me because I am sending her the docs to do my 2008 tax return today. Yep, that's right. She's getting 1 week to do my return.*

I'm not even certain if I have all the necessary docs in the package that I'm sending to her. I'm feeling pretty guilty about it, but I figure 1) better some info than none, and 2) better late than never.

There are some things that I am really on the ball about and some things where I utterly am not. When it comes to taxes, the ball is on another continent. I am not on it, under it, over it or in it.

I have good intentions for our 2009 taxes though. I got a green box at the Container Store to store all my financials papers in so they'll all be in one place. My goal is to get all the information (except for the company docs) into the accountant by April, 2010.


*Due to the way that finances are calculated in the company for which I work, I am not able to file my tax returns till October 15th, even though most returns in the US are due April 15th.

Pain Management

So, while I get over a bad cold, I thought I'd update on John Dear's medical issues.

Last week, he had his first appointment with a chronic pain management clinic. Thank G-D his doctor certified him for this. The aim here is not to eliminate JD's pain (we're not sure if it will ever be eliminated), but to bring it down to a manageable level so that he can work and live.

They put him on two new meds - painkillers that work a lot like modern anti-depressants. Here's how in layman's terms: modern anti-depressants, your Zolofts, your Prozacs, work by preventing the brain from absorbing too much serotonin (a chemical that works on emotions). When the brain absorbs too much serotonin and doesn't leave enough floating around, you get depressed.

JD's new meds work in a similar fashion. They prevent his brain from absorbing too much "painotonin". When the brain absorbs too much painotonin and doesn't leave enough floating around, you get pain.

So far, the meds really seem to be working. The other day, JD remarked, "You know, my foot is at a two on the pain scale. I don't remember the last time I was at a two!"

I'm trying to be guardedly optimistic. There's a long way to go. So much of JD's emotional work has been put on hold because of his pain. I think that, with the management of this pain, he's going to have to face some real demons. But, I have hope. We're finally moving forward.

Mad IFers' Tea Party (Recipe Inside!)

Today is the Mad IFers' Tea Party, hosted by Clare at The Pitter-Patter. Go over to her site to sit and have a cuppa and some treats with us! (Also, happy 30th birthday to my brother, who never got his wish to be older than me, but did grow much taller than me).

In honor of the party, I'm virtually baking a favorite cookie recipe, Honey Walnut Coins. I bake these cookies for Rosh Hashanah, and they are a perfect cookie for fall and go especially well with a good cup of tea or coffee.

Honey Walnut Coins (as adapted from My Mahtha)
Makes 48 cookies -- Pareve or Dairy

2 sticks (8 oz.) unsalted butter or margarine, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for shaping
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/3 cup honey, plus 1/4 cup (warmed until liquid) for brushing
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. salt

Preheat your oven to 350° F. Spread the walnuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes.

In a food processor, pulse flour, salt and 3/4 cup of the toasted walnuts until finely chopped.

In a mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add sugar and beat until pale and fluffy, about 2 more minutes. Beat in 1/3 cup honey. Reduce speed to low. Add the flour mixture and beat until just combined (dough will begin to come together). Shape into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours (up to 2 days).

After dough has been chilled for proper time, preheat your oven to 325° F. Let the dough stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Pinch off about 2 teaspoons of dough and roll into a 1-inch ball. Repeat, spacing balls about 1 inch apart on greased or lined baking sheets.

Dip the flat bottom of a glass in flour and use to flatten the cookie balls to 1/2 -inch thick discs. Periodically re-flour the bottom of the glass so that it does not stick to the cookie dough. Press one of the remaining toasted walnut pieces into the center of each cookie.

Bake, rotating sheets about halfway through, until edges are pale golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks and brush cookies with warm honey.

Let cool and serve. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Note: I first made these cookies using a mixture of half white and half whole-wheat flour. If you choose to do this (meaning, you didn't do it because you didn't check how much white flour you had on hand when you started baking), I'd increase the amount of honey in the batter a little to keep the dough more fluid and less dense.