Why I am running for Mrs. Idaho

What a great way to celebrate some major changes I have made in my life. I am running for Mrs. Idaho America. It brings me great joy to share my story. I have been so blessed to speak to so many people about the positive changes I have made since being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Here is my story to share.

I was pregnant with my 3rd child at age 37. I went in for my normal check up. As I stepped on the scale and noticed I had a 10 pound weight gain. I simply could not believe my eyes. The nurse softly said do you have diabetes? I said NO!! She then started quickly looking through my chart and said that is weird I can't find your blood work from your gestational diabetes test. She then went on to say she would give the Lab a call. As she walked back towards me looking down I felt something wasn't right. She said I am so sorry to let you know but your test came back positive. I asked why I was not notified and she said somehow my test results did not come over from the lab.

She sent me right over for a 3 hour blood glucose test and I again tested positive. Knowing I only had 6 weeks until my due date I needed to work fast and learn all I could to know how to eat and what to do to better my health for myself and my baby. She gave me a load of paper work to read on gestational diabetes and also gave me food guide lines to follow. I followed the food guide and when I returned each week for testing my test were in range. I felt much relief.

I ended up delivering my baby 3 weeks early so I only knew I had diabetes for 3 weeks of my pregnancy. I had my post glucose tests after my son was born and the nurse said that there was no diabetes showing. I got one more my test the day we went home. Again I was told I could return to regular foods that the diabetes gone.

My son was very sick his first year of life. I was up with him nightly and was at the Doctor office many times to find out he had bronchitis and ear infections. It was really hard on my body because I wasn’t feeling well myself. I could not drop a pound no matter how hard I tried and I was having really bad headaches. I wanted to go to the Doctor to see what was up but my son was so ill I just kept putting it off. Finally I could not take another day of the headaches and I called my Doctor.

Dr. Rick Robert's over at Saltzer medical group. He got me in the next day and did a bunch of tests. He also ended up sending me home with a blood monitor. He taught me how to use it and said now don't get worried I just want to see how your blood sugar test's out. When I get the monitor in a few weeks we will discuss the results. He went on to talk about the different types of diabetes than he said with a smile I see you back in a few weeks. A few weeks past and I went back in to see Dr. Roberts; He asked how I was feeling? I told him I was not feeling any better. :-(

He took the monitor back and had it hooked up to his computer that printed out the results. He came in and said Well, Jill you do have diabetes. I froze and then began to cry. He said listen, I am going to give you a diet plan that will help allot and the pounds will start dropping off. He then said I need to do some type of aerobic program, machine or walking will do but you need to do it faithfully 5 days a week for the next month and then let’s have you back in and see your progress. He then went on to say that he would like me to test my blood before I eat and 1 hr after I eat 3 times a day.

Well, my next visit brought Joy as he told me your numbers look great so I can tell you have been eating right. I stepped on the scale to see a there was a 13 pound loss. I remember the feeling of relief that came over me. I knew what I had to do to get myself better. It was such a pleasing thought to know that I could act upon what my Dr. said to do and I will continue to get good results and that is exactly what I did.

On January 2008 I slipped and fell on black Ice. I had a rotation fall where when I fell my ankle turned both ways and broke on both sides. I had to have surgery and a plate with 6 screws put in my Fibula and while in surgery my surgeon was going to add 3 screws to my Tibia but because it aligned he decided that in the long run it would be better for that bone to heel all the way through. I was on the couch off of my ankle for the 7 weeks than had to use crutches for the next 3+ months. Total healing time was 9 1/2 months.

In that 9 mo I could have sat around and ate and watched the weight come back on. I just could not do that after all the hard work so I did the opposite and with the continuing of eating 6 small meals a day I reached a weight I haven't seen in 14 yrs. I have seriously had to get rid of all of my clothes and start from scratch.

It’s been about 3 yrs since I found out I had diabetes and I have lost 90 pounds now.

I feel great and the best thing of all is sharing my story with others and being able to help others educate themselves with the risk factors of diabetes and start now to live a better healthier life so they don’t have to go through what I went through.

I want to thank Doctor Roberts for being such a great Doctor and teaching me so much about diabetes and what to do to change my life. I also want to thank my family for being there for me though this very big trial and standing by my side cheering me on through my successes.

Dry Skin

I have been dealing with dry skin. I call it winter skin...

I have tried a few things that are making a difference. If you are dealing with this problem take a look at the following and see if any of these improve the problem.

Moisturize More You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care. I have been using an "ointment" moisturizer that's oil-based, instead of a water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. *****Big Hint: Many lotions labeled as (night cream) are oil-based.

But choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for "non clogging" oils, like mineral oil, avocado oil, or even primrose oil.

Shea oil or butter is controversial they may clog the facial pores. Vegetable shortening is a big no no!! It just sits on the skin and makes it greasy it does not absorb into the skin.

You can also look for lotions containing "humectants," including glycerin or alpha hydroxy acids that will make your skin feel great because they actually attract moisture to your skin.

I have been doing my microderm abrasion a little less often but love the alpha hydroxy acids because they really do make a difference.

Here is another thing that has been making a difference. My Humidifier!!! Thank heavens for these. No longer living near the ocean, I love my Humidifier year round. With Central heating as well as dry air it really makes a bad combo. Get a Humidifier and you will love the difference in your skin.

Leave a comment if you have something to share that has worked for you. It's nice to get feedback from others!!

Water is your friend

Why don't I feel well?

The answer is simple: drink water!Water is pure liquid refreshment and accounts for a large percentage of what makes each of us "human." The average 150 lb. adult body contains 40 to 50 quarts of water. Almost 2/3rds of our body weight is "water weight":
Blood is 83% water
Muscles are 75% water
The brain is 74% water
Bone is 22% water
The Fountain of Youth, Health, and Everything Else that's Good Water is necessary for your body to digest and absorb vitamins and nutrients. It also detoxifies the liver and kidneys, and carries away waste from the body. And when it comes to digestion . . . it's just not happening without water. Fiber alone cannot aid proper digestive function by itself. In fact, without water as its partner, good fiber goes bad, causing constipation and extreme discomfort.If you're dehydrated, your blood is literally thicker, and your body has to work much harder to cause it to circulate. As a result, the brain becomes less active, it's hard to concentrate, your body feels fatigued, and you just "poop out." Water - The Miracle Worker Simple water -- when it's pure and free of contaminants -- is truly a "wonder drug." Without chemicals, additives, or anything unnatural, a steady dose of 8 glasses of water a day (ideally ½ your body weight in ounces of water) will:
Improve Your Energy
Increase Your Mental and Physical Performance
Remove Toxins & Waste Products from your body
Keep Skin Healthy and Glowing
Help You Lose Weight
Reduce Headaches and Dizziness
Allow for proper Digestion
Help to keep you more Alkaline
Drinking Water is Heart-Healthy: "Your Body's Many Cries For Just A Good Glass Of Water" most times your “hunger” is your body asking for water – not food. It's also important to remember that when the body is dehydrated, fat cells get "rubbery" and cannot be easily metabolized. This means that it's harder to lose when you don't drink your water. Who Can Benefit From A Water Regimen? Everyone . . . including YOU! Water is especially important for pregnant women and nursing mothers. For athletes and work-out fanatics, drinking water reduces cardiovascular stress and improves performance. And, since water reduces body temperature, it makes the whole exercise process safer and more effective.Water is also an important "healing tool" for people with a history of kidney stones. Since water dissolves calcium in the urine, downing at least 8 glasses daily reduces the risk of stone formation. Drinking water is also valuable in preventing urinary tract infections in both men and for women, flushing impurities out of the system.Even mild dehydration makes you more susceptible to viruses. Water is a powerful weapon in my war on colds and other illnesses. I've also found that water helps me recover more quickly.When your body is hydrated, drainage from allergies and colds doesn't stick and collect in your throat and lungs, and your cough is more "productive". Even cold sores that appear on the lips are minimized by drinking water because those eruptions tend to favor dry areas on the body.Tips for Drinking Water I know how hard it can be to remember to drink enough water every day, but I also know how hard it can be to bounce back from the effects of being even mildly dehydrated. So I'd like to share a few easy tips to help you reach your "water mark" every day:
You are naturally thirsty i.e. “dehydrated” in the morning . . . help your body flush out the toxins it has been processing all night and take advantage of this thirst to get a “leg up” on your daily water requirements by drinking a glass of water first thing.
Don't wait until you're thirsty to have a drink – you are already dehydrated if you feel thirsty.
Set a timer to remind yourself to establish a habit of drinking water and keep a bottle of water with you at all times.
Compensate for diuretics . . . thieves that steal water from your body. If you drink coffee, tea, or sodas with caffeine, you'll need to drink a few extra glasses of water to make up for the water that these diuretic beverages "leech" from your system.

Skin Logics. 3 step program

Skin Logics. 3 step program

We should all be doing a 3 step program, Day and Night.
Cleaning, Tonic and than Moisturizer. We should also use a Facial Scrub as needed.
BeautiControl has a wonderful 3 step program. I remember when I first used my Skin Logics
it took about a week and I noticed a big difference in the texture and clarity of my skin. I have been hooked ever since. Now I just want to share it with everyone.
Contact me by e-mail if you would like to re-order or place an order. Spa.withme@live.com

Eating Right!!

Below are helpful hints on eating healthy. Proteins Chicken breast Turkey breast Lean ground turkey Sord fish Orange roughy Haddock Tuna Salmon Lobster Crab Shrimp Top round steak Top sirloin steak Lean ground beef Buffalo Lean ham Egg whites or substitutes Trout Low-fat cottage cheese Wild-game meat Vegetables Broccoli Asparagus Lettuce Peas Cauliflower Green beans Green peppers Mushrooms Spinach Tomato Carrots Brussels sprouts Artichoke Cabbage Celery Zucchini Cucumber Onion Fats Cold-water fish Sunflower seeds Pumpkin seeds Avocado Natural peanut butter Low-sodium nuts Olives and olive oil Safflower oil Canola oil Sunflower oil Flax seed oil Carbohydrates Baked potato Sweet potato Yams Squash Pumpkin Steamed brown rice Steamed wild rice Pasta Oatmeal Barley Beans Kidney beans Corn Strawberries Melon Apple Orange Fat-free yogurt Whole-wheat bread High-fiber cereal Whole-wheat Tortilla Whole grains Vegetarian Proteins Tempeh Seitan Soy foods Texturized vegetable protein Veggie burgers Fats to Avoid Sweets Fried foods Mayonnaise Butter Whole-fat dairy products

Dancing is great for the soul!!

Ballet dancing started in the 16th century. It became so big that royalty were getting dance masters to teach them ballet. Slow yet steady body movement can relax the soul and the power of ballet dancing can help your body tone and let stress out at the same time. There is a healing power in ballet dancing. Give it a try. You will love how you feel.

Tap dancing is a great, Remember that old advice about punching a pillow when something upsets you? Tap allows you to strike the floor instead! Tap dancing is a form of expression. As you study it, you will find that tap steps and combinations can have moods and ideas associated with them. This can be an excellent way to relieve stress through expressing those emotions! Your soul will thrive after a tap class and you will feel a calm come over you and sleep like a baby that night.

Modern dance is a style of dance that is very emotionally expressive than classical ballet. When modern dancing first got started, the public society did not like it at all, but it eventually grew on them. Now, it is an integral part of the dance world. Modern dance is great exercise and will melt pounds away. Go for it! Sign up for a class and give it a try.

Dancing is even good for your skin. Because of the feeling of well being, dance also brings an excellent glow to the skin, no other tonic, moisturizer could ever be replaced with.

Dancing makes anyone feel on top of the world. The spirit can flow and release stress from body movement. Dance is a perfect way to let your soul soar.

Dancing can make a great date night. Enroll in a 12 week class that teaches varies types of partner dance. The two main styles of ballroom dancing are international style and American style.

The Rumba, Cha Cha, Mambo, Waltz, Swing and Fox trot dances are some of the most popular types of ballroom dancing enjoyed worldwide.Ballroom dancing is formal, social dancing. The word "ball" is from the Latin word ballare, which means dance. Ballroom dancing is done by a couple; one person leads and the other follows the steps. Dancing can bring an emotional bond with your partners soul, as you practice your dance moves at home it's one more way to share time and bond with one another.

So dance your little heart out and let your soul thrive.

The good in the wold that people do!

http://www.justmom.net/

A friend of mine has a great cause. Click on her web page above
and see the great cause in action. Help where you can. This has been a dream of hers and it is so good
to see it come true for her. She is a wonderful person with a great heart. Gina I love you!!!!!!!!!!

Nominated and Honored

Hi friends and all who support this blog. I have been nominated a

LOVE THIS SITE AWARD
Once again I am touched by such a honer and am grateful to those who see my site as useful.
Please take a moment to go to the left side of my blog where you can see the I love this site badge. Click on it to vote.

Thank you so much for your support...

Thank you!!!!!

My cool walking cast. Only I don't do much walking. he!he!

I have been getting lot's of phone calls wondering about my most recent appt to the DR. I thought I would update through my blog and let everyone know what's going on.
First, I want to thank everyone who has added a comment to my post, sweet thoughtful e-mails and endless calls to see how I am doing. Also flowers,plants,gifts,dinners,books, yummy treats,,house cleaning, laundry, help with taking Bryson for a play day, Taking my kids for play days and to the Zoo over spring break, card's in the mail, and a ton of visits from friends. I am grateful I am so lucky to have so many people in my life that care.
It's been a long tough road.
I fell on Jan 29th it's now April 11th. I had surgery and originally prior to surgery the Dr. said he would be putting a plate on my Fibula where I broke in two places which he did. He also said he would be putting screw's in my tibia because it was such a bad brake. As he says "you broke almost to the core of your bone". Amazingly enough when he put the plate on the fibula the tibia bone aligned and there for I did not need any hardware on the tibia. Ok this is all good because I only have one piece of hardware in me and only one scare. The downside is I am still healing and the tibia bone is one of the hardest bones in the body to heal. It takes along time . I am just today for the first time able to start putting 40% of my body weight with my crutches on my leg. 3 x a day up to 15 min at a time. I was so bummed when I saw my Dr. yesterday and he said I'm sorry I can't give you
better news but I will see you back on May 2oth.
Total Bummer. Are you kidding me? I was waiting to hear him say you can start physical therapy, you can start waking and graduate from crutches, wheelchair and being off of your leg. In other words you get your life back. Well, I did not hear what I wanted, but I did start therapy today because of all the other pains, neck,hip and shoulder pain due to the prolonged time I have been on crutches. I have the type of Ins that The Dr does not need to write a RX to have therapy so it was refreshing going to the physical therapy office today and get started on my road to recovery. It looks like I will be in
my walking cast on my cruise this June 6th.
Now that is a bummer, But it's a cruise and much needed cruise and even if in a walking cast hopefully by than I will be closer to getting off crutches and more able to be walking on my walking cast. One other bummer is that it is my right foot so I still wont be able to drive until we get back from the cruise. It's hard having to get rides to Physical therapy and other places but like I said before I am thankful for everyone who has helped out
and has gotten me where I need to go.
Well, There you have it. I still don't go on-line often as I have gotten out of the habit but I have read a ton of good books and have enjoyed that part of my healing process.
Love to all my friends & family. Jill

Spring is near

This is my first post in so long. Having a broken leg sure has not been easy. Having to lay and sit basically all day and having to have my leg elevated above my heart has been the hardest part. On a positive note.I have read allot of good books and feel empowered for that. In a book I read it was talking about health and the importance of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin
". That is because the human body has the potential to make vitamin D from casual sun exposure of short duration. However, sun exposure can put an individual at risk for skin cancer, cataracts, and premature aging. According to the American Academy of Dermatology so remember to use your sun block when you are in the
sun to get your daily dose of vitamin D.
You can also get vitamin D can also be found in some foods if you don't like to go into the sun.
Here are a few foods vitamin D can be found in: Yogurts, vitamin D fortified orange juice, some breakfast cereals and some breakfast bars. It is important to read food labels for vitamin D content.
How much vitamin D do I need?
According to The National Osteoporosis Foundation, experts recommend that adults under age 50 consume a daily intake of 400 to 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D. People age 50 and older need between 800 and 1000 IU. Some people need even more.Your doctor or medical professional can recommend more Vitamin D than recommended for the general population, if you are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency or if you have been diagnosed with low serum vitamin D levels.

Don't Quit

Feeling stressed can take a toll on our body. Sometimes we need to just get away from it all.



My family and I just got back from a 4 day trip. It was a great bonding trip and a stress reliever. I came home feeling ready to get back to being mom and more able to better help others find peace. I had a friend text me a message that said I quit! Sorry. I wrote her back knowing it was about her weight loss. She has been unsuccessful at loosing weight. She weighs her self sometimes up to 4 times a day. I told her to get rid of the scale. Than I remembered a poem that has helped me through the years.


It's called

Don't Quit!!

When things go wrong,as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don't you quit...

Success is failure turned inside out.

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit.

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit

-Author Unknown