2 thoughts

Medicine isn't always the best, especially when it messes with your taste buds. My love for coffee went out the door when I started taking some of the meds to help with my PCOS.

But! Something cool came of it. I've switched to drinking tea. The hubs and I were walking around the mall and we stumbled across a store called Teavana. My best friend had mentioned it before, but I had forgotten about it. It's a little pricey, so I decided to think about it, only to come back to it the next day. They have some really beautiful teas and they are really tasty.

This is the blooming tea I got. 

This is me enjoying that tea :)

Onto my 2nd thought. 

I went to my specialist for an update on the PCOS. In a nutshell she told me that she couldn't do anything else for me, and the medicine I'm on isn't doing what she had hoped it would. She also told me that the clomid that I had taken (2 rounds) didn't seem to work either. She suggested that I go talk to my OB or go to an infertility specialist. I decided to talk to my OB. The nurse told me that I should continue taking the clomid and if it doesn't work by June, then we'll talk about seeing an infertility specialist. 

I don't like that I have 2 conflicting pieces of information. I decided to take another round of the clomid, but if it doesn't work I'm going to go in to talk to my OB. I don't like the fact that clomid could potentially cause cysts if I take it for too long. What is the point of taking the clomid if it isn't working? 

We shall see. I've done research. The fact is that each person is different, and there is no definite answer. 

So the answer for now is- keep praying and time will tell. 

Christmas Spirit

I'm a little bummed this Christmas Holiday.

I won't be up in Jerz with my family, and we don't really have any family here in VA. However, I'm trying to keep my spirits joyful by doing a few fun things.

I saw this cute Pinterest idea. I made some for my co-workers for a holiday gift. Seeing as I'm not made of money and I like to be crafty, I thought this would be a good idea. Here is my version of the idea!

I also saw this really cute idea! It's a neat way to give your neighbor a little gift. I put one of my candy sleighs in the "You've Been Jingled" bag.

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season and are in the spirit!

PCOS Post

I don't think I wrote about our latest decisions.

I'm a teacher, and in my wonderful world, I'd love to have a baby in the summertime. But God is probably sitting here laughing at me and saying it's not in your timing(!) it's in Mine. Which I need to be reminded.

Anyway. Back on track.

After my visit with the Endocrinologists in August, we (mainly I wanted) to try to speed things up a bit in hopes that maybe I could have a baby this summer.

I called my obgyn (because the Endo can't prescribe clomid), she prescribed the clomid and progesterone to get things going. Progesterone makes you cycle, clomid makes you ovulate.

Well, we did a round in September. No baby obviously.

We're on round two now. This time around I decided to get some testing strips to see if I'm actually ovulating. That's the big question!

I'm also trying to get the hubs to get checked out too, just to be on the safe side.

I don't have my hopes up, but I am praying.

For Bill

I was looking through my pins on my pintrest, and I was looking for crafting ideas.

I saw this idea.

Of course I thought of my mom and step dad, Bill. We are all antiquers. But Bill's mom has an antique shop, so I asked them if they had yard sticks that I could use to make this.

Bill thinks they have them. So, hopefully I can craft this cool idea!

Upcoming Doctors

I have a doctors appointment coming up in less than 2 weeks. Aunt flow hasn't visited since the gave me medicine to help with that. I've been taking the metphormin religiously.

I'm going to see if the might give me the clomid to help me ovulate. We'll see if they'll let me take it this early on of "treatment".

I'll let you know when they say!

taste buds...

I’ve had a change of taste…

I’m assuming (yes, I know where assuming can get you) that it’s because of the Metformin that I’ve had a change of taste. 

My sister and her husband were visiting 2 weekends ago. She makes really strong coffee. But I can handle it most of the time. This time I wasn’t a huge fan and I don’t think I drank the whole cup. And usually I love coffee! 

The next day we go to Wawa to get some coffee. Should be a great cup! Nope. Didn’t even touch it. 

So, now I’m obsessed with Chai Tea. Specifically this kind —-> 

And I wasn’t interested in my dinner last night. So I ate two bowls of cereal instead. 

I just might drive my husband crazy. 

Layin it all out...

I've been debating about airing out my dirty laundry. But I feel like I need this for me (and others with my struggle), so I'm going to do it even if it's a scary thing to share.

Like on a Monopoly Board, let's begin at the start space. September 2011 the hubby and I decided to go off birth control. We weren't too concerned about getting pregnant at that time because I knew that I probably wouldn't cycle on my own based on my history. And of course I was right. I didn't have a cycle for months.

Now, I'm going to share something embarrassing, so please be sensitive. A few months after stopping my bc I noticed some dark hair showing up on my face. I didn't even tell my husband because I was so ashamed and embarrassed. This is when I decided I couldn't take it anymore and I needed to go talk to my ob-gyn.

I went to visit my fabulous ob-gyn in April 2012 and tell her my symptoms. She starts to connect all the dots, especially when I told her about the abnormal hair growth. With my history as a young girl- never getting a period on my own until the gave me medicine and having to be on bc to regulate my cycles- she told me that she thought I had PCOS- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

So I have to come back to get blood work, which is one of the ways they test to see if you have PCOS. I also had to get an ultrasound of my ovaries, which is the second way they detect it (your ovaries will be enlarged). And of course after the testing came back it showed I had PCOS.

But of course something else was curious. I had extremely high levels of testosterone. Yup. I felt like a man. My ob-gyn assured me the levels were not even nearly as high as a man would have, but it was cause for concern. So off she sends me to an endocrinologist.

My endocrinologist took about 4 weeks to get in to see. Very frustrating, I wanted some results. But she was very sweet. She confirmed the PCOS and ran some extra tests to see what was going on with the testosterone. Results came back with no major alarms. She gave me Provera to make have a cycle. Which I might add was horrendous because it had been so long. I also started Metformin to start to regulate my body.

At this point, I've had one cycle because of the Provera. I'm waiting to see in the next week or so if the Metformin is doing the trick and hopefully I'll cycle on my own. If that doesn't work, I'm going back to see my ob-gyn in August to discuss adding Clomid help me ovulate.

I'm not sure if anyone will read this blog. But if you are struggling with PCOS, I feel for you. I feel like a lot of women are walking around with it and have no where to talk about it. So this is my way of talking about it.

Anyone there?

I'm not sure if I'm just writing to myself, but even if I am, I'm sure that I'll look back on some of these posts and enjoy the read :)

I'm trying to get back into my crafting. I put some things to the side that I enjoyed doing before I got married, but I'm getting back to enjoying those things again. The hubs and I will be married for 1 year in one week! Crazy!

It also happens to be my birthday in 4 days. My sister is awesome and bought me this ink pad set and this memory book from Tori Spellings collection!

Of course I couldn't wait to get my hands into it! This is the start of it...

I'm pretty excited about starting this memory book! It's really easy with all the stuff that's included in the kits! And of course our "stori" just begun, so there will be many more memories to add as the years go on! 

Happy crafting my friends! 

-J

I'm on Strike!

....not from cooking/blogging, but from picking up after the hubs. 

Although, I'm not posting about food today. That will be later this week.

The hubby and I are about a month shy of being married for a year. So, it's safe to say that the honeymoon phase is over! Don't get me wrong, I'm more in love with him than the day I married him...but some things just irritate me! All you married women, I'm sure you can sympathize! 

So, I'm on strike from cleaning up after him. 

He's taken over my coffee table with all of his fishing lures. I'm all about the fishing, don't get me wrong! We went fishing in the pond behind our apartment on Friday and I caught 3 fish! I think he finally got the clue today about the fishing stuff, because it's scaled down a bit. 

I'm also on strike about the laundry. Normally I'll go into his bathroom and pick up his clothes. Then I'll go pick up his clothes that are one the floor in the bedroom only 1 foot away from the basket. And then I'll wash them....not anymore. I'll wash what's in my hamper, but I'm not going after his clothes anymore. 

Let's see how long it takes for him to realize that I'm on strike. 

Maybe he won't care. 

Maybe he will. 

We shall see. 

I still love him, none the less. 

:)

Monterey Jack Turkey Burgers!

It's going to be 90 degrees here this week! That's crazy!

So, I was inspired to do some barbecuing!

You'll need:
3/4 pd ground skinless turkey breast
2 scallions, minced
1 tbs reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tbs ketchup
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 ground pepper
1/3 cup Monterey Jack Cheese Shredded
4 strips turkey bacon
1 tomato cut into 4 slices
4 hamburger buns

The Cast

Cook up your bacon. 

I used the whole package of turkey, but you can just use the 3/4 if you'd like. Whatever you choose, put in a bowl!

Chop your scallions and add them to the bowl. I love these :)

Add your tablespoon soy sauce. 

And tablespoon of ketchup. 

Add your pepper before your garlic if you're using the same measuring spoon.

Once you add your garlic go ahead and mash it all together with your hands.

Then add your cheese and mash it all together again :)

Try to evenly distribute the meat into patties.

Cook them on a grill, or george foreman grill if you're like me! About 6-8 minutes on each side.

Put it all together! And yumm!

306 calories per burger
Or 6 WW points (old school)

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

I have a new fascination with mason jars.

I really one some with handles, but I had to settle for 1/2 pint size jars with no handles for now.

I found this really cool website...it gives helpful hints about how to cook with mason jars. So of course I had to try!

So I made Chocolate Chip Cheesecake in a jar! I halved my recipe because I know I won't eat the whole recipe. I also thought it would be easier keeping portions with the jars.

You'll need:
10 oreos
8 tbs fat-free cream cheese
8 oz low fat cream cheese, tub style
1 cup sugar
2 tbs flour
1 cup fat free cottage cheese
2 tsp almond extract
6 large egg whites
3/4 cup mini-chocolate chips

Here's the Cast

Make sure your jars are clean (if you're using jars) if not, make sure your 9 inch spring form pan is clean. 

Crush up your oreo's really good! Again, I halved my recipe, so I use half of this (about 1/2 cup). 

Even disburse the oreos in 6 jars.

In a large bowl, put in your fat-free cream cheese. I used 4 tbs.

And your low-fat cream cheese. I used 4 ounces.

With a blender, cream them together on the lowest setting.

In another bowl, scoop out your sugar. I used 1/2 cup.

And add your flour. I use 1 tbs. Mix the two together.

Blend the sugar/flour mixture into the cream cheese...on the lowest setting.

In a blender or food processor, puree your cottage cheese. I used 1/2 cup. This was kind of hard with the small amount I had.

Blend it into your cream cheese mixture.

Add your almond extract. I use 1 tsp. I might use a little less next time. This stuff is STRONG and expensive!

Blend in your egg whites! I used 3...

Stir in your mini-chocolate chips! BUT!!! Only use half of them!!!

Put the mixture in your jars and add the rest of the chocolate chips on top!

The trick with cooking in the jars is that you have to half water around them. That's why you see my jars in dish. I heated up some water and poured it in the dish.

Cook at 325 degrees for 60 minutes!

The should be somewhat "firm" for cheese cake and puffed up.

They need to sit for about 24 hours. Of course put them in the fridge after the cool down.

I couldn't decide which was a better shot.

6 points (plus) for one jar.
I'm not sure how to convert that into calories...I never did the points plus...

Enjoy!

Tomato Mini Pizzas

Oh my. You are in for a treat!

If you like bruschetta, you'll love these!

You'll need:
2 large pocketless pitas (I couldn't find any pocketless, but if you can, great!)
2 large plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbs chopped basil
2 tsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

The Cast of Characters

Start off by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. I used my toaster oven because it's getting warm here and I didn't want to bake my home! I also halved my recipe because I'm going to make this several times this week. 

Slice your tomatoes! I sliced mine a little on the chunky side, just cause I like them that way. If you do that, you'll have to cook them a little longer. 

Chop up your basil! I used 2 large leaves of basil to make 1 tbs.

Mince your garlic! It's sooo yummy but sooo deadly! Don't talk in anyones face after you eat this! 

You should be putting this all into a small bowl....I think I forgot that part. 

Add your salt. 

And olive oil! This is the good stuff! Then mix it around. 

Spread it all out on your pita. Make sure to scrap out all the goodness out of the bowl! 

Don't put the cheese on yet! Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until your tomatoes are soft and warm. 

If you're like me, you'll have plenty to do in that 10 minutes! And you probably have dishes to put away because you put it off....I really don't like unloading the dishwasher. 

Add your cheese and put it back in the oven for another 3 minutes!

And enjoy your great smelling and great tasting pizza!

I ate the whole thing, it was just too good! 

If you do that too it'll be:

262 calories 

Or 6 WW points (old school)

Weird Kitty

My monster, I mean kitten....is weird!!!!

Seriously! He does the strangest things!

When he gets really into playing this his toy and running around with it, he makes growling noises! But it's like a deep throat growing noise. I wish I could record it and play it for you.

This was the icing on the cake last night.

There was a bug on my ceiling. I know cats love to watch bugs and I hope that they will eat them if the can get them. But, he was on the edge of the couch staring it down. But then I hear this clicking noise. Tony's face was twitching, whiskers and all, and making this clicking noise! It sounded like a gas stove top starting up!

As weird as he may be, he provides hours of entertainment! I do love that cat!

Egg Noodles with Shrimp

Does your husband/boyfriend fart incessantly? Mine does. He just did. It seems like he waits for me to sit next to him! Seriously! 

Onto food. 

This recipe was originally called "Pappardelle with Shrimp", but I haven't a clue where to I can find Pappardelle, so I used egg noodles instead. But the recipe said it was ok that I did, so I don't feel bad. 

You'll need:

6 ounces egg noodles

3 tbs reduced calorie margarine

1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 

1 1/2 tsp curry powder 

1/4 dry white wine

3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

2 eggs

2 tbs grated parmesan cheese 

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground pepper 

You can also add 3 tbs chopped mint, but I chose not to. 

While you are boiling the water for your egg noodles and then cooking them, melt your butter in a large skillet. 

Add your shrimp. I got mine already cooked, so it didn't need much time. If your's isn't cooked, let them soak in the margarine for 2-3 minutes. 

Add your curry powder. I confess, this ingredient was the main reason I wanted to cook this recipe! 

After that's done soaking for 2-3 minutes. Add your white wine. 

And broth. Bring to a boil. 

While that's coming to a boil, whisk your eggs and cheese in a small bowl. 

Scoop out 1/2 cup of the liquid mixture from the skillet. Add to the egg mixture. DON'T stop whisking! 

Then quickly add to the skillet. But still don't stop whisking! Otherwise your egg will cook funny. 

Reduce the heat and add your egg noodles. 

Top off with the salt and pepper. I also added a little curry on top as well a little sugar. Dishes with curry in them usually have  sweet taste to me and something seemed like it was lacking. The sugar helped! 

8 WW points (old school) 

Or 345 calories per serving (4)

Enjoy! 

Oh! And I'll be gone next week. No post. Spring Break starts Friday!!!! Whooooo!