Aspartame- Evil or Good?

I would vote neither, unless you suffer with Migraines. Until recently that is. While I don't buy the whole hype against Aspartame as a lot of it is based on people over indulging on it and would require over the top consumption, I have recently been reading studies from both sides on it and there is one thing that has turned me away from aspartame.

"They" claim that it does not cause headaches/ migraines. They even go as far to say if you get one it is a placebo effect. Ummmm....

so your telling me that as a child when I got headaches after a fresco and had no idea Aspartame was supposed to be bad for you I was having a placebo effect?

Right.

I remember when my mother and I first linked the migraines to Aspartame. Mom had accidentally bought sugar free ice cream. I had a big dish of it and very shortly after had the sharpest, most severe migraine I had had to date. I remember grabbing my head and crying. I told my mom it felt very close to when I would drink a fresco only more severe this time. That was when we realized that Aspartame and me didn't mix well.

I have had other occurrences since then. When I would drink a diet pop because I decided it was in my head (well duh, that is where migraines happen). Or most recently when I was eating the chewy Gravol ginger candies while pregnant with O. Was having a persistent migraine. While sitting reading the box (I tend to read things when I am waiting) I learned that there was Aspartame in them.

This could have been all coincidence I am sure. I suffer with migraines. Air pressure being a big problem. And probably many other triggers I have such as stress, lack of sleep and O screaming all day. But, I know I am "allergic" even though the company may try to discredit people actually having a migraine from their product.

Because of this I don't trust them. Or the FDA. Or Health Canada. And if they try to cover this up you got to wonder how many other wackjobs and conspirators are actually right in their wildly ridiculous claims.

My conclusion on Aspartame before this was if you didn't get migraines don't worry about it. Don't believe all the hype against it... because seriously some of it is complete bullocks. Now my conclusion is pretty much the same except I say don't consume it. Not until they decide to admit that yes, some people can react negatively to it.

And if we "do everything in moderation"... I'd say enjoy sugar in all it's goodness... in moderation... like I said...

My bright idea(s)

In the last week I had to ideas. One I can't share just yet (but I want to!) and the other was concerning potty training my daughter.

I always have ideas. Some good some bad and some that never make it past the idea stage. But these two ideas have paid off, at least so far. And that is a good feeling.

My potty training idea had to do with the reward system and dog training (I know, so terrible). I was reading this article about how people take their dogs for a walk and the dog takes forever to do its business This is because every time the dog goes the walk is done and the dog has learned this. Owners think the dog needs to play to "work it out" but he doesn't. He just has learned if he poos fun time is over. Instead, you stay in one place and wait however long it takes for the dog to go. Then you let him run and play. Soon he will go quickly and you can have a scheduled amount of frolic time.

Now, you might be wondering how on earth I applied this to my daughter. I can't exactly crate her or not let her play. and treats didn't motivate her at all. No, i took something from her she constantly asks for. I took tv. And if she pees or poos in the potty she gets to watch 1 show.

Tuesday we put it into effect and had many tears because she "no want potty" and she "want 't'.

Wednesday was a bust until after peeing her pants she sat on her potty and had a poo. I think I teared up a little. Then an hour later she had another pee.

Thursday was a town day with some success in the evening.

Friday was a write off because of parties and townday

Saturday another party but sone success in the evening.

Sunday Daddy had some success

And today while we had some wetting of the drawers (she hasn't quite learned to tell before she starts peeing but she sure can stop it) she did everything in the toilet and was dry through her nap.

God is good.

As to the other idea you'll just have to wait and see.

My small victory

I did it. I am now under 130lbs and happy with my weight. I am not happy with my saggy skin but knowing I lost my baby weight is a wonderful feeling.

For me the biggest thing was moderation. Not cutting things out and then bingeing but cutting back. The biggest thing I cut back on was portion size and carbs. I used to have a large portion of potatoes now I just consciously choose to take less potatoes and more meat and veggies. I was inspired by the documentary fathead but didn't take it that far.

Now that I have basically stopped breastfeeding it has helped. While the breastfeeding does help you lose weight it made me hungry all the time and I would have to mentally portion control in order to not over eat. My appetite has been curbed now and I find I am just not hungry. I take my small portion telling myself I can have seconds and usually I don't even want seconds. I even pass up more of my favourite foods.

I know God has helped me a lot and we all need to find our own ways of weight control. I am glad I found mine. It hasn't been easy but I feel good and I can't wait to get back on my horse!

My Hairy Legs

If you remember I tried out epilating in order to combat my itchy legs. And then I tried not shaving. I epilated once since then, in the summer, and haven't removed the hair from my legs since.
My legs still itch around my ankles but I know they are improved. Epilating is fine but I just never seem to get to it. Shaving definitely aggravates so that is out.

I've often said I wished I was apart of a culture that didn't push smooth legs. Where hairy legs on a woman didn't garner a second look. And then I realized it doesn't matter. There truly is nothing wrong with leg hair. It doesn't take away from my looks. Now that it is frown out it doesn't it. And my husband doesn't care. So why should I shave my legs? Yes, I do prefer shaved legs. I love that silky soft feel when you first shave but let's be honest, it doesn't last long (though it does last longer with epilating.) I am also pretty sure the only reason I prefer shave legs is because that is how we are raised. It is our culture.

I don't think there is anything wrong in shaving your legs. But what started as a fad as become a necessity. Have hairy legs and someone might notice. Didn't have time to shave and wear pants to hide that.

I've decided to change my thinking. It really is easy to do in the winter when you don't wear shorts. I will keep my leg hair. There is nothing "gross" about it.

Before I even made this decision I went to the pool with unshaved legs. Forgot all about them and didn't notice any stares guess when you aren't being self conscious it helps.

Now, let's see if I can pull this off. Or if I can change my thinking concerning my armpits as well...

My Kitchen Part III

At this point I would be happy with my kitchen. But the whole makeover started with new flooring purchase so I better wait for that. And perhaps a new sink and my new cooktop and oven. Not that I mind the looks of my "retro" one but a working oven is always helpful. (Currently my oven is useful though as a stash spot for things I don't want the kitten getting into.
remember my old kitchen?

Now it looks like this

old

new

And by my mom's suggestion it spilled over into my living room.

old

new (I know just cleaning it helps too)

I will try to add more before photos of my living room once the flooring is in. Right now I have two hungry children hanging all over me and driving me crazy. Also, I love comments but unfortunately I am really terrible at the silly security codes google has and so I rarely fight with them in order to leave any comments. 

My best friend

Once again, a close friend of mine has moved away. I hate being left behind. And the knowledge that things will never be the same is hard to accept at first. But I know from experience things will change and you will grow apart. It is a necessary part of life. If the person who leaves holds on too tight they will never move forward with their life but rather be held back by what once they loved.

There is nothing good about being left behind. Everyone around you is the same so suddenly you find yourself without a place to go hang out or without a friend to make plans with. And you also know that when they return to visit they will be too busy visiting immediate family that you will be lucky to get an hour.

I also suck at long distance relationships. It isn't that I forget the person it is usually just that I have so much to say I can't get it all down in an email or phone call. Or I can't fin stationary to write an old fashioned letter (sorry 'bout that)

Losing the two people (one expected on unexpected) I hang out with in the last few months has shaken me. I know I can look at it as some great opportunity to grow closer to God and my little family. In reality at this point I just feel lonely and heartbroken.

On a more cheerful note I got my kitchen wallpaper.

Today I was right.

Let me tell you a little story. Usually when it comes to "discussions" between my darling husband and I, I am wrong. It gets tiring. So when I am right I generally do a little dance and gloat. Normally I keep the gloating and dancing in the privacy of our home but as this time was humerous I am going to share.

We have a tin roof. Because of this when the snow does build up on it it falls off in a giant sheet. This morning due to pouring rain it was beginning to slide. Wet icy snow creeping like a glacier off the roof and towards our truck parked beside the house.

My husband had stepped outside for a moment an so I suggested he move the truck before the snow fell. He of course did not as it wasn't necessary yet. No heated words followed but iI made it clear I thought he was making a mistake and he made it clear I wasn't the boss of him.

He comes inside and minutes later while we are standing beside the window that overlooks our truck a rumble starts an the giant sheet of snow falls on our poor truck, rocking it back and forth, denting it, bending our box cover down and plastering it with the very sludgy snow.

I laughed. I danced. I was not very mature. My husband went outside to move it (still not sure why as there was no snow on that section of roof anymore) and to shovel the snow off it. The dents were pushed out an the box cover bent back. And I got to say "I told you so" and he was fine with me telling the story as he saw how humorous it was.

Only one tiny chunk of snow fell off our roof the rest of the day besides the stretch directly above our truck. Some of you might think I'm being kind of mean but if you yourself rarely are right you understand where I'm coming from.