Discouraged…

So I feel completely drained. Sorry I haven’t written but my darn eyes had a date with some allergens and so I couldn’t see. I am kinda sadden that nobody had anything to say about my last post, I finally broke down and called my doctor. She said it was one or two things I either am pregnant.. {haha} or I am on my period. If I am pregnant it would be a shock knowing my history, therefore I can only conclude that I am not pregnant and that alone is depressing. So I am on the weirdest cycle ever. 20day cycle and honestly nothing that I would ever noticed with out my trained infertile eye. Still spotting. I am feeling incredibly moody and want to cry a lot for some reason. I realized yesterday that every single person that I began to follow when I started this blog have all gotten pregnant. I am the last one, who hasn’t achieved the end goal. Hmmm. I can’t process that right now though, I have to get out of this funk I am in. Any suggestions?




Quote of the day:



"We are becoming a great global society. But our interest and concern must always be with the individual. Every member of this church is an individual man or woman, boy or girl. Our great responsibility is to see that each is 'remembered and nourished by the good word of God' (Moro. 6:4), that each has opportunity for growth and expression and training in the work and ways of the Lord, that none lacks the necessities of life, that the needs of the poor are met, that each member shall have encouragement, training, and opportunity to move forward on the road of immortality and eternal life. This, I submit, is the inspired genius of this the Lord's work. The organization can grow and multiply in numbers, as it surely will. This gospel must be carried to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. There can never be in the foreseeable future a standing still or a failure to reach out, to move forward, to build, to enlarge Zion across the world. But with all of this there must continue to be an intimate pastoral relationship of every member with a wise and caring bishop or branch president. These are the shepherds of the flock whose responsibility it is to look after the people in relatively small numbers so that none is forgotten, overlooked, or neglected."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "This Work Is Concerned with People," Ensign, May 1995, 52–53


Love,
Tiff

Something strange happening here… I might need some help,

So I have to warn you this might be a little TMI….

So if you read my latest cycle post you would know my last cycle lasted 35 days. This cycle is completely different. Will to be honest with you I have no clue what is going on. It has been 22days since my last visit from AF and she decied to spot a little on Sunday night, then yesterday {then it went away} and now today. On Sunday it was pink, Monday it was red and today it brown. I have no idea what is going on with my body. I have never had a cycle like this ever. I have no real cramps, just some pinches every now and then but nothing that makes me cry for my mommy. Has anyone else ever experience this? I mean in general since Saturday I have just felt blah. Now I have all these questions running through my head like: Am I going crazy? Has anyone else has ever experienced this? Am I alone? What the heck is going on? Can anyone give me a clue here….eh.



So how has your day gone? I hope more clear then mine.



Quote of the day:

“Faith is not a theological platitude. It is a fact of life. Faith can become the very wellspring of purposeful living. There is no more compelling motivation to worthwhile endeavor than the knowledge that we are children of God, the Creator of the universe, our all-wise Heavenly Father! God expects us to do something with our lives, and he will give us help when help is sought.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, "With All Thy Getting Get Understanding," Ensign, Aug. 1988, 2
 
Love,
Tiff

MIA

There really is no reason why I have been MIA the last couple of days except that I just didn’t have time. I have been taking the Maca powder for 5 days now I sure feel the energy surging through my veins. I don’t know if it a good thing yet but I have been able to get more done.


So I was thinking…. I wish people would stop saying you can save it for your next baby. Do they not know that it is hurtful? I literally could not take it last night. I finally was like “ I don’t know when I am going to have another baby but it won’t be for a while. Please stop saying that.” ! I haven’t snapped like that since I don’t know when. Then to make it worse the rest of the night all I heard was are you mad at me. Now I wasn’t mad….I was really annoyed but not mad. The sad thing is I felt bad for being annoyed but come on people! Or it is like when I called my friend the other day and was like Guess what! And the answer “Your pregnant” What?!? First if I was going to tell someone I am close to that I was pregnant then do you think I would call them or take the 2 min ride to go tell them in person. Other then that don’t they know my history…haven’t I kept them informed enough? It bad enough when strangers from your ward ask inappropriate questions about you bearing children, but the people who know your struggle? Am I out of line here? How would you respond? I am really not mad I’m really not, but I am super annoyed. I don’t know.

Quote of the day:



“The future is as bright as your faith."

Thomas S. Monson, "Be of Good Cheer," Ensign, May 2009, 92

Love,
Tiff

False Alarm.+ Maca Root Powder

So I feel better, I hate waking up to bad feelings so I am so happy that it is over.
Well today after my sick episode I went to Sprouts. When I pulled up to the in the parking lot I noticed a discount vitamins store. So I decide to take a peak inside. I knew I wanted Maca powder, so when I found it I was presently surprise to find some for only 16.00 I have been looking online and the cheapest I could find for the same brand was 22.00. At Sprouts it was 24.00 for a way smaller bottle. Anyway here is an article on the benefit's of Maca root and fertility.
This article is from Natural Fertility
“Peruvians claim that Maca improves memory, combats anemia, and fights depression. Some researchers note that when the body is well-nourished, libido rises and depression abates; Maca’s nutrient value could explain some of these purported actions. The root, which tastes like butterscotch when it’s roasted like a potato, can also be prepared into jam, broth, puddings, and juices, and contains five times more protein than a potato, four times more fiber, and less fat. It contains linoleic and oleic oils (two types of essential fatty acids) and essential amino acids.” Macaperu.com







By: Jacky






The South American country of Peru is home to numerous beneficial plants, including Maca, a legendary sex-enhancing root passed down from the Inca. I’d heard about Maca for years. It has been dubbed “Peruvian ginseng,” even though it bears no relation to ginseng. But like ginseng, the plant is employed to increase strength, energy, stamina, libido and sexual function, a winning combination of health benefits if there ever was one.






To investigate Maca’s health benefits and understand the role that Maca plays in Peruvian culture, my wife and I headed down to Peru to explore the Maca trail. In the process we met with Maca traders, growers and scientists, and came back tremendously impressed by this plant, which is now available as a supplement in U.S. health food stores.






What is Maca? Maca, Lepidium meyenii, is an annual plant which produces a radish-like root. The root of maca is typically dried and stored, and will easily keep for seven years. The plant is cultivated in the Junin plateau of Peru’s Central Highlands, and was highly revered by the Inca.






During the height of the Incan empire, legend has it that Incan warriors would consume Maca before entering into battle. This would make them fiercely strong. But after conquering a city the Incan soldiers were prohibited from using Maca, to protect the conquered women from their powerful sexual impulses. Thus as far back as 500 years ago, Maca’s reputation for enhancing strength, libido and fertility was already well established in Peru.






“MACA has been known to increase a women’s ability to conceive rather dramatically. This happens because of MACA’s ability to promote the production of the Luteneinizing Hormone (LH). The LH causes ovulation. MACA has also been shown to increase sperm counts in men. Research studies on animals were conducted by Dr. Gloria Chacon de Popovici and Dr. Freddy Madrid Gironda with extremely successful results in almost all cases! (These studies will be published sometime later on this year.)” – macaperu.com






Today, Maca’s popularity is very much on the increase, as people discover that the plant really does boost libido, sexual function and overall energy. Acreage in Peru dedicated to Maca cultivation is increasing every year to meet demand, and a number of scientists have turned their attention to the properties of the root. In Peru, Maca is used by men and by women who want to put more fire into their sex lives. And in the U.S., Europe and Japan, dietary supplements containing Maca are gaining ardent devotees.






Maca Nutrition: What natural ingredients in Maca promote its reputed sex-enhancing effects? In-depth analysis of maca conducted in 1998 by Dr. Qun Yi Zheng and his colleagues at PureWorld Botanicals shows that maca contains about 10 percent protein, almost 60 percent carbohydrate, and an assortment of fatty acids. These ingredients are common and nothing special. But the investigators also discovered two groups of novel compounds, the macamidesmacaenes. These agents are believed to be directly responsible for Maca’s sex-boosting powers.






“Pregnancy demands extra nutrients for a healthy baby. Unfortunately, many of today’s women are overworked, stressed and/or have a long history of taking the Birth Control Pill find that their fertility is compromised. Eating Maca Powder can be an affordable, excellent nutritional addition to every womans diet. Peruvian women start to take maca at the age of three, then gradually include it as a staple part of their diet. They are fertile well into later life.” menstruation.com.au


Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles


More later,
Tiff

No No NO NO!

I might feel a it sick....I cannot get sick! I work up felling like I was on a boat this morning, my stomach must not know I am on land!!! I can feel each limb on my body get tired and refuse to do their normal duties. I cannot get sick. I have so much to do today, like get food. I also wanted to go to the herb shop and check out how much Maca is….argh. I know I am going to eat some breakfast, take a shower and ignore my body for now. I am going to pretend that it is the food I ate last night. (Beef stroganoff at my parents yum…should not have had the pasta.} Also woke up with some cramps, in mid cycle has anyone ever had this? They don’t feel like cyst cramps just tiny little cramps that maybe feel like I am getting poked with a ball point pin from within. Weird or what?


Anyway that small distraction actually settled my stomach, a little. I CAN NOT GET SICK…. I REFUSE! So I will keep you all updated after I go to the store and all!

I will do my quote with my last post of the day.

Blessing dreams can bring....

Yesterday was one of those days. After the whole Pineapple upside down cake incident, in my head I asked was this worth it? Were my goals ever going to be achieved? Then I had this dream.

I dreamt that I was with my SIL and we were at one of those mall playgrounds with our SONS. Mine was six months I never saw hers so I have no idea how old he was. It seems to me that my dream focused on this little miracle He was perfect. He had blonde golden hair, with lose little ringlets, (like my brother and nieces) . His eyes where such a light blue like his dad. He was mine. He was 6months and crawling and pulling himself up. My sil and I were talking about how he looking to become an early walker and I remember thinking I need him to not to walk so I could keep him as a baby for just a bit longer. Then I woke up, sadden because it was only a dream, cheered up because it gave me hope and a picture in my head to hold on too. I don’t know when the child is going to come but I know he will one day. He is worth it. I will not stop until he is in my arms. Smiling that knowing smile that we have meet before. I know this was a gift given to me by my Heavenly Father to let me know I am doing the right things.

There is a wonderful book about stories like this by Sarah Hinze. It is one of my favorites in a way it provides comfort to me when I don’t have a child in my arms. It talks a lot about our premortal existence; and how these men and women have dreams or visions about their children before they are born. Then meeting them once they are born.





I have to think that this is what this was. I have had one dream like this before. When I just found out about PCOS I had a dream that I ascended right in the middle of a circle of children that were meant to be in my family. Some had different colored skin showing me we would adopt and others look like me and Mark. The love was amazing. That was the last dream I ever had about my future family. I have been holding on to that image for 4 years. Until last night I am so thankful. \



Have you ever dreamt of your future, with children running in the background? It amazes me what blessing can come from a simple dream.

Quote if the day:

"In this age of one hour dry cleaning and one minute fast food franchises, it may at times seem to us as though a loving Heavenly Father has misplaced our precious promises or He has put them on hold or filed them under the wrong name. . . .


"When heaven's promises sometimes seem afar off, I pray that each of us will embrace these exceeding great and precious promises and never let go. . . . God will remember you."


Spencer J. Condie, "Claim the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 18

The Pineapple Upside down cake that wasn’t

Yesterday I was offered a pineapple upside down cake. I had it on my plate, I had taken my fork to cut off a piece, was about an inch from my mouth; when the peanut gallery started to yell. “Don’t do it!” “You have worked so hard” “Once you start you won’t stop” Then I did it, I went back to the kitchen put my piece back and gave a sigh. Peer pressure made me not eat something I shouldn’t have….but in a sick kinda way I wish I would have. My huhhy said he was proud, and that made me feel better, then he brought me some oranges. That will have to satisfy my sweet tooth until my goals are meet.



On a different note…has anyone ever heard of Macca? It is suppose to help with fertility.
quote of the day:
When temptation comes, you can invent a delete key in your mind—perhaps the words from a favorite hymn. Your mind is in charge; your body is the instrument of your mind. When some unworthy thought pushes into your mind, replace it with your delete key. Worthy music is powerful and can help you control your thoughts (see D&C 25:12).”




Boyd K. Packer, “Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 46

Because I can't wait....My diet part3 and my before and after pics!!!

So this is my supplement regiment .


Since I am not a doctor I will include the medical take on it , then tell you what I have noticed at the end.




Cinnamon

“The spice can help to control the blood sugar levels in the body and could lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels significantly. It can also lower triglycerides and total cholesterol. Research has shown that when a person suffering from Type 2 diabetes added one gram of cinnamon to their diet each day for 40 days, their blood sugar levels decreased by a significant amount. Their bad cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels were lowered considerably as well.”
Natural Health




Red Raspberry Leaf

Red Raspberry Leaf has a highly nutritive ingredient which aids in its ability to tone the uterus and muscles of the pelvic region. Red Raspberry is a powerful fertility-promoting herb
Damianaherb.org




Omega 3 Fish oil
"Studies show that infertility is directly related to the amount of fish oil you consume. Fish oil balances hormones, improves hormonal levels and increases blood flow to the uterus. The more Omega 3 fatty acids you get the greater your odds of conceiving."
Bella online articles

Prenatal vitamin
"Prenatal vitamins are excellent to use while a woman is trying to become pregnant. Many studies have shown that woman who used prenatal vitamins had a significant increased number of conceptions."
Healing from about


Apple Cider vinegar 2tspn before each meal.

Promotes weight loss

Reduces sugar cravings

Aids in digestion — ACV helps stimulate your stomach acid which aids in the digestion of protein and fats. Healthy digestion is important for overall health and weight control.

Weight control — Apple cider vinegar speeds up metabolism especially when taken regularly before meals and if used with a sensible diet and exercise program. ACV has also been proven to help burn fat!

Helps prevent dandruff, itching scalp, baldness (common with PCOS!!)

Helps maintain healthy skin

Restores your body’s pH balance — Your blood is supposed to be slightly alkaline, but poor diet and lifestyle choices harm that pH balance. As your blood becomes acidic, the stage is set for illness. Acidity has also been shown to affect fertility. Women who have hostile cervical mucus have also been shown to have a higher acidity in their body. This is essential for those of you trying to conceive as ACV helps restore your body’s pH.

Believe it or not, recent studies have proven that ACV is also incredibly beneficial in controlling insulin resistance. Actually, this study showed ACV to be just as helpful in controlling IR as Metformin and other insulin sensitizing drugs !

{Belive it or not but this list could go on and on }


PCOS Info




Since taking these I have noticed a difference in energy, my cycle has become more regular and less painful. I think I have even lost some weight.

I am always on the look out for new things to try what do you take that has helped you?



So last but not least here is my before and after pic:
 

Quote of the day:

"There has come to you as your birthright something beautiful and sacred and divine. Never forget that. Your Eternal Father is the great Master of the universe. He rules over all, but He also will listen to your prayers as His daughter and hear you as you speak with Him. He will answer your prayers. He will not leave you alone."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stay on the High Road," Ensign, May 2004, 112



Love
Tiff

My diet part 2

What do I eat?

Salad.

I have always been a salad fan so eating more has been an issue for me, I do spruce it up a bit though. When ever we have fajitas or pulled pork {really anything that goes in bread or tortillas} I put it on top of my salad. Spinach is a great source of folic acid So I try to eat that as much as possible.



Veggies.

I love my veggies. I eat them as snacks, and with meals . My goal is to try and get 5 servings or more a day.



Fruit

Fruit has become my sweet craving. I have this when ever I feel like I need a sweet fix. This is also something I try eat enough servings of.



Carbs

I know that there is a rumor going around that carbs are bad. I don’t think that this is quite true, for not all carbs are created equal. In the last book I read “the Fertility Diet” He talked a lot on low carb vs. Slow carbs. He talked about how high processed carbs such as white flour and corn flakes will actually raise the blood sugar instantly {which is not always a good thing with PCOS} and slow carbs take a longer time to raise the blood sugar disputing nutrients along the way. So as a result of this I have cut out high processed carbs. Do you remember yesterday when I said I cut out pasta? Well I kinda lied. I actually still eat pasta every week , the difference? I make it myself taking out the anything that is processed. It only has three ingredients whole wheat flour, salt, and eggs. Simple, yummy and healthy. {You can find the recipes I use on my other blog here.}



Beans

I try to have beans everyday the health benefits are amazing and in the fertlity diet it says it can actually raise infertility. My favorite way to have bean is on salad I don’t know why it just taste so good.



Fat

I do not eat trans fat at all. Did I mention that yesterday? I can’t remember. Although I don’t eat trans fat I do eat unsaturated fat like olive oil, avocados, almonds fish. Even my oat meal has some ( It has Flax Seed in it. I also eat some saturated fat. In the Fertility Diet book {geez I should get paid for how much I talk about it} It talks about how just by stopping eating trans fat and eating unsaturated and saturated fat you can kick start your ovulation.



Grains.

Every morning I eat a 7 grain oat meal. {It looks like sweet feed my hubby says} For sweets I add Jelly that is from sprouts that has just straw berries and natural pectin. It taste so good.! I also put a cup of whole milk in to get my dairy serving.



Dairy

I have two servings of whole dairy a day.



I think that this is it. Tomorrow I will post about the supplements I take. I also will post my 2 month picture. If you have any questions about my diet just email me or leave a comment. I hope this has helped I have noticed just by eating more of the good I feel good. What is your favorite snack? How have you changed your diet to reach your baby dreams?



Quote of the day:

"Should there be anyone who feels he is too weak to do better because of that greatest of fears, the fear of failure, there is no more comforting assurance to be had than the words of the Lord: 'My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them' (Ether 12:27)."

Thomas S. Monson, "Our Sacred Priesthood Trust," Ensign, May 2006, 57

Love

Tiff

My Diet part 1 Foods I avoid

My diet in a net shell.

I have deicide to do this in three parts. Today I will talk about what I stopped eating and what the benefits I have seen come from this.

My diet is pretty easy, I do not follow a plan I have tried to in the past and although the results were desirable in the end I always resorted to my old ways, and gaining the weight back. (Last time I gained it back plus it brought friends with it.) So now I try to eat healthy and avoid certain things. I always listen for tips to help me out along the way.

Refined Sugar

With PCOS {correct me if I am wrong since this is my understanding} hormones in the body increases the insulin. {Which is why I assume that women have a higher chance of type 2 diabetes.} So after 2.5 years of research the conclusion that I came to for myself is to just give it up. This is something that I had to give up cold turkey, I would never do it if I didn’t. The result? For me was this:

*Weight Loss

* higher Energy

* The best news of all one 2 cm benign cyst {The key word here is one!!! Yeah!}

To replace sugar because I do have a tid bit of a sweet tooth. I eat fruit, and drink 100% fruit juice. {The only ingredient is the fruit, my favorite right now is watermelon}

Other things I have given up which I think helped me with the above benefits.

White Rice

White Flour

Pasta ( I will talk more about this tomorrow)

Skim Milk ( In the Fertility Diet it talks about how this can help hinder fertility where as Whole Milk and Whole Dairy products can help it, but only by eating no more no less then 2 servings)

Soy products. ( This is especially for men it decreases their fertility Source:Conceive Magazine )

Saturated Fat

Caffeine

I think that because I have given all this junk up it has really helped me and it has only but 2 months!

There is a really good pod cast from Conceive Magazine about the food we eat and how it effects fertility Here is the link!

I hope this helped, it is just impossible to write it all out in one day.



Tomorrow I am going to blog about all the wonderful food I eat that have really helped me out.
Quote of the day:
"In my quiet moments, I think of the future with all of its wonderful possibilities and with all of its terrible temptations. I wonder what will happen to you in the next 10 years. Where will you be? What will you be doing? That will depend on the choices you make, some of which may seem unimportant at the time but which will have tremendous consequences.







"Someone has said, 'It may make a difference to all eternity whether we do right or wrong today' (James Freeman Clarke, in Elbert Hubbard's Scrap Book [1923], 95).






"You have the potential to become anything to which you set your mind. You have a mind and a body and a spirit. With these three working together, you can walk the high road that leads to achievement and happiness. But this will require effort and sacrifice and faith."






Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stay on the High Road," Ensign, May 2004, 112-13

Love
Tiff

Awakening

Today went pretty good. I finally got my TCM guide to infertility and so far it’s pretty good. I will give you a full report later. Today was also the first day that I have actually remembered to write down what I ate and I got to say that I did alright if anything I didn’t eat enough {which has always been my problem}. I have been thinking a lot about what positive changes can I make in my life, and one is limited time to technology. I have decided that I spend to much time on the computer or watching tv. I am trying to escape life instead of living it. I am so blessed and what do I do with it? Nothing. I have so many talents that I have lost because I am doing nothing about it. That ended today. I only turn on the tv once and that was for Oprah…{why is that show so addicting?} I played with my little girl all day today. I learned something new {how to make pasta}. I didn’t read my scriptures to read them I ponder them, I studied them, I enjoyed them.


It is so easy to get to the point on this journey where all you have in tunnel vision, forget the events that surround you . I know that this is how I can get. The house could be burning down but if that doesn’t help my “baby wanting dreams” then who cares. Well I want to say good bye to that person, and hello to the women I met today. How could I live so long only going through the motions of life?

Am I the only one who gets like this? I am so glad I had this awakening! What has awaken you?



Quote:

“The real life we’re preparing for is eternal life. Secular knowledge has for us eternal significance. Our conviction is that God, our Heavenly Father, wants us to live the life that He does. All we can learn that is true while we are in this life will rise with us in the Resurrection. And all that we can learn will enhance our capacity to serve.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Real-Life Education,” New Era, Apr. 2009, 8

35 days later....

and af flow came to visit!!!! I really think that this sugar thing is working out, 1st it was the cyst and now this a visit from AF 60-40 days early. Seriously it not in the triple digits!!! Lets see what happens next month. I also got a new DVD Fertility Yoga. I tried it the other night and have come to the conclusion that I need more practice in regular Yoga before I can try this.  I also need to build my upper body strength and flexibility.
Next week I am thinking maybe Wednesday I will post my diet outline. I am just finishing some portable guides that I would like to share.
I hope all is well!
Love,
Tiff