I’m back at home with DSL service–finally! Starbucks was fun, but inconvenient, too. It’s great to write from my own desk and make coffee in my own kitchen. I’m so glad to be free of hours long phone calls with AT&T “customer service” rep’s. Going through that much drama, just to transfer service from one house to another, is enough to make any sane person cave in to crazy!

I want to review some of the topics I wrote about in previous posts and get this blog up and running again. I apologize for my inconsistencies and my slow posts.

~We moved to a home with no stairs, ease of entry, and no trees! Now don’t get me wrong. We love trees, but needed to lessen the workload that comes with a yard full of trees. We now enjoy a great view, fresh backberries along the fence line, and other people’s trees and horses. Nirvana!

~I am writing the blog as a WP50 (well-past 50) woman, who often feels misunderstood in this youth oriented society. As I mentioned before, it’s odd to feel “eternally 30,” while facing aging related challenges. This blog is my place to record my experiences, interests, and perceptions as I advance through my senior years.

~Health is a big concern for an aging population. The goal is to remain strong and healthy for as long as possible.

~My health challenges: I have Celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune disorder. I am unable to digest the storage protein (commonly called “gluten”) in wheat, barley, and rye. I am also allergic to dairy products and corn. That means I can’t eat the majority of foods in the supermarket! I consume almost all fresh food and very little sugar. I still need to lose weight, keep cholesterol and blood sugar levels down, and maintain a healthy blood pressure. Diet and exercise are the ticket.

~I do not trust pharmaceutical companies. My goal is to stay off medicines as long as possible. So far, I do not take any medicine. I hope to keep it that way. I have been reading The Truth About Beauty, by Kat James. I have incorporated many of her suggestions, including replacing toxic health and beauty products with natural, health promoting ones, eating organic as much as possible, and avoiding blood-sugar spikes. The book is about health; true beauty comes from good health. I’m noticing that others are now agreeing with Kat: Oprah’s trainer, Bob Greene, has a new book out with similar recommendations. Nutri-Systems has joined the low-glycemic band wagon, as well. I will write about my quest for “true beauty” and health, on a regular basis.

~I use Sparkpeople.com to help me stay on track with my diet. I am able to record what I eat and receive feedback on nutrient levels and carbohydrate, fat, and protein ratios. Sparkpeople has a library of superb articles on health and fitness. They also have great recipes. Check them out! It’s free.

~ I love to reminisce about the past or to write articles about interesting family members or friends. For example, my husband’s Grandmother, Minnie, collected salt and pepper shakers. In childhood, Mike spent hours admiring her colorful shakers.

He and I decided to start a collection for OUR grandchildren. Looking for unique shakers brings us a lot of joy. We try to buy ones that are especially humorous or that have special meaning. We have alligators from a trip to Georgia, a pair of aging beachcombers from Florida, Minnie and Mickey, in honor of our 1st granddaughter, Kristen (she loves them!), and many more. One of my sisters sent an adorable set of barrel cacti from Arizona. In Texas, we found a horny toad wearing boots with spurs, a bandanna, and a hat. An antique grandma, sitting in a rocking chair, symbolizes the reason for the collection.

My great grandmother, Mabel, and her sisters played with the tea set on the lowest shelf.

Did you know that the world’s largest salt and pepper museum is in Gatlinburg,Tennessee?

I’m thinking that I’ll dub Friday “Fun Friday,” and reminisce about people, places, or times that I’ve known.

Wow! I’m whopped. I’ve got to get the writing muscles back in shape. It’s a pleasure to be back. Do you have interesting tales from your childhood? Silly question, huh? Who doesn’t? Feel free to comment! Have a great afternoon!

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Meet my Irish great-grandfather, Henry Holland. He’s holding my father and is surrounded by his wife, daughter and granddaughter. My father loved his Grandpa Holland. I wish I could have known him. I can see from the picture that I inherited his eyes. I learned later in life that I inherited more than that from him.

5 or 6 years ago, after years of searching, I was diagnosed, as were 2 of my sisters, with Celiac disease (CD). CD is an inherited genetic disease that originated in Northern Europe, i.e. Ireland. CD inhibits the small intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients and can lead to all kinds of unsavory secondary diseases, such lupus, arthritis, diabetes and a whole host of other diseases. The only known cure for CD is life-long adherence to a gluten-free diet. That translates to a diet excluding wheat, barley, and rye.

I’ve adapted well to the diet. I’m healthier and better fed. My husband agrees. We eat more whole food and enjoy cooking so much more than in the past. I feel worlds better. So, great-grandpa, it’s all good. I’m glad to be Irish!

But then, a few months ago, more of my Irish inheritance revealed itself. I noticed a hard knot in the palm of my hand. I didn’t give it much thought, until it started growing and itching. On a lark one day, I googled, “lump in the palm of hand.” In my wildest dreams, I didn’t expect a disease to pop up! Not only that, but another one courtesy of great-grandfather!

This disease is called Dupuytren Disease. It originated in Northern Europe–Ireland–and Vikings! How exciting, until I kept reading. The knot is an abnormal thickening of tissue beneath the palm. It is located directly below the ring finger and is centered between the creases of the hand. Bingo! In some people, cords develop leading to the fingers and these cords can cause the fingers to curl! The ring finger and pinky are the prime curlers…

Sounds fun, huh?

I emailed my brother, asked him if he had a knot, and described exactly where to look for it. He wrote back: “affirmative.” I wrote back, “It’s a sign you’re Irish, and maybe a descendant of Vikings! There’s a drawback, though. It can make your fingers curl.” He wrote back something to the tune of “it could be worse!”

I don’t know if my great-grandfather suffered with these diseases. Maybe he was just a carrier. It doesn’t matter; I’m glad to have my Irish roots, even though they take my bread and curl my fingers.

Next google search: The pot of gold!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

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I know both diseases can be very serious. This is not meant to minimize peoples’ experiences with either of them.

In yesterday’s post, I said I wouldn’t be interested in taking a pill that would end aging and aging related diseases. I didn’t say that I wouldn’t do all that I can to stay as vibrant and beautiful as possible in my golden years! I am currently working at dropping some weight and adding more strength training and cardio exercises to my daily round.

I use an incredible site called Sparkpeople.com to keep track of calories, nutrient intake, and fitness. I highly recommend this site! There’s helpful information, such as exercise demo’s, recipes, educational and motivational articles, and a ton (no pun intended!) of people ready and willing to be a friend.

Counting calories isn’t too hard for me. I am allotted plenty of calories to satisfy my hunger. Due to an autoimmune disease called Celiac disease, I can’t eat anything containing the gluten found in wheat, barley, and rye. That eliminates most processed food. I’m also lactose intolerant, so dairy is out,too! That leaves lots of calories for delicious whole foods.

Consistently exercising is difficult for me. I’m better at putting it off than doing it! Sparkpeople helps keep me motivated. They suggest a group of 6 strength training exercises that take only 11 minutes to do! I like to do them first thing in the morning after getting out of bed. That way, I don’t have to think about them all day long.

I actually enjoy walking. I reserve my iPod music for when I walk and play all my favorite songs. One time I walked an extra lap around the neighborhood just because of the music.

(Off the subject, but anyone else love American Idol? What a talented group is competing this year! Who are you rooting for?)

It’s not easy dropping weight at this age. Actually, my daughters find it difficult, as well. I’ve been wondering what other factors lead to weight gain. I’m reading a very interesting book, by Kat James, called The Truth About Beauty. I’m just a chapter

or 2 into the book, but have already learned so much. James explains that the many toxins, that daily assault our bodies, keep us from being healthy and fit. She teaches a systematic way of replacing toxic substances with healthful ones. Today I am cleaning out the toiletries I use that are toxic. I plan to replace them with a few excellent natural products. I’ll write more about this as I go through the book.

How have you solved health or weight problems?

That’s all for now! Have a great day!

“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.”
~Eleanor Roosevelt

Note: I have not been compensated or asked to endorse any of the products or services mentioned in this post.

©2010 BLN
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