Learning to Trust

This past week, I faced one of the scariest moments of my life, when I started severely bleeding and having contractions only 22 weeks into my pregnancy with our 2nd child. We rushed to the hospital, without a clue of what could be happening. All I could think or say to my husband on the way there was, "We just have to trust because we are doing all we can. Whatever's happening is happening." When the nurse had me and the baby on the monitors, and the Dr. performed an ultrasound, we were relieved that little Lukas was stable. Being a nurse, I was the calm one between my husband and I, trying not to show him I was concerned when I could read that the Dr.'s and nurse's faces still showed their concern.

It was when the doctor did a full exam and had a real look of concern at all the bleeding that I started to get scared. When the nurse and Dr. left the room, separated by a curtain, I overheard the nurse ordering a blood test for a condition called DIC, which was one of the scariest conditions I learned about in nursing school. This is an emergency condition in which the body increases clotting and bleeds at the same time, so there's really nothing they can do to treat it. They can't give clotting factors because it could cause more life-threatening blood clots, but they can't give blood thinners either because that could increase the bleeding. One can die at any moment from a blood clot to a vital organ, or suffer fatal bleeding. Pregnancy is a risk factor. Fortunately, my husband left for a bit to go check on our daughter who was at her grandparents' house, since we knew we'd just be waiting for the blood-work for a while. The nurse sat by my bed most of the time, because she was monitoring me very closely. I had a few hours, while I waited for my blood results, to think about the possibilities of the results. For the first time in my life, I had someone testing me for a serious life-threatening condition, and I had to face my own mortality.

Ultimately, all I could do was remind myself of the words I'd spoken to my husband a few hours earlier. I could not change the results of the test. All I could do was pray, and trust in the Lord. Thankfully, though I'm still undergoing further tests, things looked good enough that I could go home on bed-rest. It looks like the main culprit is a low-lying placenta, that partially tore, but that will hopefully move as the uterus expands. DIC is still a possibility for me as some of my labs have been slightly off, but now is the time to learn to be dependent. I am dependent on others right now to care for me, my child, and my husband. More than anything, little Lukas and I are completely dependent on the Lord. Really, it's no different than any other day, because the Lord is always in control. We are all His children, nestled in His arms, relying on Him for the gift of life, grace, and love. It's up to us to hug back, knowing He'll always have us.

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Being Sick....

No one enjoys being sick, at least I don't think? But I've had "that bug" a lot recently and it's started me wondering if perhaps I'm not taking care of myself right. While sitting at the doctor today, waiting to be told "oh everyone has it, try this antibiotic." I saw a health show they had on their television. Now as God would have it, this is the second time I've seen this show (been there a little too often over the last few months), but this time I really started listening. Here's a few key things they mentioned and if there are any other women who aren't taking the best care of themselves, perhaps we can learn together.

1. Drink lots of water - half your body weight in ounces - at least 64oz - if you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated.

2. Sleep at least 8-9 hours a night (not possible for most moms, but at least it's a goal someday)

3. Exercise regularly, but don't overdo it while trying to make up for lost time. (walk the dog, or the kids, or your spouse or just yourself on a lunch break)

4. Eat more raw vegis and fruits (summer has all kinds of yummy fruits)

5. Consider a multivitamin (I've heard women can benefit from prenatal vitamins even if you're not pregnant)

So here's what I've decided....

1. I drink a lot of water, but I'm going to start carrying a water bottle so I make sure I'm drinking enough.

2. I'll continue to try convincing my husband to take advantage of our sleep before we have kids (although my dog has been waking up every morning at 3:30 or 5:30 - come on Lord, really??).

3. I'll set a goal of at least a 20 minute walk everyday... it's a start right?

4. We've been eating fresh fruit every night for dessert - one orange, a banana and some strawberries is more than enough for 2 people. I'm also trying to have at least one fresh veggie and or a salad with dinner.

5. I have vitamins, I just need to start remembering to take them! I'm going to try sticking them in a pretty box on the kitchen table so I'll remember! And I'll have my husband do the same, maybe we'll start a routine!

How am I going to do all this??? I'm going to start a calender chart where every day I check off that I've completed my daily commitment. At least it's something to hold me accountable and I'm going to ask my husband to help me stay committed.

At this point, the idea of not being sick every 2 months is motivation enough!

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Must Drink = Coconut Water!

As an Indonesian people, I live in a tropical country, and wherever I go, I can see coconut tree. And coconut itself have so many good things in it. You can drink the water, make a house from its wood, make copra, etc. So here is something I wanna share with you. My fave drink, Coconut Water.. Yummy..!! ^^

Coconut water is the liquid that is taken from unripe coconuts. Coconut water is the purest liquid second only to water itself. It is chock full of electrolytes, calcium, potassium, magnesium; everything that is good for you. Below are the seven benefits from coconut water:

Coconut Water Hydrates the Body

Coconut water is an isotonic solution which replaces the fluids and minerals that the body loses during physical activities. For this reason, many athletes and persons who work out regularly are encouraged to drink coconut water to replace all the minerals and fluid that they lose while working out. Even the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) attest to the benefits of drinking coconut water when it fought for a patent in 2000 to market coconut water as the next big sports drinks.

Coconut Water Relieves Urinary Problems

If you consume coconut water on a regular basis it can reduce urinary problems. People who suffer from strangury, polyutra and other urinary ailments drink coconut water to relieve their symptoms.

Coconut Water Kills Intestinal Worms

Drinking coconut water with one teaspoon of olive oil for three days will kill intestinal worms and clear the stomach of worms, which makes for better digestion.

Coconut Water Breaks up Kidney Stones

People who have kidney problems and are plagued by kidney stones should drink coconut water in addition to taking their medication. Drinking coconut water regularly helps to break up kidney stones making them easier to push out.

Coconut Water is Used in Blood Transfusion

Coconut water is almost identical to blood plasma and this makes it easy to use for blood transfusion. In cases of emergency coconut water has been used as an intravenous hydration fluid instead of the standard IV fluid. During World War II many wounded soldiers were saved in the Pacific because of emergency transfusion using coconut water as plasma.

Coconut Water is an Antibacterial

Coconut water contains monolaurin, an antiviral, antibacterial and antiprozoal monoglyceride that is used to kill lipid-coated viruses such as HIV, Herpes, cytomegalovirus, flu and various pathogenic bacteria.

Coconut Water Controls Vomiting

Coconut water is great at reducing vomiting. People who have typhoid, malaria, fevers or other ailments that are known to induce vomiting drink coconut water to settle the stomach. As such, coconut water is also a good thing to drink during a hangover.

Green or unripe coconuts can be found in Asian and West Indian markets. All coconuts that they sell are closed up to keep coconut water from losing its nutrients. So, if you plan on buying a coconut, you can ask someone to chop the coconut open or you can open it yourself at home and drink it.

So, drink a lot of coconut water, it's good for you, especially if you wanna have a beautiful skin..^^

(thanks for healthmad.com for this article)^^

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Recipes for Better Looking Skin

Hello,

While searching through the net I have found these great recipes that will help your skin to look better and healthier.

#1 Spinach Feta Salad with Papaya Dressing

Salad (toss ingredients together)
3 cups of fresh baby spinach
½ cup of feta cheese
1 fresh diced tomato
½ peeled & chopped cucumber
Dressing (blend ingredients together)
½ papaya
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 pinches of cayenne pepper
2 pinches of dill

Sound delicious, doesn't it?

If you are not into veggie stuff here is something with Salmon.

#2 Salmon Romaine Salad with Lemon Balsamic Dressing

Salad (toss ingredients together)
3 cups of chopped romaine lettuce
1 chopped & baked salmon fillet
½ cup fresh chopped bell pepper
¼ cup fresh chopped yellow peppers
1 fresh chopped tomato
¼ cup chopped olives
Dressing (blend ingredients together)
¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 table spoon of balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon of fresh honey
1 tablespoon of dried chili
1 pinch of sea salt to taste

Wow! That looks really tasty :)

And if you are, just like me, into chicken check the third one out as well.

#3 Arugula Chicken Salad with Curcumin Cream Dressing

Salad (toss ingredients together)
2 cups arugula lettuce
½ cup chopped broccoli
1 cup baked & chopped chicken breast
1 chopped tomato
3 diced banana peppers
Dressing (blend ingredients together)
1 teaspoon curcumin
½ teaspoon tarragon
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon mustard sauce
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon shredded parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice

I think I will go for the 3rd one first.

Try them all and I can assure you they will help your skin to look better and healthier.
Not only good cosmetics but diet is also important if you want your skin to look fresh.

Source of the recipes:

Open the Door to Salad Season This May with National Salad Month. Newswise; May 1, 2007

 

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