We live in interesting political times. Both of the major U.S. political parties are working hard to 'size up' the electorate in the post-Obama election period. The latest identified voting group? 'Whole Foods Republicans (& Independents)'. Apparently, existence of this group is news to someone. I find that humorous, because I am a member of this group, and I have been out here voting for a while now.
We seem to have them perplexed. They can't imagine that a progressive lifestyle can fit with conservatism....(say it ain't so)....but this is what they are finding in many of us out here. We are college educated, live in urban areas in modern spaces, walk more places than we drive, and like to shop at Whole Foods Market (that bastion of liberal granola heads). We enjoy diversity, would never tell a racial or homophobic joke, and have friends and colleagues from a spectrum of backgrounds.
And we vote conservatively.
WHAT?
Yep, it's true. We rely on logic (not emotion) and were raised with solid conservative values. Many of us, despite our 'modern and trendy' lifestyle, actually go to church (oh my!) and enjoy a level of spirituality as we live 'progressively'. Imagine that!
We are independent-minded, believe in free markets and limited government, love God and country, respect our military....all the while buying our tofu, gluten-free goods and organic dairy products at the local Whole Foods Market. And we may have ridden there on our bicycles. Puzzling, isn't it?
Another shocker? Most of us like Sarah Palin. A lot. Can you believe it?
I laugh at all the kerfuffle over this 'new group' because there are a ton of us out here, and we've been here for a very long time. They just didn't see us, and they couldn't imagine such an animal. That combination couldn't possibly exist! Yet it does, and in droves. A high percentage of the people I know would fall into this category. We're educated, we're modern, we're progressive and we've retained our moral bearings. Not a bad combination if you ask me.
Nice to finally get the spotlight. And about time.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
All I Want for Christmas is a Laparoscopic Myomectomy
While I won't withdraw my concerns noted in an earlier posting regarding soy milk, I feel that I must update this blog with the latest on my 'situation'. I have been diagnosed with a large fibroid tumor in my uterus, and this, not the soy milk, is what is causing my cycles to go wild.
My doctor and I first saw the fibroid on a sonogram when I had my ill-fated pregnancy a couple of years ago now. It was very small and not bothersome at the time, but apparently it's grown since then and is now causing issues.
I've studied up on fibroids since getting the news. While they are a real bother to about 25% of the female population in their 30s and 40s, the truth is that most women develop fibroids at those ages -- it's just that they remain small and unnoticed in the majority of the population. Only the lucky few of us have an issue with them. Unfortunately, I am one of those who do.
And although fibroids are noted as a tumor, they are almost never cancerous, and I am hoping that my luck holds on the statistics quoted. No one really knows what causes them or what causes them to grow in some people and not others. But they do, and when they start to wreak havoc, they must be dealt with. I'm opting for a laparoscopic myomectomy -- which basically means I'm having it taken out...as opposed to more radical surgery, like a hysterectomy. I just hope the specialist affirms my choice.
Now, I'd like for this to come out of me sooner rather than later because it is causing havoc with my life and my health. But, I can't seem to get in to see the specialist right away, so here I sit, waiting two more weeks before I can see a reproductive endocrinologist. And I can only imagine that it will be at least another few more weeks beyond that until the surgery can be done. I now have visions of spending my Christmas holidays in the hospital.
This is quite unfun and fairly uncomfortable, but I don't seem to have much of a choice in the matter.
So ultimately, I must apologize to soy milk...somewhat....but I will continue to avoid you in my diet. Regardless.
Now, again, I do plan to avoid soy, as the studies I've read have been alarming. But, alas, when I couldn't straighten things out, I went back to my ObGyn for another exam. An ultrasound revealed a sizeable fibroid tumor in my uterus, and it must come out.
My doctor and I first saw the fibroid on a sonogram when I had my ill-fated pregnancy a couple of years ago now. It was very small and not bothersome at the time, but apparently it's grown since then and is now causing issues.
I've studied up on fibroids since getting the news. While they are a real bother to about 25% of the female population in their 30s and 40s, the truth is that most women develop fibroids at those ages -- it's just that they remain small and unnoticed in the majority of the population. Only the lucky few of us have an issue with them. Unfortunately, I am one of those who do.
And although fibroids are noted as a tumor, they are almost never cancerous, and I am hoping that my luck holds on the statistics quoted. No one really knows what causes them or what causes them to grow in some people and not others. But they do, and when they start to wreak havoc, they must be dealt with. I'm opting for a laparoscopic myomectomy -- which basically means I'm having it taken out...as opposed to more radical surgery, like a hysterectomy. I just hope the specialist affirms my choice.
Now, I'd like for this to come out of me sooner rather than later because it is causing havoc with my life and my health. But, I can't seem to get in to see the specialist right away, so here I sit, waiting two more weeks before I can see a reproductive endocrinologist. And I can only imagine that it will be at least another few more weeks beyond that until the surgery can be done. I now have visions of spending my Christmas holidays in the hospital.
This is quite unfun and fairly uncomfortable, but I don't seem to have much of a choice in the matter.
So ultimately, I must apologize to soy milk...somewhat....but I will continue to avoid you in my diet. Regardless.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Welcome Home
Experience a little joy today by watching a few of these video clips......http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/40324
Monday, November 9, 2009
Kardashians Beat Draper
How can it be?
A million more people tuned in to watch Khloe Kardashian marry her future ex-husband than tuned in to watch the season finale of 'Mad Men'.
WHAT is WRONG with you people?
I consistently stay hugely disappointed in the general public.
A million more people tuned in to watch Khloe Kardashian marry her future ex-husband than tuned in to watch the season finale of 'Mad Men'.
WHAT is WRONG with you people?
I consistently stay hugely disappointed in the general public.
Friday, November 6, 2009
No More Soy
I've just spent the worst month of my life having 'female' problems, and it's not over yet. Ugh. Not only is it the physical issue, the stress and emotional angst along the way are significant. I'm exhausted.
My mind has been everywhere on this. Is it fibroids? Cancer? What? I'm working with my doctor to try to resolve it via medication vs. something more invasive. Turns out that we think it's a hormone imbalance, and yes, all of a sudden...out of the blue.
What could cause such a thing...out of the blue? Believe it or not - SOY MILK. I've just read the dangers of soy milk and the most noted issue with it is that it contains estrogen, which mimicks human hormones in the system and can throw a woman's cycles way off balance. How did I track this down? About a month ago, I started drinking two glasses of soy milk a day with a vitamin supplement in it. I stopped because it was upsetting my digestion. Then a week later, all this started. This is after 30 years of relatively healthy female cycles. BOOM. Suddenly, my hormones are out of whack.
A friend tells me that her gynecologist told her not to drink soy milk because she did not want her sensitve hormone balance to become impaired. Seems like a long shot, but it looks like that's exactly what happened to mine.
So here's a warning from someone who's been there - if you find yourself having PMS, mid-cycle bleeding, cramps or other issues, stop drinking the soy. Put it down and walk away from it. But don't listen only to me -- Google it -- articles on 'the dangers of soy' bring up some distressing information. I can't believe this isn't more widely known by the world. Where is the FDA on this?
And reading beyond my own problems, studies are suggesting that infants who drink soy-based milk are at risk -- baby girls are getting as much estrogen hormone from a soy diet as 10 birth control pills! And we wonder why our daughters are growing breasts and starting periods by age 9 or 10. It's the hormones, stupid!
I only hope I can get this back into balance soon. And I will never, ever touch a drop of soy milk ever again.
My mind has been everywhere on this. Is it fibroids? Cancer? What? I'm working with my doctor to try to resolve it via medication vs. something more invasive. Turns out that we think it's a hormone imbalance, and yes, all of a sudden...out of the blue.
What could cause such a thing...out of the blue? Believe it or not - SOY MILK. I've just read the dangers of soy milk and the most noted issue with it is that it contains estrogen, which mimicks human hormones in the system and can throw a woman's cycles way off balance. How did I track this down? About a month ago, I started drinking two glasses of soy milk a day with a vitamin supplement in it. I stopped because it was upsetting my digestion. Then a week later, all this started. This is after 30 years of relatively healthy female cycles. BOOM. Suddenly, my hormones are out of whack.
A friend tells me that her gynecologist told her not to drink soy milk because she did not want her sensitve hormone balance to become impaired. Seems like a long shot, but it looks like that's exactly what happened to mine.
So here's a warning from someone who's been there - if you find yourself having PMS, mid-cycle bleeding, cramps or other issues, stop drinking the soy. Put it down and walk away from it. But don't listen only to me -- Google it -- articles on 'the dangers of soy' bring up some distressing information. I can't believe this isn't more widely known by the world. Where is the FDA on this?
And reading beyond my own problems, studies are suggesting that infants who drink soy-based milk are at risk -- baby girls are getting as much estrogen hormone from a soy diet as 10 birth control pills! And we wonder why our daughters are growing breasts and starting periods by age 9 or 10. It's the hormones, stupid!
I only hope I can get this back into balance soon. And I will never, ever touch a drop of soy milk ever again.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Gratuitous Cuteness
There is no real reason for this post except that I ran into this little guy online and fell in love. I have a slight Shih Tzu obsession, and this fluffball is total eye candy for me. Looking at it makes me happy. I cannot do so without smiling.I like animals so much more than I like people. Put me in a roomful of furballs anytime.
Eat, Pray, Love, Watch
When I've read and loved a book, I'm always skeptical when I hear that Hollyweird is turning it into a motion picture, and once again, my feelings are the same here. I just heard that Julia Roberts is off jetting around the globe filming Elizabeth Gilbert's 'Eat, Pray, Love'.Will they be able to capture the depths of the heroine's angst at the beginning of the book? Can they capture the bottomless emptiness she felt that drove her to her journey? And what about the joy she experienced in Italy, India, Thailand? Will that come through the screen with the same vivid emotion that leapt from the page? I don't know if they can recreate it.
And Julia Roberts? While she is a decent actress, I wish they had chosen a no-name....someone with an interesting face that isn't so familiar to all of us. Why? Because the focus should be on the story, on the angst, on the joy...not on the actress. Perhaps this should have been made via an Indie film, where the focus is on the characters and the story and the dialogue and not the actors or wardrobe or other peripherals. This feels like a film that could be made beautifully without a big studio budget behind it.
I'll definitely see it when it hits, and I'm hopeful....but mostly skeptical. I fear they will ruin it for all of us.
See you at the movies.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Beyond Ridiculous
This is beyond ridiculous.I heard someone on TV asking what the point was to airbrush a super skinny model to be even thinner.
The point is that we're all talking about it, aren't we?
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Double Miles
Good thing I'm earning double miles on American Airlines right now. For the next little while, I'll probably be one of their most frequent flyers.Today? Off to Virginia with a drive to North Carolina for a visit to the Outer Banks. Duck, North Carolina. Never been there, so a new adventure. We'll be staying with 5 other couples (family/friends) in the beach house pictured above.
Next....after NC, off to Florida again for two weeks. Then back to Dallas. Then San Diego, Dallas, Toronto, Dallas, Florida, Dallas, Florida and Dallas again. All that with double mileage ought to earn me a free ticket. At least.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
60's Glamour
Plunking around on the internet today, I couldn't help but notice the retro looks being highlighted in places like Neiman Marcus. They're calling it "60s Glamour".
Most of what leaps to mind for me about the 60s is anything but glamorous -- hippies, granola heads, love children -- hardly falls into the glamourous category. So they must be talking about the early 60s....the Jackie days....the days before the Woodstock crowd took over and ruined our wardrobes forever.
I can't help but believe this has been fully influenced by the AMC show "Mad Men". I'm amazed at how one little show on an 'off'' network has managed to grab such attention. But it has. It's on my Sunday night schedule every week. And yes, I started watching it mostly for the fashions. They're fabulous.
Most of what leaps to mind for me about the 60s is anything but glamorous -- hippies, granola heads, love children -- hardly falls into the glamourous category. So they must be talking about the early 60s....the Jackie days....the days before the Woodstock crowd took over and ruined our wardrobes forever.
I can't help but believe this has been fully influenced by the AMC show "Mad Men". I'm amazed at how one little show on an 'off'' network has managed to grab such attention. But it has. It's on my Sunday night schedule every week. And yes, I started watching it mostly for the fashions. They're fabulous.
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