FertilehealthyAiming for success, not perfection…

I fell yesterday.

Any obese person will tell you that they have a huge fear of falling…  We know how heavy we are and that we’re likely to hurt ourselves badly when we fall.   And then there’s the getting up…

It was quite silly really.  Pride really does come to a fall!  I had been chatting to the proprietor of a Tri-Shop about some all-weather fitness gear that I needed and felt very athletic when I confidently strode out of the shop with my head held high.

And promptly tripped over a speed bump.  (I wasn’t even going that fast!)

The fall itself seemed to happen in slow-motion.  I was propelled forward and feel as if I must have become airborne, although I was probably just stumbling along and failing to regain my balance.

I hit the tarmac predominantly with the left side of my body, from my cheek to my knee.  My glasses went flying, as did everything I had in my hands.  I was completely stunned!

Two men were at my side within seconds, one cutting short his cell phone conversation.  They picked up my scattered possessions and gave me a few moments to compose myself and assess the damage, before heroically lifting me to my feet.  I assured them that I was all right, thanked them profusely, and got the hell out of there!

The damage seemed to be superficial – a scrapes on my face, spectacle frame, left hand, wedding ring and both knees.  Fortunately I’d been wearing gym shoes and not flip-flops!

Next stop – the gym.  Yesterday was the first day of my 12-week Total Body Makeover Program and I had already done the day’s cardio, but still needed to do the weights (at gym) and the stretching (at home).  I did about 5 minutes of rowing to warm up and then hit the circuit.  And realized that my left hand, which was inexplicably grazed on both sides, wasn’t working too well.  I muddled my way through the requisite exercises and went home.

My hand, especially the thumb side, got progressively worse during the day, until I could barely use it at all.  I was convinced however that it wasn’t broken, just bruised or sprained.  But of course you only realize how often you use two hands when one hurts every time you try to employ it…  I struggled to change gears, couldn’t open a water bottle without crying out and couldn’t take off or put on a bra.  Thank goodness for Craig!

We went to the in-laws for dinner last night and my mother-in-law recommended Arnica – both  tablets and cream.  I took some immediately and have to admit that I feel better today, although as suspected, my neck and shoulders are quite sore!

I think I’m going to take it easy for a few days, until I’m 100%.  The Total Body Makeover can wait one week… 

I’m just glad that I didn’t break anything (including my glasses)….  It could have been much worse!

One of my favorite fruits has got to be bananas.  I eat of a lot of them!

There’s been this misconception among dieters that bananas are “fattening”, because of the high sugar content.  That’s just nonsense!  They’re nutritional powerhouses and filled with valuable soluble fiber, which slows down the absorption of the unrefined glucose, fructose and sucrose.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout, which makes it the #1 fruit for the world’s leading athletes.

But providing us with energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit.  It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:  According to a recent survey taken amongst people who suffer from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax and improve your mood.

PMS:  Forget the pills – eat a banana.  The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia:  High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood pressure:  Bananas are high in potassium, yet low in salt, making them perfect to control blood pressure.

Brain power:  Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making you more alert. 

Constipation:  Because of the high fiber content, bananas can help restore normal bowel function without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:  One of the quickest ways to cure a hangover is to drink a banana smoothie. 

Heartburn:  Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning sickness:  Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:  Many people find rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin amazingly effective at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:  Bananas are high in B vitamins that calm the nervous system.

Ulcers:  The banana is useful in alleviating discomfort from intestinal disorders because of its smoothness and soft texture.  It neatralized over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control:  Many cultures see bananas as a cooling fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers.

Tobacco use:  Bananas can help those trying to stop smoking.  The vitamins B6 and B12, along with the high levels of potassium and magnesium, can help the body cope with nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Stress:  Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance.  When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels.  These can be topped up with a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes:  According to research in the New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by stroke by as much as 40%.

Warts:  Many people have found that warts disappear when a piece of banana skin is placed on the wart and taped securely.  I should really try that!

Shoe shine:  Rub the shoe with the inside of the banana skin and polish with a dry cloth.  I haven’t tried this one!

Compared to an apple, a banana contains four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorous and five times the iron and vitamin A.  As mentioned, it is rich in potassium. 

So, bananas really are useful fruit to eat daily.  Kids love them too!

I always slice a banana or two into my morning oatmeal, along with a teaspoon of honey and a tablespoon of ground flax seeds.

And needless to say, no green smoothie is complete without bananas! 

I’ve found that they freeze really well -  just peel and place between sheets of wax paper in the freezer.

You can also make these wonderful desserts:

Fig & Banana Sundae

½ cup fresh figs (or dried figs soaked overnight in 100% pure apple juice)

4-8 frozen ripe bananas

1 cup chopped pecan nuts

Blend the figs until smooth and spoon about 1 cm into individual glasses.  Blend the bananas until frothy and spoon onto the figs.  Add a layer of chopped pecans.  Repeat layers until the glass is full.  Top with nuts and keep frozen until needed.

Baked Banana Pudding

6-8 bananas, sliced

2 tbsp raw honey

2 tbsp sultanas

2 tsp cinnamon

Mix all the ingredients together and transfer to an ovenproof dish.  Bake at 180°C (355°F) for 30-40 minutes.

Fruit and Nut Ice Cream

1 pineapple

3 bananas

¼ cup raw honey

3 handfuls of cashews

1/3 cup water

Blend everything together really well until smooth, then pour into containers and freeze.  When are ready to have some, allow it to melt a little then pop it back into the processor.  You can also add mangoes or any desired fruit.

Have you had a banana today?

Since I’m still busy settling into my new home, I haven’t had a chance to work on a Fertile Friday post regarding nutrition this week.  So I thought I’d introduce you to someone who really brought the concept of holistic fertility home to me - Julia Indichova.

This amazing woman overcame infertility and has documented her journey in her book Inconceivable:  A Woman’s Triumph Over Despair and Statistics. 

When trying to conceive her second child at the age of 42, she found out that her levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) were so high that no fertility clinic would even consider helping her.  FSH stimulates the growth of the egg, but an elevated level inhibits ovulation.  Time after time Julia was told that she had reached the end of her reproductive life, had no more viable eggs and should consider doing IVF with donor eggs.

I don’t think that anyone just makes that decision right off, and Julia was no exception.  Something was telling her that there had to be an alternative and thus started a truly inspirational journey of discovery.

She consulted with healers from a variety of disciplines and found that not all were above board!  But eventually a picture started to emerge.  Over a period of time the family changed their way of eating to a plant-based, whole foods diet with plenty of freshly extracted vegetable juices.  Julia also took a variety of herbs and incorporated yoga into her daily routine.

More than anything this was a journey of emotional healing.  When it comes to health and fertility, we can no longer discount the mind-body connection and Julia really opened my eyes to this aspect (which we will still come to in our Fertile Friday posts).

Slowly but surely her FSH levels started to come down, but the medical establishment were still too wary to try IVF.  This didn’t matter, because less than a year after receiving the initial diagnosis she conceived her second daughter naturally and had a healthy, uneventful pregnancy.

In the 15 years since the birth of Adira, Julia has devoted herself to helping women get fertile.  Her approach is truly holistic and include advice on diet, emotional healing and providing support for couples struggling with infertility.  Her approach also gives couples who are planning Assisted Conception a much better chance of success.

Her second book The Fertile Female:  How the Power of Longing for a Child Can Save Your Life and Change the World tells the stories of so many of the women she’s worked with through the years. 

I have read both these books many times and always find something new and inspiring in them.  If you struggle with fertility, I strongly recommend you read them.  Also please visit her amazing website, Fertile Heart, which is a great source of information.  There are also testimonials and message boards.

Here’s a video about Julia and her Fertile Heart work:

I’ll leave you with some of her words of wisdom…

-  Our children are on their way:  they’re simply taking the scenic route, giving you a chance to remember that you too once arrived here on earth bearing a parcel filled with gifts.  Your sons and daughters are making sure you get to unwrap and deliver a few more of those gifts before they show up.

-  I follow my protocol religiously, the way one takes an antibiotic.  I wouldn’t dream of missing a day…  I need to prove to myself that I’m serious and show my body I can be counted on.

-  If the body can’t handle the workload, or if it’s the heart that’s frightened, or the soul that wishes to soar, we must stop, pull up a chair, and find out what the trouble is.  Otherwise we can blast our ovaries with stimulants, produce caravans of embryos of the highest grade, and still go home to an empty nursery.

-  If you let your body speak, one day it will start to sing.

-  … I realized that my body needed mothering before I could move on to parent a child.  This is pretty much true for every woman I’ve worked with over the years.

-  “No, no, no!  Don’t talk to me about love,” [your body] says.  “Show me that you care through your behavior.”

-  Our fertility cannot be taken away from us.  It is not based on our estradiol levels, or our ovarian reserve.  It is based on our willingness to live a passionate, fruitful life, and to stay “busy being born”.

This movie is a must-see!  We have to start taking action… Vote with your wallet!

The gorgeous and divine Chubby Chick from Journeying to Lose 200 Pounds has generously awarded me the “Love Ya Award”!  Thanks CC, I love you too!

The rules of the award are:

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award“

Right!  Do you know how hard it is to choose only 8 deserving blogs?  I have so many fulfilling relationships in the blogging world! 

In the end I chose:

- Jen, the Prior Fat Girl.  She’s so honest and real and I enjoy her posts tremendously.

-  Karla and Shannan from Living a Whole Life.  They are sisters-in-law who have changed the way their families eat and are reaping the benefits.  I think it’s very cool that they share a blog!

- Pamela from An Ordinary Life. Her life is far from ordinary!

- Felicia from Life Happens.  It’s because she makes it happen!

- Annette from Annette’s Awakening.  This is one gorgeous and gutsy lady!

- Katschi from Fitcetera.  She always keeps it real!

- Kim from The Road To Beautiful.  She inspires me so much!

- Tigerlilly from The Tiger’s Pride.  Such a hard worker!

- Vickie from Baby Steps.  I learn so much from her, not only about rebuilding my body, but my whole life from the inside out.

-  Rob from Fitness for Real, Fitness for Life.  A truly nice guy who is transforming his life.

Do we have eight yet?  Oh, ten? Well, I’m feeling extra generous today!

Thanks again CC!