Monday, September 23, 2013

Week three diabetes diet

Week three on the diet and it is a B! The struggle over living and dying is so real. I wish I could lie and say that lifestyle changes are easy and that in the end it get's easier. I really can't though. And I still don't have any fancy recipes or tremendous positive sentiments to leave you with. This week I have to be better and not so hard on myself. Allowing at least one cheat meal a week.

Because I can't leave you without a pic... here is my four year old on sunday morning. 








Her smile is contagious. I love my girl.

 ~ Tasia

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Jeyes Jaxon's September Love Letter


Dear Jeyes Jaxon:

I've yet to decide if I'm ready to part ways with your beautiful curls. Many encourage us to leave your hair alone, but, I cannot handle anyone mistaking you for a girl. You are ALL boy. I am so proud to call you my son. Those locks of yours love Hawaii's environment and so does your skin. We barely use lotion on your dry skin anymore. Now is the healthiest it has ever been. That makes me happy. We need to get you a dentist appointment soon for your pearly whites. You love your "shake-ups" (Pedia Sure) and although they are good for your tiny body, I fear they have taken a toll on your teeth. Just how in the world am I going to get you to cut back on these things? I have to add that the smile those drinks put on your face brings me the greatest joy. You'll lean in close to my face and say "peese shake up mama" and kiss me. So smart you are! One day I'll learn to stop giving into your charm... one day...


What I see when I look at you is everything I ever dreamed of in raising a boy. Your brown skin has turned two shades darker since we've been in Hawaii. You receive many compliments on it's coloration. And I am always flattered to admit you are part polynesian. I hope that one day you will understand (and not let it get to your head) just how gorgeous you are from the inside-out. I won't pretend for a minute that your not always my happy little soldier. And sometime's you throw the nastiest fits over tiny things like whether or not the lights in the house should be on or off. Sheesh - I thought I was picky. Having a firm sense of what you want is a great quality. Never let anyone tell you what you want is wrong. Maybe it isn't right at the time but you are always entitled to your opinion and I encourage you to speak up and let it out. 


These past weeks I could tell you have been needing more interaction with other kids. Wanting so desperately to do be involved in whatever your sister is doing - I sent you to pre-school with her two weeks ago and you have done great! I am so proud of you! I'll admit I have been very worried you wouldn't be nice to other kids or cry wondering why I left you. Twice a week while you and sister are at school, I get a 2.5 hour allowance to which I have been focusing on exercise and tending to anything that needs my attention most in and outside of our home. This time has been very healthy for my psyche and stress level, allowing me to be a better mother which you 100% deserve. While I am away from you, I never stop worrying or wondering if you are safe. When you think back to why I sent you to school so soon, never think it was because I didn't want to spend time with you. I want for you to be strong, independent, and learn to build friendship's without me hovering over your shoulder. I promise you, my son, this break from each other has made us appreciate all the time we are blessed to spend together. 

Thank you for loving me so passionately. I love you, now, tomorrow, and forever. 

Love, 

Mommy Tasia 



Friday, September 13, 2013

More Dress-Up Less Housework


She's four years young and still loves to play dress-up. While Jeyes was napping this week, Teilani asked me to help her put on her princess dress. How could I say, no? It's ratted and her favorite. We've had it for more than two years. Lasting through many washes and tons of play-dates. Needless to say, this pink beauty is on it's way to donation. Or the trash. For all the memories created this has been $10 well spent on 2011's halloween costume if you ask me. 

I grabbed my camera after she was dressed and snapped these photo's. Never wanting to wait until they are uploaded to the computer, we skimmed through the photo viewer on my camera together and picked out our favorites which I'm sharing with you. Twirling and posing, I watched her grow up before my eyes. I want to lock this moment and moments like this in my brain forever. 


The innocent silliness that lives in my girl reminds me to take a break and slow the hell down. Make more time to play dress-up, read fairytales, and play barbies. Laundry and dishes will always be there. This won't last long... 

Next time I blink - I'll be helping her shop for prom dresses and wishing I could rewind time back to the days when life wasn't as serious. They tell you - big kids bigger problems. I hope that's not true. But for now, I'll sit in this moment and enjoy all that is true. Which is, she is four. And I am her "favoritest mommy in the whole world"..."daddy's going to think I'm so pretty in my dress". 

I love you, Teilani Marie. I'll never stop loving every frill of your beautiful soul. 

Love,  Mommy Tasia 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Week 2 Diabetes Diet: Thank You for the LOVE


It's been a week since I started my diabetes diet. Food. Food. Food. Is what bounces around in my brain all day long. Which is a good thing compared to when I would grab handful's of tortilla chips without a care in the world and dip them in fatty spinach artichoke dip. I really love to dip. And I super love tortilla chips. We will meet again old friends of mine...

After I posted last week, I continue to be humbled by the amount of support shown by my friends and family. I know I have more than enough cheering me on, keeping me positive and full of ideas for exercise and meals. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! I won't let you down and I WILL pay the love forward.

I vaguely remember how hard it was being pregnant with Teilani while I was on this diet in 2009 with gestational diabetes. What I remember most was always being hungry. Most of it was normal pregnancy cravings and the rest was my inner emotional eater freaking out because I was about to be a mother. Funny how emotions will make you turn to food for comfort. Besides missing Mcdonald's crap food and those yumm tortilla chips I mentioned, my meals are starting to make me feel better. If I am late for a snack my blood sugar crashes and I feel sick to my stomach, like I will faint if I don't inhale every carb in the house right at that moment. I chug a ton of water, have a seat, and eat a normal snack. After 10 minutes or so, all is well again. Keeping on time with snacks and meals has been most important.



Let's be friends through MyFitnessApp! We can track our meals and exercises together. Write inspirational or funny tidbits on how we stay on our game plan. All of my information is public so feel free to take a peek anytime and give me tips (if your feeling super awesome) on how I'm doing. My username is: tasiamurrieta.




All of the meal planning, errands, routine stuff inside my home can stress me out to no end. Forcing myself to take walks, get out of the house, notice beautiful things surrounding me has been very therapeutic. Then sharing it with you makes me even happier. And I really hope it makes you happy, too.



Teilani and Jeyes know Mom can't have sugar and they have been forced to be on the diet with me. Though not as strict as I am with myself they must eat at least one bite of vegetables with their dinner and whatever meat we are eating they eat that too. I might have also had my nutritionist tell them they can only have TWO "milkshakes" (they could guzzle up to four) a day. HA! I'm looking at this lifestyle change as the greatest blessing for my family. By week three I hope to have a post up about some of the meals that have been incorporated into my diet. My hope is that it blesses you and helps make your meal planning easier. And you maybe you might even have some idea's on where I can show improvement.

Mahalo for all the outstanding support!

Aloha,

Tasia

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Type II Diabetes: My transition to better health & wellness


Photo credit: Teilani Murrieta

Have you ever looked at a picture of yourself and immediately wanted to delete it? If you're like me, you're probably guilty of this more than once in life. I barely recognize myself anymore. I look at pictures and say "this is NOT me". I've been feeling less than fabulous lately but chalking it up to the motherhood duties wearing me out. Too stubborn to go to the doctor, I bit the bullet a couple weeks ago for a routine physical in order to get clearance for an allergy appointment. I have Hypothyroidism and take a hormone ever day to keep my levels where they need to be. This should be checked every six months so I knew that test had to be done. And my levels were fine. What was NOT good was my Hemoglobin A1C & cholesterol. I tested at the bottom and within range for type II diabetes. This week I meet with a nutritionist to talk about a diet plan to control my sugar and cholesterol. While dieting has been swirling around in my mind the past months, I now have no choice. Well, I sort of do...I could settle for this disease and die a slow and painful death or I could suck it up and get this right because I owe it to myself and to my loved ones.

My question to you, my readers:

Do you know someone with type II diabetes? How do they stay on track and keep a positive mindset? Better yet a positive transition to rising above and conquering? I could use some help and a lot of prayer's over here. I started a board on my pinterest  page with  some recipes for diabetic friendly food here. If you're feeling extra lovely and have some idea's -- drop a comment, email, or follow me on pinterest <--, and tag me in your pin. I would be beyond grateful for extra help. More updates will be on the way as the weeks pass. I have until the end of October to prove to my primary doctor I can bring my Hemoglobin A1C levels down and avoid insulin therapy and glucose testing.

Aloha & Mahalo <3

Tasia


Monday, September 2, 2013

Anniversary Love Letter to my Husband


Dear Jarrod:
Nearing a decade as your wife, these past years have flown by. Through all our highs and lows in our marriage, your tenacity always encourages my soul and lifts me high above the negativity where I so often get stuck. No one has ever loved me so fierce and tender as you do. The night I met you replays in my mind like a scene from my favorite movie. I bandaged your finger, trying not to shake so you wouldn't sense my nervousness. I remember your eyes, the way you looked at me, I felt respected. Your voice was deep, soft, like a relentless gentle wave that pounded at my heart telling me to never let you go. Nobody could tell me I was wrong for choosing you as my husband. You were and always will be the perfect match to my crazy. Thank you for my two beautiful babies and the strong leadership you continually provide for our family. 

I love you and pray God continues to bless our lives with health, happiness, and more love from now until forever.

Happy Seventh Anniversary, my giant love.

Forever & Always,

Tasia