DIY: Headband

Hello! Happy New Year! Just wanted to share this rosette wire headband I made, based on one I saw at American Apparel. If you'd like the DIY directions, I've posted them on my HeadsTwogether blog.

Happy New Year & Goals

I know it's cliche to make New Year's Resolutions, but I can't help but feel like I get a fresh start at certain areas of my life.  I always feel excited about the beginning of a new year.  So, without further adieu, here is my list of goals for 2011:
- Run a 10k Race
- Participate in and finish a Triathalon
- Learn to drive a stick shift
- Become familiar with my new DSLR
- Get to know my Bible and my God better
- Memorize scripture
- Sew an article of clothing
- Move more, eat less (junk)
- Send more snail mail
- Be financially disciplined
- Pay off car loan #1
- Log 300+ miles this year (running)
- Cook more healthy meals, low in GI
- live more simply :)

Excited for this

I'm super excited about the upcoming movie adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's novel, Jane Eyre. Alice in Wonderland's Mia Waskowska is starring as Jane along side Michael Fassbender.  Having seen Alice recently, I think Mia will be the perfect fit for the role.  (Earlier this year, there was talk of Juno's Ellen Page as the lead. Although I was intrigued by the possibilities, I feel more certain Mia is the right choice.) The novel is at the top of my favorite books list so I'm anxious and excited to see this in motion picture. I would also like to give props to the designer of this poster. It's exactly what I picture when I think of this story.

The movie is due to appear in theaters March 11th, 2011.

Why My Blog is Named What It Is

It sure has been chilly in Minnesota this week! I've woken up to negative temperatures the last few days. But that's not everything. This past weekend, we got about 20 inches of snow! It accumulated over a day and a half. The above picture #1 (I apologize for) was taken through the glass of the front door. Picture #2 is a photo of our back deck. It already had some snow from the previous accumulation. But still. And Picture #3 is my very funny kitty, Mabel. Doesn't she look joyous? All three of these photos were taken with my new (!!!) NIKON D3000! I'm obviously still learning how to use it. But I'm loving it already!

Stay tuned for more blabbing.

Snowy Days and Knitting

This is what I woke up to this morning ...

It's been snowing all day and we're likely to get up to 10 inches of snow by tomorrow. This snowy weather puts me in the Christmas-y mood. And all I want to do is wrap up in blankets, pop in a movie, and knit.  Last weekend I finished a pair of mittens.

Goals for 2010

I recently found a list I had made for my goals of 2010. Don't laugh, because some of them seem silly. But here they are (the ones I've completed have a strike through them):

1.  Eat less fast food
2.  Exercise more, lose weight, tone up
3.  Run a 10k race

4.  Draw more
5.  Design more
6.  Crochet an animal from book
7.  Print by hand from book
8.  Sew an article of clothing
9.  Knit something besides a scarf

10.  Portfolio Website
11.  Sell on istockphoto
12.  Advertise on Craigslist

Not too bad, eh? #1 was easy because I stopped working my second job. So no more dinner drive thru's. #2 is sort of a so-so. I've lost weight and gained it, but, I have been exercising more and doing strength training, something I never did in the past. #3 I'm doing in 2 weeks.  #9 I knit a pair of mittens just this past weekend and started a hat a few days ago! #10 I started a design blog and put up some design examples, so, it's sort of completed. #12 I advertised my organizing business on craigslist and actually got a gig out of it :)

I'm actually ok with not completing #4 to draw more. But I would like to complete #7 and #8 before the end of the year. #11 isn't a big deal either.  I kind of feel good about myself right now.

So...

I originally planned on abandoning this blog for my new design blog, Maren Layne Design: Simple & Pretty. BUT, I thought I should keep personal things here instead. There are some things better left off the professional blog, I think. Which brings me to my next topic.  Some of you may not understand why I want to share such personal information with the world wide web, but, it's not for attention or even sympathy. I'm sharing this in hopes of helping others who may be in the same boat.

I recently found out I'm insulin resistant due to my PCOS.  Yes, that term is associated with Diabetes.  Let me break it down for you if you are interested in understanding what that means. Skip down if you're not.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body produces insulin but does not use it properly. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps the body use glucose for energy. Glucose is a form of sugar that is the body’s main source of energy.

The body’s digestive system breaks food down into glucose, which then travels in the bloodstream to cells throughout the body. Glucose in the blood is called blood glucose, also known as blood sugar. As the blood glucose level rises after a meal, the pancreas releases insulin to help cells take in and use the glucose.

When people are insulin resistant, their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond properly to insulin. As a result, their bodies need more insulin to help glucose enter cells. The pancreas tries to keep up with this increased demand for insulin by producing more. Eventually, the pancreas fails to keep up with the body’s need for insulin. Excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, setting the stage for diabetes. Many people with insulin resistance have high levels of both glucose and insulin circulating in their blood at the same time.

Insulin resistance increases the chance of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Learning about insulin resistance is the first step toward making lifestyle changes that can help prevent diabetes and other health problems. (source)

Over a year ago, I went off birth control and did not get my normal cycle. My gynecologist diagnosed me with PCOS, which is a hormonal imbalance.  I didn't really understand what PCOS was -- only that if I wanted to eventually get pregnant, I would need to correct the situation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (say "pah-lee-SIS-tik OH-vuh-ree SIN-drohm") is a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS may also cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it is not treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS) is common, affecting as many as 1 out of 15 women. Often the symptoms begin in the teen years. Treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems. 

The most common symptoms are:

• Acne.
• Weight gain and trouble losing weight.
• Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back.
• Thinning hair on the scalp.
• Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
• Fertility problems. Many women who have PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility).
• Depression.

Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.(source)

Because I wasn't getting a regular cycle, I was put on Prometrium pills every other month to help with that. My doctor also told me that it would be difficult to get pregnant without the help of drugs and/or other procedures. Since my husband, Darin, and I weren't in any rush to get pregnant, we decided not to delve into that. However, I did want to get my cycle under control so I wouldn't be at risk for Uteran cancer. After 2 months of the Prometrium pills, increased exercise, and a lot of prayer, my cycle was back on track without the aid of the pills. I have been off those since the beginning of the year. Praise God! 

Anyway, I promise I have a point to my ramblings.  I've been doing a lot of research on PCOS and came across a study done by the University of Sydney, headed by Jennie Brand-Miller. For the past 20 years, her team has been researching foods and how they affect our blood sugar.   Foods are tested and rated on a scale of 1 to 100 (pure glucose = 100) to determine their GI (glycemic index). Foods 55 and below, are considered Low GI, 56 and above are Medium to High GI.  Jennie's research has proven that eating foods low in GI, will keep the glucose levels low, as well as insulin levels low, helping you lose extra weight, as well as reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease, giving you life long health. This is wonderful news for women with PCOS and others who are high risk for diabetes. 

If this has interested you, then, please check out the website about the Glycemic Index and Jennie's research. There are a number of books you can purchase including cookbooks and how to manage your PCOS or Diabetes with a low GI diet.  I purchased the cookbook along with the managing PCOS book.  It's so great to know there is a natural way to treat health problems. 

I've already cooked two recipes out of the Low GI cookbook. Both were delicious! Today I made Tuna-Cucumber Sushi.  

 I'm hoping to lose a little weight (I've got some extra around my tummy) and get in shape. Check back for some updates :)