Wellness

Wellness speaks to a healthy person in mind, body, and spirit.

I AM Successful!

by ladypbwiggins

It has been good to reconnect with many of my high school classmates. One of the alums began a page called Dragons Forever and I have enjoyed reading about their lives. It brought back some good memories and some not so good.  I have been thinking about the declaration made by my high school classmates made about me.  You know how the class votes for the Most Talented, the Most Popular, etc. I was voted the Most Likely to Succeed.  I was never sure if they really thought that of me or there was nothing else. Nevertheless, it haunted me for the last 30 years. I don’t possess fame or wealth that you would expect from someone successful. I began a career but after my son’t birth I became a homemaker.I never thought that would be me. I planned a career life, with a family. I didn’t plan for my family to be my career. I devoted my time to homeschooling my kids, taking care of my husband and my home. I was also active in my church and community. I was concerned about black kids, the boys especially in the public school system.  (That is another blog post.)  As my kids needed me less the thoughts of “The Most Likely to Succeed” periodically popped up and in those moments I felt like a failure. I had not succeeded. I am not famous and I am not wealthy, not even well to do. We are living a servant’s life. It has been a very blessed choice but no fame or fortune.

Many of you know this has been a very trying year. I have faced death several times through my husband. I have had hours in the hospital and rehab rooms to reflect on my life. I discovered that I was very wealthy. I had sisters, birth and spiritual that supported me; that loved me.  I discovered friends that I didn’t know I had. Our spiritual children stepped up in ways unexpected. Their actions expressed real love for us. Most of all, those children I gave birth to and those I chose to mother, love me and sometimes they even like me.  My children are pursuing their dreams and taking care o their families. They love learning. They love helping the underdog. They love giving of themselves.  I believe my husband and I had a little to do with those attitudes. Finally, I have a husband who truly loves me as I am. So while I am not the success we dreamed of those years so long ago, I can say I am wealthy beyond measure.

I am successful.

Turkey Sausage Revisited

by ladypbwiggins

A few weeks ago I tried a homemade sausage recipe that I found. In that post I gave the source credit for the recipe. This time I tried it just as she wrote it except I substituted vegetable broth for chicken broth.

  1.  I bought a turkey breast and a turkey thigh. Using my virgin boning knife I removed the meat from the thigh bone. The breast was already removed from the breast bone. I must admit this process caused me to consider becoming a vegan.
  2. I used my KitchenAide meat/nut grinder to grind the meat. I used both the light meat and the dark meat believing the dark meat would add a little fat. My hope was that the turkey would be juicier.
  3. Next I used my mortar and pestle to grind the basil and oregano.
  4. I added that along with the rest of the spices to the ground turkey.
  5. I used vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  6. Mixed it all up be sure to evenly distribute the spices.
  7. Finally, into the pan it went. I used a little oil in the pan so the patties wouldn’t stick. I think I used grapeseed oil or it might have been coconut. Either works.
  8. The results were very good. It was less dry but not what I wanted. Sooooo

Next time, I will bake a turkey part and use the drippings to add a little fat to the mixture.

For the recipe review Making Turkey Sausage.

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Making Turkey Sausage

by ladypbwiggins

I have re-entered the laboratory(my kitchen). I have wanted to try this recipe for a long time but always got distracted. Several years ago my husband and I chose to stop eating pork, beef or chicken. Turkey and fish are our meats of choice. I like turkey sausage but you can’t always find a brand that doesn’t taste dry.  Since my husband’s illness we have been on a low sodium eating regimen.There is always the cost to consider. I searched online and found a recipe submitted by Bonnita Wirth.  So here is my experimentation with her recipe.

I did not add chicken broth because I don’t eat chicken. I used olive oil instead. I must say that may not have been a good idea because the salt taste was nonexistent. I suspect Ms. Wirth relied on the broth to add salt.The lean turkey was a little dry that is why I added olive oil.I was very happy with the seasonings.

Ms Wirth’s recipe.

120151026_090130 pound lean ground turkey breast

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)

1 minced clove fresh garlic or 1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp coriander and/or Trader Joe’s Everyday Seasoning

(sea salt, mustard seed, black peppercorns, coriander, onion, garlic paprika, chili pepper)

1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground20151026_090134

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp basil

1/2 c chicken broth and other wet ingredients

Add chicken broth and/or other wet ingredients, mixing well.

Let stand 15 to 20 minutes.

Form turkey into 6 to 8 patties, approximately 3/4 inch thick20151026_091752

Cook patties thoroughly on a nonstick surface
20151026_091741

When I repeat the experiment this is what I plan to do.

Replace the chicken broth with either vegetable broth or turkey broth.

Use 85% lean instead of 95% lean ground turkey.

I will try it again. If I am successful then I will try her Italian sausage seasoning. My husband said it sounded like I was going to have a sausage factory.

P.S. To the sausage that I did not cook, I added salt and cooked it the next day. Flavor-wise there was a tremendous taste difference. I will try this again. I like being able to avoid paying for packaging. My next experiment will be using turkey that I ground myself. Gobble, gobble.

The 7th Month and Then…..

by ladypbwiggins

October 28th marks the end of the 7th month of our health journey; the one that began with my husband’s cardiac arrest in our bathroom. Seven is the number of completion. The seventh day God rested.This month has not been restful but as I compare it to the first six, yes it has.

Many things have changed in these last 7 months.

  • Carl has lost about 100 lbs. He is no longer considered obese.
  • We are more committed to eating a cleaner, nutritious diet.
  • I have learned more about the Kaiser Permanente System than I ever hoped to know.
  • I have learned some medical protocols that we all need to know.
  • I have learned just how much power an insistent advocate has; especially one whose on God’s team.
  • A car accident resulted in a new, more functional vehicle.  Romans 8:28
  • We have learned who our real friends are.
  • We have learned the meaning of Malachi 3:
    • “Good measure, pressed down, shaken together shall men (women) give into your bosom.”
  • Most of all, we have learned many lessons about God’s faithfulness. 

As October 28th approaches, my thoughts go to the prayers for October 29th, the 8th month. Eight is the number of new beginnings. So what is my desire for the 8th month,

  • The good work that God has begun to continue.
    • I desire complete healing for my husband.
    • I desire God’s revelation of His plan for our new lives.
      • I know this experience was not just for us to learn. There must be a greater purpose.
    • I desire a financial opportunity enveloped in that plan.
  • I desire leisure time with my husband. A trip to Santa Barbara or Carmel would be lovely.
  • I desire NO doctor visits that are not routine checkups for either of us. No hospital stays.

The 8th month will provide an awesome Thanksgiving. We have so much for which to be thankful. I think I will begin now.

Thank You

To All who have supported us with your prayers, dinners, rides, and finances.

To All the doctors, nurses, and therapists who have helped us and taught me.

To Eagles Wings Christian Church family.

To our personal family.

To my God.

Who has sheltered us, protected us, and kept us.

Psalm 91

Changed!

by ladypbwiggins

The last 7 months have been a life changing experience. It has not only changed Carl and I, but you. Yes, you. Who are You?   “You” live in three groups.

Group 1

You who

  1.  Walked with us through this fire journey with us.
  2. Believed God in spite of what you saw.

Group 2

You who

  1. Prayed but lacked faith that they would be answered.
  2. Thought I had lost my mind and all sense of reasoning but stood with me anyway.

Group 3

You who

  1. Watched on the sidelines
  2. Thought Group 1 and 2 were crazy but hoped we were right.

How have you changed? I don’t know but you do.

I suspect whatever group you are in, your faith in God has increased.

I suspect you believe the impossible is more possible than you did before.

You are permanently changed!

The Doctors Said

by ladypbwiggins

The Doctors said he wouldn’t live. He did.

The Doctors said he wouldn’t remember. He does, more everyday.

The Doctors said he wouldn’t walk again. He is, farther everyday.

The Doctors said….

Don’t get me wrong. Doctors have their usefulness. However, they are not the last word.

Whose report will you believe? The Doctors’ or God’s.

When Passion Dies

by ladypbwiggins

When Passion Dies

A loss

Your self Missing

In Action

Like arid desert roaming

One drop mirage to satisfy.

Interest, joy, purpose

locked away in the dark vault of

Not forgotten.

When Passion dies

Dreams die

Don’t let your Dreams die.

Fulfill them..

During The Five Months

by ladypbwiggins

I learned

  • What it really meant to walk by “faith and not by sight.” So often we spout those words so piously and we do not understand the depth that they take you or at least that was my experience. Often we have faith as long as we can think of a few options on our own just in case God takes too long. In these 5 months I had no options of my own. The doctors were not sure what was causing his tachycardia. Very few understood my hope of his healing mentally and physically. Most thought I was in denial and delusional. But I knew what God did that night and what it meant.
  • That others would NOT understand and you might very well have to walk this journey alone.
  • That blessings and support would come from the most unexpected places and unexpected ways.
  • To question everything the doctors do. Research procedures and medications. Insert myself into their rounds. Demand explanations. Know what the drugs are, what they do and the side effects. It is your right and responsibility.
  • The more specialized a doctor or department is the less likely they will communicate with other doctors unless you demand it.
  • To LISTEN very carefully.
  • To document what I heard. I must confess I learned to apply that later than I should have but do it.
  • More about Kaiser Permenente  system than I every thought I would need.
  • God’s timing is perfect but not mine.
  • How to be peaceful in a storm.
  • What is important in life. My God, my loved ones. The rest is fluff and fill to make our lives more comfortable and enjoyable.
  • To expectantly watch God work.
  • To learn

Many of these lessons I am still learning but this experience has changed me. I don’t know how God is going to use what we have gone through but I know it was not for us alone. Waiting expectantly.

Five Months Ago Tonight

by ladypbwiggins

Five  months ago tonight, March 27, my husband flat-lined.

Five months ago tonight I faced the loss of my best friend and love.

Five months ago tonight I prayed if it is his time take him or heal him. I don’t want him to suffer.

Five months ago tonight I spent the night in emergency.

Five months ago tonight I began a painful, terrifying, horrific, rewarding journey.

Five months ago tonight I began to learn to trust what God said rather than what I saw.

Five months ago tonight I believe God answered my prayer by breathing life into Carl.

The scripture that came to me was Psalm 91 and therein I believed lay my promise.

Psalm 91:14-16 (ESV)
14  “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15  When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
16  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Here we are five months later and he is back in the hospital but things are so very different.

God is still fulfilling that promise in very interesting ways.

God is Masterfully orchestrating our lives.

Scared!

by ladypbwiggins

Sometimes you just need to refocus. Being really scared can cause you to do that.

Carl awakened in pain from the neuropathy in his legs. Then I realized he was perspiring like a running water faucet and cold to the touch at the same time. This is usually an indication that his blood pressure has dropped too low. I put pillows under his legs to raise them. He asked for a wet wash cloth to wipe his face and neck. That was good. He was conscious and communicating. He wanted to be on his side, then his stomach and then his back all in a matter of minutes. Then he told me he was dizzy and nauseous and thought he might vomit. I went to get a container for that and he began to dry heave. I was SCARED. I asked him if I should call 911. He said he didn’t know and then I got a feeling that I should wait. I called out to God and reminded Him of the promise he gave me in Psalm 91.  One of which was when I called out that He would answer. Carl began to settle down but still had pains in his leg and nausea. I continued to pray and then I felt God instructing me to read Mark 4. I began to read and wondered why He pointed me to the parable of the sower.  I continued to read. Next came the account of the disciples being afraid that they would drown in the storm. After Jesus calmed the storm He said to them,

Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?

That was it. That is why I had to read Mark 4. Throughout this whole ordeal, our storm, I have been learning to put my trust in what God said and not the circumstances that I see. I guess I got so comfortable in where I was that I didn’t realize I was slipping back into trusting what I saw. So the Father had to SCARE me back to FAITH; Faith in Him and what He said He would do. I have been refocused. Focused on what God promised rather than what I see happening in the healing process.

By the way, there are good things happening. The doctor’s have removed a very toxic drug called Amioderone. The side affects can cause extremely life threatening damage. It is the major contributor to the neuropathy. Since its removal, Carl is getting stronger and is standing with very little assistance. I am optimistic that he may be trying to walk by next week if not sooner. He said he feels like he is coming out of the mental fog. All these positives are the reasons I was so scared this morning.

So I say to you don’t lose focus. Keep your eyes on the promise that God has given you no matter what else may be happening. God’s course correction is not fun. Don’t give Him cause to Scare you back to Faith.