It’s a Glandular thing

"One of the most perplexing stories of this past decade has been the increase in thyroid disease. Back in 2000, experts were still claiming that an estimated 13 million Americans had thyroid conditions. Now, the most conservative estimates indicate that some 27 million Americans have thyroid disease, and some calculations suggest that as many as 60 million Americans -- 1 in 5 -- have a thyroid condition.
At the same time, we also have an increase in the rate of thyroid cancer -- particularly in women -- making it one of the only cancers that is actually on the rise in the U.S."

·         To see the full article, which includes some theories as to why there is such an increase in Thyroid conditions, disease and cancer visit: http://thyroid.about.com

When I first learned that I had a problem with my Thyroid I asked my doctor if there were any diets, foods or natural treatments I could go on or try in effort to help support its proper function. She said no. Flat out no.

Now some time has passed and I am now told that my whole Thyroid must be removed and I will be placed on “Synthroid” – a prescribed synthetic medication that I will have to take for the rest of my days. It will balance the hormones in my body – and will hopefully work better than my thyroid was before. Sounds great . . . right :S Still I worry – I really hate the idea of being on a synthetic medication for the rest of my life . . . If I have to, I have to. But surely, there must be a diet or natural remedy(s) out there that I can use to back-up the medication – maybe even cut down on the amount of medication I will need to take.

To be completely honest :S my biggest fear with the whole “thyroid” thing right now is not so much the surgery itself or the fact that I might have the dreaded “C” word – it’s how my life will change after all of that – namely: How fat could I get . . . and without even trying?

Vain – Yes. And I’m not afraid to admit it. I feel that I’m not afraid of having to go through the surgery or being diagnosed with thyroid cancer – I know I can survive all that. Mentally I know that I can deal with that. However – having to battle weight and the serious attack to my self-esteem that will cause (potentially) – the depression and anxiety that would go along with it . . .

I have battled weight and body issues my whole life – and depression and anxiety – like so many women (and men too) out there past and present.

I have come so far – and I don’t want to go back there again!

Some may read this and think how absolutely stupid it is for me to think this way. I should be lucky to have my life and I shouldn’t be so stupid to care about something as superficial as some weight gain. I agree – I am happy everyday to be here and to be living, and I will be grateful for everyday that comes to me in the future. But I have to say, that I want those days to be healthy and happy days where I am in the best shape both mentally and physically that I can be. I would also like those days to be filled with as little “synthetic” medication as possible.  Is that too much to ask?

I know that fat doesn’t automatically mean unhealthy and some people are quite happy in their skin, no matter their size. That’s fine and to each their own – that is not me and I don’t want that. I don’t want to be fat. I don’t want to have to say that I am overweight because I have a thyroid condition. What I want to say is that I have a thyroid condition, disease or cancer and I am still able to keep my weight and health in control.  I want to say that yes, there is a healthy alternative, that when combined with modern medicine, can help make a healthy, happy me.

It is my belief that the world of modern medicine at this time is failing those that suffer with Thyroid disease – at least the doctors I am dealing with so far are failing me in not knowing what to say when I ask if there is a natural alternative or addition to my lifestyle that I can make to help myself. So I intend to change that and I will try to learn from others out there who have found remedies, created diets and created recipes using foods that work in the treatment and/or balance of their Thyroid disease.

What I learn I will practice and I will share it with you – tips, treatments, recipes, natural remedies, foods and supplements.

. . . now, that said - I better find that I can still have my red wine! . . .

"Alcohol May Prevent Thyroid CancerStudy finds a beneficial relationship, though the exact mechanism remains unclear"

Source: http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/41303

PHEW!!!! Good enough for me ;)

Cheers all and good night!!

Dear Thyroid . . .

Don't even think for a second that you are going to get me - to bring me down. You won't win. I'm stronger and no matter what it is that you think you can throw at me - cancer, hashimotos, graves, anxiety, weight gain, anemia -

you can shove it.

In fact I already have plans to get rid of you, but first I have to find out exactly how bad you think you might be . . . either way you are out.

So kiss your ass goodbye.



I know (now) that you've been lurking around for years - nudging me with anxiety, miscarriage and weight ups and downs. Not until recently did you get the guts to show your face with not one, but five nodules.


(Funny T-shirt, sold on some Throid info sites.)

You have given me no other choice - surgery. And while that will be completely unpleasant - it's what I have to do and if you bring cancer, as you might, I will deal with that too - and I will win.

Thyroid, you’re a bully! And you have scared me . . . but only for a moment. The more I learn the more I am able to fight you - just like the countless thousands of others who also fight you every day.


(who ever thought I was well-balanced . . . certainly not now - lol - well maybe I'll be even better than before!)

I believe that you have come here for a reason . . . I am to learn something from this and I will be stronger because of you.  You will not bring me down.

We are at war you and I . . . and we meet again on May 4th . . . funny how you choose my Dad's birthday to let me know whether you are cancer or not. Touché!

Words to inspire . . .

Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up - and Hope floats
~Athour Unknown

Happy Paddy's Day! xo

Irish Chocolate Bliss Cake

I thought with St. Patrick's Day being tomorrow that maybe I might share one of my favourite cake recipe's with you all. . . I call it Irish Chocolate Bliss Cake, and it's pretty easy to make.


Start off with a good chocolate cake mix . . . if you have the time, or ingredients or feel like making the cake from scratch go ahead and do that too. It's what you add to that base recipe that really makes it great!

Preheat the over to 325 F - the mix or recipe may suggest otherwise, but disregard and preheat to 325 F anyways . . . trust me ;)

So . . . start with that basic mix. Follow the instructions on the box, but instead of using vegetable oil, use olive oil. And instead of using water make sure to use milk - but not just milk. Divide the amount of milk the recipe calls for in half and do one part milk and one part Baileys . . . YUM!! Don't think you'll be tipsy afterword, or that you can't serve this to kids as the alcohol will burn off during the process of baking the cake :)

Once you have followed the instructions on the box, making those little adjustments, you will then add a cup of chocolate pudding and a cup of Balkan style yogurt. This will make the best tasting most moist (almost pudding style cake ever!!)

When it's time to bake make sure to grease or spray your pan, or cupcake tin really well!! I like to use a bundt pan for these cakes because even while they are moist that can still hold the form.

I place the pan in the oven for close to 1 hour - check after 45 minutes though. When you can stick a toothpick in and it comes out almost clean, it's ready!!!

Let the pan cool slightly (approx. 5 minutes or so) then flip it out onto your cake board or serving plate.  Once it's cooled down (maybe about 20 minutes or so) then drizzle the cake with dark, milk and white chocolate.

Tasting tip . . . either enjoy this cake with a shot of Baileys or have it with a nice Guinness or Mill St. Coffee Porter!!


You can thank me later ;)

Slainte!!

There are some days . . .

when I just think - good god, what am I doing and how can I stop doing what it is that I don't like. Well, unfortunately you can't just flip a switch and presto your life is changed and becomes as you want it - you have to carry on, do what needs to be done. All the while never, ever stop wishing and dreaming. Without dreams or aspirations, what's the point? I mean really if you have nothing to drive you forward or to look forward to you may as well just curl up in a ball and end it all.

I'm a glass is half full kind of a person (usually that glass is half-full of some sort of cabernet) and you can almost count on the fact that I can find a positive side to most anything . . . though there are times when I can be equally as cynical. My steadfast belief is that cynicism is just unfortunately something that you learn over time. Cynicism just worms its way in - but it's up to you to figure out how you are going to let it affect you. I for one have to curb my cynicism with humour and sarcasm. . . life is all the more enjoyable with a little bit of humour and sarcasm thrown in for spice.

Now that I look at it all in writing here, I'm forced to think - maybe it's not even cynicism at all. It's experience. Experience has shown me that some things in life . . . are just crap. You just have to put up with some crap in life - deal with it, sort it, work in it - to get to the good stuff. Into everyone’s life a little crap must fall . . . and sometimes it's just a little and other times it's a whole lot! Either way, it's not forever, because just as sure as the sun shines - change will also surely come. Nothing ever stays the same and sooner or later life will change and the clean-up crew will come along and sweep the poop deck clear.

So on this day, as I sit and wonder about how to make my way through this latest pile of $h!t thrown at my feet I think - it's not so bad because I have confidence and I'm doing the best that I can. Things will work out. Eventually something will come along and things will change - and even if they don't change for the better no problem, because eventually that will change too. "This too shall pass." Ultimately I'm in charge - I'm the starring role in my own life story. It's my choice ultimately to carry on whatever path I'm presently on. And, I think that's what a lot of people forget - if you’re not happy, it's in you to change things . . . it's not someone else's job to do that for you.

"When you laugh, the whole world laughs with you. When you cry, you cry alone" - I don't know who originally said that, however I do know my Grandmother used to say now and then. It stuck with me. As does the saying below . . . and I wish to you all the following!!:

I was inspired today - and from of all things watching an episode of Rachel Ray. I think in fact I saw a version of what I would love to be - Rachel Allen. An Irish cook who travels the Irish countryside cooking fresh food, having a great old time. Now the food thing is great, and I love to cook - but in all honesty I would have to throw in some wine, whiskey and beer tastings, pairings - you know what I mean. That would be more me ;)

So to honour today’s inspiration (and in honour of St. Patrick’s Day coming up!!) - and as a treat to those of you who actually read to the bottom of this post . . . here is my secret/not so secret recipe for making Irish Bliss Cake.

It's so simple - take one box of vanilla cake mix and follow it's directions but instead of adding all the milk required add 1 cup of Baileys (to that add whatever amount is still needed of Milk) and use olive oil instead of vegetable oil . . . to that add a cup of vanilla pudding and a cup of yogurt.

Mix it all together and bake for whatever time the box tells you to . . . but bake at 325 degrees F.

****Always, always - cook your cakes at that temperature. Just sayin' - they always turn out much better at that temp,

Cheers!! Aka - Slainte :)

Maybe there is a cookbook in my future . . . ``How North American Women get Fat.``

Which is better?

The snowflake begins . . .
Novel one line - Question or statement?

What happens when you learn that history was fooled by religion and that myth and legend had it right all along?

or

Legend has it that myth and folklore is true and was fooled out of history by fear and greed.

or

Legend has it that myth and folklore had it right all along . . .


Questions, comments, concerns? I would love to hear whatever you might have to say!!