Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome

Where to begin?

I believe it started around age 11. I was showing a few symptoms back then. Oh yea, the horrible symptoms of PCOS:

• Infertility
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Cysts on ovaries
• Insulin resistance
• Mood swings
• Acne or bumpy skin
• Hair loss  (male patter balding)
• Hirsutism  (My MOST HATED)
• Skin tabs
• Belly fat
• Weight loss challenges
• Depression
• Anxiety  (this is a newly discovered one for me)
• Miscarriages
• Sleep apnea
• http://www.pcosupport.org/index.php    for more info.

There are a few I try desperately to hide, but those of you who have it know exactly how I feel.

I knew something was wrong even as a young teen.

My dear mother took me to different Doctors. Each visit I became more and more irritated because they ALL told me the same thing “your just fat you need to go on a diet.”   They NEVER listened to all the symptoms I was complaining about. The one that I was most concerned about was missing my cycle. “Don’t worry it’s just because you fat.”  I was sick of hearing it.so I just stopped asking.

My symptoms got worse and I began to get new ones. Some of them so embarrassing I wouldn’t even tell my closest girlfriends. I could only tell my mother, I felt secure with her. I hope it never became a burden to her. Although I think it did, only because she couldn’t help me. My mom is the one who actually diagnosed me.

She found a small article in a women’s magazine about PCOS. It listed some of the symptoms and how one feels having it. FINALLY I had a name to put on, how I was feeling and what I was going through.

I made an appointment to see a female nurse practitioner. I told her everything and if I could get the tests I need done so she could officially diagnose me. We were in agreement; I had all the symptoms, so she sent me to the lab for all the blood test. Even my blood test came back pointing to PCOS. “Yes, I have it.” I finally had an answer 11 years after my first attempt at seeking help. (We didn’t have internet back in those days, like we do now.)

I went through all the western medicine treatment from A-Z. None of it worked long term. Some actually made it worse.

At the age of 19, I got married and wanted to start a family, the good old American tradition. 1 year went by then 2, 3, 5, then 10, we are now at 17 years and still no baby. According to the statistics I’m past my safe child bearing age. Safe? Nothing about PCOS is safe!

I’m not giving up! I have one last drastic measure. Food. Not all of it, just the unhealthy things. Even the things I thought were healthy apparently aren’t healthy for someone with PCOS.

SO here I am. I have 2 years before I hit 40. (WOW)

My Plan:

SPIRITUAL

• Seek God first and whole heartedly on this every morning.
• I won’t beat myself up if I fall. I will just get back up and do it again!

PURIFY

• 21 days to detox from sugar
• Lose 10 pounds

WELCOME

• 30 days of walking for 30 min.
• Find alternatives to flour and experiment

See you soon. To be continued………………………

Worship Night

We had a fantastic time worshiping Jesus, tonight!
This was the first of many wonderful nights together. Our gracious friends opened up their home to family and friends to come over for praise and worship. A very talented young man named Caleb, lead us tonight playing the piano.
I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for these nights together.



My Prayer is the excitement, joy and love that is expressed TO JESUS on Friday's will overflow in to Sunday mornings at Church!

Psalm 5:11-12(NKJV)
11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
12 For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield

Daily Treasures:

• I am thankful for friends who can play musical instruments
• I am thankful to the Lord for putting Godly and Spiritually mature people in to my life.
• I am thankful for JOY in the Lord.

Chocolate Espresso Crinkle Cookie

Ingredients:

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Dutch)
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
1 tablespoon liquid instant espresso (directions below)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Liquid espresso:
Heat ¼ cup water, add 1 tablespoon of espresso powder to water. Stir well, set aside to cool.

Directions:
Preheat an oven to 350°F. Grease 2 baking sheets with butter or cooking spray.

Put the confectioners' sugar into a bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, using a wooden spoon, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt until well blended. Set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar and dry instant espresso powder on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add 1 egg and beat on medium speed until blended. Scrape down bowl again. Add the other egg , vanilla and1 tablespoon of the liquid espresso and beat until blended.

Slowly add the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Beat on low speed just until blended.

Form the cookies
Using a tablespoon, scoop up a rounded spoonful of dough. Scrape the dough off the spoon into the palm of your other hand. Roll the dough into a ball. The cookie dough will be a little sticky. Roll the ball in the confectioners' sugar until covered. Place the balls on a prepared baking sheet. Repeat, spacing the balls about 2 inches apart.
(Use the back of a fork to gently press the cookies. This step can be omitted.)

Bake the cookies
When 1 baking sheet is full, put it in the oven and bake the cookies until they are crackled and puffed, 10 to 12 minutes. Using oven mitts, remove the baking sheet from the oven and set it on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

Using a spatula, move the cookies onto the rack and let cool completely. Repeat with the rest of the cookies. Makes about 30 cookies.

Daily Treasures:

• I am thankful for a loving husband.
• I am thankful for coffee time and fellowship with friends.
• I am thankful for REDEMPTION because of Christ!

Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us 
in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.