Category Archives: Going Healthy

Nerves, Needles, and Stress: Our Story of Trying to Conceive

04/19/2016 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

While I have received compensation for this post from Fertility Planit, all opinions are my own.

Before we had our daughter, my wife and I never considered that becoming parents would be so complicated. Once we were ready to start trying to conceive (TTC), she would just get off birth control, wait several months, and we figured pregnancy would come easily and naturally after that. My wife tracked days/cycles, took her basal temperature you do as you begin trying to conceive.

Almost a year later and we were still not pregnant and becoming a little upset. It didn’t make sense, we never went out to eat, cooked all of our meals with fresh, whole foods, drank only in moderation, and always kept active. What were we doing wrong to that was keeping us from getting pregnant?

We decided to make our first of many visits to a fertility clinic to see what was (or wasn’t) going on. After running the usual tests on both of us, the doctor found several factors working against us. Kelley had endometriosis which was surgically removed, and my blood labs showed several abnormal readings including low testosterone and thyroid.

I didn’t want to accept the results as true. I strive to live a healthy and active lifestyle, and this is all I have to show for it? I felt defeated. HCG injections were prescribed twice a week to combat my low levels. Self-administered shots in the lower abdomen at home became the norm every Thursday and Sunday each week.

Time passed and my blood tests showed my levels were barely up. The doctor suggested we try intrauterine insemination (IUI) as it seemed like we had a good chance with the procedure. I was prescribed natural thyroid, and Kelley was given several prescriptions which required injections. She cringed at the thought of giving herself shots, but luckily she had a husband who had become proficient with the task.

After 2 failed cycles of IUI, the doctor suggested In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and we both agreed to give it a try. To stimulate the growth of her ovaries, Kelley needed 2 daily shots in her stomach. One to help her eggs grow, and another to help keep them from over-growing since Kelley was expected to respond well. The eggs grew just as needed and were ready to be retrieved.

After retrieval, Kelley needed a progesterone injection to prepare her uterine lining for egg implantation. Instead of her stomach, this one had to be given in her rear-end.

I’d have to work within a specific area of the buttocks, use enough force to get through to the muscular region, make sure the needle went in straight, not angled, and make sure no blood came into the syringe as that meant I did something wrong. This was to happen every day precisely at 7:00 p.m. for several weeks. After this, I figured I should be a pro at giving shots!

Several injections later and we were ready for implantation. We had many high quality embryos to choose from and picked just 1 since 1 kid was our goal. The first round IVF was a success, be we still had to do the shots to keep her uterus in good condition for the newly implanted egg.

The first positive pregnancy test Kelley took was almost missed. She woke up at 5:00 a.m. since it’s better to test after not using the restroom for a while and took a test. She didn’t see anything, so she tossed the stick in the trash and came back to bed upset.

Later that morning, I was going to throw something away and saw the stick and what appeared to me to be a faint line. I had no clue how to look at a pee stick or what it meant, so I kept it to myself. Kelley did the same double take at her trashed test and noticed the line too. She mentioned it to me, I grinned, and we both gleamed with excitement.

Today, we have a precious little girl who means the world to us. I can’t believe how fast she’s growing, but we’re glad that part of our past is over. It wasn’t fun, but so worth the outcome. We had never heard of the Stork OTC by Rinovum Women’s Health home conception kit back then, but now I wonder if it would’ve saved us a lot of time, money, and stress.

The Stork OTC is an easy to use, drug-free, non-prescription conception kit that couples can use in the comfort of their own home while trying to conceive. It is the only at-home conception device cleared by the FDA and is a great cost-effective option for those just starting out on the path of trying to conceive. The Stork OTC collects semen into a cervical cap with a condom-like sheath worn during intercourse. There is the option of using donor sperm with the device as well. The sperm is then delivered to the opening of the cervix by way of the applicator. The cap remains in place for up to 6 hours, after which it is removed with a simple tampon-like pull chord.

My wife and I both agree that we could’ve tried the Stork OTC as our first option and avoided many doctor’s visits had worked out. If you or someone you know is trying to conceive, check out the Stork OTC as great option to use in the privacy of your own home and avoid numerous doctor’s visits and tests.

Be sure to follow The Stork OTC on Facebook and @StorkbyRinovum on Twitter as well as checking out the Stork OTC website to learn more. For a chance to win your own Stork OTC device join the #StorkStories Twitter Chat on 4/21 at 9pm EST.

Food, Going Healthy

3 Quick & Healthy Vegetarian Mexican Recipes

04/18/2016 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

I have been craving Mexican food lately, but since we choose not to order from food establishments, that means I have to make my own Mexican recipes. No problem, I using simple ingredients most of us have in the kitchen, it’s easy to put something healthy and tasty together in under 30 minutes. To make it easier, omit the meat for Meatless Monday and give these guys a break…..for at least one day.

meatless monday, mexican recipes, food, vegetarian, recipes, healthy

Being Monday where no one is happy about the end of the weekend and beginning of a work week, it’s good to keep meal prep nice and simple. Simple is not the same as a convenient drive-thru window at a nearby fast food chain, a little prep in your own kitchen is needed. But, this can be fun and done in less than 30 minutes.

Here’s what you’ll need:
– 1 can of fat-free refried pinto or black beans
– Reduced fat (part-skim) mozzarella cheese or cheese sticks
– Dried cilantro
– 16oz Jar of your favorite salsa
– 6 inch Corn tortillas; I prefer the Food For Life sprouted whole grain tortillas; or use butter or romaine lettuce for a grain-free option
– Garlic, Cumin, and Onion Powder
– Cayenne pepper
* Optional toppings: Shredded lettuce, sliced avocado, chopped raw onion (green, red, or yellow), and sour cream (plain yogurt is a great substitute too)

With these ingredients you can make many vegetarian Mexican-style snacks/meals. Here’s how I make easy tostadas, chips and dip, and bean burritos.

Bean Tostada

Mix the can of refried beans with your jar of salsa, cilantro, garlic, cumin, onion, and cayenne powder. Cut or shred the cheese to your liking. Spread the bean mixture on top of a corn tortilla and sprinkle about 1/2 or 1 ounce of cheese on top; toast in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 375 degrees until the edges start to turn brown and crispy. Remove from oven, let cool, add shredded lettuce, sliced avocado, and a dollop of plain yogurt if desired, and eat!

Healthy Bean Dip

Mix the beans and other ingredients like you did for tostadas, then mix in 6 ounces shredded cheese. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, microwave 30 more seconds, stir; continue until the cheese is melted and well incorporated in the mix.

Cut the corn tortillas into 6 or 8 wedges, sprinkle with a little salt, and bake in a 350 degree pre-heated oven until lightly browned (about 5 – 8 minutes).

Now you have homemade chips and dip. If you don’t want to make your own, Beanitos are a favorite chip in our home.

Mix the plain yogurt in the dip if you would like, it adds a cool and tangy taste that’s pleasing to the palate. For an even healthier option, I choose crudites like raw baby carrots, broccoli, or celery as the perfect dipping devices.

Bean Burritos

With the same bean mixture as the other two quick-fix recipes, fill the middle of a corn tortilla (flour tortillas usually contain hydrogenated oils and I do not recommend them) or use a hardy lettuce like butter lettuce or romaine for a grain-free option with about 2 heaping spoonfuls and a half ounce of cheese.

Wrap in paper towel and microwave for 30 – 40 seconds; enjoy! Since these are smaller, you will probably want more than one. They are more like flautas, only not fried and much better in my opinion.

For reference, an ounce of cheese is similar to four dice; if shredded, about a 1/4 cup.

The combination of beans and a whole grain like corn provides all essential amino acids to make a complete protein, so you will not miss the meat today. Treat your friends, family, and self to one or all of these easy Meatless Mexican meals this Monday or any day and relax.

Food, Going Healthy, Going Reviews, Promo

6 Natural Coffee Brands You’ll Love and 1 You Won’t

04/14/2016 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

This post contains affiliate links in which I will earn a few cents in commission if you click on them and make a purchase. There’s no extra cost to you, it just helps me buy this natural coffee that keeps me ‘going’ every day.

We are natural coffee connoisseurs in our house and, like most parents, depend on it maybe a little too much. Dependencies-schemendencies I say, it’s the true black gold and we’ll continue brewing it for years to come.

Of course, we won’t settle for just any coffee put in front of our face. If it’s from a doctor’s office, car service waiting area, McDonald’s, etc., we have zero issue with avoiding the beverage. Besides, those places usually only offer styrofoam cups which I refuse to touch for the environmental aspect as well as the plethora of health problems it’s linked to. Especially when it is used for hot liquids!

But I’ll save my soapbox speech on the damaging effects of styrofoam for another day, because today is all about my favorite brands of natural and/or organic coffee. Plus, there’s one kind of coffee (Hint: it’s not for drinking) you most likely will not love unless you’re into that type of thing. If you are, more power to you, just not something I care a-latte-bout. 🙂

1. WealthPreneur Coffee Co. – It’s organic, shade-grown and Fair Trade. This coffee is a potent medium/dark roast that, unlike many darker roasts, maintains a high level of caffeine by using a thicker blend of organic oils when roasting so the actual bean does not get as burned. Usually, the longer (i.e. darker) the roast, the less caffeine. It smells wonderful to anyone who loves coffee, and the flavor is intense and certainly gets your day started full of energy.

2. Death Wish Coffee – Organic, Fair Trade, and just has a cool name! This is another darker roast coffee with a super high caffeine content. Good for some, bad for others, but either way, drink up and prepare to tackle the day! I bought it for the name alone, and because it’s organic, and would definitely buy it again.

3. Kimera Koffee – It’s not organic, but is sourced from a single estate in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic and is grown under ideal conditions for top notch beans. But quality coffee beans is just the start, what sets Kimera Koffee apart is the added nootropics that not only boost your energy, but improve focus, concentration and athletic performance. It’s a smooth brew with a pleasant aroma and slightly nutty flavor. Here’s their description of the added nootropics….

The Kimera Blend is infused with 725mg of premium grade Nootroopics per serving to help you sustain a healthy mind and body. Alpha GPC: Natural choline compound found in the brain and can be found in soy, meats and fish. Improves memory, enhances mental focus and increases power output. Taurine: An organic acid commonly found in eggs that delays cognitive decline due to aging, fights oxidative stress, reduces fatigue, and helps boost fat metabolization. L-Theanine: Tea extract that balances daily anxiety, improves sleep patterns and helps prevent cholesterol-related damage. DMAE: Choline molecule found in fish that boosts mental performance, increases energy, improves oxygen efficiency and promotes red blood cell function.

4. Via Bom Dia 100% Naturally Flavored Coffee – I typically don’t go for flavored coffees as that usually means added sugar and chemicals, but that’s not the case here. It is organic coffee with natural flavors like real cacao nibs, cinnamon, and even chipotle. No chemical flavors, just the actual spices, and this coffee is the brand that does this. We have only tried the Cinnamon Chocolate Cacao and absolutely love the aroma and flavor. You can actually see the chunks of cinnamon stick mixed with the beans, I love it! They have 6 flavors to savor; Dark Chocolate Cacao, Cinnamon Chocolate Cacao, Chipotle Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Chocolate Lavender, & Dirty Chai. Choose any or all for a special treat without the need of artificial flavors or sugar.

5. Kicking Horse Coffee – No crazy highly caffeinated brain boosting brew here, just a simple medium roast organic and Fair Trade Coffee. Don’t be fooled by it’s simplicity though, this stuff is smooth, very little acidity, and easy to drink any time of day. This is our current go-to blend and it hasn’t let us down yet.

6. The Good Java Company – The last one is another simplistic blend with a darker roast. Certified organic and Fair Trade, it’s just a “good java” to keep around and brew a cup for yourself and any guests. Being a dark roast, it is a slight earthy, full-bodied brew that just feels right on a rainy day or anything I’m looking for something a little more intense.

And for the one I suspect most of you will not love. The beans are certified organic, but not meant for drinking. The brand is called Purelife Enema Coffee, and if the name doesn’t give it away already, these beans are meant specifically for coffee enemas. Yeah, it’s a thing, and apparently it’s actually quite healthful, but I’m perfectly happy with only putting coffee in one hole called my mouth. At least it’s free of mold, fungus, and pesticides!