This week has been a mixed bag. What has been consistent is this: Fatigue. Horrible, energy draining, constant lethargy. Not a fan. Hormones, be nice!
Despite the fatigue, I have managed to do quite a lot. In fact, I'm so impressed with myself right now :) Don't feel bad if you haven't had such a marvelous week of achievement; as I type, I'm sitting in bed wearing my new spotty pj's, bloated from too much chocolate (early Valentines Day celebrating) at 3 in the afternoon. It is the weekend after all. And after the week that was, I definitely feel I've earned this break.
Take a look through the pics to see a condensed view of the past several days...
MONDAY
These are power packed Protein Balls for my hubby. I made them Monday to last (hopefully!) into next week. Recipe at the end of this post.
Meaty pizza, made from scratch. Monday nights are fast turning into homemade pizza night. I'm going to have to make a few meat and flour free alternatives for myself though- this kind of eating is just too much for me.
TUESDAY
Many of you wouldn't be aware, but around four years ago, I stepped down from close to 8 years of singing with the church band. This Tuesday evening, I attended my first band practice for years. Despite feeling tired physically, my soul feels energised and I simply can't wait to be back on stage, passionately belting out worship to my God.
I'm actually thrilled to be the oldest member. And in all honesty, I've dearly missed my band family. Excited for this new season :)
WEDNESDAY
The personal training sessions continue. And wow- am I getting so much stronger and fitter- woo!
I also visited an amazingly inspirational lady. Check out her writing out at the blue gypsy inc- she has a raw, intelligent and powerful way of communicating. It's important to make the effort to connect with those who inspire me creatively. I certainly left wanting to sit down and write like crazy!
THURSDAY
Community garden day! My favourite day of the week currently. Look below at the slow but steady progress...
I tackled this! So impressed with myself for making it through thick growth with a broken lawnmower. I feel stronger, and that is spurring me on to get even fitter and get more done next week.
Clearing a path to allow for tree refuse to be placed as a barrier. The trees will provide a natural habitat for wild life too.
Hubby back at it with the chain saw. So many trees lopped, so many to go.
Hubby had another helper-Ben. This made the work so much easier.
Despite being overgrown, I loved this little corner of nature. So pretty with the sun streaming through the trees...perfect spot for a daydream.
The huge stump of an umbrella tree. Now, what the heck do we do with the base?!
The cleared area, looking slightly more like park lands in the making.
Almost ready for some grass seed, mulch, garden beds and pathways.
So excited for that!
Our amazing church pastor, Kristy Godfrey, sent through some photos that inspired her.
I love this simple community veggie garden plot. Very do-able.
FRIDAY
Another personal training session. My sweet toddler woke me at 3am, and while I got sleep after it, I was even more fatigued than usual. But I still smashed it! I am learning to ignore the feeling of lethargy- when I push through, I feel amazing inside, even if I'm still feeling tired on the outside.
Friday was also Dr visit day. I shared my struggle with my Dr about the wall I hit, and the steps I had taken to manage the symptoms, including exercise, St John's Wort (incredibly helpful!), magnesium powder (almost no palpitations and no period cramps anymore), plus B complex vitamins. I also told her that despite all of this, the fatigue, and subsequent brain fog persisted.
She ordered a FSH test to see what my Follicle Stimulating Hormone is doing. And, in 2 weeks time, I have a low dose estrogen cream, and combined low dose estrogen and progesterone pill to take to re-establish some hormonal balance.
The only reason I have to wait 2 weeks? In case I'm not pregnant. Perimenopause doesn't rule out pregnancy. At all.
I have learnt so much about my body this past month and a bit. I feel a little more in control now that I've done the research. I actually feel more ready than ever for the new season ahead. It will be different. But different isn't always a bad thing. It can also mean exciting and new.
After the Dr's, I took my sweet girl to the beach for a quick play. She loves the water, and came home with a kilo of sand on her hands and feet :)
SATURDAY
After my 2 hours of paid cleaning Saturday mornings, I wanted to go bike shopping.
As soon as it's available for pick- up, this is my new baby!
Thank you, Flybuys for my discounted purchase :)
I'm so keen to go bike riding again- it's been years!
Today was a lovely day to explore. Hubby and I are making the effort to stop and do random fun things together.
As we hadn't been to Murwillumbah for the longest time, we had an outing there to explore, and check out the gallery.
Personally- the best collection of work I've seen there at the one time, ever.
The Margaret Olley Wing never ceases to inspire me.
I left wanting to lock myself away and start painting again.
Maybe I will do just that...
Now, as promised, the recipe for PROTEIN BALLS...
ingredients:
1/2 heaped cup natural (no sugar/salt) peanut butter
1 tbs chia seeds
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup LSA
1/2 cup oats
1 heaped tbs rice malt syrup
1/4 cup cocao
1/4 cup water
30g scoop low carb protein powder
1/2 cup shredded coconut
Simply combine all the ingredients in a processor, blitz until combined and roll into generous bite sized balls. Store in the fridge.
Makes 18 power packed serves. And as they are power packed, 1 at a time is sufficient.
It's been a big, busy and satisfying week. I didn't let fatigue beat me at all.
No comments:
Post a Comment