Introducing me!

Posted on January 15th, 2014 by Jean

I thought I’d follow along with the Zero To Hero assignments to improve my site. The first challenge is to introduce myself.

Hello! I’m Jean, a 40-something woman making her way through life, trying to juggle family, business and everything in between. We live in Arizona although I hail from the Bay Area of California and spent my high school years in Reno, Nevada. I also did a short stint in Appleton, Wisconsin, and spent two summers in Sarasota, Florida.

My husband, Tom, and I have been together twelve years. We run our own business (celebrating its 25th anniversary this year!) publishing the local real estate guide. It is a full color, glossy magazine of which we are very proud. It is distributed in California, Nevada and Arizona.

We have two daughters, ages 11 and 9, who love school, dancing, drawing, acting, acrobatics, and animals. During the summer months, we travel to Anaheim as a family, and enjoy many of that area’s attractions. On shorter breaks, we visit local points of interest such as Grand Canyon Caverns, the Wild Animal Park in Valentine, or the old mining town of Oatman. We also enjoy boating on the Colorado River which is 3 miles from our house.

When I need to get away, I visit nearby Las Vegas, a 90-minute drive north, to shop at the various malls and enjoy a decadent meal. I always bring a treat home such as cupcakes, cheesecake, or fresh fruit from Trader Joe’s.

Before falling off to sleep at night, I watch recorded episodes of The Housewives of (name any city), Vanderpump Rules, The Shahs of Sunset – all things Bravo – or The Dead Files, Ghost Hunters, The Haunting Of – all things Travel Channel. I wake up to Headline News or Weekend Express every morning. I love to know what’s going on in the world.

I don’t exercise. I don’t eat right. But I think about both every day.

I’m not very crafty, but I will attempt crafts for the sake of my children.

I’m shy and reserved, but I won’t take crap.

I enjoy learning and sharing knowledge.

If there’s anything else you’d like to know, please ask.

Tags: about me, assignment, challenge, introduce, jean, jean has been shopping, who am I, Wordpress, zero to hero, zerotohero

Frozen Shoulder

Posted on October 4th, 2013 by Jean

 
Symtoms: Can’t raise arm, severe shoulder pain.
Diagnosis: Frozen shoulder.
Remedy: Physical therapy, acupuncture, and … ?
 
Over the summer, while playing with my youngest daughter, I injured my arm. Pearl wanted to hang from a wire secured between two poles near the tack shed. The wire had supported a canvas shade which had torn and had been removed. I pulled the taught wire down, and she grasped it, letting her feet dangle. Then, unexpectedly (at least to me), she let go, sending the wire (with my arm attached) up in the air. The pain was intense! I felt like my arm had been ripped off. But I did nothing. I didn’t seek medical advice, and just used my arm as little as possible.

My arm didn’t heal. In fact, it got worse. I couldn’t sleep on that side, and the pain woke me several times a night. When I couldn’t raise my arm to shave my armpit, I knew I had a problem. I made an appointment with my chiropractor that day.

The good news is I didn’t tear anything. The bad news is I have frozen shoulder. The doctor began treatment, and showed me exercises I can do at home. During my 4th visit, the doctor tried acupuncture. My range of motion improved slightly. I have one more visit scheduled, and if I don’t show progress, he is passing me off to a Physical Therapist. My doctor says my options will not be pleasant: cortizone injections, forced movement, and/or MUA (movement under anethesia). Strangely enough, reports say this condition can go away on its own within a 2 year span.

• Have you been affected by Frozen Shoulder?
• Have you giving anyone the cold shoulder?

Tags: frozen shoulder, physical therapy, rotator cuff injury, shoulder pain

Healthy Favorites

Posted on September 10th, 2013 by Jean

I’m back to eating healthy, trying to lose a few lbs. prior to a special event in October. (More on that soon!) Here are the food choices I’m making:
 
Breakfast
Dannon Oikos Fat Free Greek Yogurt – Only 120 calories per serving, and sinfully delicious. I choose vanilla and top w/granola sprinkles. Greek yogurt has 2x the protein of regular low-fat yogurts.
 
Nature Valley Protein Crunchy Granola – Available in Oats ‘n Honey or Oats n’ Dark Chocolate. 210 calories per 1/2 cup, and 10g of protein. It’s a very tasty topping for yogurt, or a good snack in general.
 
Snacks
LaraBar Cherry Pie – I bought a box of snack-sized Larabars. One 0.78 oz fruit & nut bar has 90 calories and zero sodium! How many snacks can make that claim? The cherry pie flavor is very good, tart and moist.
 
Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds – I’ve been a smokehouse almond fan since I was a kid. They are smoky, salty and delicious. Their seasonal flavor, Rosemary & Black Pepper, is very good as well. 170 calories per serving (approx. 28 nuts).
 
Lunch
Healthy Choice Country Vegetable Soup – In microwavable bowl, ready in 90 seconds. There are 2 servings per can, 100 calories per serving. This soup has a delicious broth, full sized kidney beans, large cubes of potato, slices of cooked tomato and celery. It’s a filling lunch with great flavor.
 
McDonald’s Premium McWrap – I know, McDonald’s. My girls enjoy eating there typically once a week. I finally decided to indulge in a McWrap, and they are just as crave-able as their burgers & fries! You can order it alone (without fries & a drink). The Crispy Chicken & Ranch has 580 calories, but now that I’ve seen their sodium count (1290mg), I’d better find a Mc-Alternative! ::: gulp! :::
 
Subway Sweet Onion Teriyaki on Flatbread – You know I’m serious when I’m choosing a flatbread instead of a loaf of frenchbread! Subway let’s you calculate the calories based on your choice of bread & toppings. Mine comes out to 380 calories per 6″ serving. With sodium at 900g, it’s (dare I say?) healthier than the McWrap.
 
Dinner
I guess that would be water. I haven’t quite figured out my dinner alternatives yet. Having a cold is keeping my cravings at bay.
 
• What is your healthy dinner choice?
• Do you have a special occasion on the horizon?

Tags: breakfast, choices, diet, dinner, food, health, healthy food, lunch, McDonalds, shed a few lbs, snacks, special occasion, Subway, weight loss