The Effects of Hormones and Protein Smoothies on Energy Levels

Bonjour, Bijou!


The Best Protein Powder  

Woke up this morning with so much vim and vigor!  Leapt out of bed.  If only every day could be like this.  Took Bijou for a walk, drank a cup of tea, made a banana strawberry protein shake.  This new protein powder is the best so far, and I've tried many. 

Protein Smoothie Recipe

For the smoothie, I put one scoop of protein powder, 1/2 a banana, a handful of fresh strawberries, 4 ice cubes, and 1/2 a cup of skim milk in a blender.  This keeps me full and energized throughout my busy day.  I usually make two and put one in the fridge for later.

The Best Sardines

My husband was making habanero hot sauce in the kitchen, the fumes of which were tickling my throat and making me cough.  He was wearing plastic gloves to handle the peppers and was having trouble fending off my advances.  He is always making advances while I'm working in the kitchen to try to annoy me, so I was giving him a taste of his own funny business.  We love hot sauce on our lunchtime sardines (no, this is not a euphemistic statement), so he decided to make his own.  Next time it will be curried pumpkin sauce.  Maybe I'll make it.  The best sardines are the Crown Prince Skinless Boneless Sardines in Water.  We order them by the case from Amazon.com.

Hormones and Sleep

I had thought I'd have to ride my stationary bike indoors because I thought it was going to be too cold to ride outside, but it was a "bright, bright, bright sun-shiny day."  Sing it!  Rode my bike for 45 minutes through the park and down around by the Reading Museum.  I felt so strong!  Why did I feel so motivated and energetic?  Was it because I got a good night's sleep?  Why did I sleep so well?  Is it all hormonal?  Some nights I wake up and start thinking, about nothing in particular--just whatever's going on in my life--and can't get back to sleep.  Some nights I wake up at 3 A.M. and feel wide awake.  Some nights I wake up, start thinking, and get really anxious.  This is something new for me.  Again, is it all hormonal? Something to research.  Last week I didn't sleep well and had no energy,  but this week seems entirely different.  I must investigate.

Menopause is Wonderful

I'm approaching menopause, and, hey, (don't make that face) I'm looking forward to it.  Honestly, this is by far one of the best phases of my life.  Aside from some external factors beyond my control, I am feeling incredibly good mentally and physically.  This past June, I was laid off from my job as an assistant teacher at a cyber school.  It turned out for the best because now I'm doing what I love--writing!  I'm writing for HubPages and Associated Content.  This is so much fun!  Check out my first two articles at  http://gailalovesbijou.hubpages.com/hub/St-John-US-Virgin-Islands-Snorkeling and
 http://gailalovesbijou.hubpages.com/hub/Perfect-Lodging-In-the-US-Virgin-Islands-St-John.  So much to write, so much to read.  Many more articles are to come!  I am so excited about this!  I don't think I will make a small fortune, but I will supplement our income by doing what I love--and who knows where it could lead. 

Flag Football and Soccer Games

After my bike ride, I showered, scooped up Bijou, and raced to my daughter Alaina's powderpuff football game (annual high school juniors vs. seniors flag football game).  I'm not a football fan, so I am ignorant about the game, but Alaina made an interception!  YAY!  Her juniors team lost to the seniors, but she had a blast.  I found it to be overstimulating: all those people, sun in my eyes, Bijou in my arms.  It was actually hot.  I felt sorry for all the people who were dressed for cooler weather; I was sweating in my shorts and short-sleeved shirt. 

"Everybody was kung-fu fighting, Those cats were fast as lightning"

After the game we raced to Alaina's club soccer game in Amity.  They only had 10 people on their team with no subs, and they had to play two 45 minutes halves; she was exhausted after her football AND she'd played soccer the night before under the same no-sub circumstances.  But I was brimming with energy. 

Stuffed Eggplant for Dinner

Enough about Alaina.  When we returned home, I made a recipe by Michael Chiarello: mom's stuffed eggplant: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/moms-stuffed-eggplant-recipe/index.html.
It was very time consuming to prepare, so we ended up eating very late.  I was so disappointed in the dish: It was bland.  Do not make this dish!  I should have read the reviews before I prepared it.  Last Saturday, we went to Meadow View Farm in Bowers, PA, to pick eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes.  We picked 18 pounds of eggplant, and I made moussaka last week,  so I have many more delicious eggplant to cook and eat.

Meadow View Farm

371 Bowers Road, Kutztown, PA

(610) 682-6094



Fresh-Picked Eggplant

 

Bedtime for  Bijou