No More Depression! It’s been one YEAR!

Great news folks, my shrink has told me that I’m not clinically depressed! It’s been about one YEAR since my last episode of depression. Frankly, I think that I started going to him when I was getting better. I didn't want to go to him sooner because when I was depressed I had some dark thoughts that I wouldn't have wanted to share.

He has realized that I’ve gotten better primarily on my own and asked me what has made the difference. Besides all the good thoughts and prayer of good people like you, (thank you!), I believe that my diet in particular has placed a key roll in my recovery. I haven't taken any medication for depression.

For a long while I had to live off the food I got from food cupboard donations. Much of it was canned and boxed highly processed food with a very limited variety of canned vegetables. I rarely got any fresh fruit or vegetables. I’m grateful for what I got, however it wasn’t a very healthy diet. Now that I’m on food stamps, plus have had a health scare, I started to eat a much healthier diet. It's much more balanced nutritionally. I’m eating a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables. I’ve also switched to healthy fats/oils like olive oil. I’ve been taking A-Z multiple vitamin and mineral tablets. I also read that serotonin is good for depression so I’ve been eating 1 oz of deluxe mixed nuts and a potato a day. Eating garlic may be helping as well. Although I'm not on the Mediterranean diet, my diet is similar. I'm sure that exercise like walking has helped me too, although I have not been consistent.

I’m aware that I’m not out of the woods. Depression is like having a severe injury that is prone to re-injury. In other words depression is a weakness that can return. I have to stay vigilant in my fight against it and do what I can to maintain the ground that I’ve gained. I’ve chosen to keep seeing a shrink, (believe it or not). I think that he has helped a bit, but honestly not nearly as much as I thought he should have. Due to a change in my health care insurance I will need to drop him and get a new shrink. Hopefully the new shrink will be more effective. Right now I’m just very happy that I’m no longer in depression!

By the way, eatting healthy has had other benifits. I have lost 47 pounds so far.

For more information on the link between diet and depression read...

Depression Guide, Depression and Diet by WebMD

and Nutrition: Lower Depression Risk Linked to Mediterranean Diet by The New York Times

photo credit

Personal Update & Random Thoughts

Cinnamon sprinkles in coffee smells and tastes wonderful!
.

I'm doing well and feeling good. I'm eating healthy, and have lost a nice chunk of weight. I haven't had an episode of depression in about 8 months. This is a miracle considering that I'm out of work and have ongoing medical testing. I thank God that the depression has abated. I believe that It has something to do with healthy eating. Mmm veggies! My counselor is surprised that I'm doing so well. However, I don't think I'm out of the words yet. I’m working with my counselor to take small steps toward mental wellness. Physical tests are scheduled for the next few months. Your prayers and good thoughts are greatly appreciated. I hope they don't find any disease.

.

I have a wonderful family. Sometimes I think that my aunt is an angel. She’s very caring and knows just what to say.

.

I’ll be glad when Gray’s Anatomy returns on Sept. 23^rd. It’s one of the few good T.V. shows on non cable T.V. It’s cathartic because I often cry as I relate to Meredith Gray.

.

Televangelists seem stuck in the 50’s or 80’s at best. Their teaching techniques, songs, and sermons, are stuck in the past. They basically have two teaching styles, they preach from the pulpit, or a few people sit and chat. They could learn a lot from Dr. Wayne Dyer who uses a mixture of lecture, multi-media, modern songs, short stories, and short testimonies form guests, all with a modern flavor. Why can’t they recognize that they are losing the younger generation and upgrade?
.

Does it bother anyone else that God killed so many people and so often in the Old Testament? I hate killing. Little wonder that I consider myself a New Testament gal.
.

This Rochester summer is beautiful if you like it hot. We have had lots of weather in the 80’s. We only had a handful of days in the early 90s. We have hard winters, but the other seasons are lovely! Temperatures are moderating nicely now, and I’m looking forward to a colorful, beautiful, refreshing, autumn.

Domimo's Pizza Sale Today Only!

Get in on the savings. Today is Domino's "Customer Appreciation Day" Oct 02. Get a 14", 1-Topping Only pizza for $4.99 + tax. Reg. price is $10.99 + tax. Carry out only, limit is 5. Delivery available on purchase of 2, or more pizzas. Contact Domino's for more information.

Guess what I'll be eating during the debate? ;o)

Heat Wave and Fairport Canal Days Festival

One of my favorite festivals is Fairport Canal Days. It's one of our largest festivals in the Rochester, NY area. It's from June 6-8. It has over 300 artisan booths, 40 traditional & ethnic food vendors. It has lots of entertainment including fireworks. I enjoy the Boat cruise along the Erie Canal.

Unfortunately, I don't think I will be attending this year. It will be to darn hot! It will be near 90 degrees for the next 5 days with pop-up thunder showers over the weekend. Holy Crap! I really hate to miss the festival this year. :o(

Wordless Wednesday (almost) Tops Market Milk $1.99

Great sale! This week at lest in the Rochester, NY area, Tops Market MILK is $1.99 per gallon. That includes whole, 2%, 1%, and skim. You need a store coupon from the flyer, bonuscard, and $15 minimum purchase. So run to your nearest Tops before the flyers disappear.

Aldi store- $2.19 for a gallon of milk, (whole, 2% or skim.)

Later- Hey, what happened? My original picture disappeared! Oh well, I posted another.

Domino's Pizza Customer Appreciation Day - June 1st

This is a great sale, bargain, savings. Domino's Pizza is having a Customer Appreciation day on June 1st. It's only for one day. You can get a 14" Large 1-Topping only pizza for the low price of $4.99 (plus tax)! Regular price is $10.99. Carry out only. Limit is 5 pizzas. Delivery available on purchase of 2 or more pizzas. I don't know if this sale is nation wide, but it's in the Rochester, New York (NY) area. I got the flyer through the mail, but have not seen any Television ads. If your interested, you might want to call first. Prices my be different in your area. I don't think that you need a coupon. Remember it's for ONE DAY ONLY - June 1st... Happy June!!!

I went to the Lilac Festival (in Rochester, New York)

Thursday I went to the Lilac Festival in Highland Park, Rochester, NY. Admission is free. (Sorry, I don't own a camera so no personal photos). I blogged about the Festival very recently on Wordless Wednesday, which wasn't so wordless. I went to Monroe Community College, (MCC), to use the shuttle bus, but the shuttles are only used on weekends. It took me awhile, and a prayer to find a free parking spot, but got one right across the street from the festival. They also have lots of free parking about a mile away, but I'm not use to walking. It was my first real outing since winter, and I have not exercised at all this winter.

Admittedly It's not my favorite festival. I'm not crazy about Lilacs. I did liked the magnolias, and bell shaped flowers better. I like to go to this festival because it is the first of the season, and gets me in the festival mood.

I went on "Wine 'N Blues Day Farmers Market" day. There was wine tasting, and food samples from New York state wineries, and food vender's. Now that was a real plus! There was also live music in the background. I had samplings of cheese, different mustard's on pretzels, various salsas on taco chips, a small salad. I had maple butter and maple syrups, chocolate chip cookies, bar crackers, power bar pieces, and more. Free samples of multi vitamins and hair conditioner, and much more. And of course wine samples, and more wine samples. I estimated 8 wine booths. I was feeling good ;o) At a "Cooks Pan" (?) demonstration they gave out free chicken, and veggie samples. Mmm, my tummy was full!

Heads up, the last day for the Lilac Festival is this Sunday, May 18. You might take a look at the online schedule, and the weather report. Some showers are expected, but not a washout. The weekend offers lots of events for the kids. Have FUN!

Not crazy about the Lilac Festival? Here are "10 things to do this weekend in the Rochester area".

Wordless Wednesday (Kind of) Lilac Festival in Rochester, NY

This picture is of the Lilac Festival in Highland Park, Rochester, NY. Rochester is known as the Flower City. Click on the picture to see many more beautiful photos. The Festival is taking place now - May 9 to 18. Admission is free. For official website click here.


News Articles...

Lilac Festival takes root in history
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, NY - May 12, 2008
That, as much as anything, is an indication of how Rochester's Lilac Festival has evolved. The lilac collection in Highland Park now numbers some 1200 ...

Hundreds turn out for Rochester Lilac Festival parade
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Schedule of events at Rochester Lilac Festival
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Rochester's Lilac Festival draw families, youngsters
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Record Weekend at Lilac Festival
13WHAM-TV, NY - May 12, 2008
(Rochester, NY) -- Organizers estimate 225000 visitors came to Highland Park for...

A Generation Disappears

My grandmother died. Alright, she wasn't my grandmother, she was my cousins. But I was taught to call her grandma. No one told me that she wasn't. So for the first few years of my life I thought that she was. After all didn't everyone have 3 sets of grandparents? ;o) Eventually I figured it out, but I kept calling her grandma.

She was a nice, cheerful, Italian women who was a good cook, and loved her family. At the memorial, most of the stories centered around her love of family, and cooking. I guess that doesn't sound extraordinary in writing, but if you knew her then you knew someone special. She lived to the ripe old age of 96. The last of the grandparents to die. My three sets of grandparents have all left this earth. A whole generation has died off.

Wasn't it just yesterday that we all were at our summer place at the 1000 Islands? Didn't we all just take a swim together? Yesterday didn't we go boating, and fishing together? Eat freshly caught Pike with home made dressing together? Didn't we just play several hands of cards together; the whole family? Today a generation disappeared.

Those of us who are left have all moved up a generation. My parents generation is now the oldest. My generation is second oldest, and so on. This is the way of things. Such is life. But it hurts! A generation disappeared, but will always be remembered.

The older I get, the more I cling to those precious memories when I was a kid at our second home at the 1000 Islands. Both sides of my family were together. Everyone was alive, young, and had fun together. We had time. When your a kid you think that things won't change. But oh, my, how things have changed!

I don't believe in worshiping the dead, as some people do. But I think that they may be on to something. I won't worship the dead, but I do feel like honoring the dead in a specially way. Some sort of small ceremony, maybe once a month, or season. I will have to think about how to do that. At any rate I do remember.

A generation disappears. Gone, but never forgotten.

It's Summer In Rochester New York (NY)

My favorite season is spring. Those wonderful crisp days. Sweater weather. Flowers gently budding. That fresh aroma in the air. The temperature should be in the 50's. Well, it looks like we will bypass all that. Our high today was 86 degrees. The high for the next 7 days will generally be in the low to mid 70s with very little rain.

Am I disappointed? A bit, but I am so very glad that we are finally over with all those crazy snow storms. It was a hard winter. I have just put away my snow shovels. I am looking forward to the wonderful Rochester festivals! I just love them! Starting with the popular, beautiful Lilac Festival May 9-18. Take a look at the upcoming festivals & events for Rochester & Upstate N.Y. Of course it wouldn't be summer unless I visited Canandaigua NY, and the breathtaking Canandaigua Lake.

Send FREE Rice To Those In Need By Playing A Game!

If you go to freerice(dot)com You can play a fun vocabulary Internet game. For each word that you get right, 20 grains of rice will be donated by the sponsors to the UN World Food Program to help end world hunger. It does not cost you a penny! No string attached. You don't have to join anything. Just have fun, play, and improve your vocabulary. Meanwhile, your feeding the poor! If your competitive try beating my score. I just played a quick game worth 500 grains of rice. My vocabulary score level was 24.

Please spread the word, blog about this, tell a friend! Help end world hunger the easy, fun way. You have nothing to lose.

Click here to play.

Skeptical? Read this...

No Hoax: Free Rice Website Feeds the Hungry.

FREE Starbucks Coffee - Pike Place Roast - Tuesday Noon

Starbucks Coffee is giving away free coffee, but only for a half hour starting at noon. They will be giving it away tomorrow Tuesday April 8th. This is a new coffee blend called Pike Place Roast. Starbucks hopes to improve sales. Sorry for the short notice, but I just heard it from the news on television. I rarely go to Starbucks, but I will be there just before noon. Hey, it's free coffee! Remember it's only for a half hour. See you there! ;o)

Comments Are Unrestricted Now

For a brief time I had restricted comments. Since then I thought that I had adjusted the settings to allow all comments to resume, but I goofed. Milindoe aka Pat, informed me that I still had restricted comments on. Oops! And here I thought that you all had forsaken me because I wasn't getting many comments... (sniff, sniff). Alas, it is my error. It has been fixed! So please resume commenting. It's gotten to quiet here. Thank you Pat for letting me know about the problem!

I apologize to everyone, and am setting out some refreshments for you.

If anyone is still having problems with commenting, or any other problems, please e-mail me. I want to be a good hostess, and make you feel welcome.

UPDATED- FatDoctor.org: Erased? Her Blog Erased?

UPDATED- SHE'S BACK! ... The problem is solved, she now has all of her posts. FatDoctor is now back online with a new blog! Please stop over and say hi, give her your suport. Reconstructing a blog must be a pain in the butt. Tell her that I sent you ;o)

http://fatdoctor.blogspot.com/

My blog buddy FatDoctor of FatDoctor.org posted this on Twitter yesterday.... "Accidentally erased my whole blog. And I don't have a backup. No sense crying - it's not like a family member dying...or is it?" It was a shock to me. She had one of the best blogs I have ever seen, and is a very sweet, caring, down to earth person.

I have been working closely with FatDoctor, and managed to retrieve most of her posts, but without the graphics. I would like her to be able to retrieve ALL her posts, or her blog. I'm not very computer savvy, and am running out of ideas. So I am asking for your help. If you have any ideas on how she can get her blog back, or posts, please leave a comment. I have her e-mail, but will not give it out due to privacy issues. However, I will drop her an e-mail, and let her know about your comments.

As you many know my blog is only a few months old, so currently I don't have a huge following. I am asking that you consider telling your readers about her dilemma. Maybe creating a post about it. She is not the first one who has lost a blog, and will not be the last. I think that we can all sympathize with her.

I have heard that whatever has been placed on the internet never really gets erased, and can be retrieved. We would appreciate your help.

Wordless Wednesday

"Souper Spices" Products by Barbara Tranello

My cousin is selling wonderful 100 percent organic herbs and spices called Souper Spices. They have no sodium. No MSG. They are convenient, economical, and easy. Personally I prefer organic herbs, and spices. Not only are they better for you, but the taste is sooo much better! Once you try them, you won't go back. My cousin who is a fabulous cook, even includes a free recipe along with every Souper Spice mix that you purchase. She even has delicious recipes at her website! If you read this local Democrat and Chronicle newspaper article it will tell you all about it. You can also check it out right now at her web-site.

Click here for Souper Spices...Tell her that "Awake In Rochester" sent you!

Bargain: Wegmans Food Market 50% off Sale

I was in Wegmans at Pittsford, (New York), and found some great bargains I wanted to share with you. I'm not sure that they have these bargains in other Wegmans, but possibly.

I needed cheese, and noticed a "50% off discontinued" item, yellow sign. It was Kraft Velvetta slices, 20 slices 1 lb. for $2.04, half price! I compared it with other cheeses, and realized it was a great buy. Now I was looking for those little "50% off discontinued" signs. Next I found Weaver Chicken strips, and Chicken Bites were both on sale for $3.09, (18.5 oz bag), again 50% off. The next one was hard to believe, Banquet Chicken & Broccoli Pot Pie (7 oz) for only 25 cents! I only got a few, but wished I had picked up more. They were very tasty, and two of them with soup at dinner filled me up, (I'm a big eater). The next was on sale , but not 50%. I crunched some numbers, and it's about 40% off, Van de Kamp's Fish Sticks only $1.99.

Look for the yellow "50% off discontinued" sign. It was slightly bigger then the regular signs, and the same color so look carefully. By the way, if your interested in these particular items, they were going fast, so you might want to call first. I had limited time, so I'm sure that's not the extent of sales. If you have never been to Pittsford Wegmans it's a real treat. It's relatively new, and huge. It's three times the size of the average supermarket. You can get lost in the place. It has a salad bar, chinese food, (Wegmans Wok), and a European-style cafe, and much, much, more. The selection is out of this world. I never saw so many diffident kinds of mushrooms, (for example). Actress/singer Cher visits Wegmans when she comes here. She loves it!. Check it out next time your in the neighborhood. ~~If I Could Turn Back Time~~

Rochester, NY - News Update

Rochester homicide rate doubles- 2 teens killed about the same time.

Two teens were fatally shot Tuesday evening in northeast Rochester, doubling the homicide rate this year. They were 14, and 15 years old. The teens' bodies were found on different streets (Wilkins St and Friederich Pk.), about a block apart. Both teens were in a known drug location when shot. They were killed at approximately the same time. Both shot in the upper body. Both died at Strong Hospital.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Influenza outbreak in Monroe County many turn out to be a harsh year.

This month has seen the highest number of flu cases in Monroe County so far this season, and local experts warn that the worst may not be over. "I don't think we've seen the peak yet," said Dr. John Treanor, a University of Rochester. "We went from a very mild year to a year, when all is said and done, (that) may turn out to be a harsh year." But while officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last week that this year's flu shot might protect against only 40 percent of this year's strains, Treanor insist that it's no time to dismiss the vaccination.

Besides getting vaccinated, washing hands, disinfecting commonly used surfaces like desktops and telephones, eating healthy foods and getting enough rest and exercise can help protect against the flu.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More Fires?

It seems like we have had a large number of fires in the areas in the last several weeks. Some have resulted in deaths. Please check the batteries in your fire alarm, and have a plan, check with National Fire Protection Association.

Latest fire story... Dryer in basement starts fire in Greece
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Local Biggest Loser shares her story of weight loss.

Amy Zimmer was a contestant on NBC's "The Biggest Loser." She lost nearly 130 pounds and gained a new lease on life. "I was at 297 pounds." "We had trainers to encourage us but it was your own game,” Amy said. “You've got to get out of it what you put in to each day. We were working out four to five hours a day. We were responsible for all our food.”

Amy didn't win on the show, but she lost 126 pounds. Her huge achievement has landed her a job at the Rochester Athletic Club for women. Amy's new vision stands in the lobby of each RAC in town as an example of what can happen. She is now helping other women with their dreams of weight loss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Girl gangs in Rochester

This story is by ex girl gang member Shadea. I didn't even realize that we had girl gangs here. This was an eye opener... Read Shadea's story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Weather could mar view of lunar eclipse.

Wednesday night is the last chance to see a total lunar eclipse for nearly three years, if the weather cooperates... 10 WHEC Weather forecast.

5 Sites To Put $50 In Your Pocket - Fast

I saw this on the Today Show. They say that the sites are "legitimate resources worth taking advantage of." The following information is an outline from the Today Show article. The link is at the bottom of this post, specific websites are listed there.

1) The coupon sites alone can save you $50 a month, or more.
There are several sites listed. At one site coupons can be kept in your cell phone, so no paper is needed.

2) Cash in old cell phones and iPods, you can make another $50
On T.V. she said that the average old cell phone is worth $25.

3) Cash in gift cards.
This is great if you need cash on hand. She cashed in her $75 Sears card, and received $48.75.

4) Save at the pump. You could save $48 a month.
Use mapquest new gas finder feature to save money.

5) Cheap seats guaranteed. You could save another $50.
If you get a airline ticket, and the price drops you can find out the information on this website, and save money.


Read the article, and get website information at Today Show.

Antique Show and Appraisals in Canandaigua NY on Sunday

If you have something to appraise, or you like antique shows this might be for you.
Antique Show & Sale, in Canandaigua NY, tomorrow Sunday Feb.10th

For details