Meet my new best friends.
I’ve always known that I’m slightly anemic – that is, my iron levels are lower than average, causing me, among other things, to be constantly tired, cold and prone to sickness. I noticed the past couple of months that my symptoms had gotten worse. I was even more tired and cold than usual – plus I’ve been craving ice like nobody’s biz (also a symptom of anemia) which, sadly, made me even colder!
I checked in with the Doc yesterday and my iron levels had indeed dropped lower than what they had previously been. My body is operating around 70% of what it’s capable of. My doctor told me he was surprised I was able to get out of bed in the morning! 
We’re still determining the severity of the situation, but until then, the prescription is chewable children’s vitamins. And LOTS of ‘em! A regular dose of these babies is 1 vitamin/day. I’ll be chowing down on 4/day until we figure out if this is just a classic case, or something more. Good thing I like the taste!
Lesson learned: If you feel crappy, there’s probably something up. Go to the doctor and get help! 
In happier, but still cold, news – I had the most fantastic breakfast smoothie this morning. And, alert the press, it didn’t have spinach in it!!! I made a Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie!
In the mix:
- 1/4 cup old fashioned oats (uncooked)
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze
- 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
- 1 frozen banana
Blend the first 4 ingredients until smooth. Add in the banana, give it a few pulses with your blender’s “ice crusher” setting, then let ‘er rip. You’ll be enjoying in no time!
Enjoy I did!! Can you say peanut butter milkshake?! The vanilla whey protein powder gave it such a smooth and thick consistency, while my Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter gave it a decadent peanut butter swirl taste.
I am in loooooove.
I savored it from my super-cute Iowa glass. Isn’t it fun?!
For lunch today, I packed the other Veggie Salad I pre-made earlier this week.
What’d I tell ya’ – chop once, enjoy twice!
In the mix:
- Mixed greens
- Spinach
- Cucumber
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Dried cranberries
- Peanuts
I’ll be trying out my new Trader Joe’s Raspberry Vinaigrette on this today. I’ll let you know how it stacks up against my beloved Annie’s variety!
Oh, I also decided that it’s been far too long since I last enjoyed a bag of Lime + Salt Popcorn, so I brought some for an afternoon snack.
Mmmm, it’s so buttery and satisfying. Plus, you get popping instructions right on the bag. How clever. 
In other news…I’m annoyed.
It’s true. I got the mail after coming home from my morning Mom walk this morning (I’m so bad about getting my mail!) and what do I see inside? This…
A KFC and Susan G. Komen for the Cure co-branded coupon book. What?!
Am I the only one who sees something terribly wrong with this picture? Why on earth would Susan G. Komen for the Cure - one of the most respected contributors to cancer research and prevention in the world – pair with Kentucky Fried Chicken? The company who’s last big media push was around a sandwich that has two pieces of fried chicken for buns. FOR BUNS!
It’s things like this that make me wonder – of all the people that had to sign off on a campaign like this, how did not one of them raise a red flag to say, you know what, maybe this isn’t such a good idea. On top of everything else, they couldn’t even put a bucket of KFC’s grilled chicken on the cover of the coupon book? It had to be of the fried variety?? SGK needs a new marketing/PR team – stat!!
This whole thing just doesn’t sit well with me. Anyways – that’s my rant. What do you think?
TGIAF!!!!!
Yeah, that is a little wild. I agree, they should have at least put their grilled chicken on it.
But then again, seeing that you are helping the ‘cure’ will just give everyone a reason and excuse to go eat some fried chicken. It will validate what people want!
You are not the only one upset about this campaign!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/homestyle/04/28/kfc.pink.bucket.campaign/index.html
Good on you for pointing that out. Pretty freakin’ weird SGK. I have Cape Cod (homeland) and Boston (current home) glasses just like that IOWA one. They are pretty fun aren’t they?
Unfortunately it’s just another case where money is king in our society. It’s all in the fine print – guaranteed minimum donation of $1 million. While I’m happy that money is going towards the SGK organization, I just wish it sent a more positive message.
And, while I do think this isn’t very good marketing on the behalf of the SGK marketing/ PR team, I do think it’s good marketing on behalf of the marketing/ PR team of KFC, who’s been getting a lot of bad/ controversial press over the double down, to pair with a respectable, well-loved organization.
I just wish it wasn’t fried chicken.
http://www.naturalnews.com/028641_Susan_G_Komen_pinkwashing.html
This little satirical piece by one of my fave health news sources was pretty funny! My boyfriend showed this to me after we both were SHOCKED ourselves after seeing a KFC/Komen commercial.
I am low on iron as well = was when younger but thought I had overcome it and then tried to give blood a few weeks ago and was denied. I may have to try the chewable vitamens as well. Thanks for sharing! Love the Iowa cup.
I thought the same thing!!! A company that serves food that likely has all sorts of cancer-causing stuff in it trying to make more money by advertising support for cancer research??? And the SGK Foundation partnering with them???????????????? More than a little disturbing.
Re: anemia—I feel your pain, IG. I’m currently working with a hematologist because testing (for something else entirely!) revealed that all of my blood cell counts are low; it’s called pancytopenia, and now we’re trying to figure out whether there’s an underlying cause. Mind you, this is after three years of popping prenatal vitamins (preparing to get pregnant) and a year of extra iron supplements. So if the iron alone doesn’t do the trick, make sure your doctor looks at other possible causes!
Re: Susan G. Komen and KFC—Yuck. But unfortunately, the Komen foundation has a history of making questionable corporate partnerships. In general, too many businesses are happy to “pinkwash” in order to get more business, even though their actual practices (e.g., contributing to environmental degradation) may be doing more to cause breast cancer than a few paltry cents on the dollar is doing to cure it.
I won’t post the link because I don’t want this post to get caught in the spam filter, but Google “Think Before You Pink” for more info.
Yeah, when I saw this commercial the other day, I thought the same thing. You would think they would have paired with a healthier fast food…maybe Subway?
I thought the same thing when I first saw the marketing campaign. Then I started singing Alanis’ Isn’t It Ironic…..
Those pink bucket commercials on TV straight up PISS. ME. OFF. Oh right, fatty food, a possible contributor to the development of cancers, go ahead, pair them with Susan G. Komen. Great idea, marketing team. Really, top notch. In other news, I hope you get your iron levels elevated! Yikes!
I completely agree. It is such a strange thing for them to do!
I have been seeing commercials for this new partnership and I get angry every time. With my mom being a breast cancer survivor I cannot for the life of me understand why the Komen Foundation would want to partner with a company who is NOT helping America’s health situation!
I’m anemic as well and have been for most of my life. I found a great natural iron supplement that’s quick to be absorbed if you end up needing something more than the chewables. I can’t imagine what I would feel like if my iron was at a normal level.
A great Iron supplement to try:
http://www.newchapter.com/products/every-womans-iron-support
First, I love reading your blog! I take up on your food suggestions and love it. Thank you! Second, I can totally relate with your rant about the KFC and breast cancer thing. It’s like Diet Coke. On the Diet Coke bottle you’ll see a nice red heart with the caption, “Join Diet Coke in support of women’s heart health programs.” Uhmm? Diet Coke has all this fake sugar in it that causes problems in the body and whatnot. Bad food/drink companies are a catch 22. Doing good things because the things they sell cause bad things! Ha! Hope your iron levels come back up quick!
Will you please post your recipe for your amazing looking sugar cookies? I know that you are always talking about health and making good choices, but I am in major need of an amazing sugar cookie recipe! Please! And how do you manage to decorate them so perfectly? Bravo to you!
Would you mind sharing your iron level. I was just tested last friday and got my number 2 days ago. I am ALWAYS FREEZING…despite 60 degree temps and 4 layers. Brrr!
Lol I am laughing my booty off at that KFC ad. That is ridiculous!
Have you thought about adding more iron rich food into your diet? That would probably solve the problem.
Yeah, unfortunately I’ve tried EVRYTHING food wise. It’s one of those things where good food choices alone isn’t enough!
From the cnn article linked in the comments, Komen’s director of communications defending the partnership:
“‘And people are still operating under old and crazy myths — people ask us if they can get cancer from wearing a underwire bra. There is not enough awareness out there,’ she says.”
So how do they think that turning buckets of fried chicken pink will not perpetuate new and crazy myths, like that eating that crap is good for you or will not increase your risk of cancer? Her argument makes no sense. They need the money for education, but at what cost? I suspect the KFC=fighting breast cancer message will get out to a much wider audience than any education they could possibly do. I have some serious doubts about Komen’s motivations at this point.
It is definetly out there- why not just put the double down on the advertisements!
I am right there with ya! Haven’t mentioned it on my blog, but think this is crazy! I told Ryan I’ll just go into a KFC and hand them a check to send to the Komen Foundation… they can keep the horribly unhealthy bucket! SO WEIRD!
~Christie
Sorry, you are not feeling well. I hope your levels even out soon! You would think with all the green monsters your iron levels would be over
……I am kinda addicted to those smoothies now, haha
Get better soon, I will be praying for you.
While I think it’s a little ridiculous that they aren’t worried about you dying of heart disease but are of cancer, I suppose the 2 aren’t in direct competition.
By the way, I just wanted to mention that it’s very healthy to go for Natural brands of popcorn. There’s new studies that a certain artificial butter flavoring was giving employees at a popcorn warehouse horrible diseases! I don’t think I could even make stuff like that up
Love the salad! Always so crunchy looking, I can just hear it!
With all the spinach you eat I am surprised you are iron deficient!
Get better soon!
Anything that will bring awareness to an issue works, unfortunatly, people will always eat crappy food!
Hmm… that is crazy. But I’m sure it will make them some good money! Which as we all now, “makes the world go round.”
Your smoothie sounds seriously AMAZING!
I completely agree that is an unlikely match. I don’t eat at KFC and never wish to eat there! However, I think SGK is looking for ways to reach a different audience. They’re tapping into a segment of society that maybe wouldn’t normally support breast cancer research. Does that make sense?
It is weird because obesity is one of the top factors in developing cancer. Its like McDonalds sponsoring to donate to the American Heart Association for every big mac.
While I personally can’t stomach most mass produced fried chicken(wasnt there a beak scandal once? ew), part of me is wondering if this is simply a clever way to reach demographics-mainly i’m assuming inner-city and rural south-that’s usually not as likely, statistically, to own a subaru pink or be readily able to fund raise a 10k. I know personally that it’s not always easy to drop $40,000 on an SUV for a good cause(especially when i lived in brooklyn, driving was nuts), but a spare dollar for a bucket of chicken on the way home from a long day doesn’t seem as daunting in the long run.
As much as I hate it the fact that our country eats so much of that stuff means lots of money will be raised and that’s a good thing.
I know what you mean about “knowing” something is wrong. I found out I’m vitamin D deficient and it was causing some of my problems. I’m starting to feel better on a supplement.
maybe you already heard but omaha is officially getting a trader joes! so there will be one….closer. ive heard rumors about des moines but nothing official and it would surprise me.
Ahhh..hem!! 3 question Thursday?
Kristin, you should have gone for spinach in your PB “milkshake”…it’s loaded with IRON!
I think that a lot of people eat at KFC. I think we need a lot of money for breast cancer research. I think it’s possible to incorporate KFC into a healthy diet, so we shouldn’t treat KFC like they are the entire issue.
When it comes to funding, money is money. If we can save lives because we targeted a huge audience, whether it’s KFC or not, it’s a positive thing.
I’m not sure how much tea/coffee you drink, but you might want to lay off until your iron levels come back up! They both inhibit your body’s ability to absorb the iron that you are ingesting. You don’t want all of those cute vitamins to go to waste
That is a bit of a strange advert – but at the same time, if it raised $$ for breast cancer research, any way is better than no way right? Meh :s
Trader Joe’s is coming to Omaha! I don’t know if you ever come this way but it’s closer than the others:) It is supposed to be open before the end of the year!
I agree with the Susan G. Komen and KFC partnership. I mean, come on! Sure, you may be raising money for the cure, but purchasing food like this is not the way to do it.
I personally find it interesting when there are bake sales to raise money for those with Juvenile Diabetes. Bake sales that are selling brownies, cookies, cakes, etc. Isn’t this a huge problem here!?
Where can I get one of those cool Iowa glasses?
I just had to comment on this – I’m not a fan of fried chicken nor KFC, but it’s a bit ignorant to correlate cancer with fried chicken. It may not be healthy, but eating it won’t cause breast cancer. I think any kind of breast cancer awareness, KFC or otherwise, is a great thing.
I agree and, because I’m not a scientist/someone in the know, I would never correlate eating fried chicken with getting breast cancer. I just think that there are more responsible ways to raise money for breast cancer then selling, what we know to be extremely un-healthy, fried chicken.
This kind of ties in with the old saying…Everything in Moderation. Eating KFC in moderation is not gonna kill you. And it will surely raise awareness & money for the SGK Foundation. Both of my grandmas & one grandpa lived into their 90′s, in their own homes, and ate a steady diet of everything fried in bacon grease or Crisco, & topped off with gravy, so what do you do? None of them had cancer. I myself ride the fence between eating healthy, & eating the fried in bacon grease meals I grew up on & love! Maybe someone high up on the ladder @ KFC lost someone close to them due to breast cancer & wants to raise money for the cause? I’ll agree it seems like an unlikely pairing, but it is spreading the word to women & men alike & getting the conversation rolling. I just read an article from a Dr. about how he is concerned that some people are actually cutting too much fat from their diets. You need a little to help the body absorb nutrients. I’m not suggersting KFC, but he was against fat free salad dressings for those on low/no fat diets. I guess a little bit of oily salad dressing is helpful if on a restricted fat diet. Moderation is the key! Sorry to hear you are under the weather! Hope you get that ironed out soon! Best Wishes!
I am also anemic and try to get more iron anyway I can. If Flintstone Vitamins are the prescription, I’m all over that!
WHAT? That KFC ad is so strange?!?! That’s like Richard Simmons partnering with McDonalds! Very odd, I agree.
I definitely love the Iowa glass
.
And I agree, the KFC campaign does not seem right to me.
Ugh…anemia. Been there, still on that.
Double ugh w/ KFC & the Komen Foundation. I think the foundation needed $$ and KFC would gladly take on a cause that can get more potential consumers. That chicken-for-a-bun is disgusting!
I hear your anemia issues. I didn’t I know was until I moved back to CA from MI in June. I should’ve known. It’s 90 degrees in CA and 80 in MI but I was never hot. I felt comfy and even wore a cardigan. Only in December did I realize I was always friggin’ cold. No way could I have acclimated to the West Coast Winter after surviving 3 snowy winters in MI! Turns out me turning vegetarian 2+ years in MI + Marathon training did it. I don’t crave ice but I love the smell of chemical products (& moth balls!!!) When I told DF I wanted to eat them, he knew something was wrong!
I take an iron supplement (65mg NatureMade sold @ Costco) off and on 3x’s/wk. I hate it b/c it gave me stomach punches. Plus I felt constipated so I take Trader Joe’s psyllium husks to offset it.
Is the iron working? Donno. It’s 70s here and I’m still wearing a cold. I don’t get tired b/c I take a vit B complex and sip tea 2x/day. I just try to eat more spinach, kale, brocc, and BEANS. Chili and hummus are my staples now!
Where’s 3QTHurs?
Actually, stranger partnerships have happened. Weightwatchers is partnering with McDonalds overseas. LOL
It’za CRAZZZYY World.
HaHa! My kids take those same vitamins. Every day I let them pick which animal they want…I love it!
I saw this ad campaign a few weeks ago and had a similar internal debate about it. I’m so glad someone posted about it. I mean, yeah it is good that money is being raised but other than that… I cannot see the connection of eating fried, processed food and promoting cancer prevention. Even eating their “healthier” options, it is still full of sodium and preservatives.
PS- Glad you found out about your iron levels; hope the chewables help!
I’m not saying there is anything good about eating fried chicken but breast cancer has not been linked to eating specific foods. Most of the risk factors are out of your control [genetics/gender/age/race/family history/menstruation]. Being overweight is one of the controllable risk factors, though.
I agree! I thought the same thing when I saw that ad!
http://www.carlsjr.com/promotions/
Looks like lots the unhealthy companies are jumping on the bandwagon.
It is very sad, but I do think it will reach millions of people. But will they pay attention? Who knows.
I’m majorly anaemic too…I feel your pain on the exhaustion/cold front. I am always freezing! My body just does not regulate temperature well!
As for KFC and breast cancer…gross.
What cute vitamins! It reminds me of Flintstones vitamins of my youth! It’s good that you’re trying to get more iron! My nutritionist told me that people with iron deficiencies “work a little slower” as far as their bodies. I don’t want to be slowed down! Have a great day!