The Health Challenge

[gacountry]

Ok as many of you know our own Mishell is having some health problems and needs our support and our HELP.
My first challenge is for each of us that has health issues to join in and try to lose a little weight, cut back on sodium and all the good but nasty things to our health. Weigh yourself, take your BP and with each others help lets try to help Mishell and at the same time help ourselves.
DO NOT POST YOUR WEIGH AND BP but once a month we will report on our progress.

OK second part of this challenge
Summit recipes
diet helps
encouragement

With each of us working together it will be fun and healthful

[gacountry]

Carrot Raisin Bread [Heart-healthy]
Ingredients

1-1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (or salt substitute)
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cup finely shredded carrots
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup golden raisins
Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly oil a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan. Stir together dry ingredients in large mixing bowl. Make a well in center of dry mixture.

In separate bowl, mix together remaining ingredients; add this mixture all at once to dry ingredients. Stir just enough to moisten and evenly distribute carrots. Turn into prepared pan.

Bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool five minutes in pan. Remove from pan and complete cooling on a wire rack before slicing.
Nutrition Facts

Heart-healthy recipe
Yield: 1 loaf
Serving size: 1/2 -inch slice
Per serving: 99 Calories, 3 g Total Fat, less than 1 g Saturated Fat, 97 mg Cholesterol, 12 mg Sodium
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

[gacountry]

ecipes
Crunchy Pumpkin Pie [Heart-healthy]
Ingredients
Crust

1 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground almonds
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt (or salt substitute)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon water
Filling

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt (or salt substitute)
1 egg, beaten
4 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
2/3 cup evaporated skim milk
Directions

Preheat oven to 425°. Mix oats, flour, almonds, sugar, and salt together in small mixing bowl. Blend oil and water together in measuring cup with fork or small wire whisk until emulsified. Add oil mixture to dry ingredients and mix well. If needed, add small amount of water to hold mixture together. Press into a 9-inch pie pan and bake for 8-10 minutes or until light brown.

Turn down oven to 350°. Mix sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl. Add eggs and vanilla and mix to blend ingredients. Add pumpkin and milk and stir to combine. Pour into prepared pie shell. Bake 45 minutes at 350º F or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.
Nutrition Facts

Heart-healthy recipe
Yield: 9 servings
Per serving: 177 Calories, 8 g Total Fat, 1 g Saturated Fat, 24 mg Cholesterol, 153 mg Sodium
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

[gacountry]

Baked Salmon Dijon [Heart-healthy]
Ingredients

1 cup fat-free sour cream
2 teaspoons dried dill
3 tablespoons scallions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1-1/2 pounds salmon fillet with skin, cut in center
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
As needed, fat-free cooking spray
Directions

Whisk sour cream, dill, onion, mustard and lemon juice in a small bowl to blend. Preheat oven to 400°. Lightly oil baking sheet with cooking spray. Place salmon, skin side down, on prepared sheet. Sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper. Spread with sauce.

Bake salmon until just opaque in center, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts

Heart-healthy recipe
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size: 1 piece (4 ounces)
Per serving: 196 Calories, 7 g Total Fat, 2 g Saturated Fat, 76 mg Cholesterol, 229 mg Sodium, 703 mg Potassium, 5 g Carbohydrates, less than 1 g Fiber, 27 g Protein
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

[gacountry]

Scallop Kabobs [Heart-healthy]
Ingredients

3 medium green peppers cut into 1-1/2-inch squares
1-1/2 pounds fresh bay scallops
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
dash garlic powder
black pepper to taste
Directions

Parboil green peppers for two minutes. Alternately thread first three ingredients on skewers. Combine remaining ingredients and brush kabobs mixture.

Place on grill or under broiler. Grill 15 minutes, turning and basting frequently.
Nutrition Facts

Heart-healthy recipe
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 6-ounce
Per serving: 244 Calories, 6 g Total Fat, less than 1 g Saturated Fat, 43 mg Cholesterol, 355 mg Sodium
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

[gacountry]

talian Vegetable Bake [Heart-healthy]
Ingredients

1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 pound fresh green beans, sliced
1/2 pound fresh okra, cut into 1/2-inch pieces or 3/4 cup (1/2 of a 10-ounce package) frozen okra
3/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil, or 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1-1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano leaves, or ½ teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
3 medium zucchini (7 inches long) cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium eggplant, pared and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Directions

Drain and coarsely chop tomatoes. Save liquid. Mix together tomatoes and reserved liquid, onion, green beans, okra, green pepper, lemon juice, and herbs. Cover and bake at 325° for 15 minutes. Mix in zucchini and eggplant and continue baking, covered, 60-70 more minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally. Sprinkle top with parmesan cheese just before serving.
Nutrition Facts

Heart-healthy recipe
Yield: 18 servings
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Per serving: 36 Calories, less than 1 g Total Fat, less than 1 g Saturated Fat, less than 1 mg Cholesterol, 86 mg Sodium

[AlsoKnownAs]

I sent Mishell a PM yesterday a couple of ideas that might make it easier to stay on her diet. It's never easy. She was already looking at that information. Those are interesting recipes. I guess I am more used to simpler and direct in preparing my food. I think it would be hard to eat a dietamount of those recipes. Drool!AKA :hat:

If you want to snack on dried fruit I have found a good source. I particularly like the only dried apricots. PM or Posted by request. (No Affiliation)

[sweetgranny]

Ok as many of you know our own Mishell is having some health problems and needs our support and our HELP.
My first challenge is for each of us that has health issues to join in and try to lose a little weight, cut back on sodium and all the good but nasty things to our health. Weigh yourself, take your BP and with each others help lets try to help Mishell and at the same time help ourselves.
DO NOT POST YOUR WEIGH AND BP but once a month we will report on our progress.

OK second part of this challenge
Summit recipes
diet helps
encouragement

With each of us working together it will be fun and healthful
OK I love this thread! Ground turkey tastes perfectly fine, the the texture is a little different. did I say 'bad'.........no different.....just something to get used to. Also Mrs. Dash if available in your area is a great salt free flavoring. Several different flavors are available.
I had salad with salsa for lunch and have walked for 20 minutes this AM!:)

[gacountry]

OK I love this thread! Ground turkey tastes perfectly fine, the the texture is a little different. did I say 'bad'.........no different.....just something to get used to. Also Mrs. Dash if available in your area is a great salt free flavoring. Several different flavors are available.
I had salad with salsa for lunch and have walked for 20 minutes this AM!:)

You go gurl! LOL let me see before I Started this challenge I had a diet pepsi and a toosie roll, SO I have miles to go! But hey I need this my BP scared me and starting meds for it scared me more, then having to up those mes scared the heck outta me. Yes I will listen to all advice and I am hjere for Mishell all the way!

[gacountry]

I sent Mishell a PM yesterday a couple of ideas that might make it easier to stay on her diet. It's never easy. She was already looking at that information. Those are interesting recipes. I guess I am more used to simpler and direct in preparing my food. I think it would be hard to eat a dietamount of those recipes. Drool!AKA :hat:

If you want to snack on dried fruit I have found a good source. I particularly like the only dried apricots. PM or Posted by request. (No Affiliation)

AKA I cook for my husband and myself so I don't cook single meals BUT when I cooked for my mother in law who was diabetic I cooked the recipe then packaged meals to go in the freezer for her. So one recipe could be a different meal every week or so and still be delicious and easy. Frozen meals will stay in the freezer up to two months with no taste change, just pop in the microwave and you are good to go.

[gacountry]

OK I love this thread! Ground turkey tastes perfectly fine, the the texture is a little different. did I say 'bad'.........no different.....just something to get used to. Also Mrs. Dash if available in your area is a great salt free flavoring. Several different flavors are available.
I had salad with salsa for lunch and have walked for 20 minutes this AM!:)

I love ground turkey and since my husband is a hunter we also have venison which is very heart healthy. The salt is my big problem especially since I started these meds. I crave salt last night I sprinkled salt in my lemonaid and felt like a child sneaking a treat, I NEED HELP lol.

[sweetgranny]

AKA I cook for my husband and myself so I don't cook single meals BUT when I cooked for my mother in law who was diabetic I cooked the recipe then packaged meals to go in the freezer for her. So one recipe could be a different meal every week or so and still be delicious and easy. Frozen meals will stay in the freezer up to two months with no taste change, just pop in the microwave and you are good to go.

I've done this....buy those divided plastic plates with lids and then you can make your own "TV dinners"........as long as you are cooking it is just as easy to cook for several as for one then you freez them up and you have meals made up for several days
:seeya:

[sweetgranny]

OK I love this thread! Ground turkey tastes perfectly fine, the the texture is a little different. did I say 'bad'.........no different.....just something to get used to. Also Mrs. Dash if available in your area is a great salt free flavoring. Several different flavors are available.
I had salad with salsa for lunch and have walked for 20 minutes this AM!:)

OK I am replying to my own post.....another good thing is I Can't Believe its Not Butter Spray.........very good Also the Salad Spritzers (fat free vinaigrette dressing by Wish Bone but I noticed in the store the other day another brand of thos spray dressing.....We love those.:biggrin:

[sweetgranny]

OK I am replying to my own post.....another good thing is I Can't Believe its Not Butter Spray.........very good Also the Salad Spritzers (fat free vinaigrette dressing by Wish Bone but I noticed in the store the other day another brand of thos spray dressing.....We love those.:biggrin:


AND ANOTHER THING Drink LOTS of water and add the juice of a fresh lemon, lime or orange:)

[sweetgranny]

OK I was going to PM Mishell, but I decided we may all need this.
I went to Google, and typed in the search bar, heart healthy recipes. The third site down is Delicious Decisions from the American Heart Association. This is a whole cookbook online.:D

[AlsoKnownAs]

You go gurl! LOL let me see before I Started this challenge I had a diet pepsi and a toosie roll, SO I have miles to go! But hey I need this my BP scared me and starting meds for it scared me more, then having to up those mes scared the heck outta me. Yes I will listen to all advice and I am hjere for Mishell all the way!

DIET Pepsi :flamemad:

I guess you missed it when I told Mishell...
Before you let anyone in your family drink Diet drinks do the research on aspartame. It is pure poison. Drink it if you want cancer, or embalming fluid taste good to you. Some people you just can't reach. Put some concentrated lemon & lime juice in some water. It taste better & is way healthier. AKA

While on a 'Health Issue'; Do you use Butter or Margarine?

Quote from the article
"Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. :chicken: When it killed the turkeys, :eek: the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back."
http://www.rense.com/general70/diff.htm

[AlsoKnownAs]

OK I was going to PM Mishell, but I decided we may all need this.
I went to Google, and typed in the search bar, heart healthy recipes. The third site down is Delicious Decisions from the American Heart Association. This is a whole cookbook online.:D


Here you go http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/rec.html

If you open the page, go up to the address box, left click the mouse, turns blue, right click the mouse, copy, click in the reply window, right click the mouse & paste. A lot more complicated to write than do once you know how.

AKA :seeya:

[gacountry]

DIET Pepsi :flamemad:

I guess you missed it when I told Mishell...
Before you let anyone in your family drink Diet drinks do the research on aspartame. It is pure poison. Drink it if you want cancer, or embalming fluid taste good to you. Some people you just can't reach. Put some concentrated lemon & lime juice in some water. It taste better & is way healthier. AKA

While on a 'Health Issue'; Do you use Butter or Margarine?

Quote from the article
"Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. :chicken: When it killed the turkeys, :eek: the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back."
http://www.rense.com/general70/diff.htm

I am a South Georgia cook I have always used butter. In the long run it is much healthier and so much better tasting. I seldom drink a soft drink but every once in a while I do, something about a pepsi brings back memories of my Daddy and Fun. I am usually a very thoughtful cook and try to give my quest the option of foods to ensure that all health issues are covered. The same with beverages. There is nothing more discouraging than going to someones house to eat or to a party are nothing you can eat, and you don't want to be rude. I am a very social person and have quest over quite often I can cook country or I can cook fancy, I am a southern cook so I don't use recipes as often as some. For the fancy stuff yes, but everyday cooking just show me the kitchen.

[Mishell1383]

WOW! Guys you are incredible!! I didn't even know you started this thread GA! I have not been thorough on the boards as much as I should be this past week!! Sweet Granny I'm going to check out that website now! Thanks you 3 for all your contributions I'm touched!! much love :) :rose:

[gacountry]

WOW! Guys you are incredible!! I didn't even know you started this thread GA! I have not been thorough on the boards as much as I should be this past week!! Sweet Granny I'm going to check out that website now! Thanks you 3 for all your contributions I'm touched!! much love :) :rose:

Sweetie, You know I am here for you for whatever!
You are the daughter I never had. If I give up my'
treats and eats for you it has to be love!!!!

I am serious about my BP I am having a very
bad time getting it under control or a med that
I tolerate well too. I firmly believe if I drop a
few(HAHA) pounds I can go back off the meds.

I drink the multiple glasses of water a day, and
I try to eat salads but have a reflux problem
that sometimes rejects raw veggies. I do cook
an entire recipe of healthy food and freeze meals
for later.

My only problem with this is: The more people I
know that eats natural foods~~~~dies from
natural causes! This is a bit scary!!! LOL
http://sp1.mm-a3.yimg.com/image/2661661712

[WarmNCozy]

DIET Pepsi :flamemad:

I guess you missed it when I told Mishell...
Before you let anyone in your family drink Diet drinks do the research on aspartame. It is pure poison. Drink it if you want cancer, or embalming fluid taste good to you. Some people you just can't reach. Put some concentrated lemon & lime juice in some water. It taste better & is way healthier. AKA

While on a 'Health Issue'; Do you use Butter or Margarine?

Quote from the article
"Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. :chicken: When it killed the turkeys, :eek: the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back."
http://www.rense.com/general70/diff.htm

Thank God I never liked the taste of margarine. My favorite cooking is French so butter was the choice of French Chefs and me.

Give me a regular Coke or Pepsi any day!

[gacountry]

http://th171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/RRMia/th_feet.jpg

Exercise reduces the risk for several diseases including heart disease, adult-onset diabetes, high blood pressure or hypertension, breast cancer, osteoporosis and colon cancer. Exercise may also help prevent, or be effective in treating, some mental illnesses, such as depression.

http://th199.photobucket.com/albums/aa208/bugdoctor1957/th_exercise.gif
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff248/lady_numba1/cdc9.jpg

[WarmNCozy]

http://th171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/RRMia/th_feet.jpg

Exercise reduces the risk for several diseases including heart disease, adult-onset diabetes, high blood pressure or hypertension, breast cancer, osteoporosis and colon cancer. Exercise may also help prevent, or be effective in treating, some mental illnesses, such as depression.

http://th199.photobucket.com/albums/aa208/bugdoctor1957/th_exercise.gif
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff248/lady_numba1/cdc9.jpg


HOLY COW! That girl had to lose a couple of teeth on that treadmill! A warning: Exercise could be dangerous to your body!!!!

[gacountry]

HOLY COW! That girl had to lose a couple of teeth on that treadmill! A warning: Exercise could be dangerous to your body!!!!
And Cozy get a load of this, remember that was the morning after our all night party on that beach right down from ypour house. lol
http://th137.photobucket.com/albums/q239/jamminincov/th_exerciseatthebeach.gif

[WarmNCozy]

And Cozy get a load of this, remember that was the morning after our all night party on that beach right down from ypour house. lol
http://th137.photobucket.com/albums/q239/jamminincov/th_exerciseatthebeach.gif

We were probably pretty tanked still.

[gacountry]

We were probably pretty tanked still.
OH now I found it my kind of exercise!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/mn_bridge/Eating/weightlossforum.gif

[sweetgranny]

WOW! Guys you are incredible!! I didn't even know you started this thread GA! I have not been thorough on the boards as much as I should be this past week!! Sweet Granny I'm going to check out that website now! Thanks you 3 for all your contributions I'm touched!! much love :) :rose:

I have not been on this thread since Friday I think. It is a neat thread. I am glad you like it. I appreciate GA for coming up with this too. It will benefit all of us.;)

[sweetgranny]

I found these Thanksgiving recipes.......I think they will be good anytime and they both look very heart healthy:
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Red Onion
serves 12
12 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 2" chunks
4 medium red onions cut into 1" chunks
4 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tsp lemon pepper
1 tsp salt........this could probably be omitted for low salt diets

Mix everything together and toss then divide equally between 2 9x13 pans and bake at 425 for 35 minutes or until tender.



Green Beans with Nutmeg
serves 12
12 handfuls of green beans washed with strings removed
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 splash of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
you could use all olive oil instead of butter
a generous dash of nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

Steam the green beans to the bright green stage and set aside....they will still be a little underdone but don't worry about this. Now mix the oil, butter, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Add drained green beans and saute lightly til they are crisp, tender.

[sweetgranny]

I found these Thanksgiving recipes.......I think they will be good anytime and they both look very heart healthy:
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Red Onion
serves 12
12 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 2" chunks
4 medium red onions cut into 1" chunks
4 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tsp lemon pepper
1 tsp salt........this could probably be omitted for low salt diets

Mix everything together and toss then divide equally between 2 9x13 pans and bake at 425 for 35 minutes or until tender.



Green Beans with Nutmeg
serves 12
12 handfuls of green beans washed with strings removed
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 splash of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
you could use all olive oil instead of butter
a generous dash of nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

Steam the green beans to the bright green stage and set aside....they will still be a little underdone but don't worry about this. Now mix the oil, butter, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Add drained green beans and saute lightly til they are crisp, tender.

OK I tried both of these last night and they are BOTH great!!!!:)

[sweetgranny]

I found these Thanksgiving recipes.......I think they will be good anytime and they both look very heart healthy:
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Red Onion
serves 12
12 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 2" chunks
4 medium red onions cut into 1" chunks
4 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tsp lemon pepper
1 tsp salt........this could probably be omitted for low salt diets

Mix everything together and toss then divide equally between 2 9x13 pans and bake at 425 for 35 minutes or until tender.



Green Beans with Nutmeg
serves 12
12 handfuls of green beans washed with strings removed
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 splash of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
you could use all olive oil instead of butter
a generous dash of nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

Steam the green beans to the bright green stage and set aside....they will still be a little underdone but don't worry about this. Now mix the oil, butter, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Add drained green beans and saute lightly til they are crisp, tender.

Ok last night I made both of these and served them with a store bought rotisserie chicken.
Tonight I put all three things (chicken, sweet potatoes, green beens) together in a box of fat free chicken broth and sauteed onions and garlick with some brown rice. cooked the rice first b/c everything else was already cooked. When the rice was done, I added the other stuff. MMMMMMM good!:read:

[Mishell1383]

hey girls, so I joined a gym, the problem is I am wayy underweight, so I met with the nutritionist and I have to eat lots of lean meats and chickens to put weight back on, also I need to get some muscles going!! So I have been weight training, I AM SO WEAK! LOLOL But I went 6 days in a row so far! I have gained 6 ounces! yayyyy! LOL

Sweet that sounds delicious! Im going to try the Roasted Sweet Potatoes and red onion! I LOVE SWEET POTATOES! yummy!

[sweetgranny]

hey girls, so I joined a gym, the problem is I am wayy underweight, so I met with the nutritionist and I have to eat lots of lean meats and chickens to put weight back on, also I need to get some muscles going!! So I have been weight training, I AM SO WEAK! LOLOL But I went 6 days in a row so far! I have gained 6 ounces! yayyyy! LOL

Sweet that sounds delicious! Im going to try the Roasted Sweet Potatoes and red onion! I LOVE SWEET POTATOES! yummy!

I think you will love them!!!:)

[gacountry]

hey girls, so I joined a gym, the problem is I am wayy underweight, so I met with the nutritionist and I have to eat lots of lean meats and chickens to put weight back on, also I need to get some muscles going!! So I have been weight training, I AM SO WEAK! LOLOL But I went 6 days in a row so far! I have gained 6 ounces! yayyyy! LOL

Sweet that sounds delicious! Im going to try the Roasted Sweet Potatoes and red onion! I LOVE SWEET POTATOES! yummy!
Child, when I was married I was 18 years old and weighed 105 pounds
But that was yesterday and yesterday is gone!!!! So I will help you gain
weight while I try to lose it lol. When I was pregnant with my only child I
gained because they told me I was eating for two, lol. He is 34 and I still
have not lost the weight I gained!

[Mishell1383]

Child, when I was married I was 18 years old and weighed 105 pounds
But that was yesterday and yesterday is gone!!!! So I will help you gain
weight while I try to lose it lol. When I was pregnant with my only child I
gained because they told me I was eating for two, lol. He is 34 and I still
have not lost the weight I gained!

Dont tell me that!! Im already iffy on wanting kids, this just adds to the list! (Although my main reason is not wanting to bring an innocent into this world of creeps and pedos, an war etc. etc.)

[WarmNCozy]

Dont tell me that!! Im already iffy on wanting kids, this just adds to the list! (Although my main reason is not wanting to bring an innocent into this world of creeps and pedos, an war etc. etc.)

I was so sick with my first baby that I lost all my body fat in the first three months, the months of morning, afternoon and evening sickness. Then the morning sickness went away when my body adjusted to creating a new life! I gained 25 pounds with Allison, and after she was born I weighed less than I weighed before I got pregnant because I nursed her! I ate triple, and lost weight and body fat while I nursed! All nurishment goes to the baby first your body second! So you have to continually eat good food to keep it in balance!

At 65 years old, I weigh 145 because of menopause and lack of interest and energy to go to ballet and jazz classes which dominated most of my life. Now my fingers are my exercise of calories on my piano every night! My fingers don't burn many calories or keep me muscular except in my arms and wrists! Age leaves little desire for rigorous exercise!

But you are so, so young! I had my first baby at 28. You are only 24! You would make a wonderful mother! You would protect your babe more so, because you KNOW there are evil people out there and would be more protective than the average MOM!