Accepting

So, let's see.  I have not had any sugar, wheat/gluten, white rice, or dairy for five weeks now.  I am sleeping more hours now.  I am exercising minimally.  I have not lost anything.  If anything I have gained a couple pounds.  I don't get it.  I have stopped checking the scale.  I definitely feel better.  I am taking some really good, pharmaceutical-grade supplements that are helping tons - can't imagine trying to function without them.  I am trying to make my body whole.  It has been out of whack for a while and will take time to heal.    

I have decided this is the kind of scale I need.  

I have plans to see my naturopathic doctor in the next little bit so he can give me more answers.  In the meantime I am so excited about the path our life is going down and not focusing all my energies on getting smaller.  I am trying to eliminate all negativity from my life, and it is amazing how wonderful that feels!  It is almost a toxic feeling when I am around negativity now.  There is so much to be thankful for and so much good in everyone's life - if we just take the time to look for it.  Keeping a gratitude journal is so important.  

I'm Learning

This weekend I ate "good" food, but it wasn't on the protocol.  It was something just two weeks ago I ate often, though.  Mexican food.  I had a reaction.  Wow.  That was miserable!  My brain just could not connect, focus, or think straight, and I was shaking like crazy inside - lots of anxiety.  I just kept thinking "What in the world is going on?!"  I also woke up with inflamed connective tissue again.

I was telling one of my sisters and she asked me what stage of GAPS I was on.  I still don't understand stages. I told her what I was eating.  I guess I'm not really on any stage.  I wish my brain was working better to understand all of this.  I decided right now I am going to eat the Candida diet with Chicken broth included until my brain is better and I can learn this.   I can listen to my body and know if it doesn't like something.  These reactions are crazy, though!!!

I am getting sleep every night now.  That is a big step for me.

This morning I got out my Fluidity  bar and did a 30-minute "workout."  Wow.  That felt so good.  I would love to do that everyday.

We were sad to find out the half marathon four kids and us were going to do filled up before we could pay for it.  The kids were very bummed.  We are going to need to find another one.  I didn't realize they were that excited to participate in a half marathon.

Gave In

So, on the way to the temple we stopped at Whole Foods to get a couple things.  They had free samples of organic chocolate truffles.  I had one.  It was heavenly.  It was incredible.  Enjoyed every minute of it.  After that I wanted more chocolate.  So, we bought a couple organic ice cream dipped chocolate bars.  It was also absolutely delicious.  Oh yum!

Well, at the temple I was doing fine.  Towards the end, though, I started getting that shaky, anxious feeling.  Dang - I was so frustrated.  I was feeling completely out of it.  I was so glad Don was driving.  It was crazy!

I guess my body didn't like that too much.  I was totally out of it mentally this morning, too.  I was also very, very tired.  We went on a 45-minute hike.  I was so tired.

Took a two-hour nap this afternoon.   Feel great now.

I am amazed how my body is responding to this way of eating.  It definitely tells me when it was not ready for something!!

Celebrating with Food!

Why is that I feel the need to have special foods for celebration?  I'm thinking of dessert.  It's Valentine's Day.  Shouldn't Cheesecake or chocolate be part of today?

I am going to be good, but my brain is thinking I should have something - after all it is a holiday!  I just need to change my way of thinking.  Why is food the center of everything?

I found this recipe I am so excited about when I can eat it:

Homemade Chocolate Truffle Recipe

Makes approximately 40 truffles

• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup coconut cream (the cream from the top of an unsweetened can of coconut, Natural Value doesn’t have any additives in it)

Directions:

(These are amazingly simple!) Mix all ingredients in a small mixing bowl with a fork, making sure to mix bottom and sides in well.  Cover and place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes or until firm.  Pour a little more cocoa, or shredded coconut or chopped nuts, into a shallow bowl (about 2 tablespoons) for the coating.

Scoop out a small spoonful of the hardened chocolate, gently roll it in your hands, and drop it in the bowl with coating.  Once you have a couple you can gently swirl the bowl to cover the ball with the cocoa powder. This was the part my toddler got a kick out of.  Then place the covered truffles on a plate and repeat with the remaining chocolate.

*Dr. Natasha allows cocoa once digestive symptoms have passed.
*Variations: You can add a little bit of peanut butter and some sea salt to them, and then roll some in cocoa powder, some in unsweetened shredded coconut, some in cinnamon, and some left just plain. 

Also this one:  

COCONUT FLOUR DONUTS

Ingredients (makes 6-8 donuts or cupcakes)

• 1/2 cup of coconut flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup of honey (or other sweetener)
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted (coconut oil, or regular oil will work as well)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Blend all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
3. Using a whisk, or mixer on a low setting, blend in all the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
4. Mix until well-blended.
5. Fill donut pan circles about 2/3 of the way full with batter.
6. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Honey-dipped, toasted coconut topping

Warm a few tablespoons of honey in a saucer (I put it in the microwave for about 10 seconds). Toast some coconut flakes for about 5 minutes at 300 degrees F. Dip each donut in the honey and then in the toasted coconut.

Week One

I have completed one week.  Some of the things I have experienced are asthma, allergies, inflamed connective tissues, fatigue, some anxiety, and inability to focus.  Detoxing is so much fun... but I know what the flip side to all of this, so it is worth every bit of it!!  I am just amazed how quickly my body started detoxing.  I am not taking any new supplements to do this.  The body is simply amazing!

I have been extremely thirsty.  I have had cotton mouth.  I am drinking around 200 oz +/- of water every day.  I don't think I've ever experienced this before.  I have no clue why.  My body just really wants water!!

I LOVE the chicken soup I make.  I have summer squash, garlic and onions in it.  I'm not tired of it at all.  I'm thankful for that.

I lost about 7 pounds last week.  The only reason I know is I was curious yesterday.  I am not doing this for weight loss - although it is definitely an added bonus!!   I know that as my body gets whole, the weight will just naturally come off as that is part of the process of healing.

I am hoping to start feeling a little more energy soon.  I am hoping to "run" a half marathon in little less than two months.  Don and I went on a four-mile walk the other day along the Greenway.  It felt good to move, but I was so tired afterwards.  My body is going through a lot with this detox.

Excited about this journey.   Still so very thankful for my sisters and cousin who are helping me a lot!

First Reaction

On my family blog, I wrote yesterday about a new way of eating for me.

I felt real tired today.  I was able to take a nap and take it easy.  Tonight I drove the kids to church.  I was real hungry while I was out, so I bought some almonds.  I remember that was on the list... not really for right now, but down the road it would be okay.  I was pretty sure I would be strong enough.

Shortly after eating some, I had anxiety.  It was crazy.  My body has switched to that "healing" mode already.  I also had allergies and asthma all come on with the anxiety.  I read today that those are some ways the body can detox are that way.  I have had a detox bath the past four nights, and had asthma after each one.  I never have asthma except when I exercise.  My sister suggested it may be a way my body is cleansing.  Sure enough, I found articles about that.  This is all so interesting to me.

I am so looking forward to feeling "whole" again!!

Love this quote!!

 "I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, noble, and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them." -Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Life's Lessons Learned", May 2007 Ensign 

I am putting this on my computer and fridge!   

Day One - Success!

Yesterday was our first day of eating healthier.  We both did awesome - Don lost four pounds and I lost three.   So excited about this year!

I need to figure out what to do when I get stressed.  I was in a negative situation for about an hour and was wishing I had sugar.  I am determined not to stray and eat sugar or carbs, but I was really wishing I had food to help me in that stressful situation.   I drank 50 oz of water, then finally just got up and left.  I won't always be able to do that, so I need to figure out what to do.

I'm so excited to be training for another half marathon!  Jessica and Don Jr are joining us this year.  They are so excited, too!!

Here's to another day of success!!!!

Tomorrow...

We are gearing up for another round of HCG.  We enjoyed every bit of this ice cream... tomorrow we start to lose and feel great again!  Don has 55 pounds and I have 40 we are going to lose.

Half marathon is in 98 days!  Wa-hoo!

Another one!

I completed another half marathon Saturday. it was so fun! I really enjoyed the experience. I am sore still but it is a good feeling! They made a mistake on the route and we all ran 13.6 miles instead of 13.1. You can read about my experience in detail here.

So after the race, they had bananas, oranges, bagels and BBQ sandwiches. I grabbed a banana and turkey BBQ sandwich. I took the bun off and the piece of meet was like 2 inches by 2 inches. I couldn't believe it. The banana didn't taste good to me and I was very hungry. I stopped by the store on my way home and bought some hummus and gluten-free crackers, along with some Greek yogurt. It totally hit the spot. I was surprised how hungry I was.

I really would like to lose 20 more pounds. I think running would be so much more enjoyable without this extra weight. We still hope to run the Nashville Half marathon next month if we can pull it together.

I am pretty excited about my inner strength right now... I have gone 6 days without any processed sugar. I've been tempted plenty of times... but I'm going to do this! Not a bite or anything. No more processed sugar! I already feel so much better!

Feeling Good!

This weekend I decided enough was enough. I had to get control of my life.

I am not eating sugar, processed foods or carbs. I have a friend who had addictions and when she met the missionaries and learned about the gospel, she stopped cold and is now 24 days free from her addictions. She has inspired me. If she can give up those things, I can certainly give up things I know my body doesn't care for.

I have lost 9 pounds since Sunday.

Why can't I remember my body doesn't like those things?

I am "running" a half marathon Saturday. I did five miles this morning. My body loved it (for the most part). I wish I wasn't carrying these extra 22 pounds around. Hopefully by the half marathon next month they are gone.

Life is good!

ZZZZzzzz

Sometimes it is so hard to stay awake while working! I sometimes find myself waking up to lots of jumbled letters on the screen. Working late nights would be so much easier if I moved around! I'd surely be burning more calories, too!

Good thing I can sleep a little bit tomorrow (I think!).

Okay... Back to work.

1st Run...

Last night we went on our first run for this half marathon training. It has been a while since we did this, so I wasn't quite sure how it would be. We went to the school track next to us. I hate running on the track, but it was pretty late when we went and so we just decided to go there.

I was so excited! I jogged an entire lap, carrying on a conversation on the phone and didn't get short of breath. Don't laugh. I was excited. I am in better shape than I thought I was. I didn't have my rescue inhaler, so it was huge for me! We walked one lap, jogged the next, ran, walked, etc. That is how we finished the half marathon in April.

It felt so good to get out and run. I have 15 pounds I would love to lose... hopefully it happens soon so I'm not running with all this extra weight!

Half Marathons!

A friend is unable to do a half marathon in October and asked if I would like her spot... YES! It is in 31 days, though! *gulp*

In 59 days is the Nashville Half Marathon.... Looking forward to the training and experience!

Maybe one of these days I will enjoy running more. I do enjoy it more just from the half marathon in April... maybe each one I do I will like it more?

Here we go again!

Today we started training for our next half marathon - the Nashville 1/2 Marathon. It is November 12th and goes all over downtown Nashville. Isn't that a cool medal? I am excited about it!

Our run tonight was much better than I thought it would be. I'm not in as bad of shape as I thought I would be and will definitely be ready in three months. The weather tonight was perfect in the mid 70s. I am looking forward to training and feeling light on my feet again!