My Story in a Nutshell

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I want to share with you my results following a Paleo diet since July 2013. I have fibromyalgia and Hidradenitis suppurativa. Both have been suppressed through following a low-carb (100 or less a day) autoimmune protocol. My depression, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia are gone. I am happy for the first time in my life and had been diagnosed as clinically depressed from a chemical imbalance. But even more than that, you can SEE a huge difference in my vibrancy….you can see LIFE in me, where there was none before.

I am sharing so others can see this works. I know there has been a lot of negativity about Paleo saying it is a fad, a bad diet or doesn’t work, but it does. I am proof. No one can tell me different.

I have also lost 50lbs when many other “diets” failed. I now have energy where I had none. I have no pain, where before I could barely move and sleep was so utterly painful from having pressure on my muscles. I nearly lost my relationship and people thought I was lazy and making excuses not to clean or work. I could not care for our toddler where now we have tons of fun. Paleo lifestyle gave me life when I was merely existed.

Through Paleo, I learned how unhealthy I was simply from food. I am looking to lose 35 more pounds, but as I am sure you guessed, my health is of utmost importance, and I will never look back.

A lot of MIA but I am back!

I have definitely been MIA as of late. Truth is, for the past year, I have been attempting to learn how to balance work-life while also attempting to get my Paleo on par.

You see, when I went Paleo, I was a stay-at-home mom and had a lot more time to commit to my lifestyle. This provided me the opportunity to make fresh meals and keep active during the day, but once I started work, all of that quickly went out the window as I took on a desk job that requires I sit for the brunt of the day and no longer had the time to prepare all of these wonderful, perfect meals that helped me feel like a human again. Continue reading “A lot of MIA but I am back!”

Variety is key

10489686_886283004739259_8245627467725133142_nI admit when I first started Paleo, I had no clue what I was doing. I simply read what Paleo was and omitted the food groups that aren’t Paleo. Out went the breads, pastas, rice, processed foods and sugar.

I even omitted the healthy fats. At that time, I just didn’t know any better. I jumped right in without doing any substantial or worthy research. Continue reading “Variety is key”

Ninja Ultima Blender

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Making my smoothies and butters has never been easier. I upgraded from a cheap food processor and 450-watt 16 speed blender to the 1500 Watt, 2.5 Horsepower Ultima Blender and it really does get the job done. While you can certainly use a standard blender, I wanted something more powerful in order to replace some of the many appliances I use in the kitchen.

Morning Breakfast Smoothie

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Each morning for breakfast I have a nutritionally balanced smoothie. I am sure to vary my fruits and vegetables to ensure that I balance my diet and get a variety of nutrients. I use an old coffee glass with a lid since I drink my smoothie on the way to work. Perfect and filling.

Do you smoothie?

This one has 1 cup of homemade coconut milk, 1 cup organic spring mix, 1 cup of organic fruit and 1/2 organic banana with 2 tbsp flax meal and 1 tbsp gelatin. I use a Ninja Ultima blender, but you can get it done with proper technique using a standard blender, also.

The Winter Cold

recoveryThis winter has been especially rough on my body, my skin, my hair and my patience. Although, I am not a regular fan of winter to begin with, having an autoimmune disorder such as fibromyalgia doesn’t make things any easier. the simple act of clearing off my snow-covered car and driving with white knuckles among the shivering of my muscles, really amp up the muscle and joint stiffness and pain.

While I do my best to eat as I should and avoid night-shades and gluten, there are times that yes, I eat what I can grab, especially after a long winter’s drive to and from work.

There are things you can do, however, to minimize the pain and stiffness. The first, is to stay warm – really bundle up out there. Who cares what it looks like. If it keeps you from pain, do it. The other is to keep your immune system revved up by choosing healthy foods, nutrient dense fruits and vegetables and keeping ill people at bay.

While you need to take care of yourself all year long, this season, it is the most imperative as the cold sets in and people become ill and don’t take the time to layer-up properly and drive way too fast. Slow down, warm up and simply take care of yourself.