Maple Pecan Sweet Potatoes

I love these. I've made then the last 2 Thanksgivings and they do not dissappoint.

Maple Pecan Sweet Potatoes

 Serves 10

What you’ll need:

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes cut into 1-inch cubes

2 oz. pecans, chopped 1/3 cup

100% pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon butter or ghee (clarified butter without the milk solids)

1/2 teaspoon salt

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Pepper to taste

How to make it:

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2.  Arrange sweet potatoes in a single layer in 9×13 inch glass dish.

3.  Combine maple syrup, butter, salt, pepper and lemon juice in a bowl, and pour over potatoes.

4.  Toss to coat and sprinkle pecans over top.

5.  Cover potatoes with foil bake 15 minutes.

6.  Uncover, stir and bake again, stirring every 15 minutes, until tender and starting to brown for 45-50 minutes longer.

Cleaner Pumpkin Pie

1 TBS vanilla
1 C Stevia in the Raw
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpin spice
shake of nutmeg
4 eggs whites
1 cup almond milk
2 Cups pumpin (can do 2 1/2)

Mix well, pour in pie pan or square casserole dish

Bake 350 45-50 minutes

"Constantly Varied Gear" Leggings!

I love Leggings! Aren't these fun? I'm sitting here with the flu...boo!! But, I'm really excited to start working out again hopefully soon to wear my leggings from Constantly Varied Gear!

 New workout gear makes it more motivating and exciting to workout. Don't you think? Go check out Constantly Varied Gear because they have some really fun stuff. They are also starting a Monthly Leggings subscription. How fun would it be to receive new unique leggings every month? Talk about excitement to workout! ;) They are affordable and soooo comfortable. Free shipping is pretty great too! With the subscription you can cancel anytime too which I like, there are no tricks or gimmicks. If you pay 3 months up front you can also choose a CVG shirt of your choice. So, that's pretty awesome! I love the fun sayings on all the shirts.

 Put these on your wishlist for the Holidays or give them as a gift! There are also non recurring plans so you can have them sent directly to somebody else as a gift!

These pictured are the leggings that I have. Very comfortable, flattering and definitely get me MOTIVATED ;)


I love finding new workout gear! Did you check out the site? Which leggings are your favorite?

Calling Fellow Bloggers- Join Reebok!

If you use Affiliates on your blog or website then I want to invite you to start using Reebok!
Get notified of the great sales and you can start earning commission to promote Reebok shoes and clothing now! Don't wait too long to join. Click HERE to fill out the application for approval.

Being involved with Affiliates is one of the best ways to make commission using your blog & to share great products and sales with others. Give it a try!

Blurb Book $15 OFF

You know what a fantastic gift is to give? A book! But not just any book. A book that YOU made! It could be a photo book, a book of all your favorite recipes along with pictures and fun blurbs, a family photo book, a children's book, a book of your stories or poetry, a "baby's first year" book, or even a book that is created from your Instagram feed (it only takes like 20 minutes to create!). 

A custom Blurb book is definitely a gift that keeps on giving the whole year through. 

It's actually quite simple to create a custom book. With Blurb's Book Wright platform and multiple designs and layout options, creating your book is easy. It's also surprisingly affordable! Now is definitely the time to make your book because Blurb is offering all new customers $15 off their Blurb orders of $40 or more now through Nov. 17. Just apply the code GIVE15 at checkout to receive your discount. 

Offer: $15 off new customer orders of $40+
Valid:11/10-11/17
Code: GIVE15

Have you made a blurb book yet?

Get Cash back just for your ONLINE SHOPPING!

Have you heard of EBATES? I heard about it a long time ago and just brushed it off. But, really it is Awesome! You are most likely already shopping online anyway. When You sign up for EBATES  you can get cash back for all your shopping. And how great is that especially with a ton of Holiday shopping happening soon! Plus if you are a blogger like me you can get a lot of referrals and EBATES will give you bonuses. So cool and so easy! You don't have to have a blog to refer people, just share with your friends. Because if you are my friend I wouldn't be a good friend unless I told you how to save money as easy as this!! :)

Just go to EBATES and sign up then anytime you go to shop online at Amazon, Walmart, Kohls, Etsy (what did they say Etsy...yay!), Nike, Sears, Best Buy, Old Navy, QVC, Ulta Beauty, Vistaprint, Vitamin World....soooo many more stores. Sign into EBATES anytime you go to shop online and you'll get cash back for all your shopping. You can save like $500 or more a year, plus get referral bonuses. So cool!! Happy Shopping friends!

Evidently it's NATIONAL DONUT DAY!

Who comes up with all these crazy days anyway??

My youngest child LOOOVES DONUTS! He is obsessed with donuts...something we need to work on..haha. But, these sound yummy to try and so much healthier than regular donuts!

I saw this recipe on Super Sister Fitness instagram today. 

Try making these Healthy Pumpkin Spice donuts 🎃🍩 

INGREDIENTS 

1 cup pumpkin puree 
2 tbs coconut oil
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tsp pumpkin spice
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup oat flour (blend regular oats and measure after)
1/3 cup lightly packed brown sugar (I may try and substitute this with coconut sugar)

For the cinnamon sugar topping:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup coconut or cane sugar (pure maple sugar is great to bake with too)
1 tsp cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS 
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a donut pan (oooo...I need one quick :D) very well with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, stir together the pumpkin, coconut oil (measured when completely melted), large egg, and vanilla extract until completely combined.

Add in the baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir until completely combined. If you really like spice, you can add a little more pumpkin spice.
Stir in the brown sugar and oat flour (blend regular old fashioned oats or quick oats in a blender or food processor until they resemble flour. Measure AFTER blending, not before).

Place thick batter in a large ziploc bag. Seal the bag well and cut the tip off of one bottom corner.
Pipe the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Once donuts are baked, remove from the oven and melt butter. In a small bowl, combine sugar with cinnamon.
Dip donuts in the butter and quick roll into your cinnamon sugar mixture. Set aside and let cool.

Don't they look and sound delish?? Let me know if you try them!

Make a Blog Book! {Coupon Code}

I love blog books/digital scrapbooks! Such an easy way to do scrapbooking. I really need to get caught up on all my scrapbooking. Blurb makes it easy. You can make baby books, travel books, yearbooks, wedding books... you can also use pictures from facebook or instagram too. I think it would also be fun to make a recipe book or something like that and you can have it published and sell it in the Blurb bookstore. How cool is that? Blurb is a great way to do it all!

Have you used Blurb before? If you are a new customer from right now until the end of November you can get $5 off  any purchase of  $20 or more. Use the code GIVE5 at checkout.

Make a Gift for the Holidays! So many great ideas!


Make a baby photo book with Blurb

create a travel photobook

Blurb Facebook Books for $12.99 

Instagram Photo Book

Sell your book in the Blurb Bookstore

Have you heard of Craftsy?

I love to craft when I have the time. I've made everything from Candles, lotions, necklaces, bracelets, earings, baby headbands, bottlecaps, wood crafts, tutu's...the list goes on and on. Over the last year I haven't had as much time to do things like that but I've really been in a crafty mood lately since I have a little more free time and all my kiddos are in school this year! I like to learn new things so Craftsy is perfect for that!

Craftsy is on online shop with great craft supplies, but also fun classes! Learn quilting, sewing, cooking, cake decorating, woodworking and so much more! There are a few great sales going on in November. November 8th there a will be a HUGE craft sale on supplies for 1-day ONLY! Up to 70% off Craft supplies! Check it out!

Black Friday is coming up as well!! HUGE SALE for classes and craft supplies Black Friday- Cyber Monday.




Mobile Photography: Perfect Photos in Your Pocket

Learn to Quilt: Charming Baby Quilt Simple Shapes, Modern Cakes

The Perfect Jeans: Fitting Techniques for Every Body

Rose's Heavenly Cookies: Tips & Techniques & More!

So many things to learn about over at Craftsy! So maybe this Holiday season you can give a gift that's homemade! :) Go check out Craftsy and get your craft on!

White Chicken Chilli

I love soup weather! It's finally starting to feel like Fall here! (sort of) I live in the dessert...so sometimes we get a little tease of chill in the air and the next day it's hot! I'm hoping for a "real" Fall real soon! :)

This soup is so easy and so good!

White Chicken Chili

1 lb chicken, shredded (Sometimes I'll use Kroger premium canned chicken, 16 oz which is 1 1/3 can, sometimes we need easy! OR you can crockpot some chicken with garlic powder, salt/pepper, a little bit of chicken broth, let it cook all day until it's easy to shred, so yummy and easy, throw extra in the freezer or keep for fast meals in the fridge)
1 TBS olive oil
Add 1 chopped medium onion and cook in oil until transparent (or 1 cup frozen already chopped onion-my fave way!)
Add 2 tsp garlic powder and mix together

Then add:
2, 15 oz cans organic great northern beans
14 oz organic chicken broth
1, 4 oz can diced chillies (if you like a little spice, I never add these, I'm a wimp when it comes to spice)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano (I'm allergic so I don't add this either...bummer!)
½ tsp pepper

Cook and simmer for about 30 minutes then eat (or you can throw everything in a crockpot and cook for a few hours)

After it has simmered:
If you like it a little creamy, add ½-1 cup Coconut Milk (or regular milk).
Can add tortillas chips, avacado, cheese...etc, to garnish.

Yummy!  Yummy! Happy Fall!

Macros per 1 cup servings w/ out toppings. Makes about 6, 1 cup servings.
1 cup =
243 calories
Total Fat= 8 g
Total Carbs=25 g
Total Protein=17 g
Total fiber= 9 g

Teaching kids to Eat Healthy

It's hard to get kids to eat healthy if you don't start out that way when they are young. Changing habits is difficult,....as you may know ;) Here are a few ideas. Please share if you have some tips too. My kids use to be really good and lately they are not! Ugh! I had to be overly strict for a while for health reasons and I think that's what happened. It became such a big deal with food.  I don't want food to be so boring or a big deal that they never want to eat healthy. So overly strict really is hard in the long run! Which can be hard when it's for health reasons. So its been good for us to now create more of a balance and hopefully when they are older they will also make better choices too. Here are a few thoughts and ideas. Please share if you have some tips too!

*if you cheerfully let them know that that's what's available for a meal, then they will learn to enjoy it. It doesn't work if you have crackers and cookies and fruit snacks in your pantry and they know that if their cranky enough they can have it as a snack in an hour. Keep only healthier snacks, treats, foods in the house. If once in a while you want a treat, you go out of the house for the treat. Don't bring bad foods in!

*Sometimes having them involved in the process helps, making cute little sandwiches or salads. Having them help you pick things out at the store. Writing down a list of options and they get to choose the options. Trying to have a few options at a meal so that if they don't like one type of vegetable, they can focus on the fruit.

*Toddlers (and probably most kid) need to be exposed to a food 13 times before they accept it. So if they are expected to stay at the table until you dismiss them, and they see you relaxed and happy and enjoying healthy food and pleasant conversation, and often it is just a matter of time before they settle in. I know meals aren't always this way, but if it's a goal that you're working towards then you'll get there. Even if they don't want to eat, have them stay at the table until they are dismissed. It's family time!

*Your job is to provide the healthy food options in a reasonably appealing way, but you don't have to make them eat it. In fact, you shouldn't. Kids will eat minimal amounts at some meals and larger amouints at others. They are better at listening to their bodies than most adults are. They don't just eat to eat, they stop when they are full. If you help them to understand that even if they don't choose to eat that's fine (remove the power struggle) but they are supposed to stay at the table until they are excused. If your child isn't used to it, you may want to start with a minimum of five minutes but work up to 20 minutes over time. They can sit and be part of the conversation and connection. The benefits of family meals are well documented. Once the food is cleaned up, you can decide how you want to handle it but be consistent: either allow them to have their lunch later if they are hungry or specific snacks (nuts, fruit, etc) but usually say no snacks or juice until dinner when their natural hunger will make healthy eating taste better.

*You have to be cheerfully consistent and they will adapt. There may be plenty of meltdowns if you are working on changing your ways. If they are getting so many treats at school and friends houses etc, you can have them give them to you and at the end of the day, they could pick a better "treat" from the treat box.

*Most kids love dipping things So you can make a fondue type sauce, they can dip veggies or things in it to get them use to eating more veggies. Tacos or things that they can put their own fillings in/make themsevles is always good. You can also make things a little more fun once in a while, make Costco type samples...use toothpicks. My kids love that for some reason!

*I write the meals we make for dinner on large popcicles sticks and let my kids take turns choosing the menu for the week. I have a cute Weekly holder that they can put the sticks in for each day.

*Grow a garden!! Having your children help in the process will help them learn to love healthy foods!!


A few other good points & benenfits to family meal time HERE

NON Candy Halloween Ideas!

Halloween can still be so fun without all the junk! Make a fun tradition with your kids to trade in their candy Halloween Night, Leave it on the porch for the "Switch Witch" and she will leave a fun gift or sack of other goodies instead. Here are some fun ideas that you can give to your kids or hand out on Halloween. Some Dentists even let kids trade in candy for money or you can send Candy to the troops. So many great ideas! 

Glow Stick Brooms

How cute and easy our these oranges!!? I'm going to make some for my kids after school today. Anything to make a healthy snack fun! :)

or these 

(use dark chocolate chips for the banana ghost face and celery for the pumpkin stems)

We love Dole 100% juice Mandarin oranges

this wolud work too!

The switch witch, send candy to troops and more fun ideas HERE

Trade in that Candy for something better!!

PLAY DOUGH!! Genius idea! Find a pack of mini ones at Target or Walmart.  

Monster Eye Bubbles

Vampire Teeth: Dentist's everywhere would be proud :)

Happy Halloween!!

Protein prep ideas + my favorite seasoning mixture

I make this seasoning in bulk: 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder....I make extra to keep in a little container. Here are a few different protein ideas that I use to make it with.

*Broiled Seasoned chicken- Cut your chicken smaller pieces, line a baking sheet with foil, season the chicken liberally with your spice mixture, Sometimes I add about 1 TBS Olive oil as well and mix the spices an chicken all together and broiled in the oven on HI for about 15 minutes, watch it close though, you don't want it undercooked and defintely not overcooked. Have it with rice (brown, basmati or jasmine)/veggies or on top of a salad.

*Lean Ground Turkey- brown the turkey and add the seasonings. Use for taco salads, on top of sweet potato or mixed with quinoa or rice.

*Crockpot chicken (also great with pork loin, but pork is a fattier meat and not as healthy) 6-8 chicken breasts, 1/2 cup 100% white grape juice, liberally season with spice mixture, add any other spices...pepper, etc. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Yummy on salad, in a wrap, with veggies, w/ rice, etc.
How do you like to prepare your meat?

Celiac a no go!!

Did you know Autoimmune Diseases are the leading cause of death in the US? I hate Autoimmune diseases! I wish it was easy to just figure out what one I have. Doctor and I both know I have an autoimmune disease, but which one? I now can rule out Celiac Disease. Although, I am still allergic to Cane sugar, Dairy, Carrots, Cantaloupe, Peanuts, Oregano all being the worst, then gluten, brewers yeast, cabbage, HFCS, lime, grapefruit as well. So, I still have to eat like I have Celiac. Plus with an Autoimmune disease it's important to eat non-inflammatory foods anyway. Blood work has shown for years that my immune system is very low, recent tests show the same. My Blood pressure is low, immune system low, temperature low, blood sugar low and I have a slew of other symptoms that scream autoimmunity. But, to figure out which one? That is the excruciating part! I almost wish it was Celiac because then at least we would know and we could stop the search and just continue treatment. My impatience is growing and this has got to end soon...years and years of this is just so annoying, as I'm sure thousands of people can relate. I'm also wondering if  because of my weak system is why I have big issues with altitude? Makes me so nervous to go camping again in a couple weeks for girls camp as I got really sick just a couple weeks ago from the altitude.

I am hypothyroid, adrenals still off and don't respond well, immunglobulin low low low, prone to hypoglycemia complications if I don't consistently eat for blood sugar stabilization, all the food allergies, etc, all these things causing a million more symptoms. Isn't the body a crazy complicated thing?

Doctor thinks Hashimotos possibly, fibromyalgia, MTHFR (a gene disorder in which the body is unable to process certain amino acids properly which can also lead to other diseases), asked if I've ever been tested for MS, could also be Addison's disease as I still have every single symptom. Could also be more than one disease.

I had more blood work yet again to test the thyroid more thoroughly, test B-12, folate, MTHFR and some other blood panels that I can't remember.

Taking a million pills again including thyroid, low dose naltrexone (given a lot for autoimmunity and immune system), stuff for adrenals, but mostly all other natural supplements and vitamins, plus B-12 injections. I just hate taking pills and injections. But I know being more consistent with them helps me.

I'm just ready to be better, I'm just ready to start treatment, I'm just ready to have energy and feel like I can exercise stronger again!! I'm beyond over this.

Also, still waiting on Mammogram results, feeling hopeful that it's all good though.

So, now that I got my rant over and got out the negative. The only option I have is to concentrate on the positive! :) Thanks for the stress relief blog world! :)

How MY world looks right now.....

I have been struggling so much the last 2 months because I've had to incorporate gluten in my diet. In order to have an accurate Celiac Disease test I have to have gluten in my diet for 4-6 weeks. I've been gluten free for approx. 2 years so I have to have it in my diet for the accurate test. I need to know for sure if it's Celiac Disease or Non- Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS). If it's not one I know it's the other and either way after this test I'll have to avoid it. If it is Celiac my kids will need to be tested (it's genetic), I may not be absorbing nutrients, my gut could be so damaged and that is maybe why I have leaky gut/other food sensitivities. It's a Disease. So, there are many other complications that go along with it. While incorporating gluten back in, everything else that I have been avoiding comes back in.. dairy, sugar...soy, so many other things. Most of the foods with gluten have those things....most, but not all. But, since I feel pretty crappy anyway. While I can eat gluten, in my mind I'm saying I might as well enjoy the cookies, cakes, breads....all things that I miss. This is my last chance! That's what I'm saying in my mind. No matter how horrible it makes me feel, no matter how fatigue, how my brain won't work, how my body aches all the way down to my bones every. single. day of this journey....for that small second it tastes kind of good. And since I have to....I enjoy that small second of it. After that all hell breaks lose and I'm sick...sick for days. I may seem normal on the outside, but I'm slowly dying inside. I'm a complete bummer to my family and kids right now as I have no energy for anything!

Along with all this I also got back the results to my food sensitivity test. So, it just confirms to me some things I've known for a while and also confirms why I'm feeling so horrible during these last 2 months of including all these things back into my diet. I literally can't get out of bed. I want to exercise and I just can't even imagine my body working like that, it's so hard. I can't sleep at night, I can't breathe well, I can't think clearly at all, it takes me so long to think of regular words that I'm trying to say, brain fog anyone?! My stomache hurts, my head hurts, my whole body hurts, I'm retaining water, my whole body feels swollen, I'm depressed. I don't want to eat anymore, but I do for the accurate test, I don't have energy for anything.

Along with all that I have to have a mammogram/ultrasound because of a lump found by me and comfirmed by my doctor. I've just been keeping this all in and I guess today I just had to write it all out because I'm so exhausted and tired of the stress, tired of not feeling well. Writing it all out helps in some way, to relieve alot of what's been going on in my mind. I'm hoping this isn't anything big, I'm hoping it's all good. That its not as bad as it could be, that everything will be ok. It just adds to the stress pile of something else going on with my crazy body right now.

The Results of the Food Sensitivity blood test:

Severe reactions
*Cane Sugar- in everything and other sugars and foods that are derived from cane sugar. This makes complete sense to me as I know how my body has never processed sugar well, even as a kid. That's why I've been avoiding it, it makes me feel completely sick. Not a good thing to be consuming anyway. Now I know there are other things I have to be aware of. Sugar is in everything!
*Carrots- hmmm...no wonder why I've been getting sick worse after snacking on baby carrots. I've avoided them the last couple months because of that reaction. I'm beginning to know my body pretty well. Awesome having this confirmation.
*Cantaloupe- I had no idea. I haven't had cantaloupe in a long time.
*Casein (dairy protein)- another one that doesn't surprise me. Severe severe reactions to dairy. Glad to have it confirmed.

Moderate reactions
*Peanuts- good thing I've been avoiding them.
*Oregano- I had no idea, it's hard to narrow down this type of thing

Mild reactions
*Whey (dairy protein)- so it's not just the casein which makes up 80% of dairy products, it's also the whey. No wonder. Makes complete sense in the ways I have struggled with dairy my whole life.
*Gluten- very interesting. Sugar is in a lot of gluten products, yeast is in a lot of gluten products. Is it a combination of the yeast, the sugar and the gluten or is it because I have Celiac Disease. It will be good to finally know. Either way, I have to avoid it.
*Brewers Yeast- Anything fermented like soy, in a lot of breads, anything with vinegar, in a lot of b-vitamins, probiotics, etc.
*Fructose/High Fructose Corn Syrup- another thing that's in everything and really not a good thing to be eating anyway. Luckily I already have been avoiding it (besides these last 2 crazy months)
*Grapefruit- I had no idea....I don't eat it everyday, but I love it!
*Cabbage- I could care less..haha, but it is good to know as it's usually mixed in other greens.
*Lime- :( I love lime....it's a sad, sad, day.

I feel soooo thankful to know alot of these things. It's been a hard hard road trying to figure out on my own. Although, it's awesome to have a lot of them confirmed to me and that I was doing the right thing for my body. It also confirms to me why I've been feeling that much worse the last 2 months because I've been having a combination of all these things that are doing so much harm to my body. And I still have 5 more days of damaging myself for this stupid but important Celiac test! It's a struggle for sure. It literally make me not want to eat anything becuse I feel soooo crappy already and every bite I take I'm just adding fuel to the fire. I'm doing it, knowing very well what it's doing to me. But, also knowing how bad I want an accurate test for just 1 more answer in the fight of my life. Hmmmm...no wonder my body has been so stressed out and my adrenal glands have been put through the ringer. Hopefully this is just one last step in finally knowing how I can start to feel better! Because I'm soooo ready for that!! I'm in a whirlwind right now and I just want my life back!
So many people struggle in so many different ways so I feel bad complaining about mine. But, it really is a struggle that numbs me so much. I cry, I'm depressed, I don't feel well, I can't just get up and do the things I want to do so bad! I'm allowed to be mad and stressed and cry. And I'm allowed to get it all out there so others know they are not alone in their struggles. Because I know the support and the examples of others who also struggle have surely helped me too.

Next up:
Celiac Test
Mammogram/ultrasound

I guess we will see where I have to go from there.....the results could take me a million different directions. So, I wait, still....not so patiently!

My health journal update

{I like to record my progress for my own journaling so I can keep track}

They say it will take 1 month for every year it took you to get sick to get better. Well, then it still might be a while for me. I definitely have had a lot more good days then bad days lately though. Still the bad days are bad, very fatigue, headaches, blurry vision. I've been able to completely control my hypoglycemia which is awesome. I use to have severe symptoms everyday and not anymore. I do feel more energy than I use to...most days anyway. But, when I start seeing that light at the end of the tunnel I almost immediately get excited to just get back to normal and it just doesn't happen, so then I get a little disappointed. I still have to be very strict in my eating. No eggs, no dairy, no oats, no corn, no gluten, no soy, no peanuts, no rice....{I have been able to have small amounts of white rice which tastes super yummy}, I love brown rice but very hard to digest, no sugar...small amounts of pure maple syrup or honey, {coconut sugar makes me sick}. I can tolerate small amount of beef and pork. I mostly still eat turkey or chicken. I can tolerate small amounts of beans but I don't eat them much at all, although it would be another good protein source since I don't have many options. But, they don't make me feel the greatest so I just stay away for the most part. I really miss eggs a lot, it's very hard to bake gluten free breads and other recipes without them. Plus it's such a great protein and I'm trying to be able to get more protein in my diet because it helps me so much. But, darn eggs make me sooooo sick, nauseous, fatigue, headache...they are the one food that makes me mostly nauseous more than anything else. I'm not on a ton of pills or creams anymore....yay! I just take fish oil, probiotics and repairvit for the healing of my gut. I definitely need to be more consistent, somehow I started slacking off.

I've begun working out again, after a long 9 month break because my body literally couldn't do it.  I started out slowly just doing simple movements, going at my own pace, taking it somewhat easy. I could definitely feel overtime how the energy came a little more and more. I have since started a good lifting regimine and feeling great. After 3 weeks working out 4 days a week plus 3 nights teaching fitness class a week I can see how I might need to not push so hard...my body is really tired at this point. Today I'm completely drained. Life stresses are also hard to deal with. Too many stresses on my body with food, exercise, stresses of life and my adrenals get over worked and eventually break down again little by little. It's been a tough week so I can feel it completely crashing my body. I got so excited to exercise and be back to where I was, but I may need to take it a little easier for a bit longer. :( Not what I want to do. Exercising again feels so good to me. I love it! It makes my mood feel good and my body feel strong, until it comes crashing down when too much is put on it.

The most frustrating part of it all is diet. Diet will make or break me. One small taste of anything that I shouldn't have and it's a wrecking ball. I have slacked a little lately having rice chips or flavored rice cakes. But, I know the other ingredients in them are making me sick. I can feel it. I've also had a few kind bars. Not bad bars but the brown rice syrup and other sweeteners in them make me sick. So disappointing, I just need a little something once in a while but even the "not so bad snacks" is bad for me!

Last night I had the worst stomach pain in my right side. It lasted for about 2 hours. Stabbing pain and it hurt to even breath. The pain would sometimes run all the way up to my collar bone on the right side. Crazy pain! Soon I found a comfortable position just lying flat on my back and it went away. Not sure what that was. I've actually had that a couple times before but didn't seem to last that long and I didn't eat anything bad that day. Not sure what it means....gall bladder maybe??