The Book: 7 My New Life Challenge

I mean, you're probably thinking, does this girl every just chill out and not do something requires a "challenge"??! Yes, I just finished my Whole30 challenge and that did cleanse my physical body, but now I am attempting to challenge my spiritual self. A bunch of ladies here on the Shore are doing this new book study written by Jen Hatmaker. She is quite and amazing author and is very real about what she writes. Her connection with the Lord is awesome and reading about her 7 month journey from excess is quite revolutionary.

Brief overview of this book is that this society we live in is layered with excess. In this studies case, its excess: Food. Clothes. Spending. Media. Possessions. Waste. Stress. We are taking 30 days to rid out all the excess "things" in our life and widdling it down to 7 items. Lucky number 7. Its basically like a "decluttering" of your life as we know it.

Our group started this February 18th. The first 30 days are subjected around food. At first, I was VERY hesitant on starting something, yet again, that restricts my food intake. I was like, NO! Just did something like this, will modify it to make it fit ME! Then, like a hammer right to the temple of my head, I saw what I was really saying...ME ME ME...MEEEEEEEEEEEE! I will not do this cause I just did it. So, I changed my mind. I did make it a little more than 7 foods. I am eliminating these for 30 days....again:

1. Sugars of all kinds. Honey, stevia, natural whatever. ALL kinds. I do blame my blonde friend for getting me hooked on raw honey.
2. Processed junk
3. Anything that has names of "ingredients" I cannot pronounce.
4. COFFEE...I did just say that.
5. Chocolate. Oh.Man.

I do eat very healthy already. Doing the Whole30 (if you want to see what that was about, refer to my previous blogs) really gave me a reality check on what I was eating. I have kept those philosophies since finishing with a less rigid lifestyle. I don't eat grains. I eat healthy fats. But after reading the first chapter, I realized that I have over 200 things in my pantry. Holy excess, right? I am really trying to take that "need I have for those above foods" and turn it into a "need I have for the big guy upstairs".

I will not be doing this alone. My best friend here on the shore is my go-to person when I want coffee or something that I don't want. She is also blogging about her experience and a wonderful writer, so check her out here.

SO...here I go, again...Praying that this helps me open my eyes to all that is around me. Rely on Him to make it through the struggles. I already knew how blessed I was, but this challenge is really helping me open my eyes to all that I have. To be so lucky to have options for dinner and fresh fruits and veggies in my fridge. Clean water coming out of the taps and the vast options I have to eat at my house. Just some food for thought....

Why I love my husband.

I know that most of the time, I usually write about my children. I mean, they're whom I spend the majority of the day with and let's be real, they say and do some hilarious things. So, it makes sense to write a lot about them. However, there also is someone else who is very important in my life, my awesome hubs, Keith.

I was very lucky to have met my soulmate at a young age. I went through a few duds and life lessons and like a breath of fresh air, in walks this attractive, self confident man who turned my life around for the better. He showed me what a real man should be. How a woman should be treated and how a healthy relationship functions. Just over a year of dating, we were engaged and 4 months later, we were husband and wife.

Our first year of marriage was not like what you hear. It wasn't super hard but we did have our/my (lets be real, mostly me) challenges living with and learning the ins and outs of a relationship. (And learning to deal with the mans obsessive sports watching) I didn't grow up seeing a lot of healthy relationships. Actually, I can only think of a few that I would even think of as role models. So, a lot of this first year was trial and error. It was a great year though.

Keith and I have a great friendship. We are best friends and I love to spend time with him. We also are great communicators. Talk when we need to express something and listen as well. I love that about my husband because I do A LOT of talking. Outsiders would see our marriage and question some of the ways we are. I love to take care of my hubs. Call me old fashioned but I love to cook him dinner, make sure the house is tidy when he comes home and make him special treats. I also thank him for things. Most of the time he says, why are you thanking me, but I just do it cause I love him. I'm return, he thanks me when I do things for him. Most of all, we respect each other.

As we approach our 6th year of marriage and soon our 3rd state of residence, I still to this day, love him just as much as I did the day I laid eyes on him those short 7 years ago. We have been through so much together and yet, we have so much more to experience. I still get excited for him to come home and nothing makes me love him more than seeing him love our 2 beautiful children.

I hope that everyone finds their soulmate in life. Someone who will ride with you through the hard times and fun times and be there for you unconditionally. Someone who still gives you butterflies in your tummy thinking of them.

The Winter Blues

I haven't had a chance to blog lately, which has been KILLING me! This winter cold and flu season has been a rough one on my family. I swear for 2 weeks, the norovirus and general cold reeked havoc over my family.

First it was that horrible stomach bug. Took over my daughter first, then my son then took my husband out of commission. I hate seeing them all sick like that. I was rendered helpless while they were so sick and weak. I would have traded any of their sicknesses so they wouldn't had to experience that.

Once they finally recovered from that, a cold bug possessed them. I couldn't believe it! Their poor recovering bodies had to deal with congestion, cough and sore throats. I again, helped as much as I could providing soup, medicine, humidifiers and love to make them feel better. They only had to deal with this for a few days, but still...

Love sure is a powerful thing. I mean, when else would I get up throughout the night to be barfed on repeatedly and snuggle with said barfy person. Then offer up our bed to sleep in cause everyone knows sleeping in Mommy's bed makes all your ailments disappear. Love also makes you feel physical pain watching those you love so much in pain. I teared up watching all three of them crying to get better. It just wasn't fair.

Now, a few weeks later and a few crazy days of airing out my home and psychotically Lysol'ing my home, we are free of those awful germs. I wouldn't wish the Norovirus on my worst enemy. It's awful. Period.

Now all we need is a bit warmer weather to venture back outdoors. This time of the year is my least favorite. I miss the fresh air, sunshine and most importantly, letting my pirates be outside and playing!

Come on Mr. Groundhog...hope you're right!

Whole30 Challenge Completed!

So, I DID IT! I completed the whole30 challenge! It was not an easy feat at all. I think that this was, hands down, the hardest thing I've had to do in the mear 27 years on this earth. I didn't realize that everything basically had sugar in it. I mean, wow...ketchup, chicken broth, sauces, etc. I became somewhat of a detective when I was purchasing all my foods. Not such a bad thing, but definitely something that I had to get used to. I also didn't ever realize how many additives were in foods as well. This was an eye opener.

First off, I did this whole "project" for something that I could say I accomplished on my own. As a military wife and mother, "my" accomplishments are muddled with my husband's or my children's. It is now really nice to say that me, myself and I did this without cheating and stuck to this!

After finishing this, I can say I have noticed quite a bit of changes in myself:

• First off, I started this challenged weighing in a 163 (I am being very honest...can't believe I am putting this on here). I will add here beforehand, that I didn't do this lose weight. Today, I weighed myself at 156...something I haven't been in awhile. That in itself is a major boost for my ego.
• Clearer skin! I have always had acne since I was 12. Its something that I have just gotten used to this since its been a long time. However, since doing this challenge, I have had clearer and smoother skin. That is awesome for me!
• I now sleep like a rock! I know that's probably due to me exercising 6 days a week, but still...
• Strengthened immunity!! My husband and 2 kids had that awful norovirus 10 days ago and I somehow managed to bypass that AWFUL bug!
• NO headaches. I can say that with the utmost confidence that I haven't had a headache in 20 days. This is coming from someone who suffers from debilitating migraines and is decommissioned for hours to suffer this awful things. I love this part so much.
• Better digestion...do I really need to explain this one?
• Energy! Something that I desperately need with 2 kids. I feel energized from my foods now. I rarely need an afternoon pick me up or nap.
• Cravings for sweets (if you know me, thats a love of mine) pretty much gone. I now crave cashew butter (yes you see that right...I am obsessed with that), carrots and yummy almonds!!

I made some delicious meals such as Sweet Potato Latkes, Flank Steak and Pineapple Salsa, Grilled Chicken with "rice" and veggies & Stir fry with veggies. These are simple and easy and very healthy!


Like I have said before, this is not for everyone, however, why wouldn't you want to try this out even just given my small results?! I've read other peoples amazing transformations of diseases cured like fibromyalgia, arthritis and allergies. Stand up and change your life!

I will say, I am quite nervous about introducing some foods back into my diet. I will say, some may never return. I am certain that grains along with larger amounts of dairy were causing my headaches. I am ok never munching on grains again, if I don't have to deal with headaches. Slow and steady will be how I am approaching this...no need to rush. In fact, I am pretty sure I will be eating what I had for lunch today, tomorrow.

With that being said, I WILL be cracking open a celebratory bottle of wine tomorrow. I deserve it. Over a month without any alcohol and I am sure I will be a cheap date. Hubs wont mind my celebration either...Also, planning on making some Paleo cookies for my friend who did this with me too. Maybe a square of dark chocolate too...mmmmm

Whole30 Week 3

Wow! I am over halfway done my Whole30 challenge. I can't believe it! Its almost done. I feel very strong that I overcame all the obstacles to finish this. Its called a challenge for a reason. Its NOT easy. Its mentally, physically and mostly emotionally challenging. Its altering the way to see food. I can say that once I got over the humps, its progressively gotten easier, but it still comes with its daily challenges.

Days 15-18:

I got into a bit of a food slump. Got a bit bored with what I was eating, so I did need to change it up. I am the type of person who needs food change. I cannot eat the same stuff over and over. With that being said, I did make a batch of Well Fed's Chocolate Chili and ate that for lunch for this whole week. I said in my last blog that its amazing and I will repeat how delicious it is. I did try it with ground chicken and I must say, yummy. Also, I have noticed that during this challenge, that my typical "sweet tooth" has gone sort of spicy! I am looking for foods with spice. Not too much, just a bit of kick. My new latest cravings are for chili plantain chips. Yum. These are so delicious. They're crunchy, salty and spicy! Well worth it. I did also make some dehydrated apples to munch on, however, the kids ate the majority of them. Its a win/win I guess...they ate healthy and I have to make more.

Days 19-21:

I swear that EVERYTHING in my path was trying to tempt or derail me. I took my kiddos to ice cream after dance class and they SO wanted to share all their delicious yummy ice cream with me. The ice cream shop even had my favourite kinds...BUT I did good and didn't even have a bite. Actually, come to think about it, I didn't really "want" it, just the idea of having something at was forbidden was sort of daring. I also made cookies with the kids. Chocolate chip ones. The cookie dough was looking at me like, hey we know each other. Why have you left us. I laughed in the cookie doughs face and said, NO! Ooh the thoughts that go on inside my head.Then my daughter's BFF had her birthday party. Cake, cookies, all sorts of goodies. Again, I knew better and wasn't even tempted however, her mom did save me a piece of her homemade cake. Very sweet of her.

I honestly don't really want junk food. But I am going to come out and say it...laugh if you want, but all I really, really, REALLY want is a Diet Dr Pepper. I know, I am terrible. That's my one weakness. My mommy crack, as my bestie say, if you will. I doubt it will taste good, so maybe thats a good thing.

I am not sure how I will approach re-introducing some foods back into my diet. I know that since my body detoxed off of sugar, I have been headache/migraine free. I really think it might be the grains. Who knows...I do know that I hope to continue this on with a slight modification. I do enjoy cheese and yogurt and miss them a lot. Moderation will be the key. Still will keep on the Paleo lifestyle as it suits my family and I.

I think I might just have to have a celebratory small glass of wine after the next week...I will be a cheap date :)

The Cost of Healthy Eating

Even before I did this Whole30 challenge, I supplied my house with healthy snacks and food. We dined on healthier choiced foods like baked chicken, lean beef options, veggies etc. My husband, who is, well shall we say, not very health food minded, would eat the occasional salad for lunch. We ate alot of produce but since starting the challenge, I have really up'd the produce intake. It rarely lasts a week in this house.

I should start off by saying that I am a couponer. I love to find a good deal on things. I am known to scour the Internet coupon websites and print out various coupons for my grocery shopping days. I even sign up for the products mailing list in hopes that I get more money saving coupons. With that being said, why is it so hard to find coupons for more healthier options? Majority of the coupons out there are for pre-packaged, processed foods. Don't get me wrong, I have been known to cash in a $1.00 off coupon for toaster strudels (for my "big" kid). Why does produce or healthier rarely ever go on sale? I know what you're thinking, then go to a farm or CSA and get local produce for less money, but for some, that's not an option.

I am not trying to be preachy, but I have really investigated what was causing my health ailments these last 6 months and that's why I was led to try the Whole30. It was crazy to find that so many things that were in my foods were causing my debilitating migraines. Things or additives that I thought were healthy, rendered me a drone for days to deal with my migraines. After doing an elimination and figuring out what was causing them, I haven't had one for awhile now.

Since then, the cost of my groceries have sky-rocketed and it got me to wondering why. I do read labels when I purchase things. I will pay a bit more to avoid things. I wish these companies, that have these high quality products, would get people to want to purchase them with coupons. Coupons are the reason that most people try new things. It would open so many doors for people if they could try them.

Whole30 Week 2!

Yes, "technically" week 2 started Monday...however I have been diligently sticking to my plan of spending quality time with the kiddos and haven't had a chance to write about this last week! As they sit and munch on their breakfast, I thought what a perfect opportunity to write here! Of course, they're eating french toast sticks, so YAY for cool mom for me but boo for healthy mom. I justified it by making them whole wheat. Yes, not "technically" Paleo, but whatever. I am cool in their books today.

Week 2 was SO much easier than the 1st week. I have regained my energy, to only have it taken back away by starting the TurboFire workout series! A friend of mine let me borrow this workout system and dang, woah! its intense. I do really like it though. Its is a butt kicker, but I am up for the challenge. I am already feeling pretty "worked out".

Days 8-10:

This Whole30 approach by now is becoming second nature to me. Its pretty neat to watch myself go for the apple and almond butter over all the other stuff I could eat. I have virtually no cravings for junk food. I even tested myself and make chocolate chip cookies with the kids and didn't eat any. Wow that's good for me and cookie dough is my ultimate favourite. <---(my Canadian'ness :) Its really nice to have a support group to turn to when you need assistance too. I have a local friend who is doing right along side me as well as an online group of women whom I have never met and we check-in quite often. Makes it easier.

Days 11-14:

I made some yummy stuff these days to eat. I refuse to make 2 separate meals for myself and the family so I am changing up a few family favourites to eat. We LOVE coconut chicken here. So, instead of using coconut with cornflake crumbs like usual, I used unsweetened coconut and almond flour. Make a nice crust on the outside. Then pan seared them in coconut oil on the stove and cooked them in the oven for an additional 15 mins. Very good! Served with sweet potato fries and what a delicious meal. Also made Chocolate Chili. I recommend this to anyone because its amazing. Makes a lot too so you can freeze and save some too. Here is the recipe! Enjoy!!

Can't believe I am halfway through! I am so proud of myself. I have never done anything like this before, so for me, is incredibly rewarding. These last years I have been either pregnant or breastfeeding, so this would have been totally out of the question. Its a great sense of accomplishment for me.

Again, as I have said before, are you up for the challenge? I challenge you to life Whole30 for 30 days. You can do it.