Cleanse week

You can't help but make it funny!!!

I'm doing another detox/cleanse week...not sure if it's a great step in my road to healthiness or I am just a sucker for punishment! LOL!

This cleanse is not just for the bowels...it's a true liver/kidney/bowel purification program.

My poor body has been bombarded with ibuprofen, additives and preservatives for pretty much most of my life! I am working hard at undoing the negative effects of what these years have done to my internal organs, joints and muscles.

The owner of our local health food store recommended this cleanse to try:

So it will be an interesting week...my timings with the 3 steps, working out, work, supplements and the amount of water I have to drink will be like operating a very fine-tuned machine. I have to make myself a daily schedule!

The whole point to it all is to be as optimally healthy as I can be....inside and out!

I am doing a very simple week of eating as well...like week one on this program, I am going to cut out the "heavier" complex carbs (like yams, gluten-free bread, oatmeal,etc) and stick to fruit and vegies only. I will cut out the greek yogurt and be completely dairy free this week. And LOTS of water to flush out my system. Still eating in threes..a protein, carb and fat every three hours.

I am hoping the bowel part of this cleanse does not "kick in" at inopportune times :)

Doing something like this on a work week takes GREAT COURAGE!! HA!

And...although it has nothing to do with cleansing...just because it's funny...here's one more:

I'm sure you'll all be dying to hear the results next week...and I will be sure to let you know :)...I promise to avoid all the "crappy" details!!! lolololol!

ps...the turkey chilie recipe from last week is REALLY good!!!

Sometimes Salt is GOOD!

The Amazing Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt

What Exactly Are The Benefits?

Some of the benefits that you can expect by consuming this salt in place of regular table salt include:

• Aiding in vascular health
• Supporting healthy lungs and respiratory function
• Promoting a stable pH balance within the cells
• Reducing the signs of aging
• Promoting healthy sleep patterns
• Increasing libido
• Prevents muscle cramps
• Increases hydration
• Strengthen bones
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves circulation
• Detoxifying the body of heavy metals

 read the whole article here:
 http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/02/19/the-amazing-benefits-of-himalayan-pink-salt/


I have had a definite "set me on my butt" chest cold this past week...but I am feeling much better and a lot quicker than usual in large part due to my SALT PIPE INHALER:

I have been inhaling it twice a day for 20 minutes and it is amazing how it breaks up the congestion in your chest and sinus and allows the healing to be much quicker.
We have also started using sea salt instead of table salt in our food....but after reading the above article and researching out the actual benefits of the Pink Himalayan Salt...I think we'll be switching to this for our food as well.
We got our salt inhaler at a local health food/vitamin store.

Although still a bit congested I decided it was time to get back to some working out. The sun is shining and it an absolute beautiful, warm spring day...so no treadmill...the outdoors was calling my name!

Anyone who has been to the city I live in knows we are basically one big hill! I have always enjoyed the challenge of our hills and have 3 or 4 different routes I use depending on where I am at physically (with my knees, back etc) I have an easy route, a moderate, a hard and a "kicks your butt and try's to kill you" route!!
Most times I take the hard route....like today. I haven't been walking outside all winter...so it's been about 7 months since I took this route. What was really significant to me today was how much easier it was then EVER before! I really believe the type of work outs I've been doing, esp. the 30 minutes of sprints I've been doing since January, has really improved my tolerance and conditioning. And that was with some chest and sinus congestion still going on!!

I'm not sure these pictures do the hills real justice, but it gives an idea of the grade:

I may have to try my "kick butt" route and see how much better I can do that one....may have to change my route grading system! LOL!

And just as an update on my plan of attack for being sick....I did quite good! I didn't really cave in to the desire for comfort foods...I had my one planned "off plan" meal for my Daughter-in-laws 30th birthday party, but stuck pretty good to plan otherwise. I didn't get any work out in...I was just not feeling good enough and had very little energy till today...but all in all I'm happy....being accountable really works for me!

Here is a recipe I am going to try tonight...if you try it...let me know what you think!

Spicy Turkey and Black Bean Chili

This rich and spicy chili recipe is easy to make and great for family lunches or dinners and grab ’n’ go meals all week long. Fresh toppings like sour cream, cilantro, and diced red onion add texture and flavor. Try doubling the ingredients for plenty of extra meals throughout the week. To increase the heat, add more cayenne pepper or jalapeño.
Makes 7 servings
Serving size: 1 heaping cup
Calories per serving: 258
Protein per serving: 20 grams
Carbohydrates per serving: 25 grams
Fat per serving: 7 grams

Ingredients:

• Fat-free cooking spray
• 1 (20-ounce) package 93% lean ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon sea salt or pink Himalayan salt, plus extra if necessary
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1½ teaspoons paprika
• 1 medium Spanish onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
• ½ jalapeño, finely chopped
• 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes (Cento brand petite diced are good)
• 1 (20-ounce) can black beans
• ½ cup light sour cream
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 small red onion or bunch of scallions, finely chopped

Preparation:

1. Spray a pot with fat- free cooking spray and place over medium- high heat.
2. Once hot, add ground turkey and break up meat with spatula.
3. Add cumin, thyme, salt, cayenne, and paprika and cook until turkey is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Once turkey is cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove it to a bowl (keeping as much fat as possible in the pot) and set aside.
4. Add onions, celery, and bell peppers to the pot and sauté for approximately 3 minutes.
5. Season gently with a pinch of salt.
6. Add jalapeño and garlic and continue to sauté for another minute.
7. Add turkey to the vegetables in the pot and stir well.
8. Add tomatoes and beans and simmer, covered, over low heat for about 15 minutes (or more if you have the time) until thickened.
9. Top with 1 tablespoon of sour cream per serving and some red onions and cilantro.
10. Enjoy!

Headcold Strategies

THIS...is how I feel today!!

Yep...the blog post NOBODY wants to read!!

 When you are feeling great, you always think...OH...POOR BABY has a head cold...suck it up sweetheart..it's just a little cold!! Until your the one with the head cold....then it's:

I always want to comfort myself with food when I'm sick...most "normal" people don't want to or can't eat...but no, I want ice cream and CARBS of any kind. I don't have the energy to cook healthy...just give me comfort foods! And working out....FORGET IT!!! I wouldn't last 2 minutes...my nose is a never ending faucet of ugliness!

So I need a strategy today...and maybe the next few days. I need to keep myself accountable somehow so I don't just lay on the couch and get fat!
First of all...even if not one human being reads this...I blog...just to get it out, to make myself think about how to NOT fall into the old pattern of "I'm sick...I will eat anything I want"

I really want to think like a fit, healthy person through this. SO...I'm sticking to plan as much as possible. I will not graze all day and go for naughty, carby foods.
I really can't do any kind of hard workout...but the sun is shining and it warm and beautiful today so I will go for even a 20 minute walk. (SOOOOOO glad I'm on 6 days off right now!)
I am going to try and get a nap in today and get my body as rested as possible.
I WILL be STRONG and faithfully do Oil of Oregano drops under my tongue every 3 hours (if you have never done this...it is NASTY...but I believe it helps get over the bug quicker) 

I can only breathe right now because of Dristan...hate to admit it...but I feel very panicky when I can't breathe through my nose...so it is what it is!

Well...if you are this far into reading this blog...I hope you have had a laugh or two...humor is supposed to be a good medicine...and it masks the whining and complaining I really want to do right now!

My whole household is in one stage or another of this crappy cold...so we are all in it together which in a very weird way, kinda helps! LOL!

SO now that I have put my strategy into words...posted this...I am held accountable to myself and to you! I will remember these words of wisdom...THIS TOO SHALL PASS!!!

An Amazing Week!

I had such a great week off!

Got some extra "trampolining" in:

Went on a loooooong hike with my three oldest amazing grandchildren:

Had, for the first time, some wonderful one-on-one time with my sweet 3 year old grand-daughter:

a girl has to get her nails done..right?

 I have to say...being on "vacation" for a week...I did end up having 2 off plan meals instead of the usual 1, it was so worth it though....we had an amazing steak and lobster dinner with some very dear friends and then did a very yummy Easter brunch with our children and grand-children.

It felt really good to hike with my sweethearts...to be physically able to do these things...I pray that I have MANY more years ahead of me to do these kinds of things with them.

I have another 6 days off coming up and have some fun plans with the rest of the grand babies that I didn't "fit in" this past week...

Have a great week everyone!

Looking "Normal"

It feels so good to go to a special event and feel like I look "normal"!

 It's just a great feeling to NOT stick out like a sore thumb....to wear a dress and feel pretty. To not dread getting dressed up.

We attended a beautiful wedding this past weekend...a young couple that are like our own kids...I got to be "honorary" mom of the bride...my husband was "dad" and walked this most amazing young woman down the aisle.

It was a wonderful time with great friends and family. A bit of dancing was in order:

I had a total OFF PLAN day...my daughter-in-law made the best gluten/dairy free cake EVER!! Better then any cake you will ever buy...she blows my mind...and the sugar kicked my butt!! LOL! But it was worth it!

gotta love the brides hand on the groom's butt!!

I love having the freedom to work on getting healthy but still living a real life!

Soooo...I was back on track the very next day and loving it!

 I'm off this week and have plans to be outside on the trampoline, a hike with my 3 oldest grandkids down by the river, and other fun activities...be sure to check in next week for all the details! :

Loving being free of Gluten!!

I NEVER would have thought I could be Gluten free in my diet. I'd say other than the odd bit on my one off plan meal per week...I am truely gluten free!

We have a wonderful new bakery here in Mission...completely gluten free and run by a lovely woman named Yvonne.

I had Yvonne make me up some wraps a few weeks ago...she did them fresh right on site. They were FANTASTIC!! She gave me great instruction on how to make them up and store them for the best freshness. I called her this morning and asked her to make me up another 1/2 dozen...and by 2:00 they were ready (still warm!!!) Such amazing customer service!

She carries many items:

If you live in or near Mission BC...be sure to check out Yvonne's bakery...you'll be glad you did!
If you don't...check in your area for a bakery such as this...hopefully you will get the same care and attention to customer service as I have gotten at YB!!

1-778-245-1546

Give them a call for address and store hours!

ETL....NOT...LTE!!

I think I am finally starting to understand this! I've prayed for years for the Lord to help me get to a place in my life where me and food have a healthy understanding.

I have never really had much control in that area. Food has always been my go to thing for comfort, fun, activity, reward....etc....you get what I'm saying.

I also realize just how addictive processed foods and refined sugar are....they make you crave and want MORE...so it's all you think about at times.

So now that I am eating clean...no refined sugars, no processed foods, no diet soft drinks, gluten free, dairy free, aspartame free...I very rarely crave the foods that kept me "living to eat".
I'll be honest, there is still a moment here and there where I cave...but those moments are getting fewer and further between.
And when I do have an "off-plan" meal or day...it's just that, a meal or a day. Not EVERY meal or EVERY day!
I believe it's important to have foods I enjoy...and the odd "treat"....just not to make them my focal point....life's too short to NEVER have a piece of pie! :)

I used to feel like this

Now it's more about this!

Here is one final saying I thought was so true:

So...."ONWARD HO" and here is to all the wonderful things in our lives that deserve our focus and our attention...like our amazing family and friends, those moments that make memories and the love we have in our lives.