WOW!

Uh yeahaaaaa 2 posts in one day! ROCKIN YOUR WORLD! :) just kidding...I just wanted to say I CAN NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!


Its a book on wellness written by a woman who defeated cancer at age 31 by trading in her crappy lifestyle for something better!

Totally part of this new life transformation healing moving forward ect.....reminding me WHY I AM CHOOSING THIS AMAZING WELLLNESS LIFESTYLE. By now I guess you should stop reading this blog if you don't like wellness, art, photography
Jesus, or crazy girls who live like a firework. (or emotional roller coaster you pick...ok working on that alright!) Yup thats me. Take it or leave it. Trust me I am ok with it! Again due to my new found freedom in just being ME! :) I know this sounds kooky and weird but trust me I am on a journey to healing some stuff thats been buried for my WHOLE LIFE. Just in time for my 28th (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH mirrors breaking, children crying, people running in horror) birthday.

Oh andddddddd did crossfit this a.m. for the first time in a few weeks. I am teaching a new friend and we were rockin' it. My body was like "THANK YOU!!!!!" Seriously movement is essential to life.

Oh and how do you like the new look for spring? Ya I know it snowed today trust me......I know. But A girl can pretend right?

Right Path

Just finished watching Food Inc. Seriously if you want your world rocked, and you want to understand why Bonfire exists, why it matters where you shop and what food you eat. Watch it. I dare you. Its free! Go get a free trial with Netflix and its one of the play now options and you can watch it right on your laptop. It was just another great reminder we are on the right path. Actually tomorrow night I get to share my "testimony" of sorts at a Bonfire party that is going to be filmed for the website! I am super pumped. I just have seen such radical changed in my health and life, and I honestly am so thankful and willing to share with anyone who will listen!

Also did a crossfit workout today. WOWIE! It's been a while. I kinda took a break and thought I could get away with it. I was reminded how much of an impact moving really has on my body. I was thankful to be able to do it again. You can bet I will be sore tomorrow:
5x5 Press
5 rounds of
30 Box jumps
40 Double Unders
20 kettle bell swings.
I was sweating and it took me 18 minutes. Not great. But ready to get back to where I was!

Here is an awesome smoothie recipe for these hot days we are being thrown. Tastes as good as a milkshake....actually better, and everything in it is good for you.

1 Banana
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup Almond milk
1/2 cup of Coconut dream bare coconut frozen dessert (dairy free)
You can add protein powder if you want a kick.
But blend and its delicious and creamy treat for hot summer days!

Let me help you understand....

So I get questions a lot about certain choices I'm making due to Bonfire. Unfortunately although I read a lot of info and understand it I just simply cant explain it as well as my lovely Chiro team can. So here is a link to a few post's that I think can help answer your burning questions (I know you have them...) about dairy, sunscreen, soy, grains, and workouts! So click click click away my friends. This is important info that can help your health and your child's health. Let's just say I am soooo glad I have learned what I have learned before getting preggo...I want to give my kids the best start I can.

Dairy

Sunscreen

Workout

Stress

Supplements (ie: Fish Oil)

Soy

Gym Freak

"Oh here she comes again. That Gym Freak. She does weird things like jump on boxes, and play with the medicine ball against the wall! I don't know what she is doing but the other day I SWORE she was doing it bare foot!"

Ok so I haven't actually heard someone say or think that but they probably have. You see I do strange things at the gym. Work outs that involve things most people have no clue what they are. You see Crossfit is a big part of the lives of the peeps who do Bonfire and the paleo diet, and I just hadn't gotten on the wagon yet. In fact I didn't think I could ever because the gym is a bit pricey. So I simply do a DIY Crossfit at the Y! I go on northshorecrossfit.com and look at the workout of the day. if I don't understand it I simply go to the videos on the main crossfit page and figure it out! I have loved it! It's so challenging and takes me about 20 mins and I AM DONE! I love having a plan and a workout to do that challenges me in new areas. I am seriously seeing the best results ever. It's all based on functional training and involves moves that your body was naturally meant to do. Its awesome and I encourage you to check it out in your town! If you can GO! You will be met by awesome trainers and a group of people who will cheer you on and challenge you in new ways! If not...just become a gym freak like me. I did do it bare foot one day but that's only because I forgot my gym shoes and wasn't going to trek all the way back to the house to get em. But it only made it even more Primal like. They looks I get are priceless! But hey while they are still doing the elliptical for another 40 minutes I am in, sweating, panting, and outta there.
GO MOVE YOURSELF!
www.crossfit.com

The Slippery Slope....

I have been worried because I am on the slippery slope to 30. I mean its like after 25 whoooosh there is 30. I was informed today that I am actually one year younger! My dear Chiro Fran the Man told me due to my changes in health, and regular chiro care I can really just take one year off my age. So I am pleased to say I am still 26! hehe. In all honesty I am the healthiest I have ever been, in the best shape I have ever been, and I am pretty sure the happiest I have ever been. I am enjoying life and I am so thankful that due to Franson family I can be one year younger today, and closer to health than I have ever been. THANK YOU LORD! I mean just look at my pipes!

Arn't they huge? :) But for real I've never had any definition like that before. Thank you Crossfit! (It's actually DIY Crossfit...more on that later)

Ok so here's to me being 26 still and hopefully when I am 30 I'll really only be 23.

Happy Feet.

HAPPY MONDAY! I know usually Mondays are rough, but Hey! its sunny here and tomorrow is my birthday & I get to see Hillsong United!

I know its been a while folks. I know you are all desperately waiting by your computer for another amazing post from your favorite blogger.....or not. You probably haven't even noticed I have been absent. Anyway I am back!!!

It's been officially a week off BC pills. Let's just say I feel like this:



and this:



and Josh can attest to a little bit of this:


My dear Chiro Dr. Ryan put it like this its like wearing your shoes on the wrong feet for 10 years, and then putting them on right. Its gunna hurt, but its the right way to wear them. And I know that in the long run its what is going to make my feet the happiest even if it hurts for the time.

So here's to Happy Feet and getting through the painful stage! I know it will get better. I am doing my best. Lots of water, fish oil, working out, no sugar or grains, and hopefully I can push through. Now that I know what I know I can't go back! And hey maybe I will stop tripping over my self so often now that my shoes are on the right feet! hehe
Have happy day!

My How You've Changed

What a great weekend. Its been BEAUTIFUL out side! Saturday woke up had a great breakfast with my love: Paleo Cereal (amazing!! nuts, blueberries, apricots, nectarines, raisins, flax seed, all in almond milk) and sausage and kale! We enjoyed good conversation over coffee!

I was able to go for my first bike ride of the season upon which I discovered my breaks were dead. Ya, almost ran a lady over. And that my tires were flat. So apparently bikes need tune ups. I went to the Library and got out the Paleo Diet book. Its been amazing so far and even more eye opening than what I already know. Read outside on the deck, did a quiet time with the Lord, and drank Blue Flower Earl Grey. God is good. I am so thankful for little things that I seemingly used to just pass over.

In fact I look at how my life has changed in the past year and I really am a different person. As some of you know I had a huge food struggle for most of my life. Overeating, and not able to stop. I am so freed from it and I have God and Bonfire Health to thank for it. Its amazing how much more satisfied I am to eat the things I am eating and how it is not hard to not overeat healthy things. A few things I have accomplished since changing my life style:

Running a 9 minute mile! (I even got up to 8 the other night I was running so fast! Take that Forest!)

Eating a salad with no dressing! (if someone told me I would be doing this I would of laughed! But I have come to love just the flavor of the veggies and shirmp/chicken/nuts or whatever is in it crazy I know)

Box Jumps/Burpee's -Had no clue what these were.

No sugar- agave nectar and dates are helping me out in this department

Going to bed early/getting up early- so much more energy!

Watching less TV- more time talking laughing doing life with Josh

No more allergies or sinus infections. I used to get them all winter and would miss work a ton. I haven't been sick at all this season. And the cat at work doesn't bother me anymore. As long as I am eating the right things and drinking water. AS SOON as I have bread/sugar/gluten/dairy ect my nose gets stuffy immediately. ITS CRAZY!

I am thankful for freedom from food! And the energy and health that have come along with this. Seriously I have been looking for freedom for a long time. And really its been amazing to see its not that expensive to eat this way! Honestly! We are in seminary and we have made it work. Plus we eat out way less. Trader Joe's & Market Basket are huge helps in this department. I think having a mom that is sick with MS motivates me as well. So many of the foods we eat are being linked to diseases like that. And I see her suffering and it breaks my heart. I wish I knew what I know now and was able to help her 10 years ago. Things might be a bit different. But I know I have one life to live the best I can and one body to do it in.....So glad for the changes. I may be called crazy but its working for me! Josh is so open to it too! He is so great and enjoys eating all the meals. Don't let me fool ya the man loves his sour patch kids, and pb sandwiches! But he supports me 100% and has seen the changes in me. And we are enjoying life together.

Thank you Lord. Life is Good......

Recipe Fun

Here are some yummy recipe's Bonfire/Paleo approved.
Pumpkin/Almond Butter Brownies

1 cup of Almond Butter
1 Egg
1/3 Cup of Honey
3/4 cup of Pumpkin
1 tsp of Baking Soda
1 Cup of Almond Flour/Meal (I added this to make it more cake like)
Chopped Walnuts
Chocolate Chips (I added these to spice it up)

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until knife comes out clean

These are delish and even got Caleb's kid approval!



Stuffed Baked Apple
Core an apple
mix together a combo of Oats, cinnamon, ginger, walnuts, agave nectar, and some coconut oil and shove in the middle of the apple. Pour a little agave all over the top of the apple. Bake at 350 till apple is soft.

If you are not seeking to do Paleo or Bonfire you can substitute brown sugar and butter for the agave and coconut oil.
Enjoy! More to come

Wanna pretend your on Biggest Loser?

Quick workout with Jillian! Great one to do when your stuck at home, can't make it to the gym, or slept in!

Not another one of those....

Yes it is. Another post about food and disease. Ok so if you have no interest in this subject and maybe might get annoyed you can stop reading! I honestly don't want to annoy anyone. I just simple desire to share the information I have found to be valuable in my journey towards health. I have been following Bonfire for 9 weeks now, and have noticed a total transformation in my health, body, and eating habits. So my goal is not to belittle people or make them feel awful, but instead share my experience and the things that I am learning. So again if you have no interest that is totally fine! But I warned you. This is a top 10 list of the worst foods for you that cause sickness and disease. And at the bottom an awesome recipe for Carrot Flax Muffins that are GRAIN free!

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

So, one of our first concepts you must embrace is "out of sight, out of mind". If it’s in the the house or on your plate, you’ll eat it? Then remove it from your world; get it off your radar. This means that if potato chips, soda pop, candy, bread, ice cream, … whatever you’ll eat if it's in the house – get rid of it, NOW!

Just go through your cupboards and refrigerator(s) with a trash can or trash bag at hand, and toss out all the following disease foods. These are also foods that may contain one of the following as an ingredient:

1. Artificial sweeteners: Aspartame (i.e. Nutrasweet) and Sucralose (i.e. Splenda), Saccharin (i.e. Equal)- neurotoxins that cause brain tumors and increased cravings for sweets leading to insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease and obesity (yes, contrary to popular belief, 'diet' or 'sugar-free' foods make you fat)

2. Hydrogenated oils, partially hydrogenated oils - cause heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity

3. Fried foods (this includes chips) - cause heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity

4. Pasteurized and homogenized milk and milk products (butter, ice cream, yogurt, etc.) - cause heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity

5. Soda pop (Diet and/or Regular) - leads to insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease and obesity; also, the phosphoric acid leads to calcium depletion, which leads to osteoporosis.

6. White flour foods (breads, pasta, cakes, cookies, crackers, etc.) –Processed grains cause to insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Gliadin, one of the two main protein components of gluten, is very pro-inflammatory.

7. Cured meats (bacon, sausages, and lunch meats - anything with nitrates, nitrites) - nitrates and nitrites cause cancer (especially leukemia in children)

8. MSG (monosodium glutamate - i.e. hydrolyzed yeast extract, hydolized protein, etc.) – MSG is a neuroexcitotoxin which hyperstimulates brain cells causing them to burn out and die leading to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

9. Sugar leads to insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity. We must look at refined sugar as the poison it truly is

9. High fructose corn syrup (found in many foods - too many to list; see "HFCS" article library at www.drkratka.com) - leads to insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity

10. Artificial Food Colorings Red, blue, and yellow dyes are used widely in many foods. Like, MSG, they are neuroexcitotoxins and a contributory factor in attention-deficit disorder and hyperactivitity

This list has helped me a ton, and little by little adding well food into my life and removing toxic food has helped me a ton.
Instead of Splenda or sugar, I use Agave Nectar in my coffee, and baking! It's Delish!
Here is a great recipe made with all whole foods that make delish muffins that are flour/grain/sugar free. DELISH!

Carrot Flax Almond Flour Muffins


Dry Ingredients

1 C almond flour (Trader Joe's Common Crow or Whole Foods)
¼ C raisins or currants
2 Tbsp shredded organic coconut (Trader Joes or Whole Foods)
⅓ C walnuts chopped
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon sea salt

Flax Mixture

1 ½ Tbsp freshly ground flax seeds (you can buy them as flax meal or blend them yourself in a coffee grinder or a Vita Mix high speed blender.)(Trader Joe's or Whole Foods)
⅓ C unsweetened organic apple juice (or Apple Cider works)
1 tsp vanilla

Wet Ingredients

2 Tbsp coconut oil (can get at Whole Foods, Common Crow, or Publix/Shaws)
1 1/2 C finely shredded carrots
5 tablespoons raw honey

* Preheat oven to 375F.
* Lightly coat a cupcake baking pan with coconut oil spread evenly with a paper towel. Combine apple juice and ground flax.
* Let mixture sit to get sticky, while grating carrots and prepare the remaining ingredients.
* Add all dry ingredients to a large mixing bow and stir well.
* Add the wet ingredients to the flax mixture and stir together.
* Add wet and dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
* Pour/spoon batter into muffin pans and bake for 10-12 minutes.

How's Your Soil

No one likes being sick. I know this. I used to get sick ALL THE TIME. Now I am used to people thinking I am a crazy person for eating the way I do now. But let me tell you one thing I don't get sick very often. And if I do I usually know its a reaction to a bad food I have eaten and I quickly take the steps neccesarry to get well. In this cold and flu season I highly encourage you to follow these steps if your sick. Or hey have it your way and ignore me, think I am crazy and see how you long it takes for you to get over your cold, only to get sick agian soon. I don't think I know it all, but I have been given some very valuable information I desire to pass on. Its critical to your health. You may not feel it yet, but one day you will.

1. WATER. Seriously its so important. Just by upping your water intake when you are sick you give your cells a chance to hydrate and fight off the illness. Also effects allergies a TON! I have been very allergic to cats all my life. The family I nanny for has a cat. The days I am hydrating, eating well NO symptoms. The days I eat sugar/cheese/bread. and don't drink enough water I can hardly breath there is so much mucus. Gross I know. Dehydration = mucus. Water = no mucus.

2. No Sugar. Sugar is found in so many things, your bread, your ketchup, you name if it comes in a box it probably has sugar. Sugar blocks your cells from absorbing Vitamin C and then innables your immune system. If you eat sugar you can't fight off the illness.

3. Supplements. You should be getting all your nutrients from the foods you eat, but alas this is not possible in this society. So the most important ones you should take are: Probiotics, Fish Oil, Vitamin D, Vitamin C (at leat 1,000 mgs of C when your sick)
Also I've mentioned before Dr.K's perfect Greens for health I take a scoop of this in water or a smoothie every day during Cold and Flu season.

4. Rest, turn off the Tv/computer/phone and get some sleep.

5. No Dairy or grains. Your body has a hard time processing both of these. Here is a link that helps explain why we were never meant to process this stuff.Here But at least while your sick, lay off them. Try my broccoli soup or bonfire turkey soup recipes, or smoothies and anything not from a package.


Of course the best way to prevent illness is to take care of your self before you get sick. Louis Pasture who spent most of his life defending the germ theory (germs enter your body causing you to get sick this is the idea that you "catch a cold) against Claude Bernard's idea that the environment is everything and that only when your body is broken down you are succeptable to it. After all, there are billions of microbes and bacteria inhabiting our guts, our blood, our whole body. Why do we sometimes sicken from them, sometimes not? When a bacterial or viral agent is “going around,” as we say, why do some people sicken and others remain healthy ? Louis Pasture on his death bed renouced his theory claiming " Bernard is right the seed is nothing the soil is everything!" Meaning only when the body is broken down and not functioning well does it allow the bacteria or microbe to take over. SOOOO it is important what you do. How you eat, move, think. What you put in your body is either making it more succeptable to sickness, or making it well. Think about that every time you eat something. So How's Your Soil? Is it ready to defend your body or weak and broken down?

Its ok if you think I am crazy, but hey I am feeling great!

Tune in next time as I share what is in some of the foods your feeding your kids! Scary. Check out my amazing Chiro's blog and Bonfire Health for more info. and this Post about swine flu

No Shot for me

And these are a few reasons why I will not be getting the Flu Shot:



Dr. Sanja Gupta Says He Will "Take a Pass" on the H1N1 Vaccine

6 Reasons to Avoid the Flu Shot



Instead I will be doing this:

* Getting adequate natural sunlight or Vitamin D supplementation.
* Avoiding all sugar.
* Avoiding processed foods.
* Eating natural whole foods.
* Exercising regularly.
* Getting plenty of sleep.
* Taking my supplements (Fish Oil, Vit C, Dr.K's Greens for Health,)
* Going to my chiro and getting my spine checked and getting adjusted.

Eating Well Can Taste Good!

So I am on week 3 of the new renovated Bonfire Health Program! It's awesome! You sign up for 1 dollar for 3 months! It asks you a series of questions to find out where your eating and exercise and thinking habits are and places you in a level. You then get meal plans, recipes, workouts and journal assignments! It's simply awesome and my Chiropractor and His team are amazing! I highly encourage you to check it out Here! Especially if you want to make it through this cold and flu season a healthy person. There are vital things you need to do. This program will give you a jump start on healthy living. You only have one life, one body, take care of your temple!

In the mean time here is a recipe for an amazing Turkey Soup. Its delish and so good for you. Takes no time at all to make.

Ground Turkey Vegetable Soup
2 lbs ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, diced
1/8 cup olive oil
1 28oz. can chopped tomatoes
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium zucchini , chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 head broccoli including stem, chopped
8 oz. spinach
3 qts. organic chicken broth (Costco)
sea salt
fresh cracked pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

* Use a large stock pot (at least 12 qt.)
* Saute onion and garlic together in the olive oil over medium heat for 3-4 minutes
* Add chopped vegetables, except spinach and cook for 6 minutes
* Add turkey meat and cook for 6 minutes
* Add chicken broth, bring to gentle simmer
* Add seasonings and cook for 15-20 minutes on low
* Add spinach and cook for 2 minutes
* Serve as is or over brown rice

The Truth About Dairy

Ok so I think I have told you before of my slight weakness for cheese. This has been the hardest thing for me to reduce and eliminate from my diet as I seek to grow in the well people program. I have had a few of you ask me before what is the deal with diary? I have tried to explain it but still don't know all the answers my self. My beloved Chiro has answered this question on the good ol' Franson Family Blog. Wanna check it out? Click right Here. And then go over Here and read this article it was written from.

And then go grab you a box of Almond Milk. That will really do your body good.

Paleo in a Nutshell

So here is a good video that sums up what my .

Chiropractor(check out the blog) teaches about food. He is a christian though so he starts with the belief that God created us to eat this way, not that we evolved to eat this way, as do I. This video comes from an evolution prespective but sums up the whole idea very well!
I desire to live this the best I can. Its hard, but coming from the perspective of having a mom with MS, I want to do all I can to prevent that in my own life. There have also been some breakthroughs in this diet helping to treat MS. That is very exciting to me and my mom. Check it out.

First Date

Your first date is always a bit nerve wracking.
But after you bite in, you realize there was nothing to be nervous about...he he.
No really I like to have a sweet treat sometimes. Usually after dinner.
Some one put me on to dates. Have you ever had a date? They are incredibly sweet!
Slather a little almond butter on there, and you got your self a healthy treat that is delish!

I also put this concoction together for a sweet smoothie for breakfast. Better than sugar cereal for sure.


1 Banana
1/2 cup Almond Milk
2 Dates
1 Tablespoon of Almond Butter (I add a little extra to make it nutty!)
Ice

And Blend!!!!

That will hold you till lunch time for sure.

You Are What You Eat

You are what you eat...what goes in effects everything.
It is first and foremost important to get things right with God if you have an overeating problem and learn to replace a love for food with God which is what I touched on in the last Post.

It is also important to look at food as fuel. You wouldn't put Slime in a car that needs gas, you would put the right fuel in the car to help it run properly. The same thing is needed with your body. We need to figure out what our body best needs for fuel and feed it the best thing to keep the engine running. Right now you may say, well I eat what I want and I am fine! I have no health problems. Well the check engine light is on my friend, and even though you don't sense any repercussions right now if you don't take care of yourself you will have many problems down the road.

By now you know my feelings about processed/fast food. I beg of you to think about what is actually in these microwave meals, and food from the fast food place. If you need some convincing go read This Post from one of my Chiropractors.

I am learning more and more about whole foods and why it is important to take care of my health for my future children. On of the other Doc's at my Chiropractor's office had some great words for me. I asked him how he stops eating foods that taste good to him and that he desires. For me one of these foods is Cheese. (Now if you have a cow from a farm and you are getting fresh cheese from it. Go for it! But most of the cheese we come across is highly processed and full of not so great things for your body.) So he proceeded to ask me a question. If there was a plate full of cheese, and bread, and ice cream and no one was around and you were really hungry would you eat it?
Yes! I said. Well what if I told you this food was laced with poison would you eat it then? No! because it has poison in it! Exactly! he said. If you change your thinking about the foods you want to eat, and you realize they really are full of poison that will give you cancer, diabetes, ect, it's a lot easier to say no.

Not to say that he doesn't partake in treats once in a while, or eat the food someone prepares for him at their house, its just not his staple, his main food intake.

The purpose of this post is really to give you some links I have found helpful in this journey of wellness and well eating. I really do hope you check them out. I want you to have a happy healthy family!

The Blog of Franson Family Chiropractic - My beloved Chiro!
Especially This Post on Spring Cleaning Your Pantry!

The Real Health Truth Blog- one of the Docs at my Chiro

Cheese Slave - A woman full of whole food recipies on a budget!

The Nourishing Gourmet- Joshua Harris' wife. Also Budget friendly

Eat Wild -A website about the importance of eating local wild food.

Happy Reading! And Stay tuned for a yummy Date/Almond/Banana Smoothie sure to hit your sweet spot!

You don't get well, You do well.

So we got hit with another blast of snow last night. 10 inches to be exact. I was getting used to the 57 degree weather. Oh a teaser it was. I know you folks down in Alabama even got some snow! Wow! Thats a rarity! I know I woke up this morning not feeling so great. The change in weather can be to blame, but I haven't been too diligent in the area of wellness this weekend. So I decided what better way to get on track than a detox this week! I also have some more tips for you on how to get rid of those sniffles that are hanging around. I promise if you follow these tips you will be feeling better in no time.

Now these are great rules to follow all the time but for those of you not too keen on veggies, this is at least a good idea to follow when you are sick.

1. NO Sugar
2. Drink LOTS of Water
3. Get lots of sleep
4. Eat simply and nothing out of a package
5. Take supplements

Sugar: Everyone knows that Vitamin C is important when you are sick. But if you have sugar in your system it litteraly blocks the Vitamin C from properly absorbing in to your cells. If you don't have Vitamin C in your system you can not properly break down and eliminate toxins and debris in your system. This lowers your immune system.

Water: Dehydration promotes histamine production. AKA Mucus. Yum. Drink up.

Rest: Without rest your body can not use the energy source to fight off the infection or cold. So get sleep, and stay warm!
You compromise your immune system when you are cold. So wrap up in a warm blanket and take a nap.

Eat simply:
1. No sugar
2. No refined or processed foods
3. No simple carbs
4. Reduce Animal protein
5. No pro inflammatory foods: dairy, wheats, ect.

So what can you eat you ask? WHOLE FOODS! Veggies! You must supply anti-oxidents and nutrients the body needs. The only thing you should be eating out of a wrapper is a banana or orange. You get the picture. My Kale Yum Yum recipe is a great idea minus the Yogurt while you are sick. Or the homemade Broccoli Soup recipe I will pass on to you this week. Oatmeal is also good and warm and will make you feel better, plus clean out your gut a bit. And make sure it is not the "Maple Brown Sugar" kind. That is loaded with sugar and extra sodium. Just make some plain slow cook, oatmeal, and sprinkle some cinnamon on top. You can also throw in a few almonds to crunch it up.

Supplements: If you are drinking tap water, or have ever taken an antibiotic in your life you probably are missing a lot of healthy bacterial flora in your gut. You need to take a Probiotic. Fish Oil is also beneficial to the immune system You can also take Vitamin C, and Zinc lozenges. NOT HALLS! Those are just filled with sugar.

Stay tuned this week for my detox tips and a yummy healthy Broccoli soup recipe.

Night Night Sleep Tight!

Wellness tip #3

Go to bed!!!!!!

It is essential to get a good night's sleep. Not only does it help your cell's refuel but it also prepares you for the next day.
The goal is to go to bed by 10:00. The key REM sleep hours are between 10:00 - 3:00 a.m so it's important not to miss it! One of the reasons you need to go to bed early is SOOOOO you can wake up at 5:30 or at least and hour and a half before you have to be any where. So you can: Stretch
Pray
Read the Word/Journal
Eat a great breakfast! (not bagels and coffee! see This tip for an idea)
Prepare your self for your day

All these small changes add up to a better life! Seriously I have so much more energy and feel so much better. By preparing for my day and getting good time to stretch and pray and prepare I am not rushing out the door in a frenzy sucking down some coffee and a white flour, sugar, and preservative filled bagel, that will leave me sapped for energy and dehydrated. Coffee is fine in moderation it just SHOULD NOT be the first thing you give your cell's in the morning. They need water, fruit, and fuel. Not sugar, caffeine, and fat. Try starting with a grapefruit, or some fresh berries.

Ps. I would love to hear if any of you are interested in these tips or not. Or if you are trying any of them. So please let me know!

How do you feel?

So if any of you know me at all, you know I get sick a lot. I mean a lot. I have a weak immune system. If something is floating on by I catch it. It just jumps right in. Good thing you can't get pregnant that way. I would have Qctuplets too. Anyway. I recently have come across an amazing program called "The Well People Program." It is the brilliant out flow of an amazing man named Dr. Fransen. You can find the web site for his practice here. He is a Christian and all about using your body to be the best body it can be to glorify the Lord and have a well life. It comprises of 3 main areas. Thinking Well, Eating Well, and Moving Well. A lot of people do one or two of those well but are lacking in one of these areas. You need all three to be the best person you can be. It is about health, but its also about better living.

Josh and I are on week 4. It has been tough. Its not easy to get rid of certian habits that have we have become accustom to. But the rewards we have gained have been well worth it. I am encouraged with the results. I have had a set back or two but I am back on track and working hard. The best part of the program is you add in a new habit or practice every week, so it is not like trying to change your life over night, but it is gradually making you a well person. I would love to point you right to his web site to get started for yourself, but it is not avaible to the public yet. I will however share a wellness tip a week I have learned from Dr. Fransen's program or elsewhere as I have been doing much research! So on that note.

HYDRATION! Everyone says you are supposed to drink water but do you know why? How much?

We get sick as a result of toxins and deficiencies in our bodies. One of the most common deficiencies is dehydration. So many people in America (a country that is well stocked with CLEAN water supply) suffer consequences from dehydration. (High Blood Pressure, Skin Problems, Arthritis, Digestive Issues, Headaches, and way more.

Dr Franson says " The body can be either like a soup or a stew. You want soup. When you become dehydrated your fluids become concentrated. This is not good. Consentration will amplify the negative effects of any toxins in your body. DILUTE YOURSELF!"

ps. anytime you drink coffee or alcohol you further dehydrate yourself and MUST compensate with water.

You should be drinking 1/2 of your body weight in ounces a day. More if you work out or drink dehydrating beverages.
SO do the math, put down that coffee, pop, or gator aid and get your water bottle ready! Also using a Brita or a water filter is a great way to save the environment from the toxic waste of water bottles.