My Journey to a Healthier/Stonger Me

So I still struggle with keeping up on my posts. If you only knew how many blogs have been written in my head during my quiet time or when I am stretching and walking at a snails pace on the treadmill.

I am committed to begin blogging about my Healing Journey with my New Normal where my desire is to be healthier and stronger and yes hopeful to be free of Chronic Pain. Where this journey began I have blogged about before so I will not repeat here. However, God has expanded my boundaries of this New Normal.

First, I attended the Great Banquet two weeks ago. If you are not familiar with the Great Banquet I can tell you that it is worth the weekend away. You are unplugged from the world with no clocks to demand your time and no phone to distract you. It took me about a day and a half to really allow the Lord to penetrate my heart. My most important learning point was to Steadfastly Beholding HIM in the midst of this JOURNEY. I discovered I do not want my Chronic Pain to define me and so desire to Spread Joy during this slower season in my life. God showed up and showed me how much I need to TRUST him and meet with Him in the morning (not just doing my bible study) and just REST in HIS presence. These pictures of what our kids did on Valentines day showing their love for us is such a perfect picture of how God showed me HIS LOVE during the Great Banquet.


Second, I finally visited a new Dr. and she ran 27 tests to figure out what is going on internally that is preventing me from healing from surgery. Why are my nerves and muscles from neck to ankle on Right side of my body not realizing they do not have to be in FIGHT mode. The tests revealed a Revision to my New Normal. In a nut shell I am on a dairy free, gluten free, oats free diet for at least 6 months. I am on 8 different supplements and a few other meds for thyroid, adrenals, and hormones. OK when you realize that everything your body uses to regenerate your nerves, to allow your body to heal is not working....humbling. So for the first time in years I am on a diet that is stretching me. WHAT DO YOU EAT?

THIRD, the new way of EATING. The hardest part has been trying to find something I can put in my coffee which I gave up for 7 days to go through a Detox of my liver. HARD 7 days, but feeling better as far as my energy. So I made a homemade coconut creamer. Sorry forgot to take a picture but I got the recipe from http://followingmynose.com/2010/10/a-primal-non-dairy-coffee-creamer/  . I know I was worried about the raw egg but it has not made me sick. I decided I need to switch to a Light Roast coffee so I am not drinking my breakfast calories in my first Cup of Joe.

Third (cont)....I have never been successful at making menus. It sounds as if it is a great idea. However, the idea never gets beyond an idea. I have no choice now since almost all I have cooked for 17 years in my married life is full of dairy, oats, and gluten. So I have found that the Paleo diet is similar to what they are asking me to eat (with the exception of dairy). I have found some great blogs about making Paleo food. My favorite so far are:
http://practicalpaleo.blogspot.com/ Practical Paleo has extensive shopping list at all the stores I love and how to save while eating the way I have to eat.
http://stiritup.me/ Stir it up has awesome recipes. Can you believe how much you can do with Cauliflower?

Here a few pictures of my Healing Journey so far:

I have to take the InflammaCore every day with 1,000 MG of Vitamin C. I love my smoothie with Power Greens.

Funniest comment so far was from Kathryn when I was telling the family, "I have so many supplements and meds to take I am going to need a pill sorter." Kathryn says, "Like the ones OLD people use?" We all laughed. Here is my pill sorter.

My salads actually look similar to Kim's who I am up linking   She has been such an inspiration for me as I discover my New Normal.

 

On this Healing Journey I am also learning it is OK to slow down because my health needs that right now. I have found such Joy in looking at the little gifts He gives us each day. Here are a few:

 



Kids playing TRIGGER and trying to be KIND while losing.

Emma has a beautiful voice and I LOVE
when she sings to me our favorite
PRAISE songs.

Kathryn took this picture. Aaron is so eager to learn
how to be the Man of the House.

Kathryn is my simple child who never asks for much.
While we were out on a Mom/daughter date she tells
me she has carried the same backpack since 2nd grade.
She asked to pay half for a new Vera Bradley one.
LOVE THIS GIRL!

Kathryn is jumping for JOY because God answered her
prayer to have some changes at school...stay tuned
for those to be revealed.

Thank you for stopping by to see how we are Spreading Joy,
Shari