Pain

I love this video. For the beautiful voices. Beautiful guitar. Beautiful words.

I am reminded how we are all in pain sometimes. At times it's physical, as in labor. At times it is emotional and spiritual.

All pain can be comforted by the mighty Healer himself. It's easy to say that. It's harder to remember to let him. To allow Him to comfort you through the pain.

What a beautiful reminder this video brings of this! The pain is real, you can see it. She sings on, worshiping and being comforted. Just as the pain is real for us all...spiritual, emotional, and/or physical. We must sing on, worshiping and being comforted, through our pain.

I want to keep this video in the forefront of my mind...as a reminder that God is here...always. And His grace is sufficient. Through pain, suffering, illness, depression, emotional distress, sin, guilt, shame, embarrassment. He is here to comfort us.

"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord..."

Food Journey - Part 2

I left you last time at my grandma's house when I was 7 years old...with fat jokes.

So, I'll just pick up there. I was 7 and knew I would be fat (because, if you remember, we were fat...I had no choice, or so I thought). I went through my growing up years waiting for the other shoe to fall, when I would start to grow out more than I grew up. And eventually it did happen...but not because of genetics, as I had predestined myself the reason, but because of food choices and lack of exercise.

I find it interesting how easily it is to make excuses. Especially if you have something stuck in your head from your youth. I never thought about the fact that I didn't eat all that great...and that I rarely moved my body. And had I, I certainly would not have thought I could overcome weight issues (that heredity had determined) by simply making these changes. When you are hard-wired to believe something, change doesn't even seem an option.

Now, I was never obese. But I was overweight. In my high school years I could have lost a few pounds (I'd say 15-20). And in my early-20s, the same.

When I joined a gym when I was 21, I thought I'd probably lose some weight...but only if I starved myself (food was for pleasure, not for fueling, if you remember right...or so I thought). So, I worked out HARD. I found I really enjoyed to work-out. But I never wanted to "waste" my work-outs by eating. So I would spend a couple of hours in the gym and then hardly eat anything at all. I would tell myself that if I ate then my efforts were futile. And then, when I was literally starving myself, I would pig-out until I could eat no more. Of course, with this behavior came overwhelming negative self-talk that would stifle anyone in their goals to succeed in health/life. Also with this behavior came the warped self-image that so many people share.

When I met Brian, when I was 24, he was a vegetarian. We watched some videos from a doctor, and what he said made sense to me. A lot of how we believe on the health front still is stemmed from these videos. So with these videos I was interested in giving the non-meat eating lifestyle a try. The doctor never said to not eat meat, just to be clear, he did say to limit meat consumption, but that you didn't have to avoid it. The big thing he promoted was eating fruits and vegetables.

I found that I loved not eating meat. I think the main reason I enjoyed it is because I ate/juiced so many fruits and vegetables, which was lacking in my previous diet. So to get the mass amounts of these good foods, was invigorating. I've always loved the fresh, live, realness from fruits and veggies. I like the earthy flavor of kale and spinach...the sweet taste of carrots and apples...and the heartiness of peppers and broccoli. I don't think I've ever met a fruit or vegetable that I didn't like.

But growing up "knowing" I would be fat had kept me from enjoying the taste and balance these foods provided. I think the non-meat eating time period of my life made me pay attention to how I was feeding my body. Understanding the health benefits and importance of eating "clean". Eating living foods to provide the best health possible.

This time period also taught me how to rely too heavily on grains, though. Because meat was not an option, we relied heavily on grains for substance. Pastas, breads, rice became every day choices for us. This part of the diet was defeating my health goals. **side note** I read in a book recently that you shouldn't eat anything that is or can be made white. That's a lot of foods! But I liked how that was worded...easy and to the point. (more on this later).

So we feasted on fruits and veggies (winners) but also pastas and breads (big time losers). So I didn't gain weight...but I didn't lose any either. And now I was moving (since I had found my passion for fitness/running in my early 20s) but couldn't seem to lose those last few pounds that stayed attached to my being. I was frustrated, to say the least.

As I mentioned before, I was a non-meat eater for nearly 15 years. That's a long time to be frustrated! But, finally, we were introduced to the primal lifestyle and I was FINALLY able to shed the pounds AND frustration to become who I am today. And it's very easy to maintain this lifestyle...there are set-backs here and there...but I refuse to not get back on the Primal bandwagon, it just makes too much sense not to, and the results prove themselves.

I will take one more post to describe the meat eating part of the journey. And this portion of my life was in a BIG nutshell (Brazilian nutshell, perhaps?) and there may be an opportunity at some point to break it down further...but until then, know that I was NOT destined to be fat...even though my fragile little mind did not know this from waaaay back when...and neither are you.

Food Journey - Part 1

Well, notice anything different to the title? Yes, I'm coming out. My family has become (drum roll, please) MEAT EATERS!!! When I look up the word "carnivorous" in the dictionary, the number 1 definition is "subsisting or feeding on animal tissues". Hmmm...well, let's call a spade a spade, shall we?

So, I will eventually get to the tale as to why we made the decision to eat meat (don't worry, you won't have to wait months for the truth to be told)...but my food journey started loooong before we decided to eat meat, or not eat meat, for that matter. I do have to say that when I started this blog, I was 100% vegetarian and had NO INTENTION of adding meat to my diet. I had been a non-meat eater for nearly 15 years, most of my adult life...there's no way that I could expect the recent change in our food options. With that said, I'm happy with the recent choices for me and my family. But know that you CAN live a primal lifestyle without including meat in the mix...we lived a primal vegetarian lifestyle for nearly a year - it can be done!

I'm going to start back at my childhood. When I was 7 and remember my first thought related to food/health. Can you recall yours? I decided to include my childhood thoughts/feelings on food and diet because I believe that is where all of our health journeys begin. We start with our family's beliefs and lifestyle and edit (if we feel the need) as we go.

So...my initial feelings toward food were confusion. My extended family had been largely over-weight. There was little talk about food feeding the body for fuel, it was geared more toward pleasure 'in the moment'. My parents were on their own health journey, which often times was about the "diet of the day". I learned a lot about eating naturally from my parents, I'm very grateful for that introduction at a young age.

I remember my family making a lot of fat jokes. They never seemed unhappy with their weight but the jokes were constantly flowing. I just knew I would grow up to be fat...because we were fat. It was a predestined decision, one that did not allow for personal choice to play a part in the decision-making process.

I never liked the fat jokes...because I knew they were hurtful words, and I LOVED my family. They were intelligent, funny, friendly, jovial...and they deserved a lot more respect than a 'fat joke' would give them.

So, here I am at 7 years old. At my grandma's house. And someone makes a joke about the bulkiness of the family. I didn't know a thing about health but I knew I did not want to be the butt of the fat jokes.

That is where my food journey began...Part 2 will come soon...a little more insight to who I am, and how I got here...a Primal Carnivorous Vegetarian.

Delinquency

I have been absent for quite some time. I will be back in the game shortly! My work schedule has had me running for the past few weeks.

Look for *NEW* posts...recipes, stories, and (hopefully) encouragement!

Who's sitting in your balcony?

My friend, Janet, took this video when she visited in February. We happened upon this push-up contest...that, quite frankly, I had no desire to be a part of. Janet told me I should enter and before I knew it, I was on the stage! Yikes! Janet has always had more faith in me than I deserve (thank you for that!!!) and this was one of those occasions that her belief in me kept me going to the end. Sometimes the encouragement from someone you love can motivate you to the next level. Listen to the people that care about you most...they see the good things in you.

Have you heard of the book "Balcony People" by Joyce Landorf Heatherley? The book describes the people that sit in YOUR balcony and cheer you on. The one's that only want success for you. The one's that see you for who you are and the potential you have. Janet sits in my balcony. I can always count on her fanfare.

We all need balcony people. Trusting someone else with your goals in life, with your desires and also your downfalls can propel you to the next level. We learn so much from each other when we share our true selves. We allow others to walk up and sit in our balcony, cheer for our successes...and cheer us through learning experiences. Always in an uplifting and caring way.

Sometimes someone can sit in your balcony only for a moment in time. I think of some of my balcony people being folks I hardly knew at all. A co-worker that helped me roll silverware at The Olive Garden so I could finish my shift and make my plans for the night. A person at the gym that told me they were encouraged by my hard work. A stranger that complimented an outfit I had on. Each of these things were simple acts, and yet are things I remember to this day.

Sometimes someone sits in your balcony for a season...or a lifetime. I think of my parents. Who were the biggest supporters through childhood years and continue to cheer on accomplishments through adulthood.

I am thankful and grateful for all of my balcony people. Thank you, Janet, for cheering me on - always.

Find one of your 'balcony people' today and tell them how much you appreciate their support...and then climb into their balcony and give them a rip-roaring, shout-out round of applause. Wave their flag high in the air and celebrate who they are.

My Bodyrockin' Kiddos

My kids LOVE to try my workouts. Here is a brief viewing. My FAVORITE exercise is the "sumo jump ups". They are SCARY at first!! But once you do them, they are just plain F-U-N! If, at first glance, you are thinking "no way in hell!"...then just keep your hands on the ground while you jump into the squat position. This is perfectly acceptable and you will still be performing the jumps, so pat yourself on the back for doing it! Once you feel like you can move on to the unassisted, swing your arms strong and go.for.it. Seriously is my favorite exercise. Hope you try it and make it one of your favorites, too. Try for 10-20 the first time...with a push up after each sumo jump up. Once you get to 20 consecutively, try for 10 minutes and see how many you can do in that time frame (be sure to warm-up before trying this exercise)...my highest score is 67, can you beat me??? Let me know how it goes!!

Fruit Muffins

Here is a great primal muffin recipe that my family loves (well, my daughter doesn't like them all that much...but the rest of us LOVE them!)

Here it is:

2 C. almond flour (also called "almond meal")
1 C. coconut flour
1 C. butter (chilled)
2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. nutmeg
pinch of salt
6 eggs, separated
1/2 C. maple syrup (or honey...sweetener is opt. but I always use it)
3 Large apples, peeled and finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350*. Line muffin pans or grease (lining works best)
Yield: 24 muffins

Combine flours and spices. Add butter and combine with hands until mix resembles pea-sized crumbs (as you would a pie crust).

Add syrup and yolks - stir well.

Add chopped apples and stir.

In separate bowl whip egg whites until frothy. Fold into the large bowl mixture.

Roll into soft balls (I just grab a plum-sized amount and roll it a few times in my hands, it sticks together well).

Bake for 30-45 minutes.

When muffins have about 3 minutes left to cook, melt dark chocolate with a little butter to smooth it out. Once you pull out the muffins, put a dollop onto each on. I'm not sure how much chocolate I use, not a lot, maybe 1/4 C. total? You'll have to play with that one.

I do have a couple of tips: 1)Keep them in the fridge/freezer. They will mold if kept in an airtight container on the counter. 2) It is somewhat of a time consuming recipe (the dicing of the apples is what kills the rapidness of this recipe). Make sure you have a good 20-30 minute prep time. It's worth it!

This muffin is so pretty...I have to show it at the beginning AND the end of the post: