Thursday, December 10, 2009

Living Gluten Free and Loving IT

Hey Ya'll,

You hear you can no longer eat gluten- the doctor flatly states, "You can't eat anymore barley, rye, oats, or wheat- period". Alright- what's your reaction? Shock, disgust, anger?

Or- are you like me and when you hear this your instantly hit with an insatiable curiosity and some deep bell goes off because you know that finally a truth has been found?

I was happy- I am happy, and the longer I stay away and better I feel- the happier and happier I become. I cannot tell you the INCREDIBLE changes occurring with my body, which of course is making me just one heck of a happy girl! First off, my skin! I have struggled with acne for over 10 years. I've tried Acutane, retinol, ProActive, blah blah blah. My skin never recovered, although it might improve- it would not clear up completely and heal.

Well, thanks to ending my relationship with gluten, and finding a gifted aesthetician my skin has NEVER looked better (well okay when I was a baby maybe but you get the idea). My skin is so clear and healthy looking. This is a huge development and I am just tickled pink.

My energy has improved, my lean body mass is increasing (with exercise), I want to do more and more things, I'm losing weight, and well- I'm glowing.

I am so happy to be living this lifestyle, it's like I have finally taken a huge step in the right direction and I can see a very bright future. I know I'll reach my goal of Optimal Radiant Health.

Oh, on a side note- I can't get enough apples right now. Want a non-gluten-containing yummy treat? Core a nice organic apple, sprinkle on cinnamon and bake or broil for about 5-10 minutes. No sugar needed- it's sweet and delicious- sweet as pie.

Besos!
Jades

Thursday, December 3, 2009

This Week In This Girl's Life

Hello my Friends,

I hope this finds y'all doing well, I trust everyone had your full of Thanksgiving delights and is able to freely move around and is nearing the end of endless turkey sandwiches and cranberry snacks.

My week was quite good. I ended up spending most of it alone as my Mom had to fly out of town last minute and my Dad has been MIA at the Texas coast for a month now.

On T Day I entered my first race, the Turkey Trot, and trotted around the Capital and downtown area with 14,000 other athletes. It was a wonderful way to start the day. Families brought their children and pets, big-time athletes showed off and demonstrated their inspiring abilities, and of course we had our token Austin quirky characters. I found myself smiling in these peoples' company and spontaneously decided to make this a new TDay tradition for myself. I want to be around people who care enough about health, family, and community to show up and work together on a pretty November day.

I left happy and inspired, next year I will be one of the 5 mile runners and get a photograph of me crossing the finish line in all my glory. I then went into Whole Foods and got a double shot of espresso, blended with ice: No sugar, milk, syrup (I think I've named all the choices the barrista gave me). It was yummy and I felt special gripping my fancy-smanzy coffee drink browsing the aisles. I checked out sugar substitutes, bright colored produce, and people watched. I then meandered over to my best friend's house and had the meal.

She is an incredible chef and made quite the vegan spread. The colors were amazing, and I took some shots for her. I found myself realizing that what made the spread so unique looking was not the lack of meat, eggs, or dairy- it was the vast rainbow of color. Thanksgiving spreads are usually monotone, I came to realize. I had never fully realized this before, but the more I think about it the more sure I am of this recent discovery; which led to another decision being made that any Thanksgiving meal I make will have all the colors in it.

I did not partake in her beautiful food, being that it was heavily laden with gluten. Instead she graciously steamed me bright spinach and sparkling asparagus, and after several phone calls of encouragement an insistence from her, I even brought my own organic grass-fed steak. Dessert consisted of perhaps the best apple I've ever had sprinkled with cinnamon. It was a wonderful meal, and I felt great. It left me with a sense of well being and happiness, and plenty of energy which I put t towards happily cleaning the house when I got home.

Cliche was it might be, I have been thinking a lot lately about what I am thankful for. But really, isn't that the point of Thanksgiving? So perhaps it is not cliche, but intentional focus on what I have and the gratitude I feel because of it.

I am thankful for many, many things. My family immediately comes to mind, the relationships I have and cherish, the healthy body I'm creating to reach it's full potential, our laid back kitty, Easy, and me. Yes me- this Thanksgiving what makes me proud is I'm learning to show up for myself. I'm conscious, aware, and respectful of me- and gosh darn it, I love myself.

Hallelujah, now that's something to be thankful about.

Besos, Jades