Hey Y'all,


The last couple of Sundays have been pretty awesome at church!  I really want to share with ALL of you what our pastor had to say. So I have posted below the last two sermons, and  I hope and pray that you get as much out of them as I did.  Even if you don't believe in Christ, these two sermons answer some questions that a lot of unbelievers have and explain a lot about the Christian faith.  Please take the time to watch these!  


July 15th 2012
http://crossroadsabc.com/media/sermons/?sermon_id=6
July 22nd 2012
http://crossroadsabc.com/media/sermons/?sermon_id=9

Happy Thyroids

Boooobies!

Ok Y'All,


Get your minds out of the gutter!  The title of this post is obviously to get your attention!  I'm not that kind of a lady!  Did it work?  Are you paying attention now?


Well then,  lets get down to business!
My wonderful mother in law sends out a monthly reminder email to all of her friends and family to check their breasts for breast cancer.  I think this is not only a very loving and thoughtful thing to do, but also a very health conscience thing as well.  And because I try to be as healthy as possible, I want to make you all aware of how important it is to check your "girls" at least once a month.  And boys can check their breast area too, it's not unheard of that breast cancer has been found in men.  


I'm sure you have already heard, and know how to check your "girls" but let me give you a couple of simple ways to check.
1 - While taking a shower, raise one arm over you head and use the opposite hand to feel around the opposite breast.  Then switch sides.
2 - When you get into bed for the night, lie flat on your back and check the "girls" the same way your doctor would at your yearly exam or just like you would standing up in the shower.  I prefer this way.  And hey, why not check them the way the doctor does?!


I also recently read an article that stated breast cancer tumors are being reported to have parabens in them! Parabens are used mostly as a preservative in beauty products, but parabens are also used in pesticides. Which is another reason why I try to eat as organically as possible. And we also need to be proactively choosing beauty products that are paraben free. Not only are parabens bad, but so is aluminum, and they are both equally as bad for your thyroid.  So do yourself a double  favor, and avoid them both.  It's in your boobies best interest, and your thyroids best interest!  


Here is the article I read. It gives you some info on just what parabens are and how they are listed on the ingredients list.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/05/24/parabens-on-risk-of-breast-cancer.aspx



Some paraben free products that I love.
Aveda 
Bareminerals  
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion
Kiss My Face 



And these are a couple of my favorite aluminum free products.
Arm and Hammer Natural Deodorant - I recently switched to this and it actually works.  I have high standards and I'm kind of a snob when it comes to deodorants, so please trust me, this product is amazing for a natural deodorant.
Bob's Redmill Aluminum Free Baking Soda


So you can find a lot of paraben free beauty products now at major grocery chains, but for sure at Whole Foods, or any natural grocery store.  All you need to do is read the labels. I know, it seems as though I've gone and lost my mind! Reading food labels to check for gluten is tough enough, and now I'm asking you to read labels on beauty products too?! I know it seems a little ridiculous, but if you want to prevent illness as much as you can (we can only control so much), this is something you should do.  


Now, don't forget to check your "girls"!


As always,
Happy Thyroids 

Just A Little Motivation!

Hey Y'all,
Watch this video I have for you down below. 


http://www.inquisitr.com/252198/ernestine-shepherd-75-year-old-bodybuilder-will-make-you-feel-lazy-video/


Just Sayin'!


There's my motivation!  She didn't let age get in her way!  Don't let your tricky thyroid get in the way!  Take control, just like she did.


 My grandparents have always said age is just a number.  It's about how old you feel. Truly a state of mind!  Don't allow yourself to feel old. I know your slow thyroid can make you feel old even if you are only 25.  But I have said it before and I'll say it again,  working out only helps things get better!  I promise!   Take care of your body and you will feel younger no matter how old you are!


Now go work out!  HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!  For real!


  

These are a few of my favorite things!

Hey Y'all,

So, a month into working out 5 days a week,  I feel that I should tell you all about the positive things that have happened as a result of maintaining a healthy life style.  
After a few little bumps in the road, like adjusting to eating more, which can be difficult when you're not hungry, and trying to find the appropriate protein powder, which is a little tricky when trying to find one that is vegan, gluten free, and contains enough protein to grow muscle mass, here we are with some good stuff happening!  
Like I said in my last post, I have WAY more energy!  
I have been able to lower my medication dosage for the first time in two years!
I'm sleeping better.
All around, I just feel better!  I have not had any little aches and pains. Well...except for when my biceps are growing! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!


I hope you are getting motivated to get up and move it!  Again, like I said in my last post, working out can be just about anything physical.  Just start slow and stay consistent. 


Here are a few of my favorite things to help stay fit and stay motivated.
Vega Sport Protein Powder - I add this to my morning Green Smoothie
Ground flaxseed - I also add this to my morning green smoothie (By the way it also keeps things regular if you know what I mean.  I hope that wasn't TMI!  But hey, if you have Hashimotos, you know that can be a problem.)  


I also enjoy listening to Mariah Carey while working out.  For some reason singing at the top of my lungs while doing cardio makes it go by faster.  It's probably a good thing that we have a home gym set up in our basement! Could you imagine someone singing all loud at the gym on the elliptical in between breaths?  It's a good thing I can laugh at myself and not take myself too seriously.  Which reminds me!  Have you ever seen the episode of Friends where Phoebe takes Rachel running, and Phoebe runs all crazy with her arms flailing about and it embarrasses Rachel, until she tries it one day by herself and realizes she likes running like crazy Phoebe?  Well...all I have to say is, whatever you choose to do, try to be a little silly and let loose a little!  And listen to your favorite music while doing it!  It really makes it more enjoyable!


For motivation I check out veganbodybuilding.com   
It helps me realize that I can achieve my fitness goals and still be vegan.  There are also profiles of athletes on there and some of them are vegan for health reasons too.  So that is also motivating to know that there are others out there being proactive with their health too.  


Like I tell my kids, "You are in charge of you!".  
Take control of your health!  No one else will do it for you.  Not even your doctor.  You have to want to feel better to get better.  It's your choice!


Happy Tricky Thyroids Y'all!  

Holy loads of energy Batman!

Hey Y'all,


So Sorry for not posting anything for a little while!  May has been a very busy month!  As every May is for us.  We celebrate my father in-law's birthday, my husbands birthday, our anniversary (this was our 11th), Mother's Day, I was planning a surprise party for my mom who has been 20 years cancer free (she had Ovarian Cancer), and to top it all off, two out of my three kids had all of the "last days of school activities" (classroom celebrations, field day, a play, and end of the year field trips).  Maaaan, it has been busy!  


A couple of posts ago I told you all about Miss Angela Cutler who has Hashimotos and did a fitness competition.  She really did inspire me, and I decided to let my sister train me.  Now that all of my mono symptoms have seemingly gone away, I thought, "I can finally get back to working out without it taking me 3-4 days to recover from one workout!".  Of course I was nervous and worried that it wasn't going to go very smoothly for the first few workouts, and I was definitely concerned about my exhaustion levels, but to my surprise, it was AWESOME!  It felt great!  And believe it or not, I started having more energy the very next day, to the point where I was thinking,  "Holy loads of energy Batman!!!  I missed working out!"  I know that sounds crazy, but you guys should be used to me saying crazy things by now! For real though,  I really have enjoyed working out since I was young.  I played competitive soccer when I was younger, played basketball in junior high and high school, and my senior year of high school had a weight lifting class and really fell in love with lifting.  I have tried all kinds of fitness avenues; yoga classes, pilates classes, workout videos (Tracy Anderson, P90X, Yogalosophy...), but nothing works as well as lifting for me.  The last few weeks of working out have been amazing!  I feel so great!  And normally, with all of the activities this month, I would have been pretty run down, but working out has boosted my immune system and I don't feel as bad as I would have had I not been working out. 


My suggestion to anyone out there who is reading this is,TRY!  Just get up and TRY something! I don't mean to sound like your mommy telling you what to do, but I MEAN IT!  Just like I said in my post about Angela, lets get physical!  That tricky thyroid will appreciate it. I know it's tricky because you feel so tired and just plain crappy that you think you can't "work out", but working out doesn't have to be going to a gym and lifting weights or running on a treadmill.  You can just start out with going outside and taking a walk around the block every other day for a week and then the next week try walking around the block twice at a quicker pace, and maybe try walking every day, eventually working up to 30 minutes/day.  Don't like walking?  Maybe try swimming, or yoga (which is really good for tricky thyroids.  I really enjoy the Yogalosophy video), or cross fit, or hiking, or bike riding, or dancing (Tracy Anderson videos are good for dancing)!  Just get up and get active.  It's SO important!  I would say it is equally as important as eating right for your tricky thyroid!  


Lets keep our tricky thyroids happy Y'all!

Prayer request

Hey Y'all,

So I have a favor to ask!  A cousin of mine's aunt (not related to me), is dying from ovarian cancer as I type this right now.  I am asking those of you who pray to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to please do so right now!  Please ask for Him to comfort this family in their time of need and pray also for His glory to shine.  Ask for her passing to be as peaceful as possible.  

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Trust in the Lord!  He will do what He says.

Lets get physical!

Hey there Y'all!


Well, I have told you before about my sister Chelcea  who is a WBFF fitness pro and model that trains people to achieve their fitness goals.  Well....she did it for a girl with.....you guessed it, Hashimotos!!! Miss Angela was in her first fitness competition this last weekend and even placed 2nd! Pretty impressive! So I wanted to share her story with you.  Angela has been an inspiration to me and I hope her story helps you realize you CAN do whatever it is that you want if you put your mind to it.  Like I said before, I know it's hard to even think about working out sometimes, but once you get started it gets easier and easier.  I know!  Not only do I have Hashimotos, I was also diagnosed with Chronic Mono a year ago.  I know what it's like to be tired!  Crazy tired too.  It SUCKS!!!  But, it is super important to stay fit.  Your immune system will thank you, I promise!


On that note.....Here is Miss Angela's story!


I started working with Chelcea in January 2012. I had entered my first NANBF bikini competition and was really clueless as what to expect. I had no idea how much time, dedication, and hard work this sport required. During my training I started working with Chelcea for competition posing and a diet plan. I have a thyroid condition that required her to do a lot of changing in my meal plans to get me something that finally started working for me. She was extremely determined to find me a diet that worked!!

During my first 2 posing sessions I felt so awkward and uncoordinated. Chelcea was so patient and positive that I never felt uncomfortable despite my lack of coordination. She always had motivational and inspiring words to keep me on track. There were a few times I was about to throw in the towel, however, she was always there to give me those encouraging words I needed to hear to keep me going. She never told me it was easy to get to the stage and made sure I was aware of everything I needed to do and expect. She was always available for me for whatever I needed.

This competition is truly the best thing I have ever done for myself. Working with Chelcea and doing the posing and strict diet has been life changing. My results are something I never though I could ever achieve. She helps you see how you can reach your goals if you stay focused and keep positive people around you. She is such a positive force not only as a posing coach, but she truly cares about me and wants to see me succeed. I could not have come this far without her!! 

Here are her before and after pics

Before

After

And that is my beautiful sister Chelcea on the right!

I hope this is helpful and inspiring to anyone out there with any autoimmune disorder.  

If you are ready to get fit, contact Chelcea on her facebook page www.facebook.com/boogysmalls
She really is genuine and wants to help you if you want to make a change.
Of course getting and staying fit is challenging, but anything worth having is worth fighting for.  And I happen to think fighting for your health is worth it.  


Check Out Angela posin it up on stage!  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GFkp3J9t36Q