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

Cha - Cha- Cha- Chia!!!

Hey Y'all,
I hope you had a great Easter weekend last week!  


So this week I have not been feeling so hot.  I had some sort of respiratory issue.  My torso felt like it was on fire on the inside and it was tight and just plain crappy!  By Wednesday I had had enough and decided to start eating Chia Seeds hoping that was gonna help.  I have heard that chia seeds reduce inflammation. And to my surprise, Thursday afternoon (I had already added 3 tablespoons to my morning green smoothies on Wednesday and Thursday), I was feeling much better.  They are expensive little suckers, but well worth it.  I have been on the up and up for the last couple of days now, so of course I'm going to recommend that if you are having some inflammation anywhere, try adding chia seeds to your food and see if it helps. I think I will probably start alternating between flax and chia seeds.  Here are a couple of links with suggestions as to how you can incorporate them into your diet and also some information on how beneficial these little seeds are.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christina-pirello/change-your-life-with-chi_b_446413.html

http://www.thechiaseed.com/

Happy Tricky Thyroids!

Easter

Hey Ladies and Gents,

In honor of Easter this Sunday, I wanted to post our pastor's sermon from last Sunday in preparation for Easter.  And I also wanted to encourage you all to watch our Easter service online on Sunday if you don't have the opportunity to go to church.  Jesus' story deserves reverence and acknowledgment!  It is AMAZING what He did for ALL of us.  I mean, helloooo, do you know of anyone else in the whole wide world who has risen from the dead after three days? I don't!  Not to mention, WHY  He died in the first place.  It's the best love story I have ever heard!

Sermons

John 3:16-17

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

God loves you for who you are. Unconditional love!  We all need God's grace, and He will give it to you, all you have to do is ask for Him to come into your heart and start a relationship with Him.


I hope you all have a blessed Easter Sunday!


Happy Easter

Meaning to my madness!

Hey Kids,
There is meaning to my madness.  I want y'all to know that I went through a process of going vegan and gluten free.  I haven't always been this crazy about food.  God truly prepared me for this drastic change before I got diagnosed, so I was a little more prepared to jump in and tackle the diet part of Hashimotos.  I started eating organic about two years prior to the Hashimotos diagnosis. And about a year before the Hashimotos, I really started getting into the gluten free research.  It all started with the curiosity of what are all of the additives and preservatives about?  What are they made from?  How does it effect my body? And what about the pesticides?  What do they do to the body?  What are they made from?   So I started reading labels and if there was something in the ingredients list that I couldn't pronounce, I didn't buy it. Try that one the next time you're at the store.  And if sugar was one of the first 3 ingredients I didn't buy it. Which is a hard thing to do when you LOOOOOVE chocolate.  Anything chocolate.  Oreos.....Gone.  Cocoa Krispies.....Gone! But believe it or not, all of my sugar cravings went away once my body was more pH balanced, which happens when you stop eating sugar and processed foods.  Anyways, this article is by Dr. Joesph Mercola.   He has been on the Dr. Oz show a few times and I really like him.  He gives great information.  I hope you find this to be as helpful as I did.


Happy Thyroids Y'all!!!


P.S. - The video on this link is not free anymore.  Sorry!  But all of the info in the article is great.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/03/24/hungry-for-change.aspx?e_cid=20120324_DNL_art_1

Tips and Tricks

Hey Guys and Gals,


So I figured I should give some info on how to be gluten free, and vegan. 


I jumped right into the deep end of the vegan and gluten free pool when I found out that I had Hashimotos.  Not everyone is that crazy though.  For most people it takes a little bit of  adjusting, or, a lot a bit, so ease into it. That's totally fine!  Since my daughter was recently diagnosed too, I have decided not to through her into the deep end.  It would be just plain mean! And I'm not that mean.  So she still eats some processed foods.  It's important to keep some things normal for kids. It's a hard change for anyone, but especially the kiddos.  


For organic foods go ahead and buy the store brand of organics,  (just make sure it has the USDA Organic stamp.)  Store brands tend to be a little cheaper.  Even at Whole Foods, which we frequently call "Whole Paycheck". If you happen to be in a remote area, it may be cheaper to order things on Amazon.  I go to Natural Grocers.  They have a pretty high standard as a store for quality and they also have some things that are their own brand. They also have a website that you can shop on and order from. www.naturalgrocers.com


As for gluten free, believe it or not, Walmart has some gluten free foods, as does Costco.  
I get gluten free pretzels, Lara Bars and sometimes baking items at Walmart.   


For bakers, you can use Bob's Redmill.  I use these mixes because it's cheaper than making my own.  I have found it to get quite pricey, because you have to buy a few different types of flours and then it just starts adding up. And I don't bake enough for that to make sense.  


Baking tips:
Replace eggs with a product called Egg Replacer or you can use "flax eggs"
Flax eggs are 1 TBLS of  ground flaxseeds mixed with 2 TBLS water./1 whole egg.
I use this in all baking recipes.


Replace oil with applesauce.


Replace milk with almond milk   


Replace baking soda with Aluminum free baking soda (aluminum is really bad for the thyroid.)  Again, Bob's Redmill has this product.


Here are some more gluten free items
Kix 
Rice Chex
Rice noodles 
Rice - Stick with brown rice
All Fruit and Veggies (in their natural state of course)
Popcorn
Potatoes
Potato chips
Corn chips
Taco shells
Grits
Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) pasta - I have found that King Soopers is the cheapest
Corn pasta - King Soopers and Target carry this kind of pasta
Udi's makes great gluten free breads and baked goods. Available at King Soopers.  They also have bakeries around the Denver Metro area.  A great place to get salads and veggie sandwiches.  They can make any of their sandwiches on gluten free bread. 


A couple tips on eating gluten free in public (like it's some crazy weird thing to do) hahahaha 
Read food labels - There is gluten in soup and taco seasoning even.  So you have to be really careful!  
When eating at a restaurant, ask for a gluten free menu. If they don't have one, salads are always a good go to.  If you order a salad at a restaurant, ask for extra lemons or oranges, then  squeeze them over the salad for the dressing.  Or if you're not quite ready to be oil free yet, you could just ask for a oil and vinegar as your dressing.  


When I'm out running errands and I havn't packed all the right snacks for being out and about, I will eat at Chipotle or even Taco Bell if there isn't a Chipotle around (thank the Lord I don't typically travel too far from a Chipotle).  From Chipotle I will order a veggie bowl with brown rice, black beans (their pinto beans are made with pork in them), fajita veggies guacamole, corn salsa and a little lettuce. MMMMMMM Yummy!!! Man, that made me hungry. From Taco Bell I get a Fresco Crunchy Taco with beans instead of beef.  I have done some research and found that they make their beans with vegetable oil.  FYI - Taco Bell's red sauce contains gluten.  


Back to being out and about.  I have a lunch box that I to pack with apples or bananas, my own trail mix (raw nuts and raisins), gluten free pretzels for the kids, and a few Lara Bars.  Being prepared makes it easier to stay on track and not give in to eating processed foods.


If you don't feel like cooking, Amy's is a great brand for gluten free dairy free frozen meals.  They even have Gluten free Dairy free Mac-N-Cheese.   King Soopers has Amy's as do most natural food stores.    


When eating processed foods, whether from the grocery store or a fast food restaurant, try to do it as infrequently as possible.  Processed foods typically have a high amount of sodium which causes inflammation and also causes you to retain water (not something any lady wants to do).


Changing your diet can be very difficult, trust me I know, I have been there.  Once you get more balanced you will  start craving these foods.  And of course, you will start feeling better.


Remember, anything worth having (health in this case), is worth fighting for.  Fight for your thyroid.  All the hard work is worth feeling better.  Help it Help you.  What movie is that from?  Anyone?  "Help me, Help you!"  Jerry Maguire Y'all.


Alrighty, well that's it for now!
Happy thyroids!