Finding your Self Worth

Autoimmune disease. Millions of people are affected by this condition, and the numbers just continue to grow. I imagine, since you are reading this, that you are one of the millions affected by an autoimmune disease. 

Approximately 50 million Americans, 20 percent of the population or one in five people, suffer from autoimmune diseases. Women are more likely than men to be affected; some estimates say that 75 percent of those affected–some 30 million people–are women.

Each autoimmune disease is different, but they all take a toll. It takes a physical toll, but it can really affect your mental game. Have you noticed more depression, loneliness and grief since your diagnosis? If so, you are not alone.

But how can you find your self-worth when you have an autoimmune disease?

First, find a support system. This can be different for everyone. For some, your support system may be your spouse or your family. For others, you may need to look outside the box. Find a group to participate in on Facebook, or join a forum that discusses issues related to your specific autoimmune disease.

Second, find things to be grateful for. Keeping a daily gratitude journal can show you how many things you have to be grateful for, despite your autoimmune disease. For example, here's my gratitude for today. I am grateful for:

1. Warmer temperatures outside. (It's been a rough winter).

2. That our new business has been successful this year.

3. The ability to take care of my family despite disability

Keeping a list of at least three things you are grateful for on a daily basis can really help you find your self worth, despite whatever autoimmune condition you may be facing.

Third, find a hobby or a purpose. It could be as simple as crochet or cooking, or you could even start your own blog like I did. A lot of people suffering with autoimmunity are forced to quit their jobs and depend on disability benefits or other income. This can be so discouraging and can really rob you of your joy and self worth. 

Do you have valuable things to give? Knowledge, especially about your specific disease. You can start sharing with others what you have learned, and what keeps you going. 

My joy is found in building websites and maintaining blogs like this one. For example, I mentioned that we started a new business in my gratitude list. We started a custom furniture and metal fabrication company called Carbon and Grain, LLC. 

My autoimmune disease has taken some of my physical ability, so I won't be building or delivering furniture. But I was able to find a way to contribute despite my disability, I built the website for our business. This gave me a sense of worth in our new company.

It may take a bit of brainstorming to find your hobby or purpose. What are you good at? What do you already know how to do? What have you been dying to learn how to do? Make a list and start narrowing down your options.

Keeping your self worth is so important. I hope these tips help you find and keep your sense of self worth despite dealing with an autoimmune condition

Dairy Sugar Gluten free Ice Cream

Ice cream is definitely a weakness for me. I came from a family who ate a bowl of ice cream together every night before bed. This indulgence is usually the one that takes me off the wagon! However there is a fantastic substitution that is just as creamy as any frozen dairy product but without all the down sides! I discovered this trick when I went full blown vegan in the past, and forgot about it until recently. I made this dessert for company, and picky company too! Not knowing what it was at first, they thought it was delicious fattening ice cream! I was so happy to tell them different! They were surprised but still enjoyed their desserts! Let me share this amazing one ingredient recipe with you!

Dairy Sugar Gluten free Ice Cream

1-2 Bananas, peeled and frozen (per person)

Place frozen banana chunk in food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.

This recipe is so simple and tasty just as it is. We have played with it a little bit and discovered some great add ins to make your favorite flavors!

Mint Chocolate Chip
Add:
1/2 tsp mint extract
Chunks of dairy and sugar free dark chocolate

Chunky Monkey
Add:
Walnuts
Chunks of dairy and sugar free dark chocolate

Banana Pie
Add:
Cinnamon
Vanilla
Walnuts

The combinations are really endless. I'd love to hear of any combinations you come up with! Leave a comment here or email them to me at juicingmyms@gmail.com and I will add them here!!

Back on Track

We're slowly getting back on track. I can't tell you how much easier it is having the whole family on board with me! And so far, only five days in, I am shocked at the results we have seen so far. We are juicing just once a day for now. In the past I have complained about the true cost of juicing and trying to find ways to make it affordable, well I think I found my new best friend in this regard. Costco! Do you have a Costco in your area? Honestly I had no idea they had such an amazing produce section in their store! We purchased loads of fresh fruits and veggies, some of them even organic and spent under $100. I was shocked at what we were able to buy. Not to mention the amazing steelhead salmon and whole chickens we picked up too. Costco is my new favorite store.

So what results have we noticed? For me personally I can tell you that I have been getting rid of some massive parasites!It's not always a pleasant topic, talking about what comes out you when juice. Really, some of what I have seen has been terrifying, but terrifying that it was inside me and I am so happy to be flushing it out of my body. I'm not sure what has suddenly killed these parasites, that wasn't something I was expecting. But I am so thankful for the energy boost I have gotten since getting them out of my system. My husband is experiencing some massive detox symptoms, achy muscles and itchy skin. And while these symptoms are unpleasant we both are excited at what it means, and what our body is getting rid of.

We also have overhauled our diet. I have cut out gluten, dairy, sugar and legumes. I have to say I am so much prouder of the dinners I am putting on the table, which are loaded with veggies and did I mention tasty?! Our food has been so much more tasty than ever before, good quality food is so good. My goal is to load at least 50% of the meal if not more with veggies, then the rest is lean protein and starch. And if I can manage it as much raw veggies as possible. Even my almost two year old son has been enjoying dinner more, I cannot believe how much more he eats.He was very upset that he doesn't get milk first thing in the morning anymore, but he helps us juice and that has been fun and exciting for him. I am all about getting him fully involved in this process. Today he stood on the counter and used the plunger/prodder thing to help the veggies through the juicer, with Daddy's help of course. I truly believe that doing this as a family has it's own health benefits, the teamwork and support is amazing.

Need some gluten, dairy and sugar free recipe ideas? Check out my Pinterest board:
http://pinterest.com/megatari/sugar-gluten-dairy-free/

I've been a bad, bad girl...

Ah summer, the time of year when the family calender is so packed there almost isn't even time to sit down! Between responsibilities to volunteering my husband participates in, weddings, putting an offer in on a house and still other obligations, this summer has definitely been one of the busiest, hence the long stretch between posts. While sitting in the car waiting for my hubby at an appointment, I realized how irritating it is to rather sit and wait than go in with him anywhere. It's time to kick myself in the butt and take care of myself. So I made a few phone calls while I was waiting and planned a good healthy week for myself. I see an ND regularly, but I am ready for a more aggressive treatment. One benefit I can report from my regular appointments with my ND is the disappearance of my neuropathy, or numbness in my toes. And all it took was a daily dose of coconut oil. This is an amazing benefit, I can finally drive again!

So back to my aggressive therapy: In the past I have had success with chelation, which involves IV's to remove heavy metal toxicity. Unfortunately there is no one locally that performs this, so to do it I need to drive two and half hours (or should I say have someone drive me). Last time I did chelation I visited a clinic where I stayed for a week, but since having my son the idea of spending a week away from my family has been more than daunting. The way I am doing it this time requires driving for two separate appointments next week. These appointments will also more than likely involve colonics as well, then on the days I am home I will be continuing my detox process. I am also determined to finally do my full juice cleanse. I have been juicing once or twice a day, but this next week I'm all in. I am so thankful for the support of my friends and family, without them I would not be able to make this work.

So here's how next week is going to go:
Monday, I am supposed to find time to visit my local ND and sit in the infrared sauna. However I am starting babysitting a friend's children now that school is out, so not sure if I can swing that. But I am for sure starting juicing 100%.
Tuesday, first appointment 2 &1/2 hours away which should involve chelation, colonics and possibly a dry blood assessment.
Wednesday, continue with juicing, a specific tea prescribed by my ND's (I think she said Cat's Claw tea, but more on that when I find out more). Possibly visit my local ND for ionizing foot bath and maybe this day I can sit in the sauna.
Thursday, one more appointment 2 &1/2 hours away, treatment should be similar to Tuesday depending on how things are going. Continue juicing as much as possible since I will be away from home most of the day.
Hopefully by Friday I will have good results to report to you. Also on top of this I will be drinking plenty of water, and not just any water but 9.5 water. If you haven't heard of ionized water, it is amazing. Unfortunately water ionizers are not cheap, and one of our next investments for sure. Thankfully we have a very good friend who owns one and shares water generously. I am so thankful for the resources we have due to our good friends and family.

Now if only I can stick with it, hopefully telling you about it will keep me accountable. Next weekend we have a wedding to attend. Last time I needed to have more aggressive therapy I ended the week at a wedding, irony? Who knows, maybe I will actually get to dance on the dance floor instead of in my chair!?! Here's hoping

Where Does the Time Go?

It's been awhile since I have posted and it was a crazy month of March, we've been so busy that I haven't had time for anything else! April doesn't seem much slower. Spring seems to get everyone up and going again. My reality check today about how fast time flies, is the fact that my little boy is one year old today! I look at him in disbelief that it has really been that long. It seems as if it was just yesterday that I was giving birth to him right here in our living room.

For a long time I didn't want children. I was afraid of not being able to be the mom I wanted to be, instead being a mom with a disability. After talking to quite a few of my friends about it, they had convinced me that children adapt to the situation, even better than adults. I must admit I wouldn't change the decision we made for an instant. But it hasn't been easy. My health followed the typical path, 6 months after my son was born I started crashing. And I am still fighting to get back my health and feeling of well being. My son on the other hand has adapted well. I think he would be the kid who is constantly attached to me, as a baby he would not let me put him down. But now that he is bigger and heavier (and can walk on his own!) I cannot physically carry him everywhere with me, and he seems to have accepted this fact, begrudgingly.

On a positive note I have been feeling better the last few days! I am not sure what the reason is since I have changed a couple things lately and the weather is nicer, but no matter, I love feeling better!! Hope all of you are loving this spring weather like we are!!

Delicious Health

Katie's Shamrock shake from Chocolate Covered Katie
www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com

 

So I know a few of my readers out there follow a strict diet. Possibly your diet means no sugar, gluten or casein.

Good News!! I discovered a blog that is absolutely to die for! All of her recipes are healthy, most of them vegan and sugar free. Recently she posted her shamrock shakes, the green color of this minty shake comes from spinach. Now I know what you might be thinking, do these recipes actually taste good? Most of the time something is either healthy or tasty, not both at the same time. But I can tell you first hand, these recipes have it!

I recently tried her cookie batter dip recipe, the main ingredient was garbanzo beans!! I even had a few of my friends taste it before I told them what it was! They loved it. Here is the link and enjoy!! www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com

Hungry for Change

Have you guys seen this trailer? I am so excited to watch this documentary, plus I love Joe Cross! Watch the video and follow the link to sign up for the free worldwide screening online!!