Living the Good Life

Well, it's been almost three years and so much has changed. I finished nursing school! YAY! I passed my boards and I am officially working as a Neuro/Tele PCU nurse at Banner Boswell. Ryan and I also tied the knot in 2015 and we have another dog named Barkley. I have two beautiful nieces and one more on the way. I went to ITALY (best trip EVER)!!!!! My best friend lives here in Arizona and my parents live close, in a paradise otherwise known as San Diego. Life is good!

Since life has settled a bit I have been able to reevaluate things like my diet and my health without time and money being the major factors. I put on a decent amount of weight during the past couple years and since time for exercise was the last thing on my mind I got out of shape too. I've recently been trying to change my health and I feel SO much better! I'm not going for weight loss, I am going to feel better physically and emotionally. Being a nurse really makes you think twice about what you are doing in your life now to make your later years more enjoyable. I joined the gym and try to go at least three times a week and I am loving it! I typically go to yoga, pilates or spin class because, to be honest, I don't know how to work any of those machines. I did start eating meat again while in school and I will continue to but I make an effort to eat humanely raised animal meat. I am currently finishing up an elimination diet not only to cleanse my body but to narrow down any food sensitivities I might have. I'll be the first to tell you (if you see me regularly you already know ha!) that it is ROUGH! No sugar of any kind, no nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, ect.), no eggs, no dairy, no alcohol, no grains or gluten, no corn, no oil except coconut and olive oil. I am about to start reintroducing things one at a time and I cannot wait! As hard as this cleanse was it was so good for me. I feel great, I am a lot less bloated and my skin has even cleared up a little bit. It has made me realize how I want to continue with my eating habits....

1. SOO much less sugar! Since I cannot live without sweets I am going to try and stay away from processed sugars and desserts and use things such as coconut sugar and dates to make sweets that I can enjoy every so often. 
2. Limit gluten and oats (especially if this ends up being my food sensitivity). Stick with things like rice and quinoa. 
3. Limit dairy (I already know I am sensitive to dairy). I plan on using mostly dairy alternatives. Plus this limits my exposure to all the yucky stuff they put into cows now. 
4. Stay away from processed food. 

 So, I am basically trying to eat clean, buy organic when I can and live moderately Paleo. This doesn't mean I am going to restrict myself on holidays or refuse to eat at other peoples houses or never go out to eat. I am still going to live and enjoy my life, just control what I can and when I can. I think not over restricting myself and being honest about my weaknesses will allow me to start what my mom calls a "live it" and not a diet. ha!

For anyone looking to eat clean food with limited ingredients Trader Joes is THE BEST! They have so many options and carry so many things that you cant find anywhere else.

I have also started back up my use of essential oils around the house. I LOVE them. Every one should use essential oils. They really do have great benefits and most of them smell great!

Next step? Making our house more eco friendly. I know Ryan is really looking forward to that one 😝😝