It looks like gluten-free/dairy free/refined sugar free can now add a 4th. I will now be going fully grain free as well. It was a goal I had set, but today my doctor let me know I have to do so to help some of the health stuff going on lately with my gut. So, I guess that's that. haha. I adore eating healthy, I really do. I love inspiring those around me to make good choices, but sometimes its hard to let go of something that I once thought was alright as long as it was organic brown rice, or rice protein used in different foods that gave me a larger array of things to eat. But, alas. we believe I still have some candida issues going on so what do you do?
I can decide what to do with this. And I decide that I will get more creative in the kitchen. That I will embrace the foods that heal, and I will provide my body with nourishment and nurturing love. I will once again clean out the pantry, pray to God for guidance, and hold on to Mr. Charming's hand as he guides me towards my veggies when I'm having a grain or sugar craving that makes me go looking for a hidden stash of dark chocolate or a rice bowl. I'm only human. So, I will be slowly pulling the grain recipes from the recipe pages, and incorporating more raw and veggie based recipes that are still super yummy. Because this foodie is still striving to find variety and flavor in all the dishes she shares with you! I thank you all for going on this health journey with me. I'm much healthier than I was two years ago, but still have a ways to go. It's been scary, and inspiring, fun and challenging. Hard and healthier all at the same time. There is a reason for this season and I'm going to embrace it as I sit by my decorated Christmas tree, with my mug of dairy-free cocoa and cinnamon roasted nuts and toast to this blessed life I get to call my own. Have a happy Thanksgiving you all. For the next two days I will be sharing some yummy ideas for your Gluten, Dairy and Grain-Free table. I hope you enjoy!
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So. Like I said, I started with the food. Moved on to what I was putting ON my body. Then I started looking around my home, reading blogs of other natural minded people and realized how much toxicity can be AROUND us as well as within us. As I was talking to my Naturopath, we can only do so much, and it's important not to become obsessive about it. The world has many flaws, this we know, but I figure, if I can do what I can within my own home I can at least feel good about my lil' place on earth to help give my body a break.
What I've Accomplished: I'm now cleaning with vinegar! I had made my way from the chemical filled cleaners, to the organic cleaners from the health food stores, and now I've graduated down to vinegar and baking soda. I'm actually kind of excited to scrub my tub this way knowing no yucky chemical residue will be waiting to take a bath with me :D We got an air filter for our bedroom. It makes SUCH a difference. With the dust in AZ, and a puppy. I love it. I want a BIG one for the family room and maybe one for the office or kitchen area. What I Still Want To Do: Get our airducts professionally cleaned: Sears is one company I found that does this with high pressured tubing ONLY. NO chemicals!! Clean out cabinets: We still have a lot of old chemical products in the cabinets we don't access much. We need to take a day to just mask up, and dig into these areas and get rid of it ALL. These are the areas where I feel like I overwhelm Mr. Charming. Get rid of PLASTIC & TEFLON: I want to make our way through getting rid of old plastic dishes, and teflon pans. Glass, ceramic, and stainless steel all the way! This is an excuse to SHOP. for CUTE dishes. I like this ;D So. I had made the big move of censoring EVERYTHING I put INTO my body. I started wondering.... "What about all of this stuff I'm putting on my body, and daily?" The makeup. The soaps. Shampoos. Perfumes. Hair dye. Surely most of this, if not all, was probably harmful just like the food. So. I took inventory. For a while I cut out EVERYTHING. In the beginning I was UBER-committed and I'm still committed but a girl needs her foundation. Especially when I do photoshoots. So I took a look at what I should be doing.
What I've Accomplished: Biggest Change Ever: I stopped dying my hair. I've known myself as a platinum blonde since I was 14. Yes, I had been dying my hair that long. That could have attributed to my issues. Who knows. But as I was trying to clean everything out I stopped dying my hair shortly after my wedding. Actually no. The time I dyed it blonde for my wedding was the last time I did. It was a month after my wedding I started feeling really bad. For a long time I searched and searched and searched for a product without PPD, ammonia, or other harsh/harmful chemicals and finally I found Palette By Nature. Check them out if you are looking for something.Downfall: You can't go lighter. Byebye blondie. But I did go way darker. Chocolate brown darker. I'm embracing Mandi the brunette. Upside: NO chemicals. So. It's a winnish/win. I started using organic/plant based beauty products. In the shower I use a natural organic shampoo and conditioner I found at Sprouts. I use an organic face line from The Body Shop for my face wash, eye cream and SPF moisturizer. And I've moved COMPLETELY away from lotion and now use Epson salt to exfoliate and olive oil on my legs before bed. My Naturopath recommended a salt/coconut oil scrub and coconut oil/shea butter to moisturize so I am trying this next. I will let you know. All beauty products I'm using will be featured on my NATURAL BEAUTY page. Detoxing. For detox, I am taking supplements to aid in my immunity and organ support. Although I would like to talk to my Dr. about additional support in this area when she thinks the time is right. I dry brush, get regular massage for my lymphatic system, take hot/cold showers (more on this will be featured as a blog post) I work out as often as I can, prayer and meditation help cleanse me spiritually, (I thank God for this path everyday) and I drink water. A LOT of water. 9-10 glasses a day is when I feel best. What I Still Want To Do: Try some natural health masks and the moisturizer my doctor recommended. Get a more natural mascara. I just found one at Whole Foods, but my budget was maxed. I want to buy it and review it for my beauty section. Part of my journey has led to my eye having issues and swelling with what I believe to be my mascara. A girl just feels prettier with her eyes done up, so I'm trying to find the healthiest way to do so. I've moved over to mineral blush and was using mineral make-up for a while but the coverage just isn't great so I use a regular foundation sparingly, making sure I am still washing, steaming and trying to detox my body regularly. DETOX, DETOX, DETOX. I want to find additional ways to detox. My Dr. has asked me to receive colonics to help cleanse & remove nasty/yucky things from my body. So I am saving up for that. And I want to find a place where I can dry sauna. I also had my first additional lymphatic drainage massage last week and want to be able to get more of those. I just want the yucky stuff OUT and the good stuff in. So, on my journey Food is where it all began. It's where I started to really clean things up. Try to repair my gut and just help give my overall body & systems a healthful boost, but there are still some things I have yet to accomplish that I'm striving for. I'd be interested to know what it is that you have committed to and cut out as well. Making friends and having supporters on this journey is a big piece of the puzzle. I know in the beginning I felt very alone.
What I've Accomplished: I've cut out dairy (ALL) gluten/wheat (ALL), starches (ALL but rice occasionally). I eat mainly meats and veggies now and try to cook as much organic, free range food as I can for Mr. Charming and I. Hence all the recipes :) What I Still Want To Do: Not use the microwave & get away from cans. :( I know how bad it is. At work it's hard, it's the option I have for heating. And for eating so many veggies, and I love steamed veggies for lunch, the microwave is right there. & canned beans are easy. I buy organic ones from Trader Joes and Sprouts but I would like to get into the habit one day of soaking and cooking my own beans. And soaking my rice when I do it. Also, soaking my fruits and veggies in water and vinegar to insure their cleanliness. Cut out all sugar. FOR GOOD: This is hardest for me because my candida and gut issues make me crave it. I think more than the normal person. Because my cravings are like, crazy strong and Mr. Charming has had to hide my rice milk chocolates which are reserved for movie theatre night. I still have organic honey in recipes, and I eat fruit. I want to at least get down to ONLY fruit sugar, then move on from there. I respect you, 100%, if you've cut it out fully. I've read books, blogs, watched seminars.. and I feel positive until I'm watching a movie while the hubs eats icecream and I want a huge oreo to shove in my face. Alas, I havn't been that bad. I havn't cheated with gluten, refined sugar or dairy since I started this journey. But if you do, it's OK. Don't beat yourself too bad. Dust yourself off, drink a lot of water, make sure you don't skip the supplements you need and move on. Get my husband eating all organic: To save money we are buying a lot of "my food and his food". While he is blessed to have an energetic and healthy self, I now see the importance that food plays in our lives. Now and later and want him to have the best food possible as well. He's been amazing through this with me and I know I am changing a lot on him. With the food, what we use in our home, etc. and we cook healthy dinners together, I'd just to see him eat a little more organic when it comes to the additional food he does eat throughout the day. |
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aboutNosh & Nurture was born of this journey I am on to better the health of myself, my family and those around me. What started as a simple compilation of recipes has grown to a all-around lifestyle journal with ways to incorporate organic products into your home, pantry and beauty cabinet. I also include stories on pregnancy, new motherhood, travel, Proverbs 31 marriage, and spiritual health, as I am a Christian who couldn't do any of this without my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. For more of my story you can click here.
All recipes are gluten-free and dairy-free with a lot of soy-free, grain-free, sugar-free options. |
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