You jerk, listen up....

I read this article a short time ago and have so much compassion for this woman.

I remember a time a few years ago when I was out exercising in a quaint little college town I love and a young man drove by, head out the window, yelling "YOU NEED TO BE EXERCISING." 

I've never been the product of bullying. I'd like to think my high school was the greatest high school ever. Not to say we didn't have our own issues – cause we did – but when we graduated, the majority of us were friends. Really.

This young college buck was the first experience I had with someone being so blatantly ugly to me, and it hurt. My flesh wanted to yell expletives. Deeper down I wanted to have a chat with him about kindness. And encouragement. And understanding.

I have fought a disease since I was 15 years old that basically shuts down my metabolism. It doesn't exist. It hates trying to process certain foods. World-renowned doctors have studied me and encouraged me to try all different types of medicines. I hate medicine. I hate relying on something concocted in a lab to regulate out my system. I'll attempt them for awhile and then go rogue because I just can't handle putting drugs in my body.

I tell you all of this to be reminded that when people are fighting to overcome weight issues, it's not always just a simple "well, she's so lazy...." or "why can't she have any self-control."

I exercise regularly. I love it. I love being sore. I love sweating so much my shirt is soaked. I love going at it with all that I have. I understand the importance of this for my body, and more importantly, my mind.

So you, the yahoo who tells large girls, "You need to be exercising," think about all of the barriers or hurts or pain they've experienced that has them where they are. Be a nice human. Praise them for fighting to exercise at all.

Be kind. Always.

I have something to share.....

                 

 “All my longings lie open before you, my sighing is not hidden from you. I will wait for you, and you will answer.” Psalm 38

Last year I came to a place in my life where I was ready. Ready to take the next step in my life, ready to put myself out there, ready to see what God was going to do when I let down my guards. I made a promise that I would take that step in seeking God knowing He had gone before me, and trusting that he would provide in all areas of my life, including my dating life.

Today’s dating world is so different. It’s becoming more and more usual to hear people met through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or through an online dating application. I decided in order to continue putting myself out there to try it and it was HORRIBLE. HORRIBLE. HORRIBLE. I sat with my mom at dinner one night with tears streaming down my face so sad that I had tried (and was truly willing to open myself up) and it was so scary. I immediately turned my account off, thinking people could no longer access my profile. But I was wrong. And here he came.

This sweet, handsome man starting slowly communicating with me. He was patient with me, and pursued slowly and consistently. He told me the first thing he noticed about my account was my obvious love of Jesus, and that’s what he wanted. There was something calming and different about him, and for the first time, I felt at ease. As we joke now, I tell him “he slipped through the cracks” (because obviously I thought my account was canceled).

We texted for awhile and then started talking on the phone about two weeks in. And for three solid weeks, we talked every single day for at least an hour (many times for two to three hours). Our conversation and communication was so legit, we knew something serious was happening.
Quite honestly, we needed those three weeks of communication for both of our minds and hearts to be at ease and restful with each other.

After an awkward first date, we both quickly realized that the ease that we felt with each other was from the Lord, and we had to walk forward in it. I have never in my life been so comfortable and felt so safe with someone, and I think Parker would say the same. I knew the night Parker told me he was going to do whatever possible to fight for me…....I was going to marry him.

You see, I’ve prayed for a long time that God would bring me a man that pursued me from a distance. I knew I needed this in order for me to grow to be comfortable letting my walls down as I learned to trust him. I prayed for a man that would fight for me, and show me that he would steadily be by my side. And that has happened, and this man, he is a gift. He is sweet, kind, patient, playful, strong. Whew. I could go on and on.

So y’all, I’m getting married!!!!

Random Pieces of Travel Knowledge: New York - The Roger Hotel

I've been traveling like a fool this year, and have decided to start documenting some of those travels - mainly the hotels, food, etc. that I've enjoyed. People come to me often and ask for recommendations so I'm passing on the goodness (and honestly keeping a quick journal for me for future use.)

So here goes. My first post is dedicated to the last hotel I stayed at in New York. If you know me well, you know I'm a bit of a hotel snob. I've stayed at some really nice hotels throughout the years so I love finding a quaint, reasonable boutique hotel. The beauty in boutique hotels is the level of service. Because they are smaller, they try to get to know you throughout your stay.

I went for a few days in June and stayed at the Roger Hotel in midtown. See below a breakdown of the pros and cons.

WHAT MADE IT GREAT:

• Atmosphere (See pictures below.....so beautiful and quaint)
• Location - a block from the empire state building, a few blocks from Union Station, a few blocks from Bryant Park (I felt like a local but could quickly get to some cool touristy places too)
• Food - I ate room service one day for lunch and it was delicious!

SOMETHING THEY COULD WORK ON:

• The bathroom was really small....like really small.
• I'm guessing that some of the rooms were really small as well. I stayed in a room with two beds and my room was big. 

*(All images are property of Roger Hotel)

My sweet little home.

When I moved to Birmingham, I moved into a brand new apartment complex in a great area of town. I went from 1800 sq. feet in Mississippi with a huge yard to a 1000 sq. feet two bedroom, and I was thrilled. No maintenance, no yard, no commitment. (I should mention I missed mowing the yard after a few months. Something so good for the body about working in the yard all day.)

And it was glorious for about three months. Glorious. My apartment backed up to a creek and I could hear it running all the time. It was so peaceful.

And then elephant feet moved in above me.

I quickly became discontented with my quaint little apartment and had to move -- quick. She would wake me up at 3am marching (yes, marching in circles) in her stilettos. Not really sure what was going on there, but I needed my rest.

I found myself having intense conversations with God about what was next....for I knew that if I purchased a home, I was committing to Birmingham. Was I ready, don't know. Was He ready for me to get settled, yes. We had wrestled for a good solid six months and then I succumbed. I was worn slap out.

And then he brought me the loveliness below. There are some good stories behind the prayers I offered and the unit he gave me. I'll spare them for now, but know that God is constantly before us, and really does have so much good in store.....especially when we stop wrestling. 

Some of the pictures are before and afters...

KITCHEN:

The image below shows the original floor. It was nasty and didn't match the upgrades they had made to the backsplash....so I updated it. 

BEFORE:

To this: 

Most of the units have wooden cabinets, no backsplash and tile countertops. This one had just been updated and was just my style. 

AFTER:

LIVING:

The original wall and ceiling color was tan. I quickly updated it to a 'grey' -- (looks blue in some rooms, green in some and grey in others....it's a great color). I also had them strip out the old carpet and put new carpet in. 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

My dad built this bookcase for me years ago -- it was stained cherry, but I painted it with chalk paint before I moved to Alabama. It's the focal point when you walk in and I love it. So special to me.

YARD:

This is probably the part I love the most. My mom went to a landscape architect in Jackson and had him help her map plants for my backyard....and then my dad and uncle met here to overhaul it. It was so ratty, and is now such a peaceful place. 

BEFORE: 

W

                                                       

                                              

Some good recipes.

The only way I will and can succeed with this new, healthier life (aside from Jesus) is by keeping the right foods in my house. I've been testing recipes on the weekend and finding things I like. As I go, I'll pass along for those of you fighting to make changes in your life too. It helps me stay accountable by helping others do the same.

Tomorrow's freedom is today's surrender. (Listen to this fabulous all sons and daughters song where I stole this line.)

Be loved, for you are most definitely loved.

Spaghetti with grass-fed beef, spaghetti squash (noodles) and no sugar added sauce

A delicious, healthy snack. Good if heated up for :15 for breakfast

I can't turn these right side up for some reason but this is  yummy "cereal", and a little goes a long way. Find it here. 

I prepare veggies on Sunday night and have them ready as a side all week. Roasted these for 30ish minutes on 400. Olive (or coconut or sesame) oil, sea salt and pepper.

One of my favorite dishes....spaghetti squash pie (truly one of my favorite things I've eaten). I made it tonight with chicken sausage...find the recipe here. (And because I hate onions, I eliminate that one ingredient...still good.)

On the weekends and occasional weeknights, I make a mean omelet. Lean (nitrate-free) ham, tomatoes, mushrooms and cage-free eggs. Sometimes I add cheese. 

Grass-fed beef with goat cheese on the inside, Brussel sprouts with bacon (sautéd these), and hummus and carrots. Note: hummus is not paleo. This is where I fall in the 80/20 category. 20% = hummus. Can't stop, won't stop.

My health assessment...

So part of this whole detox was the promise that I would be analyzed before I started, and then immediately following the end (which was technically 14 days, but I'm currently at 26, I believe).

That said, I had my assessment today.......and this is what I was told:

My cholesteral dropped by the following:
HDL original: 71, now: 68
LDL original: 74, now: 54
(I was told the total was too low now....gotta start on the fish oil)

Blood pressure dropped by the following:
Original: 130/80
Now: 112/72

Triglycerides dropped by the following:
Original: 98
Now: 78

My glucose went up (still in low range) but we are trying to figure out what's causing that....really kinda weird...(think it might be the stress of my project launch this week)
Original: 94
Now: 100

Body Fat Mass lost: 15.6lbs

My original test weren't causes for major concern, however, the results show how my body is responding to being treated so differently. I show you this, not because you care, but mainly so you can know how eating clean foods affect your insides. My body gave me a huge high five today.

Coming clean....

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. I Corinthians 6:19-20

About six weeks ago I read two different articles that shook me up a little. I'd been thinking a good deal about the amount of sugar that I was ingesting (and bad food in general), and knew it was time to do something about it...but these articles sent it into fast gear.

The first: Oreos more addictive than heroine. 
The second: Sugar molecules cause cancer to grow. (I can't find the article now, but the Cleveland Clinic produced it, so I believe it. :))
 And while referencing those articles, found this one about sugar....attention grabbing. 

I really struggled knowing loved ones had overcome addictions to drugs, and yet I couldn't overcome my addiction to sugar.

I met with my trainer end of February (started 2/24) and told her I needed it out of my system, and started the process of beginning my detox. It was a 14 day process, but I maintained it for 21 days.

It is one of the hardest things I think I've ever done. Hands down. I had to give up the following:

• Caffeine 
• Dairy (including eggs)
• All processed foods
• Sugar (except in fruit)
• Bacon

I was allowed to eat:

• Fruit 
• Vegetables
• Meat, Fish, Chicken
• Beans
• Hummus (PRAISE THE LORD)
• Vegan protein shakes
• Almond butter + almond milk

The hardest part: caffeine. The withdrawal is real. It took me a solid four days to overcome the extreme exhaustion I felt, but day five I felt GOOD. The first week I kept looking forward to day 15 to come off the madness. The 2nd week I was looking forward to maintaining\ this new lifestyle in an ongoing mannor. After the withdrawal and exhaustion stopped, my body started praising it's new life.

I've included the charts below to be more specific, as I know many of you are planning on doing something like this. I managed to maintain it for 21 days and then had a modified meal that wasn't at all clean. I immediately wanted to throw up as my body rejected everything about that meal. It has become so conditioned to whole foods that it makes me feel terrible if I fill it with crap.

My life has truly changed. I feel like a new woman, have so much more energy, confidence, joy. The detox was taking care of things in my body, but the Lord was using it for greater purposes, detoxing me from the last few years of my life. I stood in the kitchen last week confessing my sin in longing after a relationship that wasn't for me, thankful he protected me from destruction.

God is gracious. He is merciful. He allows us to walk through hard times in order to see His best over us. I encourage everyone to go through this. To learn what your body is supposed to feel like. Our food has become covered in extremely terrible crap and we were created to eat from the land. (As I tell some, the exterior of the grocery store.)

I'm planning on doing the whole 30 in April. Would love for you to join me. I'll be doing a blog post on that soon, shoot me an email if you'd like to do it with me. It will be intense, but so much easier as a community! And believe me, if I can do it, you can too!!

The list of foods you can eat:

Menu of detox foods -- should help you as you plan on making meals.