Menu Planning Board

Thanks to all the tips on Pinerest I was able to make my own menu planning board.

I used a magnet white board calendar, magnet printable paper, and made the tabs I thought I would use most.  IT was real easy to lay stuff out.  Easier then I thought it was going to be.

Then today I took that calendar and made a grocery shopping list.  Big trip to Costco and I have everything we need for the month except for a few odds and ends and more fresh fruit and veggies.

Hope you find it helpful. I used my recipe binders for the details.

My new journal book - SMASH

This will take some time!

It has been an up and down ride.  Getting out of the hospital and trying to heal is hard to do.  As a mom I feel like I should be doing everything still but then I get tired.  And if I am not doing then I start to get down about that.  It is a big circle of emotions. My wonderful husband says to rest and do what I need but it is hard.  I am a person who likes to keep busy and to sit is hard.  Working on my SMASH book is something I can do without spending a lot of energy.  It makes me feel good to see where I have come so far.  I have also had fun going through the magazines I have been saving.  I have a few things cut out that I would love to wear when the time comes.  :)  I am putting together a little video of the pages so far.  I will post soon.

I am excited to hear if I was picked for a makeover contest.  A local radio station is doing March Madness Makeovers and I hope with my transformation so far they would pick me.  I could use the pick me up more now then ever!  I entered before my hospital stay and all this new stuff.

As of today I am still down 22 lbs which is great with everything going on.  The plan is to make it through this and start Whole30 again 4/1 for sure if not sooner.

2013 is the year for ME !

Results of my first Whole30 in Jan

I was asked to write about my journey the last 30 days.  I can honestly say I am not sure where to start. So much has changed!

            I went from completing a sprint triathlon Aug 2011 to barely able to tie my own shoes within twelve months. Iron infusions every three months because I wasn’t absorbing what I needed and joint pain from inflammatory arthritis.  My bowels hadn’t worked right in years, diarrhea 4-5 times a week. I guess I couldn’t grasp that this was not normal.  It seemed to be my normal. 

            Several doctors later, someone listened to me she couldn’t figure out why this 40 year old body was falling apart. But she promised me we would figure it out.  Suggestions from her and my GI doctor to go gluten free were heard but not carried through.  My Aunt mentioned the Whole30 plan as she did it in Oct 2012.  I got the book and figured I could do it in Jan 2013.  I needed to make a choice.  I couldn’t continue like I was.  The pain was leading to an increase in depression.  This plan sounded like something I could do and continue if it made a difference.  My best friend was a great role model for me.

            I focused on food the first thirty days because I was unable to exercise yet with my knee pain. 1/2/13 Day 1 & 2 I thought this wasn’t so bad.  Then day 3, 4, 5, and 6 I thought I would kill someone. (a shirt I saw, that I have to find says “Paleo at first you think you are dying, then you are reborn”) Day 7-15 improved each day.  Day 7 and 8 people started noticing something was happening.  I couldn’t see it so I took a picture again.  Couldn’t believe my eyes!  I inflammation was down.

            Then came my trip to Texas day 16-20 and my devotion to stay on track.  It wasn’t that hard to make it happen.  I had to plan and look at the menu close.

            I continued to work hard and focus on my food intake. I am really not sure I missed anything to much but I had to concour the sugar demon for sure.

            As I sit here (day 29) reflecting on my Whole30 I am so proud of what I did.  And can’t wait to see what another month brings.  I have a long way to go.  Here are things I have gained by eliminating a few.

Increased Energy                    Decreased Joint Pain

Decreased inflammation         Decreased Weight ( 17 lbs)

Increased Sleep                       Increased Motivation

Friends                                    Respect

Feeling of normal bowels        Determination

Decreased Inches ( 9.5 in)      Increased Focus

Belief I can make it happen

As you can see the plus far out weights the elimination of a few things.  And you can see from my pictures it has been a great 30 days!! Can’t thank everyone enough for pointing me in the right direction.  I will be forever grateful to you all! ( you know who you are )

Healthy and Happy,

Kari

 1/2/13                                                                           1/31/13

             

What a week it has been!

Well I had all intentions to get going on this. And Wednesday 3/13/13 I ended up in the hospital with my asthma again.  It was a rough few days. Got out Saturday afternoon.  This is an eye opener really for me.  The doctor says I was very close to needing a tube to breath. I have been doing alot of thinking and maybe to much.  What do I want to do?  And is what I am doing getting me there?  Right now I don't know.  My focus right now needs to be me and my health. I need to remember I can't do it all. This is hard for me.  I am a bit of a control freak and want to do it all. My health is taking a hit because of it.

I am excited my Smash book came in and I got started on it.  Document my progress in the health journey.  Add some great things that make me smile.  I need the reminder of how far I have come.
 I will update you as I move forward with my Smash Book.


Removing not Losing!

Enough Said!

Tracking Sheet

Lets start at the beginning

Dec 2012 - I have had enough!  My aunt pointed me and I searched for a plan I could do forever.  This is not a diet - I have to do it for life.  Jan 2013 I did my first Whole30 - thanks for the book It Starts With Food.  Here is the great results I had.  Melissa and Dallas wanted to post my results on the website.
http://whole9life.com/2013/02/whole30-succes-kari-h/

Feb 2013 was an on and off month.  Hurt my knee and foot.  Had to learn what didn't work again.

As I right today I am down 22 lbs total and still feel proud of what I have done.  I need to focus again and get back to healthy.  I have a trip to Mexico in May.

With my Wildtree business it is easy to make healthy foods with great seasoning.  :)
More to come!