Merry Christmas!

Uncategorized, , , , ,

Christmas is a time when I feel so grateful for the many blessings in my life.

First, I am grateful for two beautiful daughters who’s smiles light up any room they walk into. Second, I am grateful for the ability and time to shop (thank goodness its done) for gifts to give my loved ones. Finally, I am grateful for a wonderful church service we attended last night. It brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart as it reminded me this holiday season is about giving gifts from the heart, about sharing time with loved ones and about devouring way too much warm, delicious food yet savoring every bite!

Today, please send me a note or just take a few moments to recall what you are thankful for and have been blessed with this holiday season.  And lastly, wishing you a very Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Needed Girl Time

Health Journey, Uncategorized, , ,

Sun, sand and ocean….Yes that was the theme for 5 days on a quick getaway with two dear friends!  We laughed, talked, cried, relaxed, swam and laughed some more!  Maybe had a fun, fruity drink in there too!  It was an experience the three of us will be talking and laughing about for months!  Already planning our trip for next year!  I did not realize how much a little girl time could change my perspective and make everything seem fun, refreshing and normal for a short period of time!  Oh memories really do last a lifetime!

Overall, December has been a good month for feeling better. Only one nap a day so life is good!  I will start a new treatment in January which I hear can be a bit rough, but I’m grateful for the short glimpse of how I can feel when my health is improving!  Cannot imagine what 100% feels like, but its getting closer!

Finally, don’t forget to make time for yourself today and even sneak away with some friends to experience the pure joy of friendship and learn what sun and laughter can do for one’s outlook!  Amazing!  Thank you girls!

85% Human

Health Journey, Uncategorized, , ,

Happy Almost Thanksgiving!  Still in surprise the holidays are almost upon us and yet it feels like 2015 just started! Ok, not just started, but its already November 22…Seriously – this year has flown by! So much to be thankful for this time of year…please remember to take a few moments to think about all the wonderful events, memories, people and opportunities that came your way!

I’m thankful for my strong, never failing, body.  I’m 6 weeks into my new treatments and feeling the effects, both good and bad, on a daily basis. When its a bad day, I wish I could just sleep, not move and sometimes not even think. When I do have energy, I’m happy, humble and, most of all, I feel about 85% human!  I’m grateful for the good days and am beginning to tolerate the bad days. Soon there will be more good days…

As I navigate the new waters, I’m humbled by my body’s response. I appreciate and am thankful my body hasn’t given up!   What I’ve found most helpful is to calm my mind, relax my body and just let the storm pass.  There’s a rainbow after every storm!

Be blessed, be safe and be thankful this Thanksgiving!

Don’t miss it!

Uncategorized, ,

Must attend seminar this Thursday!

Please join us for a powerful 45 minute seminar by the  “Lost in Health” author, attorney and Institute for integrative Nutrition certified health coach, Lori Paul. She will share her inspiring story of chronic illness as well as encourage and motivate you to take control of your own health and fitness journey.

Joining Lori is her co-presenter, Steve Donofrio – personal trainer, personal security expert and founder of LifeMusclePower™. Steve will inspire and educate you about what it means to be functionally fit through his very own LifeMusclePower™ exercise system.

Please join us for this FREE seminar:

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2015

Time: 10:00am – 10:45am

Place: FARE Hypnosis Center

8353 Crystal View Rd  Suite 201, Eden Prairie (just above Punch Pizza)

Cost: Absolutely FREE

If you cannot attend this Thursday, we have more seminars scheduled.  Contact me at powerup2health@gmail.com for specific dates and times!

Rough Road

Health Journey, , , ,

I love the fall season in Minnesota with the colorful leaves and the fall decorations like big spiders on people’s doors or scary things hanging from the entryways! Just love it.  Although it also means we are coming upon “Why do I live here season?”  Don’t get me wrong- I enjoy winter; however, I sometimes think I should live somewhere warmer and just enjoy winter from afar!  A girl can dream!

I started treatment for Lyme’s Disease two weeks ago and treatment for SIBO this past Monday.  Honestly, I have to admit – IT IS KICKING MY BUTT!  My doctor said both treatments could make me feel lousy!   Lousy is an understatement.  I generally have pretty high tolerance for anything but when my daughters have to put me to bed at nights, that’s when I know its been a rough road!  Battling with severe fatigue and abdominal pain, flu-like symptoms, RLS, blurred vision, night sweats, etc, etc, etc.  Remember this is only the physical side effects, my emotional and mental state is for another blog post!

I am still trying to find humor in all of this which was the case when I made my dad chuckle the other night when I talked to him.  He said he was worried about me.  So I told him I was worried about me too!  Thanks Dad! A little laughter goes a long way especially since this has been the toughest week yet.

On the bright side….. I hope I turned the corner today.  I was able to shower and get ready this morning without thinking how much time do I have to nap before starting my day!  I’m still severely fatigued, but a little more energy and a little less of everything else!  As I say in my book…I may not be where I want to be, but I’m doing the best I can right now!

“When life gets hard, challenge yourself to be stronger” –Unknown

I wish you a joy filled day today and may your Halloween be filled with lots of scary stories, chocolate candy and little smiles as the children run up to your door.

The Verdict is in

Health Journey, , , ,

It’s Lyme Disease.

I suspected I had Lyme’s for quite some time but now I have the proof.  I have to admit that after finding out, I had many days of sadness yet I was also grateful for knowing.  It’s definitely been mixed emotions.  We also found SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and new food allergies and sensitivities– I will comment on those more later!

According to Dr. Mark Hyman in 7 Strategies to Tackle Lyme Disease, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi by an infected tick transmitting the virus to humans.  Borrelia burgdorferi can affect the entire body, hiding from and suppressing one’s natural immune system. “Lyme infections literally hijack your immune system like AIDS.”  He also indicates its one of the most challenging and difficult situations in his practice because it mimics other illnesses.

“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out, its the pebble in your shoe.”  – Muhammad Ali

This may be the pebble.  This may just be the underlying issue. If so, I’m so elated because now I can start paving my road to recovery!

I’m grateful for Dr. Litchy. I’m grateful for his patience and expertise. I’m grateful for now knowing.

May you be blessed in your days too!

Lost in Health now available

Health Journey, , , , , ,

I did it!

I released my new book Lost in Health on Monday!  Exciting, nerve wrecking, but truly amazing and grateful for the overwhelming response and support I received!

It took a lot of courage to release the book especially since its my personal journey.  Having now completed the book and released it for the world to read, I feel confident and strong!  My hope is to inspire others to continue fighting for their health and well-being.  I hope to encourage people to keep moving forward, no matter how small the steps.

Remember your health matters, and its worth fighting for–live well, and experience the renewal that comes from refusing to give up!

Still Waiting…

Uncategorized

Happy Monday!

I’m excited to have found an amazing new doctor and have completed a couple rounds of tests already. With high hopes of some answers today, I went back to the doctor and unfortunately, the test results for Lyme’s was not completed yet.  Bummer!  Ok, big bummer!  For a secondary prize, we did review the other test results which leads back to my liver and my gut!

With the new information, he believes my liver is still the culprit and that I have and need to treat small intestinal bacteria overgrowth however he wants to complete a couple more tests to ensure this is actually true as well as determine how my food sensitivities have increased or decreased over the last year.

Definitely was hoping for more finite answers but am getting closer to something new every day!  I have a few more tests to complete and will return in 3 weeks for the next steps and yes, some answers too!

I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to be seen and treated by some great doctors!

Have a terrific week!

Summer Camp

Health Journey, , ,

Does anyone remember what it was like going to summer camp with your friends?

Well I do and it brings me back to my childhood when I would go to camp in my home town. It was called 3 day camp and it was so much fun.  No parents, fun counselors, lots of food and activities, campfire stories and bonding with friends!  We slept in bunk beds and stayed up for hours talking!  I miss those days!  Now that I think about…we should create a camp like that just for adults!  How much fun would that be….outdoor activities, comfort food, friends, campfires stories and songs!

Today I sent my oldest daughter, Ella, off to summer camp for 5 nights/6 days!  She’s been going to camp since she was 5 years old, but I have to admit, it doesn’t get less emotional the older she gets!  Yes, I held back tears but tears of joy!  She was so excited and I can 100% understand why! She’s going to love the time with friends up north!

Take time today to appreciate the small things like summer camps, counselors, campfires and friends!   Today, let go of your daily stresses and reflect back to the good old days of summer!

Aww…what a wonderful memory!

Juicing Recipes

Health Journey, , , , ,

Happy Monday!  Hope everyone enjoyed some BBQ’s, fireworks and family and friends this weekend!

Since I love juicing and feel so much more energized and just plain healthy when I have a homemade juice everyday, I thought I would share one of my favorite juicing recipes!

Just Beet It:

2 cups kale (stem removed)

2 cups spinach

1-cup romaine

1-cup celery

2 small cucumbers

½ -1 beet (cooked)

Couple leaves of parsley

¼ lemon

1 Tbsp. ginger

If you want more of a sweeter taste, add a few slices of apple or pineapple and you will sweeten the juice up!

Enjoy and have a terrific full first week of July 2015!