Monthly Milestones {12}

Today is my twelfth time, and last for the year, running my monthly feature where I will be giving you updates on how I am doing physically, mentally, etc. and in which you can link up a post about some form of progress you are making, if you wish (see details below). I am enjoying this, and being publicly accountable (as hard as it is) will and is helping me out tremendously.  I hope you enjoy this link-up as well, will link up something inspiring and share it with others so that we can meet our goals together! :)

Here is how I am doing as of today:

Me today, December 6, 2014, at 230.5 lbs.






1. I've gained a little.  Much to my chagrin, my weight has gone up again.  I've technically only gained 0.7 lbs., but I round to the nearest 1/2 lb., so my 230.4 lbs. is rounded to 230.5 lbs.  Anyway, I could blame my weight gain on a lot of things outside my control, but I won't do that.  I know I've not been sleeping as well, I know we've eaten more "quick and convenient" meals vs. healthy ones, and there's been a lot of stress.  I know that it doesn't matter how crazy life gets, I have to eat right and make sure I get some form of exercise or I pay for it later, and I just haven't been diligent about that this last month.  Not only has this lack of taking true care of myself shown in a weight gain, it shows in the amount of pain I've been facing, trouble sleeping, IBS symptoms, etc.  I will definitely be working more on taking care of me, even when life gets nuts, because I have to.
     
2. I am still trying to walk daily, at least during the week days.  On preschool days (Monday - Thursday), I get about 20 minutes of walking in.  I try my best to do at least one chore per day that requires more effort (i.e. vacuuming/sweeping, laundry (all parts of that), scrubbing the bathroom, shoveling snow).  It doesn't always happen, but it's a goal of mine.  I also try to get a walk in when it's not too cold on non-preschool days.  Again, that doesn't always happen, but it is a goal.
        
3. Physically, I'm not at my best.  You can read more about this here.  I pretty much just feel "off" most of the time, and have been dealing with more pain (in my breasts and my back and in relation to headaches/migraines), general fatigue (sometimes overwhelming) and still having that weird swallowing thing when I have a lot of phlegm especially (like right now since I think I'm starting to get a cold or something).  My brother and his wife just sent me a book to read that may help with all of this (Thanks again, John and Patty!  Love you!).  We shall see!  Prayers appreciated.  It can get really hard to stay positive and upbeat, especially when all the tests have come back "within normal" but they agree that something is going on, they just can't find it.  Thanks so much!
       
4. I've decided to keep doing Monthly Milestones indefinitely.  I know the interest in this link-up is varied, but that doesn't change the fact that it is good for me.  I'll keep it up for, because I need it.  I may change the look a little or even just take the link-up part out of it (not sure yet or that one, but probably not), but I'll keep it around.  If it helps encourage one other person on the planet, it's worth it! :)
      
5. I'm starting to find my new groove with my blogs.  I don't know how many of the new changes that I wanted to make will happen (I've been re-thinking some of them), but I'm starting to figure out when I can blog and when I can't.  I want to post new recipes on Natural and Free weekly, but it doesn't always happen, and may not.  I can aim for at least once a month, though, for now.  I'm trying to post at least once here, too, between Monthly Milestones' posts, but that doesn't always happen either.  I'll be working on that. :)  I still want guests on both blogs from time to time, I still want to do link-ups from time to time, and so many other things.  I'm still working on getting my old, but now watermarked images up here, too.  It's been so busy, but Christmas break is coming, and I'm hoping to get a lot done then.  We shall see! :)  Don't give up on me yet! LOL :D

Before I sign off, I wanted to show you my "year in review" as far as Monthly Milestones goes.  Here's what this last year has looked like:

I know 4.5 lbs. isn't a ton, but it's something! :)  I'll take it, and hope that next year it will be at least double that.  We shall see!  I want to thank all of you who have supported me along the way.  Your support has meant so much more than you know.  The days I felt like giving up, I'd think of all of you out there cheering me on and praying for me, and it made all the difference.  Thank you so much for being there!



How are you doing?  Are you reaching your goals?  Have you tried something new?  Come up with a new recipe?  I hope all is going well with you, and I hope you will link-up a post telling me all about it or even leave a comment sharing your thoughts.  As always, I wish you the best of luck in all you do, and hope you will return soon! :)

~*~*~*~

Now It's Your Turn!

An InLinkz Link-up

~*~*~*~

Grab A Badge!

<a href="http://fibrofitandfab.blogspot.com/ "><https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNmUhTSlpOxfOpGDyXJst9dkiDqBqgSGdfhObur1lpWZ_4a_pWxgYNH5E0tXHp5t934FHrdvbvE1k7Vmz6zqUfxrXE_b_Ce5GQn6xDwyPTr8zY9CdAooWYhjbhOOf0aWENLNuuc43IKU/s800/monthlymilestonesbadge.jpg" /></a><p style="text-align: center; clear: both;" class="separator"> <a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgis0wF08dgw1pohNe51adV3Q-pTwapBMHM1f_SBJZZHXb46NxCcL7SOsJVqmHUXiKSviPAAqhGBkzYp8XIcV-cZNxEOGpaxy49Fp9ACS-ZN-oLqUGPFaSnI9BYX6ZZJTpqrZFPLd9h4M/s1600/julieff%2526f.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img tabIndex="-1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgis0wF08dgw1pohNe51adV3Q-pTwapBMHM1f_SBJZZHXb46NxCcL7SOsJVqmHUXiKSviPAAqhGBkzYp8XIcV-cZNxEOGpaxy49Fp9ACS-ZN-oLqUGPFaSnI9BYX6ZZJTpqrZFPLd9h4M/s320/julieff%2526f.jpg" width="320" height="160"></a></p>

(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

Thanksgiving Round-Up!

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving, everyone!  Though I don't have a new Thanksgiving recipe for you, I do want to share some of my favorite Thanksgiving and Autumnal recipes with you all, and give you the chance to share some of yours, too.  You can even share Thanksgiving or Autumnal posts, crafts, photos - anything related to Thanksgiving or Autumn or being thankful.  And there's NO LIMIT to how many posts you can link-up, so feel free to share as many as you like! :)  Don't forget to check out some of the other wonderful things linked up, and to tell your friends.  The more the merrier! :)

Now, onto some of my Thanksgiving favorites.  Though most of us associate Thanksgiving with turkey (and I do, too), I decided to forego that obvious entry and focus mainly on sides and desserts.  I am not going to get into the "left overs" category either, but you can feel free to link-up some of those, if you wish. :)  Anyway, I will be sharing my favorites in a few categories: Traditional Thanksgiving Sides (Made Allergy-Friendly), Alternative Thanksgiving Sides, Traditional Thanksgiving Desserts (Made Allergy-Friendly), and Alternative Thanksgiving Desserts.  Here we go!

~*~ Traditional Thanksgiving Sides ~*~

(Made Allergy-Friendly) 

Green Bean Casserole 

Soy, Fish, Nut and Egg-Free, Can Be Milk and Wheat-Free)

This is one of my favorite sides ever.  No Thanksgiving would be complete without green bean casserole in my book.  This recipe is very good and can even be made with other veggies (like broccoli) instead of green beans, if you desire.  

~*~ Alternative Thanksgiving Sides ~*~

Cranberry Apple Salad

(Soy, Egg, Fish and Wheat-Free, Can Be Nut and Milk-Free)

If you're looking for something a bit different, but still in season, this great salad fits the bill perfectly!  It has your sweet and crunchy and a little bit of tart, too.  It's one of my favorite salads to date!

Pumpkin Muffins

(Soy, Fish and Nut-Free, Can Be Milk-Free)

These could be either dessert or side, but 100% delicious either way!  They are a favorite anywhere I take them.  If you love pumpkin cake, pumpkin bread or pumpkin-flavored things, you will adore these!

~*~ Traditional Thanksgiving Desserts ~*~

(Made Allergy-Friendly) 

Pecan Pie

(Soy and Fish-Free)

This is, by far, my favorite traditional Thanksgiving pie ever.  The recipe listed is not super allergy-friendly, however, you can use the ingredient substitutions page to find ways to make it more allergy-friendly if you need it to be.  You can use gluten-free crust if you need it to be gluten-free.  You can use dairy-free butter and my simple pie crust recipe if you need it to be dairy-free.  The only thing you'd not be able to make it is probably egg and nut-free.  You could use another type of nut, though, such as walnut or almond, if you could have those and not pecans.

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Pie

(Soy, Nut and Fish-Free, Can Be Egg, Milk and Wheat-Free and Diabetic Friendly)

This is a great apple pie recipe.  You can leave the cinnamon off the top of the crust if you want it to be more "traditional" or if you just don't like a lot of cinnamon, too.  I am going to make a modification of this recipe this year.  It will be the same basic pie, but with a crumble top.  YUM!  When I get that recipe done, I'm sharing, I promise! :)

~*~ Alternative Thanksgiving Sides ~*~

Pumpkin Smoothies

(Soy, Fish, Nut, Egg and Wheat-Free, Can Be Milk-Free and Diabetic Friendly)

I honestly am not a fan of pumpkin pie.  Never have been.  However, this I like.  It tastes very similar to pumpkin pie without the crust.  It is a great alternative for those who want the flavor of pumpkin pie in a more allergy-friendly form.

~*~*~*~

I hope you have this post has given you some more allergy-friendly ideas for Thanksgiving.  I have plenty of other desserts and sides (and other things) that you could definitely use for your allergy-friendly Thanksgiving feast, which you can find using the tabs above (the ones that say "breakfast/brunch", "desserts", etc.) or by searching my blog for them using the "search this blog" bar on the right.  Feel free to send me an email if you need more ideas, too.  I'm more than happy to help! :)

Again, please take a moment to link-up your Thanksgiving, Autumn or being thankful posts below.  I can't wait to see what you share! :)

~*~ Now It's Your Turn! ~*~

An InLinkz Link-up

(This post was originally posted on Natural and Free.)

I'll Take Your Way

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

~*~*~*~

Isaiah 55 (KJV)

55 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

² Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

³ Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

⁴ Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

⁵ Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

⁶ Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

¹² For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

¹³ Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

~*~*~*~

These verses, especially the one in bold above, have meant a little more to me as of late than they have in the past.  They fill my heart with a peace and joy that is hard to explain, but I'll definitely try.

It all started back a few years ago when I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  Back then I thought very little about God's plan for my life where illness and suffering were concerned.  I thought that Fibro was a bump in the road, and that surely God didn't plan it to be in my life - it just was.  I have realized since then that, though God is not the cause of our suffering (that ultimately is caused by sin), He does allow it for reasons that are sometimes only known to Him.

How can I say that?  Well, my thinking on this began to change drastically back in June.  Though I've only alluded to it in my Monthly Milestones posts, my health has been a challenge, especially since June.  I've had more sensitivities to foods (IBS is a daily occurrence if I don't watch what I eat), exercise or a lack thereof is affecting my strength and fatigue levels more than ever, and the amount of migraines I've been having has risen exponentially, and they are lasting longer, too.  I've had tests for bleeding disorders because I'm bruising easier, I had an ASCUS pap in July (which was of no concern after further looking into it), I've been diagnosed with Fibrocystic Breast Disease or Fibrosis (Hurray for no cancer, but I still have to be diligent to check for new/growing lumps.  I have to go back in a year, sooner if I notice something new, but no surgery or biopsies for now.), and have recently had some issues feeling like I was swallowing around a lump in my throat which I have to keep an eye on (they think it is allergy/illness related and caused by excess phlegm, not thyroid, since it seems to be improving).  I've even been having random 99 range temperatures more often than not.  I feel very much like a freak of nature, and I have found myself asking God "why?" a lot.

You see, I let myself get to the point where I got angry.  I found myself looking around at all the healthy people.  I found myself looking in the mirror and being upset that I can't lose weight like "normal" people or that I can't seem to get and stay healthy.  I was feeling picked on, and I let God know it.  I quite simply cried out to Him with, "Really, Lord?  Really?  But I have plans!  I have goals!  I want to serve You and take care of my family!  Is that so wrong?  Why have you left me so helpless?"

Oh, yah.  I went there. 

And you know what He whispered back?  "I know you have plans...But you never thought to ask about Mine."

Ouch.

No, I hadn't thought about God's plans.  I couldn't see what His purpose was for allowing me to face such darkness.  I didn't see how light could come from trial.  Sometimes, I still struggle to see it.  Truth be told, it still looks like dark.  I feel like a little child alone in a dark room, waiting for the monsters to come out of the closet.

Here's the thing that God has been showing me, though.  He is showing me that He has chosen me to walk through the dark.  He is asking me to take the scary path.  I don't know why, but I do know this: The path that I want to go down of good health and service is NOT the path that I think it is.

You see, I see the easy path.  You know the one.  The one with the flowers and no twists and turns.  It is well lit and beautiful, and it looks perfect.  But, that's just it: It just looks perfect.  I can't see that it leads to a drop off that will put me in great danger. I can only see the immediate.  It is not the right path for me.

God's path for me looks a bit like the things nightmares are made of.  It looks like that scary dark room, and I'm that little child who is freaking out looking at all the shadows.  I've cried out to God, my Father, and asked Him to turn on the lights, only to find that He is offering a flashlight to illuminate only a little at a time.

"See?" He says, "That's not a monster.  It's a rocking chair.  It's where I will sit and hold you when you cry, need comfort, or when you need some time alone with Me."

He shines His light in another dark corner and says, "And that's nothing to fear.  It's just a pile of books that will teach you many wonderful things."

The lights go out again, and I realize that the shapes in the dark are not what they seem to be.  They are things that will be or are sources of comfort and learning.  The light, His light, shows us that the things that go bump in the night are not what they appear - they are things for our learning and our joy...if we don't give into the fear.

Best yet?  God is there with us to hold our hands, just like any good parent would do for a frightened child.  And you know what?  I am just such a child.  I have been frightened of the unknown, I've wanted the lights on, I've wanted the easy and the known, but that's not what God has for me.  He has a plan that will be more beautiful, more amazing, and more wonderful than I could ever imagine...If I'm willing to trust Him.

So, here is where I am.  I am in the dark with a flashlight, holding onto God's hand as tightly as I can.  I don't know what's in the dark.  I am admittedly a bit afraid, but God is showing me that He is there, and it is His plan.  I will come through it better than I could ever imagine, if I just hold onto Him, even if the results seem scary and bad, they aren't.  They are lessons to be learned that can be learned no other way.  They are the way to greatness and love that is beyond understanding.  They are His thoughts and His ways...and I trust Him.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers.  I've gotten very few answers regarding my health, but tests have come back "normal" or "inconclusive", and we just have to wait and see.  God has given me some encouraging things to help me along my dark path (like great prayer warrior friends and amazing family), and for that I am grateful.  I am humbled that He'd choose me to go through these things, and so very grateful He's with me each step of the way.

(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

Monthly Milestones {11}

Today is my eleventh time running my monthly feature where I will be giving you updates on how I am doing physically, mentally, etc. and in which you can link up a post about some form of progress you are making, if you wish (see details below). I am enjoying this, and being publicly accountable (as hard as it is) will and is helping me out tremendously.  I hope you enjoy this link-up as well, will link up something inspiring and share it with others so that we can meet our goals together! :)

Here is how I am doing as of yesterday:





Me as of today, November 1, 1014, at 229.5 lbs.

1. I've lost a little.  My weight has been kind of stair stepping down this month.  I'd lose about a quarter pound, gain half, lose 1 pound, gain half, etc.  I am glad that I ended up half pound lighter by the end of the month, and can hope that next month it is more than that. :)  I'll keep plugging away! :)
     
2. I am still trying to walk daily, at least during the week days.  The weather is definitely colder and yuckier.  I normally get only the walks in that it takes to get my daughter too and from school, but sometimes I get more.  I'm hoping that my body will let me continue to walk because I miss it when I don't get them in.  We shall see!  If not, me thinks I need to try to get some time in with the Wii Fit. :)
        
3. My system is still gaining sensitivities to certain foods.  Basically, I am finding that I have very little tolerance for foods on my "don't eat too much of this" list.  I am having more and more IBS-type symptoms when I do, and even experiencing more migraines (though I cannot 100% link the migraines to the foods vs. weather).  It has been interesting to say the least.  I guess I just better start being really good whether I want to or not! LOL :D
       
4. I'm slowly starting some of the changes on my blogs, and not all of them for good reasons.  I'm still insanely busy and been dealing with some health issues that I will explain more in the next point, so I haven't gotten to any of the real fun changes that I have planned for here or on Natural and Free.  I have, however, found that some people have been taking my free Fibro and inspirational images and modifying them or changing the link to them so that I am not getting the traffic from them or the credit for them. People are even marketing them as their own work.  This means that I will be adding a watermark of sorts to them, that I've had to contact some sites about either removing my content or giving me credit, and a few other things. 
   
   Let me be clear: I want my images to be free to use for personal use, and I want you all to have easy access.  However, using my images without giving me credit, editing them without permission and calling them yours is STEALING.  Don't do it. 
   
   If you are a blog, business, etc. who wants to use one of my images, especially if you would like some changes made, contact me FIRST before using them.  I will be flattered you want to use them, though I do like to know which blogs, businesses, etc. want to use my images and have the right to say no for reasons of my own choosing.  Please respect that.  If you do not, I will ask that you remove the images, or I will contact who I have to to report the theft of my intellectual property, and no one wants that. :)
   
   If anyone (business, blog, person, or otherwise) wants to modify the images, email me, and I will modify them for you or discuss the terms of you modifying them.  I am more than happy to modify images according to my terms and open to suggestions about new ones.
   
   My images are not to be sold or used for profit without express permission from me.  If I have to, I will remove the images and make them "by request" only, but I don't want to have to do that.  Thank you all for understanding. :)
      
5. I'm going through some medical testing right now.  About 3 weeks ago or so, I found a lump in my right breast.  I have also developed tenderness and some swelling in my left breast.  I had a mammogram on both breasts and ultrasound on the lump in the right breast on Thursday, October 30th, 2014, and hope to get the results from that some time next week.  Breast cancers, benign cysts, lumps, etc. run very high in my family, so neither I nor my doctor are taking this lightly.  I had a physical 3 1/2 months ago or so and felt no lump or tenderness then (and even as little as a month and a half ago I felt nothing either), so even if this is the "worst case", we feel like we've found it very quickly.  Of that I am grateful.  Prayers and thoughts appreciated as we wait on results and then decided on next steps.  Thank you!  I will keep you all posted.



That about sums it up for now.  How are you doing?  Are you reaching your goals?  Have you tried something new?  Come up with a new recipe?  I hope all is going well with you, and I hope you will link-up a post telling me all about it or even leave a comment sharing your thoughts.  As always, I wish you the best of luck in all you do, and hope you will return soon! :)

~*~*~*~

Now It's Your Turn!

An InLinkz Link-up

~*~*~*~

Grab A Badge!

<a href="http://fibrofitandfab.blogspot.com/ "><https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNmUhTSlpOxfOpGDyXJst9dkiDqBqgSGdfhObur1lpWZ_4a_pWxgYNH5E0tXHp5t934FHrdvbvE1k7Vmz6zqUfxrXE_b_Ce5GQn6xDwyPTr8zY9CdAooWYhjbhOOf0aWENLNuuc43IKU/s800/monthlymilestonesbadge.jpg" /></a><p style="text-align: center; clear: both;" class="separator"> <a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgis0wF08dgw1pohNe51adV3Q-pTwapBMHM1f_SBJZZHXb46NxCcL7SOsJVqmHUXiKSviPAAqhGBkzYp8XIcV-cZNxEOGpaxy49Fp9ACS-ZN-oLqUGPFaSnI9BYX6ZZJTpqrZFPLd9h4M/s1600/julieff%2526f.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img tabIndex="-1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgis0wF08dgw1pohNe51adV3Q-pTwapBMHM1f_SBJZZHXb46NxCcL7SOsJVqmHUXiKSviPAAqhGBkzYp8XIcV-cZNxEOGpaxy49Fp9ACS-ZN-oLqUGPFaSnI9BYX6ZZJTpqrZFPLd9h4M/s320/julieff%2526f.jpg" width="320" height="160"></a></p>

(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

Carrot Cake Bread (Soy, Fish and Milk-Free, Can Be Nut, Egg and Wheat-Free)



Hello, everyone!  I know - it's been a long time since my last post, and I deeply regret that.  My daughter's healing from her surgery took a month or so since she had to have a second surgery due to a post tonsillectomy hemorrhage.  After that, it was getting ready for back-to-school, illness and a myriad of other things.  I've wanted to and meant to post a new recipe so many times between the last one and this, and I just haven't been able to for one reason or another.  I'm hoping that I can post more often (I have several that I have tried out and just need to type up), but I can't promise.  Life happens, and not always as we expect.  I hope, however, that this recipe was worth the wait! :D

This recipe is a twist on my Zucchini Bread recipe.  It reminds me of carrot cake without the frosting, hence the name.  I'm sure you could make it in a cake pan and frost it and have a delicious carrot cake, too. :)  I hope you like it!

Please note that this recipe is soy-free if you use all soy-free ingredients, and is fish and milk-free.  It can also be nut, egg and wheat-free (see variations).

Carrot Cake Bread

3 Cups soy-free flour (white or wheat will work, though I prefer whole wheat for this recipe)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

3 eggs

1/2 Cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 Cup soy-free, unsweetened, natural applesauce

2 1/4 Cups sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla

1/2 to 1 Cup grated carrots

2 Cups grated zucchini (DO NOT DRAIN!)

1/2 to 1 Cups pecan pieces

1. Grease and flour two 8x4 pans (To keep this recipe milk-free and soy-free, use olive oil or lard to grease the pan. If you don't need to keep it milk-free, use full-fat, salted butter.).

2. Preheat the oven to 325^oF.

3. Mix flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon together in a medium bowl; set aside.

4. In another large bowl, beat eggs, oil, applesauce, sugar and vanilla until well blended.

5. Add dry ingredients to the creamed sugar mixture and beat well.

6. Stir in zucchini and carrots until well combined. (Note: The grated zucchini should be very wet - DO NOT DRAIN! The moisture is needed.  Amount of carrots is based on personal preference.)

7. Stir in the pecan pieces (amount is based on personal preference) until evenly distributed.

8. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 55 - 70 minutes or until tester/toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Cool loaves in pans on wire rack for 20 minutes before removing the bread from the pans.

10. Allow the bread to cool completely on the wire rack before enjoying.

Variations (Please keep your individual allergy and dietary needs in mind when using substitutions.):

• Nut-Free: Leave out the pecans and prepare as directed.
    
• Egg-Free: Use an egg replacer or try one of the ingredient substitution ideas for eggs listed here.
   
• Wheat/Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free or baking mix of your choice for the flour.  You can even use gluten-free flour/baking mix to flour the pans with.  Note that this substitution will change the texture of the bread (no matter what kind you use), and may require 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum or ground flaxseed for textural purposes.
     
• Stir-In Ideas/Substitutes: Use walnuts, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, raisins, apple, crushed pineapple, chocolate chips (Enjoy Life is a great allergy-friendly option), etc. for the pecans or along with them.  I would not recommend using more than 1 Cup total add-ins, so make sure that the amount of pecans, raisins, pumpkin seeds, etc. does not exceed 1 Cup total.  Also, if you use crushed pineapple, you will not want to use more than 1/2 Cup and may want to leave out the applesauce.  Make sure you drain the pineapple well, as it will increase the moisture content by a lot.  If you want to use both applesauce and pineapple, reduce the applesauce to 1/4 Cup and use 1/4 Cup crushed pineapple.
     
• Less Zucchini Bread: If you don't want so much zucchini, you can reduce the zucchini to 1 Cup.  You do not have to increase the amount of carrot if you do this.

• Carrot Cake: Bake this recipe in a 13x9 pan instead of loaf pans and cook at 325^oF for 40-45 minutes or until a tester/toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Top with Sweetened Whipped Cream or frost with Vanilla Buttercream or the Cream Cheese Frosting Listed below if desired. You can also top it with chopped walnuts or pecans if desired.  Note: You can try your hand at making a soy-free version of cream cheese from scratch if you like (I've not tried it, so I can't vouch for the taste, though.). You can also try using a dairy-free, soy-free "butter" (Earth Balance has one) if you want to make the buttercream dairy and soy-free. There is a recipe for a dairy and soy-free "cream cheese" frosting here, but I've never tried it, so I cannot vouch for the taste. You can also just dust the cake with powdered sugar or eat it plain as well.

Cream Cheese Frosting

(Adapted from a recipe on allrecipes.com submitted by Janni to be egg, fish, wheat, and nut-free)

1 package cream cheese (8 oz.), softened

1/4 Cup full-fat, salted butter, softened

1-1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of salt

1 to 2 Cups powdered sugar

1. Cream butter and cream cheese in a medium bowl until creamy.

2. Mix in vanilla and salt until well blended.

3. Gradually stir in the powdered sugar until well incorporated.

4. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Variation:

• Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 Cup cocoa powder with the powdered sugar.

Looks good, right?  I promise; it is!

~*~*~*~

What's your favorite bread?

Do you like sweet or savory breads better?

What's your favorite autumnal recipe or activity?

(This recipe was originally posted on my original site, Natural and Free.)

Monthly Milestones {10}

I know this is a few days late, and I apologize.  It was a very crazy weekend, and we were not home, and I have not had a chance to put this up until today.  My plan had been to put this up Friday, and when that didn't happen, the plan was Sunday, but all I managed to accomplish was getting my picture taken, so...today is the day!  Again, I apologize.  Better late than never, though, right? :)

Anyway, today is my tenth time running my monthly feature where I will be giving you updates on how I am doing physically, mentally, etc. and in which you can link up a post about some form of progress you are making, if you wish (see details below). I am enjoying this, and being publicly accountable (as hard as it is) will and is helping me out tremendously.  I hope you enjoy this link-up as well, will link up something inspiring and share it with others so that we can meet our goals together! :)

Here is how I am doing as of yesterday:





Me on October 5, 2014 at 230 lbs.

1. My weight has essentially stayed the same.  My weight has fluxed a little between about 229 and 231, eventually tapering off to just above 230 (230.2 lbs. according to Wii Fit).  To say I have not been frustrated would be an understatement, but I can not be completely upset either.  I mean, I haven't been riding the roller coaster of weight loss and gain, so that's a start!  I'll keep plugging away! :)
     
2. I am still able to walk a little pretty much daily!  Since my daughter has started preschool, I am able to walk Monday through Thursday for about 15 minutes or so each day.  When I can walk more than that after school is done and it is not raining, hubby and I try to get out and walk.  It's been raining a LOT here lately, so we've not been able to do a lot of extra walking, but today is looking nicer so hopefully we can today and other days when the weather behaves. :)
        
3. My system is getting more and more sensitive to certain foods.  Here's what I know: garlic in any form, raw onion, corn products of any type, too many grains, too much processed sugar (honey is fast becoming my go-to sweetener), soy in any form, too much pre-made foods or highly processed foods, or too many foods that are fried or considered junk are BAD.  My body is letting me know very quickly that I cannot eat these things.  I get IBS-type symptoms, migraines, pain or all of the above.  Not worth it.  Sometimes, eating out or having limited choices happens, and I have to pick the lesser of the evils, but I have a feeling that there will come a point where I cannot do this.  I have a very short list of things I can eat when dining out, and if I stray from it, it is a bad day.  I hope the list doesn't get too much shorter, but it just might.  We shall see!
       
4. The exciting plans for my blogs will happen...just not any time soon. I've been more than a little busy with family, schooling, writing for the local paper, church and other things (including illness), and have not been able to post or make any more changes here or on Natural and Free.  This doesn't mean I have forgotten about you all (trust me, I wish I could post more, but the time just has not been available), it just means that life - family, church and responsibilities outside the online realm - have to have priority, and when that gets crazy, the blogs suffer.  I will find a routine that  makes blogging easier; I just haven't found it yet! :)  Thanks for your patience! :)
      
5. I've been in a fair amount of pain for weeks now.  Between migraines, IBS-symptoms and body aches or stiffness, I've had a really hard time pain-wise.  Part of it is the stormy weather.  Part of it is this new extra sensitivity to foods.  Part of it is doing too much and feeling overwhelmed.  It has caused a whirlwind of emotion for me, especially frustration.  I just want to function normally, and I don't.  When I hurt, the Fibro Fog is worse, the emotions go into hyper drive, and the world spins out of control.  There is a grieving process involved with that.  I grieve the loss of me.  I know that at times like this, I need to be in the Bible more and praying more, and it does help.  I don't know why God has chosen this valley for me, but He has, and He walks through it with me.  Just pray I don't lose sight of that. :)  Thanks!



That's all for now, I suppose, and again I apologize for being so late in getting this up.  How are you doing?  Are you reaching your goals?  Have you tried something new?  Come up with a new recipe?  I hope all is going well with you, and I hope you will link-up a post telling me all about it or even leave a comment sharing your thoughts.  As always, I wish you the best of luck in all you do, and hope you will return soon! :)

~*~*~*~

Now It's Your Turn!

An InLinkz Link-up

~*~*~*~

Grab A Badge!

<a href="http://fibrofitandfab.blogspot.com/ "><https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNmUhTSlpOxfOpGDyXJst9dkiDqBqgSGdfhObur1lpWZ_4a_pWxgYNH5E0tXHp5t934FHrdvbvE1k7Vmz6zqUfxrXE_b_Ce5GQn6xDwyPTr8zY9CdAooWYhjbhOOf0aWENLNuuc43IKU/s800/monthlymilestonesbadge.jpg" /></a><p style="text-align: center; clear: both;" class="separator"> <a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgis0wF08dgw1pohNe51adV3Q-pTwapBMHM1f_SBJZZHXb46NxCcL7SOsJVqmHUXiKSviPAAqhGBkzYp8XIcV-cZNxEOGpaxy49Fp9ACS-ZN-oLqUGPFaSnI9BYX6ZZJTpqrZFPLd9h4M/s1600/julieff%2526f.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img tabIndex="-1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgis0wF08dgw1pohNe51adV3Q-pTwapBMHM1f_SBJZZHXb46NxCcL7SOsJVqmHUXiKSviPAAqhGBkzYp8XIcV-cZNxEOGpaxy49Fp9ACS-ZN-oLqUGPFaSnI9BYX6ZZJTpqrZFPLd9h4M/s320/julieff%2526f.jpg" width="320" height="160"></a></p>

(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

Fibromyalgia Infographic {Courtesy of MBA-Healthcare-Management.com}

Awhile ago, I was sent an email regarding a Fibromyalgia infographic*, and I am just now getting the time to share it with you (Thanks for sending it my way, Skylar!).  If you follow this link, you can find a way to share it on your blog, Facebook page, etc., if you wish.  You can also find some more information there on Fibromyalgia, as well.  

I don't think this covers everything about Fibromyalgia by any stretch, but I think that's mainly because we are still learning about it.  I can tell you, though, this infographic is one of the most thorough I've seen, and would be very helpful to share with someone wondering what Fibromyalgia is or what all is involved in trying to manage it, diagnose it, etc.  Definitely worth sharing! :)

Source: MBA-Healthcare-Management.com

~*~*~*~

Fellow Fibro sufferers, what information would you want added to this infographic if a revision was to be made in future?

What questions do you think this doesn't answer that would be helpful to have answers to?

*I was not paid or otherwise compensated to share this infographic, nor do I work for nor necessarily agree with everything done by or come up with from MBA-Healthcare-Management.com or their associates.  I am only sharing this infographic because I thought it would be of benefit to you, my readers.  Your decision to share it is your own and will not result in me or yourself receiving any sort of benefits, pay, or other form of compensation from MBA-Healthcare-Management.com or their associates.

(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

Monthly Milestones {9}

Today is my ninth time running my monthly feature where I will be giving you updates on how I am doing physically, mentally, etc. and in which you can link up a post about some form of progress you are making, if you wish (see details below). I am enjoying this, and being publicly accountable (as hard as it is) will and is helping me out tremendously.  I hope you enjoy this link-up as well, will link up something inspiring and share it with others so that we can meet our goals together! :)

Here is how I am doing as of today:





Me as of today, September 6, 2014, at 230 lbs.

  

1. My weight has been all over the map this month, ending in a 1 lb. weight gain.  So, my weight has been up and down like a roller coaster (literally) this month.  At one point, I was up around 236 lbs.  Yah, not my finest hour...  This last week, though, my weight has been steadily dropping, so that is a plus!  I have found that I MUST eat as little processed food as possible, mostly proteins and non-grains and very little refined sugar in order to lose weight.  It is a struggle because I love me some pretzels, but I can't have them very often or in large amounts if I want my weight to go down.  It is what it is.  I will keep plugging away, and hopefully next month I will have a weight loss to report! :D
     
2. Hubby and I are still walking almost daily!  We normally walk for at least 15 minutes, closer to an hour if we can manage, sometimes even longer.  We walk whenever we can.  The only time we don't is when it is raining too hard to do so.  I'm not sure what we'll do when it starts snowing, but I plan on walking as long as the windchill is in a safe range and it isn't blizzarding outside.  I truly feel awful when I can't walk, so I know that will help motivate me to keep it up even when it is cold outside.
        
3. I'm still working on what I can and can't eat.  The only thing new I've cemented for sure is that grains in more than one or 2 servings (and generally it is more than 1) a day for me = weight gain.  I have also found I have to avoid corn most of the time.  I can enjoy carbs, but I have to be VERY selective about which ones.  I can eat fruit and honey more often than say limited ingredient chips, pretzels, pasta or bread and cane sugar, too.  I try to keep myself focused on protein and veggies, though.  Also, processed/pre-made/fast foods are pretty much a no-go unless I'm very picky about brands, amounts, etc.   It's not easy for me to follow all of these "rules", but if I stray too much from them, I have stomach issues, headaches, weight gain, etc. so hopefully that will motivate me enough to stay away.  Overall, I'm figuring out what works for me and what doesn't.
       
4. I am still working on those exciting plans for my blogs! As you have probably noticed, I've been very busy and have not been able to post or make any more changes here or on Natural and Free. I still have other plans in the works, but I have no idea when I will be able to implement them. Thanks for your patience! :)
      
5. School is back in full swing and going quite well!  Our first week of homeschool via online school is done, and went very well!  My Sean got 100% on his first spelling test, which is completely awesome, and doing well overall, and Stephen is doing amazingly with his coursework, too.  I'm so proud of them!  Elaina is due to start preschool in a few weeks, and is beyond excited!  She won't be having the teacher we expected (which totally bums me out), but we have every hope that she will have an amazing teacher. :)  We shall see! Oh, and I've even got to Admin some groups for my boys' school on Facebook, so that's been exciting!  It's a way for me to help other Learning Coaches (LCs) and students when it comes to schooling stuff, and that's right up my alley. :)  All in all, I'd say back-to-school is off to a chaotic, but good start!

My crazy kiddos on the boys' first day of school.  Don't they all look ready for learnin'?!?! :D



That's all for now, I suppose.  How are you doing?  Are you reaching your goals?  Have you tried something new?  Come up with a new recipe?  I hope all is going well with you, and I hope you will link-up a post telling me all about it or even leave a comment sharing your thoughts.  As always, I wish you the best of luck in all you do, and hope you will return soon! :)

~*~*~*~

Now It's Your Turn!

An InLinkz Link-up

~*~*~*~

Grab A Badge!

<a href="http://fibrofitandfab.blogspot.com/ "><https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNmUhTSlpOxfOpGDyXJst9dkiDqBqgSGdfhObur1lpWZ_4a_pWxgYNH5E0tXHp5t934FHrdvbvE1k7Vmz6zqUfxrXE_b_Ce5GQn6xDwyPTr8zY9CdAooWYhjbhOOf0aWENLNuuc43IKU/s800/monthlymilestonesbadge.jpg" /></a><p style="text-align: center; clear: both;" class="separator"> <a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgis0wF08dgw1pohNe51adV3Q-pTwapBMHM1f_SBJZZHXb46NxCcL7SOsJVqmHUXiKSviPAAqhGBkzYp8XIcV-cZNxEOGpaxy49Fp9ACS-ZN-oLqUGPFaSnI9BYX6ZZJTpqrZFPLd9h4M/s1600/julieff%2526f.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img tabIndex="-1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgis0wF08dgw1pohNe51adV3Q-pTwapBMHM1f_SBJZZHXb46NxCcL7SOsJVqmHUXiKSviPAAqhGBkzYp8XIcV-cZNxEOGpaxy49Fp9ACS-ZN-oLqUGPFaSnI9BYX6ZZJTpqrZFPLd9h4M/s320/julieff%2526f.jpg" width="320" height="160"></a></p>

(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade (Soy, Wheat, Nut, Fish, Egg and Milk-Free, Can Be Diabetic Friendly)

It's now August, and summer is nearing an end, however, it is still roasty toasty outside, and some days more than others.  I don't know about you, but on days like that, I want something cold and refreshing, and nothing screams that more than a frozen lemonade.  What's better than that?  Well, a frozen strawberry lemonade that is top 8 free, that's what! :)

This recipe is of my own design and beyond easy.  It is soy (if you use all soy-free ingredients), wheat, nut, fish, egg and milk-free.  Besides that, it is only a handful of ingredients (as little as 2), which is pretty awesome!  It can even been diabetic friendly (see variations).  Did I mention it is extremely delish, too?  No?  Well, it is!  You will not be disappointed! 

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

soy-free frozen strawberries, whole or sliced (no sugar added)

(Yes, they MUST be frozen)

soy-free lemonade

(here's a good, easy recipe if you need it: Sweet and Simple Homemade Lemonade)

sugar (optional)

1. Place desired amount (about a cup per person generally) frozen (yes, they MUST be frozen) strawberries into a blender.
      
2. Add enough lemonade to cover the fruit and blend until desired consistency. (Note: You may have to pulse the mix at first until it is slightly blended, then continue full boar.  I use "Ice Crush" mode normally, but you can play around with the buttons and see which works best for you. :)  Also, feel free to add more lemonade if the mixture is too thick or more strawberries if it is too thin.)
     
3. If your strawberries are extra tart, you may need to add a little sugar if you find the mix too sour and re-blend. (Note: Start with a tablespoon, blend, re-taste and add a teaspoon or so more at a time until you reach desired sweetness.)

And that's it!  Easy peasy lemon squeezy! :)  Just pour into a glass or glasses and enjoy!

Variations (Please keep your individual allergen needs in mind when using variations):

• Diabetic Friendly:  You can substitute a sugar-free lemonade and sugar substitute as needed for the lemonade and sugar in this recipe. 
    
• Alternate Sugars:  You can use a lemonade made with honey, maple syrup or some other natural sweetener, too, if you like instead of the lemonade listed and use honey, maple syrup or some other natural sweetener as needed for the sugar, as well.
    
• Other Fruits:  You can use any frozen fruit or berry that you like in place of the strawberries, such as raspberries, cherries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, etc.  You can use any mix of fruits and/or berries that you like, too.  If you want to use a fruit like watermelon that doesn't freeze well, just freeze the lemonade into ice cubes instead.  You will have to use the lemonade ice cubes, fruit and some liquid lemonade (and sugar, if needed) if using this option.
    
• Other Liquid: If you want, you can always use another liquid.  You can use any juice or combination that you like (see my Fruit Smoothie recipe).  You can also blend a juice like orange, limeade or pineapple with the lemonade, if desired.

And if you don't believe me that this recipe hits the spot, just ask my little girl:

Doing her favorite thing: Watching a show, eating popcorn (hulless popcorn in this case since she still can't have regular popcorn yet) and drinking a "smoothie" (in this case, Frozen Strawberry Lemonade) with her mommy. :)

Oh, yah!  We have a winner! :)

~*~*~*~

What's your favorite summer time, family friendly drink of choice?

What's your favorite way to cool off on a hot day?

What's your favorite lemonade flavor or smoothie flavor?

(This recipe was originally posted on my original site, Natural and Free.)