Caring Foodie: Monthly Milestones {10}

NOTICE

At the time of publication, all recipes were free of the allergens listed as being free of in the title (i.e. soy-free, milk-free, etc.), and all other information shared was accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Though I strive to update outdated information quickly and work diligently to make sure you have the most accurate information possible at all times, it is your duty to double check labels EVERY TIME to ensure that the ingredients you use are SAFE FOR YOU. DO NOT RELY SOLELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS INGREDIENTS AND INFORMATION DO CHANGE. Your doctor or allergist should also be your first go-to for information on how to handle your medical needs. That being said, if you DO notice an error, please send me an email letting me know (tell me what page or recipe the error is on, what the error is, etc.), and I will correct the error ASAP. Thank you so much!
Please Be Advised:I make sure all of my recipes use foods that are free of the allergens they say they are free of. You will need to do the same. For help with this, please see the appropriate "Alternative Names" page for the allergen(s) you need the recipe free of.

Monday, October 6, 2014

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.

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! :)
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. :)
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!
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! :)
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! :)