#FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek #1in13

Image from Kids With Food Allergies

This week is Food Allergy Awareness Week (to learn more, go here: foodallergyweek.org).  There is so much you can do to help raise awareness.  Here's just a few ideas:

1. Wear teal for the week.  It's a cool color anyway, but it's even more awesome when you wear it for a cause. :)  You can wear it in the form of a shirt, an awareness ribbon, a dress, a pin - any way you like.  Just be prepared to share the why.

2. Share some links via social media about food allergy awareness.  Not sure where to look?  Well, here's a few to help get you started:

• foodallergyweek.org This will take you to FARE which has a LOT of great resources and ideas.  It is an AWESOME organization.
       
• Grateful Foodie  This is seriously one of the best food allergy advocate people I know!  Caroline is amazing and has great info.  She's always got some wonderful stories and ideas.
      
• FAACT's Food Allergy Awareness Week page. There's some awesome ideas on here for how to raise awareness.
       
• Ideas on Pinterest to share.  Pinterest is always a good place to go to get some good ideas and share some, too.
       
• Kids With Food Allergies has some great ideas, too.  This is a seriously awesome site that has a lot of things for kids, profile pictures relating to food allergy awareness you can use, etc.  It's where I got the cool picture at the top of the page, too.  They have other banners and such that you can also use.  So cool!
       
• Google "food allergy awareness" and see what pops up.  You should find some awesome articles to share!
       
• Hashtag your shares, too! Here's some ideas of hashtags to use:
   
  #FoodAllergies
  #FoodAllergyAwareness
  #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek
  #GoTealForFoodAllergies
  #1in13
        Any of those will work, or you can come up with your very own.

3. Show your support online by changing your profile picture on Facebook, Twitter and other social media to something related to Food Allergy Awareness.  I made something today that I will be using on Facebook, Twitter, etc.  It's probably the easiest way to get the word out.  If you are looking for something already made, check out the ones on Kids With Food Allergies.

4. If you're a blogger, post about Food Allergy Awareness Week.  It only takes a little bit of your time, and it can help so many.  Seriously.  What are you waiting for?  You can share personal perspective, have a guest blogger who suffers from food allergies, just post a list like I have, and so much more.  The more we spread the word, the more our voices will be heard, and the more of those 1 in 13 children with food allergies can get the respect they need and deserve.

5. Donate if you can.  You can donate time, a blog post, money - anything.  Just help get the word out and support those who do, financially if possible, or with a kind word or moral support.   There are even ways to become an advocate.  Looking for ways to help?  Check out this page on FARE for ideas and more information.  

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With 1 in 13 children facing food allergies, I have to assume that each of us knows someone with them.  I know several myself, and I'd do anything to help keep those children safe, healthy and happy.  Wouldn't you?

Let's take a moment to raise awareness - for them.

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P.S.  Before I go, I want to share this video with you done by a teenager who suffers from some serious food allergies.  Give him a like and a share, and subscribe, if you're so inclined.  He's awesome! :)

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

Monthly Milestones 2015 {5}

Today is the start of the fifth Monthly Milestones for 2015. The "rules" are still the same as always. I will be giving you updates on the first Saturday of every month on how I am doing physically, mentally, etc., and you can link up a post (or 3 or more) about some form of progress you are making, if you wish (see details below).  Being publicly accountable (as hard as it is) helps me out tremendously.  I hope you enjoy this link-up, 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, May 2, 2015, at 233 lbs.
I also have new glasses. I am sorry for the open mouth in my side photo.  Hubby caught me when I wasn't ready. :)



1. My weight is up again.  I'm up to 233, and not happy about it either.  That's nearly 2 lbs. heavier than last month.  That doesn't sound too awful, but when you consider that just last week I was down to 229, it is very frustrating!  I know that part of the issue is that I'm retaining quite a bit of water at present (more yesterday, and it was VERY painful as I was very stiff and it was hard to move), but that's not the only issue.  Life has been insane (quite literally) lately, and I used that as an excuse to not always eat as I should.  The biggest thing I've learned over the last week?  My body needs more protein, and CANNOT handle processed sugars and simple carbs, period.  I do ok with honey and grains that are less processed, but that's about it.  The more "junk" I eat, the more the weight piles on.   I also noticed that my blood sugar is starting to bottom out more when I eat more processed/lower protein foods.  I do ok with fruits and veggies, but things like white bread or white sugar are messing with my blood sugar greatly.  Lesson learned the really hard way.  Let's hope it sticks this time. :)
     
2. I've been able to walk pretty much daily, sometimes multiple times a day.   Did I mention that I love that the weather is nicer? :)  It means I get out and about more, and that is very helpful as far as my pain and attitude goes.  It helps me be able to sleep better, feel better, etc., too. 
        
3. I got my new glasses! And boy, have they made a difference!  Less migraines, clearer vision, less eye strain...Yes, I'm quite happy with them. :)
4. Life has been insane! April was a nightmare in a lot of ways.  We've had illness, my middle kid had surgery (appendix removed - he had a stone in it), middle kid smashed his big toe, M-STEP testing, doctor's appointments...  One week we were in the doctor's office or hospital every.single.day.  Another, we were traveling somewhere every.single.day.  We also had Missions Conference this month, we're cleaning the upstairs of our church, my middle kid turned 11, and so much more!  I feel like we may get a little bit of a breather now that May is here, but maybe not.  Let's just say, I'll be glad when the school year is over. :)
      
5.  Updates to the blogs are coming soon...I hope.  This blog and Natural and Free will be getting some updates soon, I hope.  I have been making mental lists of things that I want to change, and working on things slowly.  You may not notice a lot of change, but there will be some. :)  I still hope to post more soon, but it's not to be at the moment.  I may not get the time until June, but I'm going to do my level best to do more in May.  Forgive me in advance if that doesn't happen.  Wanting it to happen and making it happen are 2 entirely different things.
        
6. The boys' school year ends in about 6 weeks, and my daughter's ends in 3 weeks!  Wowzers!  The end is fast approaching.  Next week is the last round of school required testing for the boys, and we are winding down in the subjects.  The last week or 2 should be a lot lighter, and we're hoping to do some more fun educational things. :)  I am hoping my time will free up a bit within the next few weeks, but until then, my email is always open, so feel free to write me at any time, and I'll get back with you ASAP.  I'm here for you!

That's about it 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! :)

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Now It's Your Turn!

An InLinkz Link-up

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Grab A Badge!

<a href="http://fibrofitandfab.blogspot.com/ "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_Aaw9MJ2KmxfDDv9Lkz3XzaxeSbugg5K9eOxI6YJrwy2vUAA8DvImD2fWC_CtDl7-2pKGMU1ZSjjVL6_IZO3gqhceH95p0-GQO3FE97dJzHPRPDlBvFs1g0Bvvy3hGAhR_2-aQOUAOQ/s800/monthlymilestonesbadge2015.jpg" /></a>

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