I'm H2O intolerant...

And HOW many of you would use this excuse? I know my siblings do...and I used to, for that matter, until I really looked into all the amazing things that water does for the human body.

Please remember, that what I say and what I talk about in this blog is totally optional. You don't have to do diddly-squat what I suggest, I just know that it works for me :)

Water is EVERYWHERE. We bathe in it, we swim in it, we wash everything in it, and yet, we are hesitant to drink it. Why? "Because it has no flavor...it's just...watery" as quoted by my 17 year old brother. In high school, I remember wrestlers would carry around 1 gallon jugs filled with water to keep their hydration levels up. Yes, some took it to the extremes and carried 5 gallon jugs around. Needless to say, the bathroom was their best friend come hydration test day.

Even though their methods were, in my opinion, EXTREME, having a small water bottle to carry around with you is NOT a bad idea. Our bodies are made primarily of water. We can go weeks without food, but only days without water. It is said that once you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. And that is NOT a good feeling, believe you me.

If your water tastes like dirt, which from the tap, the water from my apartment does, get a filter. My husband and I purchased a Brita water filter and it works like a charm. My husband isn't as proud of a water drinker as I am, but we are working on it. He still LOVES his soda, but he has cut down to 1 a day with water in between. WHICH I am so proud of. It's a big step, and for some of you, you could really be in that boat. And that's okay! But always remember to balance your whatever-liquid intake with WATER. If you do NOT like water, I'm begging you to PLEASE START TRYING TO LIKE IT. Put a little bit of a lime or lemon wedge in it, and it'll make it MOST refreshing, as well as a natural purifier for your body! Kid you not! There are these awesome cups at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, that have little tubes built into the cup that have slits all around the tube. You can put fresh herbs, fresh fruits, cucumbers and anything of the sort, for a splash of flavor into a nice cold glass of water. Seriously, the benefits of water are astronomical.

HEALTH TIP: Did you know what sometimes the human body confuses dehydration with hunger? It's true! My mom, with my hunger issues that would sporadically occur, she would always tell me to have a BIG glass of water to see if that would help. And it usually did. If you have fed yourself quite well, and yet you feel STARVING, try drinking a glass of water, wait a bit, and see if your "hunger" dissipates. Drinking water throughout the day helps me keep my insides clean, and also control my appetite. See if it works for you!

Now, where did I put my water bottle?

Milk...does it do YOUR body good?

Chocolate. Malted. Shake. Strawberry. Fat Free, 1%, 2%, Vitamin D. Dehydrated. Organic. Coconut. Almond. Soy. Original, Plain, Vanilla, Less Sugar...

Seriously? How many ways can we drink milk?

Well, obviously there are many choices, all claimed by different brands as to which we are free to choose from. I was raised, as an infant, on soymilk because I just couldn't keep anything else down! And then, eventually, I grew out of it. As I have gotten older, I have discovered that I just can't stomach a whole lot of milk. And actually, it's been that way all my life, but I just never noticed it. I remember being little and HATING my cereal bowl, especially when all the cereal was gone and all that was left was the milk. My family was, well, pretty poor, to be quite honest, and drinking milk was a MUST. You did NOT get down from the table until you drank your milk. (As I eat dinner with my parents, my siblings get away easy...they have a VERY different story.) From that point on, I would only pour enough milk to glaze my cereal because I didn't want to drink the leftovers, and quite frankly, I didn't feel so good once I did. My parents always thought that it was because of the sugary cereal...but come to find out, it was the milk. This is a recent self-diagnosis, that's for sure.

Of course milk is still needed as a source of calcium, and I drink it every so often. The weird thing is, I can have ice cream, I can have yogurt, and I can have cheese. But the milk that comes in the plastic gallon, I buy it for my husband and even when I eat a bowl of cereal, max is a 1/4 of a cup that I use. On the other hand, my parents and siblings go through about 12 gallons in two weeks...they drink a LOT of milk. Milk is the staple drink at my parent's house, but for me, I just drink the filtered water and enjoy the meal just the same. If we are having something that would go better with milk, I just grab a sippy cup from the kid's cup drawer. What? A 23 year old drinking from a sippy cup? Yes...lid and all...sometimes :)

I don't know if these symptoms happen to anyone else, but I know that milk gives me a sloshy, gurgly feeling in my stomach. Not to mention I get SERIOUS hiccups. Weird huh? It's true, especially with milkshakes. When ever we go out to get ice cream or a milkshake, I start to hiccup about 30 minutes later and I think back on what I have eaten, and it's the milk. 

Now that I have cut back on milk, I don't have indigestion like ever. In fact, my intake of Greek yogurt has changed my life. Sure, it's a bit tangy, but it has helped my intestinal issues go away almost completely. Chobani is my favorite brand for lighter yogurts, but if you want a hearty, almost dessert type of yogurt, it comes in a tub and is usually towards the bottom of the yogurt shelves. It's like a gift from the dessert gods...well...Greek Gods that is :) Seriously, it's actually called The Greek Gods Greek Yogurt. The strawberry flavor is delicious, as well as the vanilla honey.

So coming back to the milk issue, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, try drinking less milk. I can handle about 8oz a day, and even then, I drink it MAYBE 2 times a week. I've just come to the conclusion that I would rather have water, with a little bit of fruit infusion.

My newest experiment has been with coconut milk, and it's pretty good. I have tried almond milk, but with the nutty milks you need to have it be flavored, vanilla flavored to be exact. I know some people can drink it straight up, but I don't want to gag on it, so I go for some flavor. Experiment and see what YOU would like. They still have all the vitamins and minerals that normal milk has, sometimes more, sometimes the same, dependent upon the brand. 

HEALTH TIP: Now, if you are a DIE HARD milk man or milk maid, and you just GOTTA have that glass of chocolate milk...the thick, creamy, velvety kind from the store? (Can you tell it's my favorite?) Instead of guzzling down all that sugar and still craving more, try going 1/2 and 1/2. Now, I get it. Sometimes you just gotta have a glass of milk....a tall glass of chocolate milk. But if you are just craving a little, try half chocolate and half regular milk and you'll find it's not as rich and it may even be a bit more satisfying and not so heavy. And even if you are like my parents and siblings and milk is just what you drink, try having a glass of milk and then drinking water for the rest of your meal. You will feel more full much faster than you think.

And insert milk mustache....here

JUST A LITTLE UPDATE FROM MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS:
From  A.L.J.- I have got to say though I love almond milk!! Almond breeze makes unsweetened vanilla and chocolate. I put that in my protein shakes. Very tasty!! also Kroger Brand Plain almond milk is good! I don't like any other brands plain thought...Strange.
From J.R.C.- Check out KEFIR! Way more probiotics than yogurt and makes great smoothies. Google it! Almond milk is good for cereal etc. but avoid soy in everything you can! It is one of the worst GMO's out there! (Probably was fine back when you had it as an infant, before Monsato adulterated it)

All my readers...Kefir really is delicious and really does give a great protein kick into morning shakes. I use that too...it's a new addition to my fridge so I didn't think to mention it. My mom has been using it for the past year, and it comes in all different flavors. It gives everything a more creamy taste! And I did some research about the soy bean and I found this article to settle some fears...hopefully... :)

Born and Bread?

Bread...

It's EVERYWHERE. I can't BELIEVE how much bread we have to choose from and how overwhelming it can get. Lame.

We go for cheaper and we go for taste, but sometimes, on a budget, cheap wins. I can totally understand that. As a newlywed, my husband has been totally awesome and supportive...isn't he cute?

Anyway, he has been such a support in encouraging me to buy the foods I need and not to worry about price. Sometimes I cut here and there, like purchasing the store brands when my stomach isn't at stake, but bread is something I can't cheat with anymore. Being gluten sensitive has changed my world and I am constantly asking myself, "Is it worth it?" Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't. Some breads and wheat products put me under, and some don't. It's all about experiment.

I had to do a research paper this past semester about an argument I could support. I decided to research agricultural changes in the United States and it's effects on the wheat crop. To make a long story short, yes, the wheat crop is being modified to grow faster and be lighter when processed so as to make production of bread astronomically cost-efficient. Never mind the effects on the human body...? It is said that the chemicals used to alter the wheat, when digested, tell the human brain that 1. they aren't full
2. they need more bread
and it tells the human digestive system that
1. you have willingly digested goo

Thus we have the digestive problems when too much is consumed...the gas, the bloating, the haziness of mind. If you don't have a problem when you eat bread, just try for a week of reducing your wheat intake to a few less servings a day. I've been able to reduce it down to 2 and I am working on it and so far am being successful. (Side note: It has also helped me determine if I want a piece of toast right now or if I want a chocolate chip cookie from mom's house later...WEIGHT LOSS HELPER :) )

Hang It or Have It

I choose "Have It" because it's something I love and I get "rabies" if foods I love are limited. Rabies- a term created by the Laycock family, used when someone becomes extremely grumpy, usually by lack of food. Needless to say, I get them often... :) So, with having it,  I have had to find some products that WORK FOR ME.

If you are wanting to try Gluten-Free, it's no walk in the park...believe me. It's practically impossible for me, but some people can do it. Mainly because they are forced to, due to Celiac Disease, or their symptoms are MUCH worse than what I experience. Nonetheless, I have come to love Spelt Bread. It's usually found in health food stores, but luckily I can find it at my local Winco and Smith's (which is like Albertson's) Spelt Bread is naturally gluten free and it tastes great! No bloating problems here! I have also come to love a brand called Killer Bread which has so many different varieties and can usually be found at your local Costco. It's not gluten free, but it is WHOLE GRAIN. Don't look for "whole wheat" because it undergoes the same process of rapid fermentation, thus having the grain become more acidic than anything else. Killer Bread is a little more on the expensive side, but it's the only sliced "gluten bread" that I can eat. It has so many great grains and a natural sweet taste, that I just love toasting it plain...just when I can't get rid of the craving. Also, Fiber One English Muffins have been a GREAT breakfast treat. My brother, Josh, LOVES putting those in the toaster and topping it with Nutella and fresh strawberries. The positive thing about this, there is TONS of fiber in each muffin. I think each has close to 5 grams of fiber! That also helps with regularity...something you may find weird to talk about...but it's necessary for a healthy body. Fiber feeds the natural body functions! (Water is also a must...but that discussion is for another day :) )

So it's your choice to "hang it or have it". If you hang it, be confident in your choice and tell yourself you are NOT missing out. If you choose to "have it" maybe reduce the intake and say to yourself, "is it worth it? Do I really want this right now, or would I rather have something else later?" (Cookie and toast example). And if you choose to not reduce any of your bread intake, just consider switching to whole grains and I think you'll find you'll feel more full and better with less :)

I'd love to hear about your experiences and questions! Don't hesitate to ask! :)

Life Changes...Am I ready?

Well, folks, it seems the time has come for me to jump into the blogging scene. I never thought I would join it..after my spin in high school...but I think  this will be a great outlet for me to share everything I've learned and how many positive changes I am making and awesome discoveries that I am discovering!

This is just going to be a blog about healthy things that I find work for me, or things that I am enjoying so I don't overload everyone in FACEBOOK or drive my family nuts!

My family and I have struggled...all my life...to find a balance between good food and healthy food. Yeah, I'm discovering that they don't have to be in different categories. I know it may seem cliche, but...I'm discovering that it's true.

I have been attending Weight Watchers and checking out websites all over Google...my most favorite, as of recently, has been http://www.hungry-girl.com/ It really amazes me all the awesome things she comes up with!

Why I'm Trying To Get Started On A Life Change

I have had people ask me, "How are you making these life changes? I can't keep on the wagon!" I tell them that, basically, I am tired of feeling gross after I eat. I served an LDS mission in the wonderful country of Italy. Si, la bella paese d'Italia! I came to love gelato, pizza (where I could eat a whole one by myself) and the smell of fresh bread on my morning runs with my companion. I also came to love Ecuadorian food, whether I wanted to eat it or not, and the amazing cooking of my African friends. Fufu? Ever heard of it? Basically, it is a dish made from the yucca root, and the people eat it with a hot and spicy soup. The purpose? You eat until you are full and then, it keeps you that way for the next three days. It's used in times of starvation...Nontheless, everyday was a sensational adventure. I learned that ice cream is really it's own food group and pizza is a daily consumption. As I came to the end of my mission, I became extremely sick. I was struggling with fatigue and severe stomach pains every day. It came to a point where I couldn't leave the house and had to come home early to get myself healthy. My mom still talks about how swollen I was and how I just didn't look like myself. The next few months of returning home consisted of me sleeping the days away until we could figure out exactly what was wrong with me.

The Problem?

I met my amazing husband just 3 days after I returned home and I remember going on dates fearing the dinner menus. I didn't know what would trigger the bloating, irritability, sharp stomach pains, and sometimes nausea. I remember on our first date, all I ordered was a piece of chicken, and I didn't even eat it all because I just didn't know when or where the attacks would happen. After much medicinal testing, and no success, I did much research and found that gluten sensitivity was my main culprit.

So What Do I Do Now?

Are you serious? I just came from the land of fresh bread and gelato and everything in between, and now I have to give it all up? I didn't want gluten sensitivity to be the answer, so I started listening to my body and placed myself in an environment where I could control the amount I ate, as well as WHAT I ate. I tell my family and friends, when they have cravings, thanks to the advice of Candace Smith, a former missionary companion, "What is your body telling you it wants?" As I started listening it would still crave breads, peanut butter, chocolate, ice cream and everything negative that I could possibly consume. But, with that listening, I also discovered reactions. Sicky, gross, yuckiness. They were hard discoveries, most of which I am still playing with today. But everything that I eat, I now seriously contemplate and pay attention to how I feel after I eat.

The Body Listener

It's hard to do sometimes...listen to your body. Candace taught me that sometimes you will be craving crispy tortillas topped with oodles of delicious cheddar cheese. In reality? You may just be craving something crunchy and salty. I know that if I eat that, I WILL regret it, so I have to learn to REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING ELSE!

So What You Are Saying Is...

Well, let's start off with what I am NOT saying. I'm NOT saying to take away everything good in our edible part of life. Did I eat a pint of Sea Salt Caramel Talenti Gelato the other day? YES! And did I feel guilty? No! But here's the LIFE CHANGE: Could I have eaten that whole thing by myself? Yes! For example, one of my best friends Amber Hanni and I would go to the local grocery store and fix ourselves a date with Ben & Jerry, grab a spoon and watch a show. Yeesh...So, instead, THIS time around, each member of my family, all 9 of us, grabbed a spoon and passed the pint around...totally like 6 spoons to eat each. Maybe that's a little more than what YOU may be comfortable with, but it was a positive change for me. A step in the right direction...

My Goal

The purpose of this particular blog is not to convince everyone that they should neglect anything and everything that they love. But, I just want to share some small changes that I have discovered and things that have worked for me to help me feel better and get to where I want to be. I'll be including some exercise things that I have found to love and the proof is in the pudding! When I came home a year ago, I was close to 190 lbs...the heaviest I have EVER been in my life. Over the past year, with self-discovery and self-appreciation in tow, I've lost close to 30 lbs, with 10 more to lose to meet my goal...and I'm getting closer everyday.

What Do I Do?

So now it's your turn "to take it or leave it" with what I share. I just want people to learn "Self-Discovery" and "Self-Appreciation" and learn to live in the food world without feeling like a prisoner. Each day is a journey, and as Jillian Michaels says (a phrase I now live by) "Transformation is not a future event, but a present activity." Learn to accept SMALL CHANGES and pretty soon they will become natural and you will be on your way to a better and healthier life that you can enjoy!

Thanks for reading! Any questions? Go ahead, ask them! Send me a facebook message or leave a comment or something...I'm still trying to figure out this whole blog thing :)