Todays update:

I am still so excited about the changes I have made towards a healthier lifestyle. By cutting out processed sugar, gluten, and dairy I have increased my energy levels and changed my digestive function, for the better. I wish I had started this a long time ago! The most exciting change I have noticed is my energy throughout the day. A twelve hour shift as a RN isn't as hard as it use to be. I remember the days that I would come home, my entire body aching, feeling too tired to even eat dinner before crashing into my pillows. I just realized that after three 12 hour shifts in a row this week,  I felt fine. A little bit tired, but nothing compared to blasting cool air at my face during the drive home so that I didn't fall asleep. As far as other aspects of my health, I'll keep this clean and let you know that old digestive problems are gone, and that time of month was almost painless. The food that I consumed in the past was inflammatory, and I never realized that until I cut it out. Everything is making sense now adding whole, real foods, natural living, and regular exercise. This is it, I have definitely found my answer. 

Cutting certain foods out seems like a sacrifice but if you are willing to put a little extra effort into cooking for yourself, you will realize that you are not suffering at all. The food I eat now is so much more flavorful, and filling, and without negative effects.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, my husband and I are now buying organic as much as possible. I believe that by cutting harmful additives out we are cutting out toxins. I came across this bit of info the other day while reading, that disease comes from two things: deficiencies and toxins. By cutting out as many toxins as possible, and making sure our meals are nutrient packed, I do feel that we are fighting disease. By no means am I completely against medicine or medical technology (hopefully that is clear by the fact that I work in healthcare) but I am bothered by how much we treat the symptoms instead of the cause. In general, people seem to want a medication to fix them, rather then looking at the alternatives. Medications should be the last option, after you have done everything in your power to cure yourself. Understanding your body is key, and listening to it's complaints is something we should all be doing. I wish I had listened to my body years ago.

Say you want to shop organically, you understand that by common sense, this has to be the better option.. but you have the one concern that everyone has: the cost. The increase in grocery bills is why I put this off for so long, even though I knew in my heart that I wanted this lifestyle. Here's how I think of it now, and it makes grocery shopping so much easier and happier for me. If it is cheaper, corners were cut. Additives, and pesticides, and chemicals are in everything we use.  It's an unfair fact that we have to live with. It is completely overwhelming to consider switching over everything you use and consume (that is why I am doing it gradually). We are exposed to hundreds, if not, thousands of chemicals every single day by the food and products we use. It is in your power to change this, I am not sure you can eliminate chemicals 100% but you can significantly reduce your exposure. If you want this for yourself and your family, choose to budget your money to allow this. Make cuts in other ways. I don't buy clothes or "things" often. I spend money on food and experience. 

I don't have research articles to cite for you, or a clinical study, just this fact: I would take medication if I needed it, but I haven't had to in over two months. Not even ibuprofen. My life is the same but my quality of life has increased. I sleep better, wake up easier, stay alert during the day, and have the motivation to get my work done faster. I came out of a lifelong fog, and for that I am grateful. 

I have never considered myself to be depressed or unhappy..however, since my lifestyle changes my husband has verbalized multiple times how my overall mood and motivation has improved, a lot! I can feel my progress, and that's what encourages me to keep going. 

Here are a few pictures just to show that clean eating can be beautiful :) 

I wish you wellness.