TGIF

I am so glad that today is Friday!  We don't have any real plans, in fact, Phillip (my four year old) is sick, but it will be nice to have some down time.  We rented a couple of movies, so we will just "veg-out" and watch movies.  

I have been full of energy today!  That is the number one benefit of eating raw for me.  My energy level has shot through the roof!  AND I AM HAPPY!  The boost of energy is helping me get so much stuff done; I am even cleaning my house.  I don't know about you, but in my house cleaning usually happens with a scowl on my face, and getting my kids to help usually only happens after a few tears, pouting, and a bit of yelling (possibly even a little bribery).  Today however, I was bouncing around here and singing while cleaning the toilet. Don't get me wrong, cleaning the toilet is not exactly my idea of a good time, but the task was manageable and I was even able to get Jake (my 12 year old) and Emma (my 10 year old) to help today, too!  I made them a super-berry shake this morning for breakfast and they have also been happy, helpful, and full of energy today!  The recipe for the shake:

A cup of mixed frozen berries (for us, it was blueberries, blackberries, rasberries, and brambleberries)

A cup of water

A tablespoon (give or take  little) of raw honey

a large handful of spinach

  ** Blend in the vita-mix, half a strawberry on the side of the glass, and add a straw.

The kids think they are getting special treatment because of the presentation and the name of the drink.  We all started off the day on a good foot!  Phillip is still not sure of the shake, but I will keep offering them to him.

first post

This is my first post.  I can't believe I am actually on here!  Just to tell you a little bit about me -- I am 35 years old.  Two years ago I had a complete thyroidectomy after 2 tumors were discovered.  A biopsy revealed that 1 of the tumors was probable cancer.  The surgery went well,  but shortly after surgery I began experiencing major complications.   Long story short, my parathyroid gland checked out and my body would no longer regulate calcium.  You cannot live without calcium.  Replacing my thyroid hormones turned out to be very easy, but regulating my calcium has been a long and arduous process.  The year after surgery I experienced major depression, exhaustion, numbness and severe muscle contractions in my arms and legs, and I got every virus or bug that was floating around.  Year two was riddled with more complications including 7 kidney stones and multiple kidney filtering problems.  That surgery changed my entire life.  I was too tired or too sick to exercise and the weight just piled on.  I was tired of this ruling my life!  I was tired of being a victim!  I was tired of being given one medication to help one thing and having that same medication mess up another part of my body!  That is when I happened to hear a local news story on a woman who began a raw diet after being diagnosed with breast cancer and having considerable health benefits from it.  I began researching everything I could find, and then I just went for it.  I was eating about 70% raw when I went to hear Angela Stokes speak.  It was very informative and motivating.  I have been nearly completely raw since then and cannot believe how much better I look and feel!  I started this blog to track my journey.  I hope you enjoy following it!  I can't wait to see what will happen next -- I think the best is yet to come!