Celebrating My New Lifestyle

Today (well, at the time of posting this here it is actually my 94th day and MY BIRTHDAY!) is my 90th day of eating a ketogenic diet and I couldn't be more satisfied (literally)!
Before going keto, I was an avid eater of the carbs. Even though I cut out refined sugars and processed foods, I was still a carb queen. As a result I needed to eat every 2-3 hours (like most people). I hated it because I felt I wasn't in control & I have since learned I wasn't. I had a serious carb addiction.
I found out about the ketogenic diet last spring. It fascinated me, people were kicking carbs to the curb for the most part, eating only one to three times a day and no need/desire for snacks and they weren't hungry, hangry, tired or suffering from brain fog. So yeah, I was fascinated. I worked my carbs down and switched them out for dietary fats (butter, coconut oil, avacados, heavy cream, cheeses, sour cream, eggs, nut butters, bacon, etc). The second Sunday in August my switch was complete to a ketogenic diet (less than 50g carbs, moderate protein & fat to satiety).
My NSVs (non-scale victories): I can workout fasted w/vigor (heavy weights, HIIT cardio, stretching & teaching dance classes). I am fat adapted. I can easily skip breakfast, I don't snack anymore. I can easily fast for 20 hours at a time. I breeze through my daily intermittent fasts of 16 hours. My energy level is very high (no more naps needed). No more brain fog. My addiction to lip balm is disappearing along with my dry skin. My hair & nails are strong & grow like weeds. My inflammation is almost zero. My pants are nearly falling off. My muscles are toned & becoming more defined as I am leaning out. My taste buds have changed too. No more shakes (blood sugar too low). My skin is glowing, my keratosis pillaris is almost gone on my arms & my teeth are whiter too. I also have been getting quite the nutrition education. I am constantly in nutritional ketosis and burn fat/ketones for energy. The list is growing.
My scale victories: I have lost 5lbs and 3% body fat since October.
I am so grateful the ketogenic diet crossed my path in my research. What a blessing!
At 21 days the keto way of eating was a habit. Now at 90 days I am proud to say it is a lifestyle.
When I eat keto, I often feel like I am indulging. I don't see any u-turns from the keto path in the future. I am content.

Resources I use:
www.2ketodudes.com
www.ketozone.com
www.dietdoctor.com
www.fb.ketonation.com
www.ditchthecarbs.com
www.carbsmart.com
www.westonaprice.org
www.realmealrevolution.com
Doctors: Jason Fung, Stephen Finney, Jeff Volek, Austin Jeans, Zoe Harcombe, Russ Scala, Ivor Cummins, Gary Taubes, Tim Noakes, Caryn Zinn (google them)
Books: The Big Fat Surprise- Nina Teicholz
The Diet Delusion- G. Taubes
The Obesity Code- Jason Fung
The Obesity Epidemic- Zoe Harcombe
The Art & Science of Low-carb Living- T. Noakes
The Real Meal Revolution- T. Noakes
Grain Brain- David Perlmutter
New Atkins, New You- Dr. Westman
Challenging Beliefs- T. Noakes
Always Hungry- D. Ludwig
What The Fat?- Grant Schofield
Annnnd, you can always talk with me.

My miracle!

It has been 5 years since my car accident and I don't think I ever told you about my neck miracle!

The healing miracle of my neck...
I finally got to get back in to my neurosurgeon Dr. Diaz who I had seen at my church's Christmas production and learned is searching spiritually.
Well, it is a few months out from that time and I am in his office to hear about my latest MRI readings.
My newest readings made him have to go take a look at my old ones  because....My neck is healed!!  He couldn't believe it when he was explaining to me what had changed.  He just kept saying, "we never see this. This just does not happen.  We never see this."
I then told him I had been praying for healing and a miracle especially for my neck.  I even told him about the Supernatural conference I went to and was prayed over by Pastor Chris Palmer.
"I got my miracle then!  I should be an inch taller too, back to my normal height yeah?"
All the doc could say is "I guess so, let's go see.  I can't believe this.  It is a miracle because we just don't see this.  It's like you been in space for a year!"
We measured my height and I was indeed an inch taller and back to my normal height.
I don't know what has come of the Dr. Diaz's spiritual journey but I do often pray that he has found Christ.

It has been 5 years since the accident and I have mostly good days just a couple days out of the month that can be rough.  I so still require laying down everyday for a bit in the afternoon as I am very aware of gravity pushing on my body.  The laying down helps decompress my spine and muscles.  I stretch everyday, it is a must and I use tennis balls to break up the scar tissue in my neck and back along with a foam roller.  My scar tissue is pretty intense and my hip is still screwed up.  My shoulders still give me a bit of a problem on occasion.
I no longer take any medicine on  a regular basis.
I do not have headaches except on occasion.
I workout with weights 3xs a week and teach a couple dance classes.  I dance as well a few times a month.
I have grown in my relationship with Christ immensely.
I minister to those that are ill or injured and their families.
My family is super close knit.
I learned I enjoy alone time and don't need to be around people all the time.  Actually, I can only be around groups of people in small doses anymore. 
I require a lot of down time.
I am definitely different now.
I indeed forgave the girl that caused the accident.  I have no ill feelings toward her any longer (even when I read what I wrote about the accident), I hope she is doing superbly well.
I only have Jesus to thank for this amazing journey.

Hola Friends...

My blog has been calling name for a while now and getting back to it to give it some attention has been difficult to say the least. However, I do long for and fondly remember the days of my blogging and I am hoping this coming year we reconnect for good!
Hola friends!!! 
Some updates for the past year since I can see it has almost been an entire year since I wrote on here (so embarrassing). We still unschool our kiddos, our son is now 12 and our daughter is now 10.5 and growing into fantastic individuals. Their interests for the most part have stayed the same. However, they have discovered Minecraft and other games.
Regarding our son, Minecraft has peaked my son's interest in programming so he has been learning java based programming this year. He has recently added a program for 3D programming to create intros and what not for videos. He is still very interested in zoology as well along with the outdoors and hopes to go hunting next year. Our son also loves Starwars, LOTR and just had me watch all the Hunger Games and for our date last month go see Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1. I have to say it was so weird to not be going to an animated movie with him for once. However, I loved going to see it with him, it was a nice change of pace for us.
Our daughter is taking an amazing monthly art class locally and the teacher is reminiscent of Bob Ross and she loves the class. She wishes it was more frequent as the class only meets once a month. She comes home with impressive pieces. She loves to write songs and plays with her friends. Her uncle ( my brother), helps her and her friends record their songs in his studio. She loves interior design and helped us redesign our living room, it turned out great. She will get to help with the design & decoration of our basement as we finish it. Our daughter is our entrepreneur with tons of ideas. We are in the midst of setting up an Etsy store for her creations. She loves our shopping dates and movie dates. Today we went to see the Penguins of Madagascar. Remaining true to herself, she is still my little shadow.
Both of the kiddos are dancing at my studio, The Complete Dancer. Our son is taking Ballet, Tap, Ballroom & Latin and Hip-hop/Breaking. His favorite class is Hip-hop/Breaking and that class has more boys than girls which I am sure helps with the comfort level. We also have an awesome guy teaching the break dance portion. All the kids think he is amazing (he is)! Our daughter is taking two Ballet classes, Jazz, Ballroom & Latin and Hip-hop/Breaking. She can't wait until her body is ready to dance en Pointe. She is highly driven by this goal. Last year, she choreographed her first contemporary solo and performed it for showcase. She is practicing and polishing it up to take it to competition this season.
My husband and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on Sept. 26th, it was a low key celebration this year because so many things were going on at that time. We did manage to get to a nice dinner and evening to ourselves, just a bit spread out because of timing. Earlier in the year (May 18th) my husband turned the big 4-0!!! I tease him, but he is still awesome.
Our family went to our first Unschoolers Waterpark Gathering at Kalahari in May for a week and it was so incredibly satisfying to be with out tribe. We were finally surrounded by our peeps that get us, really get us. Yes, there are many differences (variables) amongst us all but we understand each other. No one had to defend their choice(s) to any one, it was so nice. We absolutely cannot wait to go back this coming May. This time we are going to visit Cedar Point after the conference since we will be right there and our kids have expressed interest. YESSS!!!
Our studio celebrated it's 3rd year of being open this past July and we are loving what this 4th season is bringing about. We have had a nice steady growth each season and feel so blessed to live this dream. Each year we get better and better...Cheers!
My sister passed away on November 10th after fighting against the cancer that ravished her body for the past year. She was 34 and left behind her 5 children (ages 15, 13, 8, 4 & 3). Although, it was so tough to see her go...It was so much harder to see her in such intense unbearable pain and literally wasting away. She was 5'7" and weighed just over 90lbs when she passed. Her kids are living with my parents. My sister & her kiddos lived with my parents for the past eight years. So at least they don't have to move, they can be where they are used to being. Now it is learning to adjust, for all of us.
So, I obviously have some posts to write. I plan to get to them as I can. Christmas is coming up, are you ready? I personally can't believe it is here already. Well, at least our Christmas tree is up. ;)

From Our Family To Your's...

We wish you a very Merry Christmas, we hope you enjoy time with your family and remember to hug and kiss the ones you love if they're near by. If not, be sure to give them a call and remind them you love them and miss them. 

This day is typically a hurried day as we bustle up and hustle to and fro, we never really get to settle and take the day in as we should. Try not to lose sight of today and it's meaning amongst all the excitement of Santa and PRESENTS (yes, our kids still believe...They get so excited they can barely sleep!). =-O

Yet, let's take time to remember the REAL REASON FOR THIS SEASON...JESUS CHRIST. No, I am not a theologian...Yes, I have learned Christ most likely born in mid to late Spring, that is not the point though. ;-)

Our family has a beloved relationship with Jesus Christ and we pray that many others will get to experience what we do through our relationship with Him.

Christmas is the day that has been chosen for Centuries to celebrate the birth of our beloved Saviour Jesus Christ. It is our day to reflect, remember and honor the special gift God gave us..."For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." -Isaiah 9:6-7

And 33 years later the great sacrifice by the LORD Almighty was made when Jesus Christ died on the cross for our ransom and rose 3 days later..."For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, so whomever shall believe in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life." -John 3:16

By the LORD Almighty giving this amazing sacrifice, we have ALL been given the chance to go to heaven when our time here is done. All that is required of us is to admit we are sinners (me included), and ask the LORD Almighty to forgive us in the name of Jesus and start building your relationship with Jesus Christ. The changes will start happening in your life, for where there is light, no darkness can be! 

We hope the above gives you hope and relieves any burdens or heavy hearts out there. 

We truly wish you a very Merry Christmas and an abundantly blessed & prosperous New Year!!! O:-)

I'm back...I think...Definitley not the same.

Wow, hello...Yes, it has been forever and I really do miss you! I have undoubtedly been on a very long unexpected journey feeling for a good portion of it like I was stuck in middle earth and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape. I lost a lot of "friends" in this time, which I have come to painfully realize on this journey they were never my friends in the 1st place. This is truly agonizing to an overt extrovert who had suddenly found herself house & bed bound for a LOOOOOONG time (forever in my mind), trapped really and falling hard & fast leaving nail scrapings along anything I could grab for to stop falling into what seemed a never ending, darker by the moment abyss. Yes, a few people stopped to bring meals (6 meals)...Drop them at the door (or hand them to my kids) and off they went. No offers of taking my kids for any short periods of time to relieve them from having to watch their mother cry, not really be present, just watch their mom rapidly disappear into someone who wished she no longer lived, they lost some friends during this dark time too (this, now that I can look back on it...I deeply regret that so very much). Even though I gratefully appreciated those meals and I know the sacrifice they made to do so, I still felt forgotten. Six months or so out from the accident, I had some nourishment for my soul... I had a couple ladies bring me lunch once and eat with me, I relished those two occasions, I prayed they wouldn't end...But it did and I am thankful for the time they spent with me. I also had a couple ladies come twice to pray with me and pamper me, bring me a couple delicious meals and I adored them for the sacrifice I know they made for me. Those ladies helped me more than they know even though it was brief, they reminded me that I was not forgotten. At this time I had a very close friend, I considered her a sister we were so close. She was there for me quite a bit and helped me as much as she could. She would take my kiddos every once in awhile so they could remember what fun was during this time. She would come hang out in my room while I laid in bed and talk to me about what was going on in her life or just listen to me. She was a lifesaver for me and my family. She helped me through one of the toughest years of my life. Sixteen months or so out from the accident, more changes rolled my way... As I got better, she started to come around less and less. I eventually realized I had been replaced with someone else and their baby. Okay...(I am getting stronger and then BAM, another jagged wrench thrown in). You see, she wanted a baby so badly and as of yet still does not have her own. I know she has things going on in her life that affect this (I don't know in current detail), but she latched on to this other lady with a new little one and hasn't let go so far. I thought it was just a phase. Twenty-two months out from the accident, I had been hobbled... I had to learn to grasp something that I kind of denied when it came to this very close friend of mine. I was having an event for my studio at a park to help drum up business, I had sent a text to her a couple weeks prior along with a handful of other people to join us. It was a hooping jam (hula hoops & family fun), something free for the community. I needed a small group of friends & family to help out & create a buzz to attract other people (you know how that generally works). Anyway, I knew this would be something she would enjoy and she is my bestie, so I invited her. The day before I sent reminder texts out because I know how busy people are these days, and I received a less than friendly text back, at least not one you send to your bestie, a stranger yeah...But not your bestie. That was the day I realized I had been totally and completely replaced and we apparently are not even close friends anymore. A shocking, bitter pill for me to swallow, I had been cut to the quick...Hobbled. I have had to take a long time to heal from that blow and I still haven't completely, my heart still hurts. Yet, I cannot bring myself to talk to her about it, because it is so painful. So... I have kept very busy with my ever growing studio, re-connecting with my husband (who has been amazing through all of this) and my children (they have grown so much in the past 2 years), immersing myself in the presence of The Lord and His word and enjoying my ever faithful childhood friend who spent a good portion of this summer with me nourishing my soul. I have also been busy with my therapies that I still go to as a result of the car accident (I don't need as much medication with the therapies). I still spend a ton of time in bed and I still require a lot of sleep. I have enjoyed the sun as much as I could this summer and my family as I am getting stronger everyday. I practice Pilates 6 days a week and stretch 7 days a week, this is a must (I love the side effects too, I have totally re-shaped my body). I also have formed a therapeutic, results oriented Boot Camp for my studio as well, it is growing like rapid fire...My clients love their results too. I am also getting more immersed in the studio in general and I have stayed true to my free-lancing roots. I teach Ballet & Worship dance to homeschoolers once a week at their co-op. I love pouring into others' lives with my talents and it makes my heart happy the more I get too. I am making an even more conscious effort & plan to show compassion to those who need it. I just recently spent a few months helping my cousin & her husband (he recently just passed away from an aggressive rare cancer, I am glad I got to know him and really connect before he passed away & he definitely made me more thankful for my life), I will continue to check on my cousin and spend time with her. I have also settled with the girl's insurance company, finally. I have also had a healing medical miracle in my neck I will expand upon in the future. I am busy finding myself again because I am definitely not the same. I know this posting started out dark ( I had to get it off my chest before I could move on with this blog), but I am not in that dark place anymore as you can see. I hope my transparency will help someone...If not, at least I got it off my chest. Please accept my apologies for disappearing for such an extended time.

Response to a comment & update

I Miss (Desperately!)

Danae January 22, 2013 at 8:33 AM

Hello sweetie, I've just read your blog entry and it seems terrible to me that people like yourself can suffer so dreadfully from others' unconsidered actions. I see that you blogged last March so I am sincerely hoping that you have recovered such a lot from the accident. It's hard to ever know why these things happen, but you seem to be the kind of person who will forgive and move on. It is so true, isn't it, that we never know what we take for granted until it, too, has moved on. I am never going to complain again. You have changed me for the better. Thanks, and get well. x

Danae,
Thank-you for your kind words. Until your comment I really had not realized how long it has been since I have posted, just short of a year. :(
I have recovered some from the accident, I am not bed ridden anymore, all my micro tears have healed. I am now allowed to stretch, do Pilates, Barre work & Hooping to tolerance. I cannot dance full out yet, so I do not yet feel much satisfaction or relief when I am doing what I am allowed to because it does not let me express myself the way I always have through dance. So, I am working with a pain therapist to help me learn to cope with my new lifestyle, it is going okay...I keep trying to look at the bright side of it all but many days I do find it nearly impossible if I am going to be honest, I spend many days in bed. Having that said, I do have some good days and I take them for all I can! I definitely DO NOT take them for granted. I can cuddle with my family again, albeit for short periods. I have decided to take up guitar with my daughter and I am learning to enjoy that. I try not to complain on a daily basis, I try to make sure I smile as much as I can. I try to not let the pain get to me, but it does. Please know it is okay to complain once in awhile, we are human and crazy shizit happens. I am touched I have inspired you in some way and grateful. I was not going to make this post public originally I don't like negativity...But I felt SO alone and was in the darkest place I had ever been in my life. I want to say I have fully forgiven the girl, but just when I felt I have, something comes up and makes me feel I just haven't quite done it. I am working on it though because it is never good to hold a grudge, it only hurts me in the end...This I know. I keep VERY busy and that helps me to not dwell on what happened to my life too much and well, I sleep A LOT my body requires it. However, I still have yet to feel like "me" again since the accident. Maybe there are things that God wanted to change about me that I was not aware of, I guess I will have to wait for those answers. I also learned recently that my neck injury is worse than originally thought and I will be going for a new EMG on Monday morning (those are pure torture sessions and this will be my 3rd). Then we will know where to proceed with my treatments from there. Anyway, I felt I owed you an up date because you pointed out it was so long since I posted. Once again, thanks for your kind words, compassion and encouragement. I will keep you in my prayers! xo ~Joie