Revelations

Several things have happened in the past few weeks that have led me to believe that our clean food journey is not only improving our lives, but it's the best decision I have made for our family.
Revelation #1
All of the immunity-boosting foods, supplements, probiotics and exercise that I have been doing, prevented me from getting a nasty virus that my husband and two girls got a couple of weeks ago. My husband was sick first and then my girls - fever, chills, headache, no appetite and lethargy. My husband was sick for over 10 days; the girls just 3 days. I, thankfully, never got sick. My hubby isn't really on the clean plan and eats whatever he wants at work (including daily food truck runs). He gets one clean meal every evening and on the weekends. I can get the girls to take their daily probiotic, vitamins and even my picky little one loves my green juices!!
To me, this is proof that our immunity is stronger and helping us to get over illness faster. It's proof that processed foods and fast foods are compromising his immunity.

Revelation #2
Sugary foods with artificial colors make my kids sick. This past weekend was my daughter's 5th birthday. I planned for weeks and debated over what to serve. Last year at my oldest's birthday party, which was low-key and held at our private community pool, was met with rejection by the young party-goers. I served a veggie crudite platter and turkey roll-ups. I was ridiculed by a 6-year old who asked, "Where's the pizza?" I told her we like to eat healthier foods and she scoffed at me and grabbed her bag of Doritos.
So this year, I didn't want to disappoint, but I also didn't want to compromise our new food values. I served organic peanut butter and jelly tea sandwiches, nitrate-free organic ham sandwiches, organic grapes, strawberries and pineapple. But then there was the desserts...I splurged on authentic Parisian pink macaroons, designer sugar cookies in the shape of teapots, indulgent cupcakes and a jar full of pink jelly beans holding handmade lolli-pops. All that pink food was obviously tinted with artificial dyes. There was a bit of sugar excess in that the girls kept grabbing fistfulls of jelly beans (which were actually meant to be more of a decoration).
Later in the day, both girls complained of headaches and were sluggish and tired. It's unusual for them to get headaches, much less both of them several hours after the party. I had one too (I ate one too many macaroons). Then even went to bed early. Proof that excess sugar and artificial colors and dyes can have adverse effects on your body.

Revelation #3
I must be doing something right! In the last week, I have overhead many a friend complain of allergies right now. We live in Northern VA - home to abundant allergens and Cedar trees. For years, I have suffered from nasal allergy symptoms - but usually all year long! I have been on Claritan, Zyrtec, Singulair, Flonase, etc...for my post nasal drip, itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing. But now, after a year and a half of eating clean, unprocessed foods, I am drug free and symptom-free. I can't pinpoint the exact thing that I am doing that is making me an allergy-free person, but I truly believe that once you remove foods that cause inflammation, your body isn't constantly fighting itself anymore and those histamines aren't called in for an inflammatory response. Another thing to note is that in the past, I would have typically had at least one sinus infection, bronchitis and several colds at the end of the winter season. But this year - NONE!!!! I made it through the winter without multiple bouts on anti-biotics! This is perhaps the biggest news for me yet. I truly believe that eliminating dairy has helped with this. I have a friend who has suffered all winter and is still coughing and sneezing her way into Spring. I shared with her my success and suggested she try it for a couple of weeks to see if she got any relief. Her own doctor advised against it because she has osteopenia (a condition where bone mineral density is lower than it should be). He wanted her to keep up the dairy intake for the calcuim. There are DOZENS of better food sources of calcium and magnesium than dairy!! Again, I'm not a doctor, and I'm only a couple of days into Nutrition Counseling school, but REALLY???!!!  One does not NEED to consume dairy to achieve optimal levels of calcium in their body. I sent her a list of some foods to try. Hopefully she can find some relief.

My progress report:
35 pounds lost, down from a size 16 to a 10!!!
No more drugs (except a small dose of Synthroid for Hypothyroidism)
Very infrequent migraines
Tons of energy
Belly problems subsiding
Overall, feeling GREAT!
I have a few more pounds to lose to meet my original goal of 40 lbs, but my new goal is 135. So, 11 more to go!
I CAN DO IT!!