Life as I know it...big changes
many of you who are friends with me on facebook already know about my eating lifestyle change.....almost six months ago, i dropped most processed foods out of my diet and began consuming green smoothies + lots of whole raw fruits and veggies on a daily basis. i continued this for about four months and lost 25 pounds effortlessly (went from a size 14 jeans to a size 6)+ i started to feel better physically and mentally. then i decided to add back in whole grains and small amounts of dairy and that's when things started going downhill fast. long story short, one month ago i decided to go see a naturopathic doctor that a friend recommended to me and have some tests run.
fast forward to last wednesday, i found out that i'm not only dairy and gluten intolerant, but i'm also showing reactions to sugar cane, lettuce, pecans, crab, lobster, + a few other things. also, my iron is ridiculously low, as well as my b6 & b12 levels. so now i'm on an elimination diet for the next six weeks and taking supplements for my vitamin/mineral deficiencies in addition to the multi-vitamin and d3 supplements i was already taking.
so, feeling quite overwhelmed, i turned to God for answers on how to go forward with this new information. any of you who have gone through this yourselves, know how much of a challenge it is eliminating things from your diet like these.....those top three are in almost everything! even gluten-free cereals, breads, and such. so, this weekend i turned to God.....and what He answered back should have been so obvious to me, but my brain was so full with everything that was happening that i couldn't see it. i needed to return to the raw foods diet that He brought to me when i started to pray about my health and well being six months ago, but with this new found information about my food intolerances taken into account. and to not try to do it 100%....to listen to what my body told me it needed. that He designed our bodies to know what they needed to function at optimum efficiency....this body is a gift and i need to make sure i always treat it as such. and if i didn't give it what it needed, it would be sure to let me know! lol!
so this morning, i did just that and i'm starting to feel a peace about eating again for the first time in months. i'll still eat meat and cooked veggies.....it will be more of a 50/50 split, but keeping my diet filled with whole foods and a minimal amount of processed ones.
above is a picture of what i had this morning for breakfast....i just thought about what i had on hand and some raw food breakfast recipes i'd seen in all the books i've checked out from the library over the past few months. for those of you curious about what's in it, i'll include the recipe below. it was quite yummy and filling. and no, i do not know how many calories, or fat grams, or carbs are in it. i don't keep track of that stuff because if i try too, my brain gets overloaded and it makes me nuts. simplicity is important for me. i just make sure i'm eating whole foods and healthy fats in moderation. that is the key.
- 1/2 small ripe avocado
- 1/2 ripe banana
- small handful chopped cashews
- small handful chopped walnuts
- handful of raisins (unsweetened & no sulfites)
- light drizzle of raw agave
if any of you want to see more posts about eating for your health, please leave a comment for me on this post. this is something that is very close to my heart and i want to share it with y'all and i'd be happy to start doing more posts on this subject. :)
blessings & hugs to y'all! have a fantabulous monday!!
New online class registration open - "Divine Romance" + free webinar event
Hey y'all! gosh, things have been busy 'round here. Registration is finally open for my new online class. Its called "Divine Romance - strengthening your connection to God through creativity" and begins on May 17th. This is a five week class that is designed to inspire you and show you how you can enter into God's presence through the process of creating. Creativity is not reserved for only "artists"....we are ALL creative because we were made in the image of the Master Creator. Come ready to playfully experiment and raise our creative voices to God in praise!
Price for the class is $85, but if you register before 5/11/2011, then you get it for $80. Also, space is limited and registration ends on May 16th, the day before the class begins. Not sure when I'll be able to offer this again...might be fall since I have my kiddo home with me all summer. For all the details, please click the graphic below.
Also, I'll be broadcasting live from my studio next week on Tuesday, May 10th @ 10:00 AM Pacific Time for about an hour. If you've ever wondered about my creative process, here's your chance to get a peek into it. This is also give y'all a chance to preview the online live webcast format I will be using as part of my new online class.
You have to register for this free event because space is limited. I announced the webcast late yesterday on Facebook and its already over 50% full, so act fast so you don't miss out!
Obedient
Earlier today, I pulled this painting down off of my mantle, where it has been sitting for the past month or so. I thought this one was ready for imagery to be pulled forward....but God had other plans. I kept trying to pull what I was seeing forward, but I kept hearing in my mind that the background wasn't done. So I fought it for a while, but finally I've given in. Trying to be obedient and go where He leads...for He knows better than I....even if it takes me a little bit to "get a clue". lol! :D
Here's what it looked like earlier, before I started adding additional layers...
*New Video* ~Evolution of a Painting (one)
i have absolutely no idea how long it's been since i made a new video to post here on the blog.....i do know its been way too long! lol! i think that maybe it partly had to do with the feeling that God was prompting me to do something i had never done before....incorporate another gift He's given me into my videos along with the art. and let me tell ya.....i got more than a bit anxious about it. so instead of just trusting God and going forward with it.....i stalled. don't we all do this....God tells us what He wants us to do and we go, "oh no God. you couldn't possibly want me to do that. i'm not good enough, prepared enough, etc." and what are we doing? letting our own insecurities stop us from giving glory to God by using all of our gifts.
so, after over more than a year of of God regularly reminding me that He needed me to do this, i'm finally letting go and taking another step forward on this journey He's intended for me. the voice you hear singing during the video is mine....yep, i've been singing since before i could talk, my mom would say. i've sang at church during my childhood, at music festivals around my home state, in talent competitions, and done the karaoke thing as an adult....but before last year, it had been over 12 years since i'd sang in front of anyone besides my family. i know God knew He had to ease me back into this, so He started with singing solos at our new church. i have received much encouragement from many members of my church family and it has helped me gather my courage for this new territory God has me going into....putting my voice out here on the internet....for everyone to hear.
i want to encourage you....to follow God's leading and prompting...even though you may not feel "ready" or "good enough". do it anyway. trust Him and know that He intends only good for you. God uses everyone to bring Him glory. for through the least, he can do the most.
this new video series will not only feature my singing, but also some video format experimentation as well....i'm sure you'll notice that i'm painting with one hand and filming with the other, in hopes to give you a "painter's eye" view of the process of creating a painting. i'll be filming this painting at different stages of its creation....trusting that God will lead it and me where He wants to take us. it is my prayer that God works though me, this broken vessel, to speak to your heart and spirit.
God's abundant blessings to you all!!! xoxoxo
"...I am like a broken vessel... Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." ~Psalm 31:12b, 24
Original song by JJ Heller (link to video of her singing this song live)
"Something Holy" - music love
You Know that you're incomplete. A song with a broken beat. There's a whole in all our hearts. And there's a reason why...
lyrics from "Something Holy" by Stellar Kart
this song keeps coming on pretty much every time i turn on the radio...no matter what time of day or whether i'm in the car or at home....think God's tryin' to drive His point home with me right now. something i'm really needing to hear over and over 'til it sinks in completely and fully.
