My son tuned TWO!

Nikolas turned two!  Two years ago my life changed forever!  Well, it changed the moment I met his father 5 years ago, the day I moved in with him, the second I saw the test read pregnant.  

He was born on September 15, 2009 at 1:14pm - after 26 hours of labor.  I would do it again in a second!  No question. Niko wasn't born as healthy as I expected.  Six minutes after birth they discovered a problem with his breathing.  He had pneumothorax (little holes in the lungs, partially collapsed lungs) and a cyst on his little brain. 

Leaving him in the hospital alone was truly the single most difficult thing I ever experienced. By the graces of God, he came home perfect and healthy one week later!  No surgery needed. 

Now here we are, two years later! I pray I'm on this Earth long enough to have another 60 or 70 years with him. Happy Birthday, my baby boy!!  Momma loves you forever!

Short High Intensity Workouts

I've heard that short, high intensity workouts with resistance are more effective than straight cardio routines that last and hour or more.  A friend of mine introduced me to BODYROCKtv a few days ago and I love it!  The creator of the page posts a new workout quite often.

The Primal Lifestyle also encourages short HARD workouts and resistance training.  Muscle burns fat!  This type of workout is right up my alley - especially since I can do it at home!

** Note that BODYROCK uses equipment on many of the workouts.  If you're really going to get into this I recommend buying the necessary gear.  Be prepared to spend money to be fully equipped.  I haven't bought anything yet.  I'm going to slowly add the equipment as I go.

What to expect from BODYROCK

This is what I've found (so far) that you'll need.  Check Craigslist.com for used items.  Go to my Amazon.com shop (tab at the top of my page) and you can see my recommendations.

Jump Rope
Dip Stand
Ugi Fitness Ball or weighted Medicine Ball
Sandbag
Dumbbells
Resistance Bands

Check out these articles for further reading:

Benefits of HIT (High Intensity Training)
New York Times
AskMen
Tabata Sprints

Regarding Dairy

I started my primal journey about 7 months ago.  I have slowly been cutting dairy from my life, but haven't gone all the way.  It's like a crutch, a familiarity that I've always had in my life.  I really should eliminate it all together because my body does not like dairy very much.  Some primal followers still consume limited amounts of dairy.


I've stopped drinking milk, but still have ice cream and cheese on occasion.  This is the first month I've gone without yogurt - and I took it out of my son's diet, as well.

Did you know that milk actually depletes calcium from your bones?  Milk has been linked to asthma, diabetes, osteoporosis, acne, cancer, bloating, gas, and diarrhea among other things. 

I'm sure we can find problems with nearly every food out there.  So, my reasons for going dairy free are to help with my physical reactions to it.  I have even worse problems with grains!  The milk alternatives I use are coconut milk and almond milk.  I have found so many dairy-free ice cream recipes, too!  Put any of your favorite smoothie recipes in an ice cream maker and you have an amazing treat! 

I don't drink soy milk and try to avoid soy products as well.  Did you know most soy is genetically altered and treated abundantly with pesticides?  In addition, I don't like to consume corn or things containing it, and that's so hard to do because practically everything is made with corn.

The 10 Reasons I Avoid Soy
Scrutinizing Soy
The Definitive Guide to Dairy
Corn is Not a Vegetable

Have you cut anything from your diet which improved your overall health and well-being?

I RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE:  FOOD, INC

Blueberry Ice Smoothie

Serving: 2

Ingredients:


1 cup vanilla coconut milk
2-3 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup ice
(optional) stevia - to sweeten bitter berries

*consider adding a few handfuls of baby leaf spinach!!

Directions
1. Blend all things except ice
2. Slowly add ice to blend
3. Blend until smooth

Grain Free Brownies

Ingredients

• **8oz Almond Flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup special dark baking cocoa
• 1 tbs pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp coarse sea salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 oz unsweetened dark chocolate chopped or chips
• 1-2 tbs coconut oil for greasing pan

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 325.  Grease an 8x8 pan with the coconut oil
2.  Mix all the wet ingredients first in a large bowl
3.  Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix well.
4.  Pour batter into the greased pan.
5.  Bake at 325 for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
6.  Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes.


** I guessed at the quantity of flour.  The original recipe called for 16oz nuts not flour.  

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN ALMOND FLOUR