Banana Shake Using Pearl Meal Replacement

I am absolutely in LOVE with this shake/smoothie. I have it almost every morning. I love the Pearl from Professional Botanicals, it has amazing nutritional value and the Vanilla flavor is delicious by itself...but also makes it easy to use and add flavor too. This recipe is really really easy....take a moment and watch the video, and if you must go ahead and laugh out loud at how silly I look. I am not one to like being in front of the camera, ha! But I wanted you to see how fast and easy it is to make :)

Also, don't forget that you can buy Pearl Meal Replacement HERE, and remember to use discount code KELSIE20 to get your 20% off your product!

Naturally Getting Rid of a Stomach Ulcer

Hey all. SO I haven't really shared what I have been going through these last few weeks, not because I haven't thought about it. But because I wanted to wait until I could honestly tell you what has worked and not worked for me. 

Before I dive in let me get you up to date. Because I had a more traumatic labor with Greyson I was in A LOT of pain during my recovery. I was taking ibuprofen several times a day for weeks. Like I mentioned in THIS post, I was able to finally switch from taking Ibuprofen to a more natural pain reliever. 

About this same time (approximately 3 weeks postpartum) I started getting extreme pain in my stomach that would appear out of no where and last for hours before fading away. This pain started showing up 2 or 3 times a week. Because I was still in that brand new mommy phase, walking zombie stage of life I didn't spend much time thinking about what could be wrong. My full focus was on this new baby of mine and making sure he was ok, I put myself on the back burner. I also thought that I should just tough it out and it would eventually just go away. This went on for about a month that I ignored my problem I was having. 

By the time I was about 2.5 months postpartum I was still having issues and decided something had to be done. I couldn't take being in that much pain several times a week anymore. I made an appointment to go see a gastroenterologist (stomach doctor) to see if he could tell me what was wrong. I was with the Dr. for maybe 10 minutes at the most. He asked me a bunch of questions and then said I either had gallstones or a stomach ulcer. In order for him to find out I was going to have to go back the next week and have an ultrasound, as well as have a stomach scope. The scope was going to involve me "going under" and having them drop a small camera down my throat and into my stomach. I don't know about you but that was the LAST thing I wanted. I left the Doctor's office extremely frustrated. First off, he couldn't do anything about it for at least a week (probably more since he would have to wait for results), I would have to fast for almost 24 hours, because of the medication to put me under I was going to have to pump and dump for a couple of days, and because of the pump and dumping I was going to need to breast pump A TON to save up so Grey would have enough food. Everything about this visit stressed me out. 

I decided to take a deep breath and head to Veo Clinic to go see Dr. Millet and see if there was anything he could do to help me. I told him that the Gastroenterologist said I either had gallstones or a stomach ulcer. Dr Millet took my arm and muscle tested me, within 30 seconds he was able to tell me that I had a stomach ulcer. No waiting a week, no fasting, no saving up breast milk, and best of all no scope! 

Stomach ulcer's are usually irritated by spicy foods, fatty foods, or foods that are in general harder for your body to break down and digest. The advice I was given by Dr. Millet was to avoid as much of these foods as possible and then to up my intake of Lipozymes (enzymes that help break down fat) and to start taking DiAide Enzymes (enzymes that help the body to break down food). 

It has now been a month since I have started doing this and I feel AMAZING! Honestly, I can't believe how quickly I felt better. In this past month I have only had one, yes only ONE time that I had my stomach pain and it wasn't anywhere close to the amount of pain I was feeling before. 

Dr. Millet truly is amazing and Veo Clinic has been extremely helpful in keeping me healthy and helping me to live a more natural life.

New Motivation for a Healthy Life

While on a visit to Sophie's Pediatrician I was informed of something great. Sophie can now eat whatever we eat. If it is too big or is something she can't gum then we just put it in the blender. This for me has become a new form of motivation to live a healthy life. If my daughter is eating what I am eating I better make sure that what I am putting into my body is natural and healthy.

Interestingly enough, Sophie's favorite food is surprisingly Mexican food. She loves rice and black bean and especially refiried beans. this has encouraged us to make more rice bowls, healthy casseroles and burritos, all of which we are incorporating more and more veggies into our recipes. I am not saying you need to plan your meals around you baby but take their health into consideration. If you wouldn't put it into their body why would you put it into yours? The mentality of breast feeding mothers have of putting good things into their bodies so baby gets good things shouldn't end just because they no longer breast feed or never could (This was the situation in my case, I was unable to breast feed beyond 2 1/2 months). Our children learn from us so lets teach them that their body is something to be cherished, because in this life we only get one. We should take care of our bodies and only put things in it that build it up. We need to cherish these bodies that carry our children in the womb and in our arms.
That being said, I am no saint nor am I perfect in denying my daughter of treats.

This cookie was a welcome home gift from Sophie's grandpa. And NO, she DID NOT eat that whole cookie.

This is how my daughter eats usually: baby formula with iron, and lots of organic fruits and veggies.

We all want what is best for our children and want them to live great healthy lives. To me this can include treats from grandparents and cakes on their birthdays, Teach your children a healthy lifestyle but also teach them to live and make good choices on their own. If you deny them treats they will never learn to make the healthy choices.

Update and a Dose of Reality

 While on my visit to Nebraska I didn't quite my diet to the T. I also have in the last few days run out of supplements. In particular my Burn, Lipozymes (Promo code: kelsie20) and Female Gland Balance. Here are my results after exercising again and eating healthy again but no Burn, Lipozymes, or Female Gland Balance for the last 3 days.

 

While I gained no wait during my trip or since I haven't lost any. I am still where I was when I left for my trip. I am grateful I took a picture before I left for Nebraska to remind me of how far I had come with the Veo program. If you ask me I am a bit puffier. I think my body isn't quite as toned as I was before I strayed from the Program. I think I still have made amazing progress and am proud of how far I have come. I have a goal in mind however and if I want to reach that goal I need to get with the program, literally. Kelsie and I are going to go meet with Dr. Allen today to be retested and our diets adjusted. Keep your finger crossed for me that next week we will see some more results :)

Remember, life happens. We all fall off the band wagon now and again but that doesn't mean we should give up and that all hope is lost..There is support out there from other moms who are going through the difficulties of weightloss and great people to lead us to a healthy life like Dr. Allen of the Veo Clinic. Find your rock and your support and cling to it. You can do it. The journey isn't over.

One of the Greatest things I Have Learned on My Journey to a Healthier Happier Me

During my journey with Kelsie I think I have learned several life altering things. I have learned how to manage my diet and make healthy choices. I have larned how to get in a healthy routine and keep it going. I have learned how to blog. :) (thanks Kels). But most importantly I have learned to love myself.  I Know I still have a long ways to go and there will be hard days but I have found my strength. My strength is my family. My strength is the better mom I feel I am to my little girl because I love myself again. I am a better wife who plays with my husband like we were still dating. I think that to have confidence breeds confidence and inturn success.
At my current weight, which is better than I was by far, I wouldn't of been caught dead in a swimsuit let alone a bikini. But, look at me now!

I know I am not perfect but I am so proud of my progress and it only makes me want to be better. Not only for me but for my family. The greatest gift the Veo Program has given me is my life back. :)

Making Healthy Choices in Not So Healthy Circumstance

While on vacation with my family I was presented with a challenge. My parents attempt to eat healthy and in general are successful. But, it seams that I inherited the notion that "if you are on vacation that means lets eat out as much as possible"! So, that is what we did. While I didn't follow my meal plan the way I should have I feel that I made a valiant effort considering how often we ate out. I also think that Lipozmes ( coupon code: Kelsie20) and Active helped my body break down some of the "not so good" foods I was eating.
   

The Following are a few tips that I followed in an attempt to maintain my healthy lifestyle.
1.) Choose a protein
   I tried to make my initial choice for my meal based on a protein based meal.
2.) Stay away from carbs
   My family loves Italian food. My sister got a dish that seemed amazing. It was light with tomatoes and basil and chicken, however I knew I needed to try and stay away from the pasta. So, I chose a dish that i think was equally as delicious or perhaps even more. I got a stuffed pepper. It was amazing. This began a trend for me. Stuffed peppers are quite common on menus whether they are bell peppers or something spicier like a poblano pepper. Often times these peppers included rice but this is a better choice than pasta.
3.) Say no to appetizers
   It isn't rude. I promise. My family ordered flat bed pizzas for an appetizer. It is easy to refuse. Simply blame it on ordering a large meal. Let them know you are saving room for your meal. This is a good choice anyways since most servings at restaurants are far beyond the needs of one person.
4.) You do not need dessert
   Just say no to the waiter when they return to ask about dessert. I let the waiter take ALL the menus once we are done ordering our meal. This way I am not perusing the menu for dessert while I am hungrily waiting for my meal. I also have my card ready or method of payment ready when the waiter comes with the check. This gives me no time to second guess my "no dessert" decision.
5.) Drink lots of water!
   Most restaurants have amazing drink menus. I love a flavored lemonade but I know it isn't worth it. Look at it this way, is it worth the cost to not only your body but your wallet? Water will save you money on your meal and water will help fill  you up before your meal helping you to avoid over indulging.

You can enjoy a night out at your favorite restaurant. Just remember to make good ch-+*`ices and keep your goal in mind. A healthy life is within your reach don't let a bowl of fettuccine keep you from it .:)

Seeing the benefits of a natural life

So Before my trip I took this picture. It had been 2 months since Kelsie and I began our transition into a healthy lifestyle. I have lost 9 lbs in total and have 11 to go. I didn't do the best at following my new lifestyle while visiting my parents, especially when it comes to exercise. However, I am happy to report that while I may not have lost any weight I didn't gain any either. 

I am quite excited and proud of the effect a natural lifestyle has had on me. I have found not only am I more confident and have found that my body has begun to resemble it's old self but I have found that I am happier and have more energy. I am able to keep up with my very active husband and daughter. I am also a ton more positive. 

I truly believe that my new lifestyle has effected my relationships. I was so much happier and more positive during my visit with my family. The memories we made this last trip alone have made my new change totally worth it. I look forward to sharing my progress with all of you as well as a few posts for advise on traveling with a little one and how to help them be comfortable in a new place. :)

Keeping You and Baby Happy While Traveling

It has been a while since i posted and I have so much to share. I just returned from a trip back east to see my family in Nebraska. Flying with my daughter and staying with my parents I learned a lot about adjusting your lifestyle when you aren't in the ideal situation. This includes for myself and my healthy lifestyle as well as keeping life easy and comfortable for my 9 month old while traveling.

The following is my list of major do's and don'ts when traveling with a small child. Not all of them are things I did right. Many of them are things I would have done differently.
1.) Do not over pack!
   I definitely over packed and it made my life a lot harder than it needed to be. Over packing your checked bag isn't really a big deal so long as you don't go over your weight limit but over packing your carry-ons is a huge no-no in my book.
   With an infant you are allowed your carry-on and a diaper bag. I stuffed both full! The only thing I used out of MY carry-on was a blanket for her to crawl around on (a must) but other than that it was just one more thing to tote around the airport while I carried my daughter.
2.) Check your stroller, car seat and base at the check in counter
  Send all that bulky stuff away as soon as you get there. When traveling around the airport with baby, less is more.
3.) Carry your baby on you
   I used The Chicco Ultrasoft 2 way baby carrier. I carried her facing me which was super helpful if she got scared. She would just bury her face in my chest and hide. Honestly though i think being close to me gave her the confidence to take it all in and be friendly to passers by.
   I enjoyed having my hands free and allowing my baby the ability to move around with out compromising my hold on her. She loved it.
   Once we were ready to board I just took her out and held her on my lap while we flew and stowed the carrier until landing.
4.) Bring a separate blanket only for the ground
  Babies get cooped up and cramped just like us during a long flight. Get to your terminal early so that your little one has the chance to crawl and move around. My daughter was super happy to have the chance to get the wiggles out after a long drive through the airport.
  I think it helped the other passengers be patient with her during the flight. While playing on the ground she was able to give everyone smiles and make everyone laugh, essentially making everyone around her fall in love. :)
5.) Hold on to that boarding pass

   I kept the boarding pass from each flight as a reminder of her first flight. It is something fun to show her someday and is a nice reminder to me that "We made it!"
  The flight attendants were even kind enough to give us her first "wings". :)
6.) Avoid the airport bathrooms at all cost!
   My daughter dad a wonderful trip to the airport, to the gate and then on the plane. We landed and headed to the bathroom to change her. the sound of the driers and the toilets was deafening. it scared the heck out of her and turned a peaceful trip into a disaster. Change your baby where ever you want. it isn't worth freaking them out.
7.) New toys are a must

   I had new toys for the flight there but not back and I could tell a big difference. the toys i brought for the trip home were given to her at my parents so they were new but i think that they need something they have never seen before. And keep it simple. Beads worked better than the fanciest of toys. Let their imaginations go wild and they will stay occupied longer.
8.) Try to get baby to sleep before you land
   My little girl's ears really bothered her during and after our first landing. Sh was awake and drinking a bottle then she had her Binky in but it didn't matter. the second time she was asleep with her Binky and we had no ear problems whatsoever.
9.) Be nice!
   The nicer you are to those that have power over your trip the better your trip will be. I just let everyone know it was her first time flying and I was super nervous. People helped my cover my stroller for storage under the plane, the TSA was super patient of me and demanded other travelers be aware of us. I wasn't even required to remove my belt and shoes at one airport.
   The flight attendants were great too. They even filled my bottles with warm water for me during the flight. :)
  They only make you go through a metal detector, don't pat you down, allow you to bring baby food and even water for baby through security, and they only check your hands for residue. Be kind to them and they will be kind to you.
10.) Relax
   Baby knows if you are stressed. If I was calm, my little girl was calm. If I smiled about something so did she. If you are friendly to people so will she.
   No one likes a crying baby on the plane so just keep calm. Hopefully you being relaxed will translate to a nap for your little one on the plane. It did for me!!

Overall Sophie and I had a great trip and I would fly with her again in a heart beat :)

Postpartum Weight Loss Update: Kelsie Millet

Hey friends! So it has been awhile since I have actually updated you with how I'm doing. This week my little babe will be THREE months old..time goes way too fast! I took my picture this morning and wasn't feeling too confident until I compared it to where I started. You need to take pictures!! You will feel so much better when you can actually see how much better you are doing rather than taking someone else's word for it.

A recap for those of you who haven't followed along...I had a pretty traumatic labor and wasn't allowed to start exercising until 12 weeks postpartum (so almost just barely). So you wonder how I've been losing almost all my baby weight??? EATING HEALTHY and taking all natural supplements to help my metabolism.
Starting 1 month postpartum I decided that if I couldn't exercise I was going to make my best effort to eat what my body wanted. I went into Veo Clinic ( a herbal supplement company/chiropractic clinic) and was muscle tested to see what types of food my body didn't want and DID want.
I was given a diet plan which consisted of drinking lots and lots of water, unlimited veggies, one fruit a day, unlimited protein, and 1-2 servings of carbs a day. The only carbs my body "wanted" when I was muscle tested were "smart" tortillas ( I ate whole wheat tortillas with a high protein count) and sweet potatoes.
Also, I ate within 20-30 minutes of waking up to boost my metabolism and then throughout the day I ate every 2-3 hours. Most importantly every time I ate I ate a true protein with something else or alone.
Along with eating according to this diet plan I also took two different supplements. Lipozymes and Burn, which you can read more about Lipozymes HERE and Burn HERE. These products have been amazingly helpful and are safe to take while breastfeeding. After talking with the owner I was able to get a discount for any of you that would like to purchase these products. Use code KELSIE20 at checkout. Go HERE to purchase. Or if you would rather I can also get you a free sample, if you want to try the product out first. Please email me at kelsieandjess@gmail.com if you are interested and I can mail one out to you!

Veggie Cooking Sheet

I don't know if any of you guys are like me but sometimes I don't know all the ways I can cook my veggies or for how long etc. I found this cheat sheet and it is PERFECT!!! I had to share.

Easy Paleo Hamburger Pie

If you are like me the worst part of the day is deciding what to make for dinner. Especially when you are trying to eat healthy and trying to cut out carbs. I have been on the search for yummy and filling dinner recipes and this one is ranked mine and my husband's favorite. We LOVE IT. It is super simple to make and it fills us both up. This is one of those dinners that we almost have weekly now.
I normally will steam some broccoli and carrots for a side to go along with the pie for a complete meal. The recipe can be found HERE, thanks to beautyandthefoodie.com

Believe me you will love this! For me and my husband we usually add a little bit more sauce then the recipes calls for mixed in with the meat...adjust for how you like it.

Update and Some Stressful Complications

My pursuit of the natural life began for several reasons. The first of which was obvious. I wanted to get healthy and fit after having my daughter. The second was something that had effected me since I got pregnant with my daughter. I had experienced some pretty awful skin afflictions. They would come and go but always came back worse than when they were the time before. 

This is my face during the beginning of my pregnancy with my daughter. I was about 2 months along. I only broke out a few more times after this but the last time was the worst. I had broken out in painful sores all over my face in a matter of hours. These sores that night then proceeded to burst and ooze. I was in Vegas at the time and just wanted to get home so I did not see a physician and didn't know Dr. Millet at the time. I went to see a doctor who prescribed me a bunch of meds because he thought one of them has to work. I did not feel comfortable with this so I took none of them. After I had my daughter my face was never plagued by these sores again. However my hands were another story.

I began to develop the same sores on my hands (fingers only) that had been on my face. I was unable to put my hands in water hold anything relatively heavy or even wash my hair when I had the break outs. 

After I began the 90 day challenge with the Veo Clinic I discovered I had a case of Candida which probably developed after having open sores on my hands for so long. After my general detox and a foot bath detox my hands cleared up.

We got into our house and began working on it and my hand issue returned. With a vengeance. Eager to have this solved once and or all I went to a different doctor. I informed him of my natural life style and told him I will not be pumped full of a bunch of different drugs while we keep our fingers crossed it would work. He agreed and ran some tests. 

My health and blood were immaculate. I only had slightly elevated thyroid levels but other than that  I was extremely healthy. I know I owed that to the Veo program. My next step was to see my second dermatologist. 

What a great visit I had. I went in clear about my lifestyle and what had been going on and he totally respected me and spoke with me to inform me not to only treat me. 

I was diagnosed with dishydrotic eczema. This condition only effects that hands and/or feet (my face was affected during my pregnancy because your body basically does whatever it wants when you are pregnant :b) And it is brought on my what else? Stress. I should have known. I have had some crazy stress between raising my 8 month old, buying and remodeling our first home and a few other personal matters.

Due to the extremity of my case I was put on a couple prescriptions to get the breakout under control. Thankfully I do not need to continue to take these medications once my hands are healed which is happening quickly. I have been advised to keep the products i use very natural and to not use anything with extra perfumes or dyes. which is conveniently in line with a healthy lifestyle :)

I am going to investigate a product carried by Veo Clinic that helps with stress. My next post will have some more information for you guys on what I find out and a few other stress relieving techniques I have begun to introduce into my life. 

Also, here is my update for this week!! 

10 Weightloss tips for the Mom on the Go

1.) Eat foods you actually like:
When trying to change your eating habits they aren't going to stick unless you actually like what you are eating. Look for healthy versions of recipes you already love or just modify the ones you have to fit your new healthy lifestyle.

2.) Make exercise just a normal part of your day:
If you get into a routine where you do morning yoga, end your night with a walk or hit the gym once a day everyday then you will naturally make it happen. Most people gravitate to habit and like to have a routine, especially moms! We are striving for a natural life so lets make it our life! :)

3.) If you "mess up" all is not lost:
We all have temptation. "We went to a wedding and I absolutely love wedding cake." "We went to a movie and I really wanted that oh so buttery popcorn." It is OK! Just keep moving forward with good choices. One moment of weakness doesn't mean all is lost. It is better to falter once than give up the natural life all together.

4.) Include your family/ friends:
When I have others involved to help me stay on track I feel I have to be accountable to not only myself but to them. If I am cooking healthy for my family and they love it and everyone feels better and then I just stop one day, my family is losing the benefits of a natural life, not just myself. Walks with friends are a great way to get your exercise and it helps you feel like you are not alone in your healthy endeavors.

5.) Find a good regimen of vitamins:
Mine and Kelsie's life style changes have been supported by the wonderful supplements provided by Veo Clinic. They have three lines of products: Professional Botanicals, 365 Active, and Veo Natural. All of these products have worked wonders for us. And with Dr. Allen's help we have really been able to pin point what works best for our bodies.

6.) Detox:
I have found that the detox is a great way to jump start any healthy lifestyle. Flush out the bad and bring in the good. I use another Professional Botanicals product, Prep-Tonic Detox.

7.) Find a good meal replacement shake:
When you are a busy mom you don't always get to eat let alone eat healthy. I have found my mornings are the busiest. I am always running or making my baby breakfast and getting everyone ready for the day. I use yet another Veo Natural product, Pearl 2.0. I use this mixed with fruit and berries or other Veo Products like Jade or Momentum 2.0.

8.) Don't skip meals:
Even if you just have to make a quick meal replacement shake DO NOT SKIP MEALS! You want to keep your metabolism up and moving and if you skip meals your body goes into survival mode. Not expecting to eat again, your body then stores energy in fat cells. This makes you gain weight. Get your body used to frequent nutrients and your metabolism will go into hyper drive :)

9.)Don't gauge your success only by the scale:
I have found that sometimes I get discouraged when I think I have done great and I must have lost a ton then I get on the scale and haven't lost anything. I have found pictures are your best friend. Take weekly photos so you can actually see the results and have something to compare them too. Another helpful thing is your clothes. See how your clothes fit. For me fitting into a pair of jeans that have been tight forever is incredibly rewarding :)

10.) Realize you are a WOMAN:
Lets just get to the point. We ovulate. There I said it. We bloat, we have occasional craving and sometimes when we even are in great shape our pants won't fit around that time of the month. As far as cravings go, find healthier alternatives for the foods you love. They may not be ideal but just make sure they are better than that Twinkie you really want.

In the photo below (last weeks updated pic) I am slightly bloated. I felt discouraged until I made my list above. I am a woman and I have made great progress. I will keep truckin' along and work for my goal of a healthier happier me. :) -Jess

Supplements Instead of Ibuprofen

If any of you have taken the time to read baby Grey's birth story you know that he was posterior and I ended up pushing for 3 hours. (If you would like to read it, click here. ) Because of him being in the birth canal for so long it really did some damage to my body. It has been 9 weeks today since I had my little boy and I am still on my road to recovering. In the past 2 weeks I have finally seen leaps and bounds of improvement, which has been extremely encouraging, but before that I was still in immense pain.
I was very uncomfortable 90% of the time. Sitting hurt because I had fractured my tail bone. Standing, was a joke because of all my scar tissue...I could only stand for about 15 minutes before I had to sit down because of the pain I was in.
I DO NOT tell you this for pity or for anyone to feel bad for me. I still to this day would not change anything about my labor and delivery and am thankful I was able to deliver my son naturally. With that said, why I am telling you this is because I was taking a TON of ibuprofen.
When I was sent home from the hospital I was given a prescription for 800 mg Ibuprofen. I would count down the hours until I could take my next dose because of the pain I was feeling. After my prescription ran up about a week after the delivery I still would take up to 4 pills (800 mg) of Ibuprofen. It wasn't until about 3 weeks after that I reduced the amount I was taking each time to 400 mg.
If you can only imagine what I was beginning to do to my body. I was starting to get dry mouth and stomach aches as result of having so much Ibuprofen in me. On top of that I was feeling like a terrible mother because I knew Grey was also receiving a lot of Ibuprofen from my breast milk. I was torn on what to do because I couldn't pick him up and rock him back to sleep or calm him if I wasn't being helped in someway with my pain. I knew though that somehow I had to find a way to stop taking the ibuprofen.

Luckily there is a Professional Botanicals Supplement called "Total Pain Support" that had the same results in helping with pain as Ibuprofen with out all the bad side effects that come along with Ibuprofen. I switched to taking "Total Pain Support" and was amazed at how well it actually worked. I would recommend this to anyone. If you are interested in learning more (click here) about it or purchasing (click here) it for yourself, check it out on their website (click here).

*Professional Botanicals is owned by the same owners of Veo Natural/Veo Clinic

So we don’t have the usual update this week guys. My update picture and weight will have to wait until tomorrow until I find my scale and get my mirror hung in our new bathroom. Our new home is slowly coming together (which is beautiful by the way, thanks to my wonderful husband and all his hard work).

So, this week I will share with you one of my favorite workout/ relaxation techniques for the morning. Yoga!! I know it isn’t revolutionary but I will say it has been for me in my life.  I find that working out in the morning helps my entire day go better but on those days I can’t make it to the gym (and honestly sometimes after I get home from the gym) I like to find my focus and my center with a simple yoga video. I have my mat in the living room before the family wakes up and I just take my time for me. The video doesn’t need to be long or expensive. I use one that I got from Wal-Mart called “Gaiam: Am Yoga for Your Week”. There a few short videos focusing on different areas of the body and I just switch up my routine daily. Just another way I keep myself living the natural life. ;) -Jess

Children Chiropractic Adjustments

I haven't been one that has been seeing a Chiropractor my whole life, but now wish I had. I started getting adjusted about two years ago, and I feel like it has made a huge difference in how my body feels. The biggest thing I have learned from being adjusted is that your body doesn't have to be hurting to need an adjustment. Getting adjusted helps with several areas in the body and it's not always something that you can be aware of by pain.
I found this video of Dr. Millet at Veo Clinic adjusting this little baby and I love it. I knew I wanted to share it immediately because Dr. Millet adjusts my little baby whose 2 months old. He adjusted my little Grey for the first time when he was only a day old. Dr. Millet is awesome with kids, as you can see in the video. I would highly recommend him to anyone that is interested in adjustments for your kids or for you.

A little bit closer... big changes

It has been 5 weeks since we first began our journey to health. I am pleased to announce I have lost 6 lbs now in total and am finally starting to recognize myself in the mirror again. 

I don't want to be super model thin. What I want is to be a healthy mom with all the energy I need to play with my little girl and keep up with her as she is getting busier and busier. I have found through this process that I don't just want a healthy life, I want a happy life. I believe that my journey to being happy has begun with my journey to be healthy. 

We all want to be the best we can be. For ourselves, for our kids, for our spouses. When we put bad things in our body, do bad things to it or simply neglect it we are creating a negative emotion which then settles with in us and eventually effects everything around us. We take care of the things we love so why not love ourselves, take better care of ourselves to help find the tools to be better for those around us.
Before and 5 weeks later:

  

Feel The Burn!

As many of you know Kelsie and I are doing the Veo 90 Day Challenge. Along with a healthy diet and exercise our healthy lifestyle is supported by natural supplements from the Veo Clinic. One of the supplements I take is called Burn. It is appropriately named since it has high but safe quantities of niacin.

Niacin helps support the metabolic process. It is an essential vitamin also known as B3 that has an indirect impact on weight loss. Essentially if you want to lose weight you need to develop a healthy lifestyle and change you habits. You need to eat healthy and exercise. Burn will only support this change and help you see better results. 

A side effect of taking Burn is actually referenced in the name. Burn. Some may see the Niacin Flush as a result of taking Burn. THIS IS OK. I panicked the first time I flushed. I thought I was having some crazy allergic reaction. I felt hot and my skin turned red. I felt my heart rate increase slightly. I was concerned it was going to get worse but as I experienced the flush it went as quickly as it came. 

After I experience the Niacin Flush I honestly feel great. I feel like my lungs have opened up, I have more energy and I feel like even my skin is brighter.

Niacin can help flush out toxins in the system which coupled with supporting you metabolism gives you a real recipe for weight loss success.

I can say that changing my lifestyle, incorporating some healthy supplements coupled with Burn has really helped me. Burn has given me more energy than ever.

*You can visit the Livestrong website for more information: Livestrong: Niacin and Weightloss

Light Summer Salad/Wrap Recipe

I found this recipe about a year ago when I was eating Paleo and I fell IN LOVE with this dressing. It is delish!!! I recently made it again and was reminded of how yummy and easy this is, and is now becoming an easy go to lunch recipe.With this recipe you can either create it as a wrap, by using a big leaf of Romaine lettuce and putting all the goodness inside. Or if you prefer you can cut up the Romaine and add everything as a topping. I do both just depending on my mood!

Light Summer Salad/Wrap Recipe:

1/2 cup chopped chicken (I usually season my with black pepper and a pinch of salt)

1/2 chopped fuji apple (or apple of your preference)

1/3 cup of blueberries

1 Tbsp of slivered almonds

Dressing:

2 Tbsp Agave Nectar

2 Tbsp Almond Butter

**Sometimes instead of blueberries in my salad I will use grapes. Also, if you don't have Agave Nectar you can also use natural honey.

You will love this!! So YUMMY.

My Top Five Outdoor Hot Spots In and Around Ogden

If you have been following the blog you know that Kelsie and I are big fans of the outdoors. Beginning our journey to health couldn't have come at a better time- SUMMER! I have been so excited to get back out in nature and have fun while working out. I recently visited one of our favorite spots- Waterfall Canyon. I'll go into detail why these are my favorite places. Some are for the whole family but I threw some in that would be excellent for older children or would make a great outing for just the adults. *these are in no particular order by the way, they all have their own appeal in my opinion.
1. Waterfall Canyon:
This hike is definitely an attraction to one and all here in Ogden. You will meet people of all types on this gorgeous hike. It doesn't sound ideal, hiking with a bunch of strangers but it is honestly a lot of fun. People are incredibly courteous and always willing to lend a helping hand especially on the last stretch. My husband and I always to try to encourage first timers that seem to be struggling. We let them know it is well worth the effort. The reward at the top is a gorgeous 200 foot waterfall that comes right out the canyon. While challenging, with a few breaks this hike can be done with some of the smaller children. Just have patience and enjoy the climb. :)

2. Wheeler Canyon:
This canyon has such versatility. It has been a favorite for many things including biking, hiking and even family pictures. The canyon is just inside Ogden Valley. It is quite secluded and honestly if you didn't know it was there you would drive right past it. This is a another hike that would be great for small kids. You can make the hike as long as you want or as long as you want. If you take the entire trail you will pop out at Snow Basin Resort. My husband and his friends have biked this trail as well. This definitely raises the difficulty of the trail but that is one of the beautiful things about his trail. the versatility. My family and I have even taken our family pictures at the beginning of the trail head. Gorgeous at any time of year, this is definitely a destination close to home none should miss out on.

 

3. Snow Basin:
This is a biking trail for older kids and adults only. My husband and I took up mountain biking the first summer we were married and this became one of our favorite mountain biking trails. Now, my husband frequently bikes this trail with his close friends including Kelsie's husband Erick. I enjoy this trail personally because it is mostly shaded which keeps you somewhat cool during a ride on a hot summer day. The path is well maintained and offers amazing views along the way.

4. Trail heads from 20th down to Waterfall Canyon
The beauty of Ogden is that you have the convenience of the city with the freedom of the outdoors. Many homes are minutes away from the grocery store and just as close toe trials that make you feel like you are anywhere but in the city. Most trails in Ogden all intertwine and meet up in the same place. Bonneville Shore Line trail. The trail is huge but I have found that i enjoy most the trails that are easily accessible with my family including my baby girl. There are so many trial heads that you can keep from getting bored and try a new one until you find the trail the fits you best. In all, Ogden trails rock!

 


5. 12th Street Parkway
The most family friendly trail I have found has to be 12th Street Parkway. This trail is paved and runs through Ogden along the Ogden river. It is a perfect place for taking your little ones on  their first bike ride. There is also a great park located midway along the trail. This park is perfect for picnics or playing with the little ones on the jungle gym. finally towards the end of the trail is one of my favorite restaurants that is unique to Ogden; Slackwater Pizza.

These are just a few of the great places here in Ogden. All you have to do is look and you can find wonderful outdoor activities and places to escape. You just have to look. But if you are right here in Ogden then here is a head start for you in you outdoor experience.

What Kind of Toothpaste Are You Using?

I ran across this picture and I never knew this about toothpaste! Super crazy...and good to know, thought I would share :)

I know it is a little hard to read so for those that have bad eyes ;)

Green: Natural

Blue: Natural + Medicine

Red: Natural + Chemical composition

Black: Pure Chemical

BE AWARE OF THE PRODUCTS THAT YOU USE DAILY!

Results after just 4 weeks!

Ok, I am somewhat embarrassed putting these pictures up because I DON'T do stuff like this. The only reason I am now is because I feel like it is important that you see that this really is working and you can get results too! (Don't mind all of my lovely stretch marks...you guys better love me for sharing these, ha.) The guidelines and rules that Jess and I have been sharing with you from Veo Clinic are great, and a healthy weigh to lose weight. The picture on the left is right before we started, this was 3 weeks after I had my baby boy. The picture on the right is after 4 weeks, losing 6 pounds. You can tell I lost weight in my chest, butt, and stomach. The crazy thing to me is how much better my body looks with just losing 6 pounds. I COMPLETELY recommend taking pictures before you start your journey. I hadn't felt like I had lost weight anywhere except for in my chest until looking at these pictures, and seeing it for myself.

Remember if you EVER have any questions about any of this stuff please feel free to ask them in the comments. Jess and I are more than happy to help you guys anyway we can!

A Good Place to start

Since we are all different and all our bodies require different things I have decided to compile a basic shopping list and meal plan that is in general a good plan for anyone. Some may need to change this plan based on their needs (for example if you have a gluten allergy or even a dairy allergy). I found all my recipes on Pintrest. Gotta love Pintrest ;)

SHOPPING LIST:

Produce:

-         6 bananas

-         5 avocados

-         3 yellow onions

-         8 carrots

-         4 celery

-         11 red potatoes

-         2 red bell peppers

-         1 green bell pepper

-         1 yellow bell pepper

-         4 oranges

-         4 tomatoes

Meat:

-         4 cans of chicken

-         Chuck roast

-         Turkey Sausage

Dairy:

-         Low fat vanilla yogurt

-         Pepper jack cheese

-         1 carton of eggs

Grains:

-         Sara Lee 45 calorie bread

-         Granola

-         Tortillas

-         Natural peanut butter

-         Brown rice

Frozen:

-         6 chicken breasts

-         Mixed stir fry  veggies

-         Frozen blueberries

 Canned:

-         2 Campbell’s or Progresive low sodium soup

-         1 can of corn

-         1 can of black beans

Sauces:

-         1 jar of salsa

-         Rice vinegar

-         Worcestershire

-         BBQ sauce

-         Olive oil

-         Teriyaki sauce

-         Honey

Seasonings:

-         Onion soup mix

-         Taco seasoning

-         Salt and pepper

-         Italian seasoning

-         Cinnamon

Dried:

-         Peanuts

-         Cashews

-         Almonds

-         Apples

-         Bananas

-         Apricots

-         Carrots

-         Zucchini

-         Green beans

Misc.:

-         Coconut oil

- Pearl 2.0

MEALS:
Breakfast:

Gashouse Egg:                                            

-         Egg

-         Sara lee 45 calorie bread

-         Pam/ cooking oil

Toast and Peanut butter:

-         Sara lee 45 calorie bread

-         Natural Peanut butter

Yogurt and granola:

-         Low fat vanilla yogurt

-         Granola

Scrambled Egg sandwich:

-         Eggs

-         Pepper jack cheese

-         Sara Lee 45 calorie bread

Banana and protein shake:

-         Banana

-         Pearl 2.0

Lunch:

Can of soup:

-         Campbell’s soup or progressive (low sodium!)

Healthy chicken salad:

-         Avocado

-         Canned chicken

-         Rice vinegar

-         Sara lee 45 calorie bread

Banana and PB roll up:

-         Natural peanut butter

-         Banana

-         Tortilla

Mexican chicken salad:

-         Canned chicken

-         Can of corn

-         Can of black beans

-         Avocado

-         Salsa

-         Tortilla

Left-overs

Dinner:

Pot roast with veggies:

-         Chuck roast

-         Worcestershire sauce

-         Onion soup mix

-         Onion

-         Carrots

-         Celery

-         Red potatoes

Fajitas: 

-         2 chicken breasts

-         Tortillas

-         Salsa

-         Taco seasoning

-         Onion

-         Red bell pepper

-         Green bell pepper

-         Yellow bell pepper

BBQ chicken with pepper jack cheese and potatoes:

-         2 chicken breasts

-         BBQ sauce (sweet)

-         Pepper jack cheese

-         4 red potatoes

-         Olive oil

-         Salt and pepper

Lazy Day Casserole:

-         Sausage

-         Red Potatoes

-         Carrots

-         Onions

-         Red bell pepper

-         Italian seasoning

Teriyaki Stir Fry:

-         2 chicken breasts

-         Frozen mixed stir fry veggies

-         Brown rice

-         Teriyaki sauce

Snacks:

Fruit/ veggies:

-         Bananas

-         Apples (whatever is on sale)

-         Oranges

-         Sliced tomato with salt

Mixed nuts:

-         Peanuts

-         Cashews

-         Almonds

Dried fruit:

-         Apples

-         Bananas

-         Apricots

Dried veggies:

-         Carrots

-         Zucchini

-         Green beans

Bananas and honey:

-         Banana

-         Honey

-         Cinnamon

Frozen Blueberries and yogurt:

-         Frozen blueberries

-         Low fat vanilla yogurt

-         honey