Sold!

We sold our house yesterday. So many mixed emotions, but so good (read story HERE). It's been a whirlwind the last couple of months. We put our house on the market May 28th and closed July 28th without using a realtor.

So now starts our journey of piling money on debt. We've got a budget, a plan, and a timeline. We've also got a big God on our side that I am in constant conversation with about this whole thing. 

Please be in prayer with us and for us. 

Now take a look at some awesome photos my sis-in-law took for us right before we moved out!

During these last 2 months, lots of other things happened...

My husband's company moved offices from Elkhart to Mishawaka and our coffee shop is now doing events only. They also bought another company that has expanded their range of services. Very exciting. We had to do some renovations to the new office building as well. 

Like this bathroom...

The Creative Lab getting a big make-over as well.

I will have to post more before and after pictures because it's completely done now and they're moved in...I just need to get in and take pictures!

Celebrating 7 years of marriage was a nice break in the mix of chaos!

Oh, plus we bought a car. We don't like to do things slowly around here, apparently! 3 years ago we sold our truck so we've been using one vehicle (but we were loaned a car for a couple years during that time). We need another one, especially starting this fall. So my hubby got a car he has been wanting.

We got a great deal and paid cash ;)

So there ya go. Ready to slow down (hopefully) and relax a little.

We are settled into our new place of residence for the time being. Excited to see what the future holds, pay off school loans, and plan for our next house!!!! :)

9 Shocking Benefits of Going Grain-Free

I'm on this grain-free train for around a month now. My thoughts? I am really really liking it. My body is treating me so much nicer, in ways that I wasn't realizing! My world has changed, and for the better. I recently posted about troubles I have been having (HERE) and then an update on how I was progressing (HERE). Reading the book Wheat Belly has really opened my eyes [more] to why I needed to cut out grains. I am excited to share about how it is helping me.

1. Stable Blood Sugar

 Did you realize that whole wheat has a glycemic index of 72? That is higher than sugary soda (look HERE)! Why does this matter? Well, your blood sugar needs to always be in a healthy range for your body to work optiminally. If not, consequences happen, possibly very severe ones. 

I have a good understanding of how important blood glucose levels are because I am a nutritionist, but also my dad has Type 1 Diabetes. He is dependent on insulin because his body doesn't produce it since his pancreas was damaged from becoming deathly sick when he was in his 20's. Therefore, he has to constantly monitor what range his blood glucose levels are during the day. It's important for his levels to stay between 90-110. Lower and higher cause health problems and other noticeable consequences (blurred vision, mood changes, tiredeness, shakes, seizures, unconsciousness, etc). The more the number deviates from normal range, the more severe the consequences. 

How does this tie into the glycemic index? The higher the number is on the index, the more your blood sugar raises and then drops too low (which causes a cycle of fatigue and hunger). High blood sugar has more severe consquences to the body's functions. When your blood sugar (glucose) raises, your pancreas kicks in to add insulin, your organs are taxed, film starts to cover your eyes (cataracts), your brain becomes negatively affected, your body ages faster, the excess sugar is turned to fat, etc. Therefore, keeping your blood sugar stable has many benefits, including reducing the aging process! 

With cutting out grains altogether, my blood sugar stays steady and I feel great. When I was in Jr. High, I had issues with my blood sugar. I would eat a bowl of cereal at breakfast and by the time I got to school I would feel shaky and oddly like I was having an out of body experience. My glucose level skyrocketed and then dropped dramatically which caused problems. We learned that I have hypoglycemia. I combatted the issue by eating small snacks between classes. It helped to a degree but didn't remove the problem. In college I started having the same issues. Realizing I was eating a lot of carbs with little protein, I added more protein, which helped.  I just didn't see that grains were the main problem. With going grain free I still have snacks, just without feeling awful (fatigue, shaky, moody) or ravenously hungry like I want to kill to eat. I am just hungry. I may be hypoglycemic but it can be avoided if you cut out the source of the problem.

If wheat has such a high glycemic index number then what are we doing consuming it almost every meal? "Heart healthy" whole grain cereals for breakfast, a "healthy" Nutrigrain bar for a snack, whole wheat sandwiches at lunch with 10 chips and a soda, afternoon nap[?] (or crackers and cheese), and pasta (maybe even whole grain) at dinner with a side salad. Then ice-cream anyone? A nice well-rounded blood sugar spike fest throughout the day is what I am beginning to see. Our day is made up of a nutrient-dense grain and it's controlling our lives more than we think (and surprisingly it's all cleverly disguised as different products but it's really the same). It's nice to get out of the cycle and feel better (by His grace).

2. Amazingly Clear Skin

I noticed last week that my skin has never looked better. Downside, if I cheat, it shows the next day. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and tells what's going on inside. I wouldn't say I had "bad skin" but I still get blemishes here and there. Keeping grains out 100% have brought my skin looking the best it has ever looked. Seriously. It rocks. 

3. No More Body Aches

One of my worries was having body aches. 26 years old with pain?? My wrists were constantly stiff and achy. It didn't matter what I did, they hurt for the last year or so and I removed the things I thought were causing it (handstands, heavy weights, weight bearing exercises on my hands). But removing grains/wheat has alleviated my issues almost altogether. Also, sometimes I will get leg cramps and just aches all over my body, but that has been gone as well. PTL.

4. Cravings Gone

Even though I had cut out desserts for a month, I was craving them anyways. It was so annoying. Cutting out grains has taken away my cravings. Boy, it feels good not to be addicted. Wheat Belly has a chapter on the effects wheat has on your brain, such as cravings. It is an opiate-like effect, similar to drugs. Seriously, I am not joking. Try it for yourself. Cut out grains for a couple weeks, then eat a piece of pizza or cake and you will feel it come on. The blood sugar effects and then the cycle of your body wanting more. 

I remember thinking, "I could never go without grains!" That's the wheat talking. Since removing, I'm a believer. I still love pizza, cake, etc but I am finding ways around it and it's worth it to feel good. 

5. Stronger Nails

Since this diet change, my nails have stopped becoming brittle. Why? Well since my body produces negative results from grains, it was obviously affecting my hormones, skin, brain, and my nails. Strong, longer, and healthier nails are here to stay, I believe. 

6. Proper Digestion/Bowel Function

I had mentioned that my bowel functioning had changed since children, including minor hemorrhoid issues. Removing grains has alleviated my problems. Plus, gas (I know, TMI, but really peeps) is not an issue (unless I cheat). So no more bloating after meals and no more stomach pain that can come with it. 

7. Muscle Definitiion

Removing grains means increasing, protein, fat, vegetables, and fruits (whole foods). Those foods mean a well-sculpted body. And if grains add visceral fat (outer layers of fat around stomach, buttocks, thighs) and cause bloating, hormone problems, skin problems, cravings, etc then removing them will only reduce excess weight and body fat. Not to mention, eating a "healthy" diet of grains creates a pre-cursor to Type 2 Diabetes, higher triglycerides, elevates bad cholesterol, and creates a fatty liver. Yikes. This is real. 

My stomach continues to flatten, tighten, and tone with the removal of grains. Plus, my body is getting excellent protein that helps my heart health, builds muscle, and has a host of other nutritional benefits. 

8. Satiety  

With the stable blood sugar, being satisfied has not been a problem. Eating more vegetables and animal protein satisfies the body faster and longer as well. Vegetables contain fiber, protein (most), and loads of vitamins which helps satisfaction. Animal protein usually has healthy fat and burns slower so that creates stable blood sugar and satiety. 

9. Hormone Balance

Since grains cause all these issues in my body, what option does my endocrine system have but be negatively effected? Nutrition fuels/regulates your hormones. Therefore, mine were off balance. Since removing grains they have been improving and I am excited with the changes made. Again, it's nice to feel normal....or whatever is considered normal. Maybe silly? :)

Please remember that I am not a doctor and am not diagnosing anyone.  This is my personal experience with a doctor advising me to make changes. 

3 Ways to Balance Horomones

I'm still on this journey of balancing my hormones without medicine. Honestly, it seems to be working, yay! I've noticed marked improvement of several things and I'm excited to keep this going. 

1. Yoga

Incorporating yoga once a week has been a great change with my routine in working towards balancing my hormones. There are SO MANY studies on the benefts of yoga (HERE and HERE). Basically, slow, deep, and controlled breaths while holding poses has a host of health benefits. It helps reduce stress, anxiety, cortisol levels, regulates blood pressure, is low impact, improves flexibility, benefits the brain, and more! I have noticed deeper sleep on days I do yoga and I am definitely more peaceful. Taking time to relax and slow the mind down does feel good. 

2. Chiropractic

My chiropractor has been doing treatments on me for a few weeks, several times a week, to help the areas of my spine that were "sublaxed" (the vertebrae was not in the right place causing nerve pressure) and each place connects to places my hormones are produced. So the idea is aligning my vertebrae to remove nerve impedement so my body can work correctly. Treatment is going well and those areas are improving. 

3. Removing Grains

I have also noticed a big difference with just the way I feel from removing grains altogether. Gluten is does not seem to be my problem necessarily, rather just keeping foods that are high-inflammatory out of my diet seems to be helping a lot (grains are the highest). I've been reading Wheat Belly (excellent book with lots of research cited) which has been giving me good insight on how wheat affects your entire body. Removing grains from my diet keeps my insulin levels stable/lower, which greatly benefits all functions of your body. Read HERE. I have lost the 2 extra pounds I was wanting to and my abs are chiseling into a six-pack with little effort (bonus). I feel better after every meal, not experiencing sweets cravings, satisfied longer and easier to gauge my satisfaction when eating, and my blood sugar isn't dropping to where I feel totally starved and irritable (I get hungry but it's different). When I have had grains (only a couple times) I have noticed my emotions being up and down for a few hours after. 

Why is this? Well, when you eat grains, your blood sugar spikes high for a long period of time (or if it's white bread it hits higher, faster). This spike does a lot of bad things to your body such as storing fat, causing AGE to happen faster (plaque in your arteries, film on your eyes, wrinkles), makes your pancreas work harder to pump insulin, and then it creates inflammation in the body that your bones have to release calcium to fight (causing bone loss), higher triglycerides, fatty liver, and sadly, more. YIKES. This is real stuff. Grains have changed so much in the last 50-60 years because of genetic changes, which is why they cause more issues than they did for our grandparents, etc. Plus, wheat was not meant to be consumed every meal! It stores fat in the body to sustain periods of drought or famine. Ok, I'll stop there and maybe write another post on this. So with all those things, inevitably your hormones get messed up. Learning wheat messes with your hormone levels. This information is from Wheat Belly by William Davis, MD and also check out this STUDY. I highly encourage everyone to read Wheat Belly!

In conclusion, I am noticing a difference from some of the things I referenced in this BLOG POST. My hemorroids are totally gone, sleep is better, my nails haven't split or broke in a couple weeks, my tendonitis and wrist pain virtually gone, I've been less moody, PLUS this last menstrual cycle has become more normal and no menstrual cramps (which I started getting after having kids but rarely had before). I hope this helps any women who are looking for things to balance hormones without medicine. I'm not saying everyone can balance their hormones without medicine, at all, but I do think it's important to start with foundational things like nutrition and exercise because we have concrete knowledge of those things helping to maintain healthy hormone levels. And I am obviously a believer in chiropractic which affects your spine/nerve health and is important for functions of your body as well. If you have more questions or you'd share some of your journey with me, I would love to hear from you!

I also recommend the books Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels, which is all about hormones, and the book Juicing, Fasting, and Detoxing for Life.

Vision

Our first house is on the market (you are welcome to check it out HERE). The one we built. The one that we have put so much time into making it our cute little home. The one we have brought both of our girls home from the hospital and the one I spend everyday raising them in. I didn't think I would be saying it is for sale, for a little while. But it's good, even exciting. It's up to God if it sells. If it doesn't sell, that's ok. We are just on a journey. Searching, seeking, willing, eager, and trying to hear the voice of God. So really, it's not about the house, it's about God and seeing what He wants for us. 

I've been thinking on the fact that as a beloved daughter of God, my things are not my own. I am just a steward of what God gives me. So if it means giving up my cute little house for a time to pay down school debt, I'll do it because it's all His anyways. Sacrifice for a short time is worth it. 

A few weeks ago I got off the phone with my mom after she told me she would not be coming home again. My parents have been living elsewhere for a new job my dad took but they have chosen not to sell their house, which is conveniently on the same street as our house. So an idea popped in my head. Why not sell our house, move into theirs (hopefully not to pay rent) and pay our student loan (only debt we have besides our hose) debt down at a much faster rate? Woah. That's crazy. Well, I call my husband, discuss, pray, talk to my mom, and bam, my parents were discussing presenting the same exact idea to us. What?! God, that's what. You know why? Because about 5 hours later as I talk to my sis (in-law) about this, I start to feel like this is ridiculous (not because of her). Why would we give up our cute little house "meant for us?" All this recent work I put into it and the fact that we could stay in it a while if we wanted. All the future plans we have for the house. Well, I realized that was my flesh. The selfish side wanting comfort. I do believe that the Holy Spirit was the one prompting me to spout off the idea and my flesh started pushing back. He was also speaking through her to encourage me of seeing the bigger plan.

But after more prayer and discussion from my same sis and Kyle's brother, Kyle and I both felt that we should at least try and see what God might have because this is a big opportunity. We feel that getting out of debt is a big plan that God has for us. It directly affects how much we can give to others and be able to have open hands. Instead, we constantly have to close our hands to the things we would love to do and give towards, so we can pile money on our loans and just pay our existing bills. 

The excitement is seeing a soon end to debt so we when our missionary friends need extra money for a clean water project, a person in the community needs groceries, a family member needs a car, a far off friend has crazy medical bills, the homeless on the street needs a job, or we want to spoil nieces and nephews,  etc. we would be able to see needs and fill them because we are less distracted by ourselves. It's not only about having money to give but having the chains of unpaid debt off us so we can devote time and resources into others. If my husband has to keep working long hours to pay for the debt we have then how can he split more of his time with a non-profit business that would be investing into people and sharing the love of Jesus? It is so much harder to do that when you have to spend so much time and resources towards paying on things that weigh you down. I'm not saying we don't have opportunities now, we do and we try to pay attention to what God has all the time. But this is something we feel God has for us.

For now, the house is on the market, our hearts are open, and we are trying to chase a vision we believe God has set in our hearts. Do we have moments of doubt or uncertainty? Sure. But honestly, our over-lying attitude is just one of peace. I personally have just been feeling grace poured out on us with the amount of peace and patience The Lord is giving us. It is unnatural how peaceful we feel and I can only attribute it to God. This is about His plan, His will, and it's HIs stuff/money so He has this figured out. I am just on a ride and am very curious to see where it goes! Thank you for your prayers!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares The Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Fajita Wraps

Ok for real, these suckers are amazing. I tell you, the best recipes are the ones I wing! Even if you don't want lettuce for the wrap, this is so worth it to make. Stick it in a tortilla if you want but I don't think the flavors of everything in this will be as prominent. By the way, something I am realizing about eating no grains is that food has stronger flavor because bread isn't stifling it! Plus, here's the kicker, making meals is FASTER because I am not spending all the time prepping for my bread (since I make most everything from scratch). Tortillas, just grab the lettuce (thanks to my MIL for giving me a bunch from her garden, and my sweet friend for giving me plants for my garden!). 

Anyways, I'll keep this short and sweet because this recipe will speak for itself once you take your first bite. I think it's the combination of things. Slightly sweet and spicy, yumm. Ok, I will stop drooling over these. Ha! Here's the recipe....

Fajita Wraps

Romaine lettuce stalks

1-2 Chicken breasts diced into thin strips

2-3 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil 

1 Sweet potato cut thinly 

1 green pepper

½ red onion

grated cheddar cheese

fajita seasoning 

salt

pepper

garlic salt

chili powder

Seasoned salt

Directions:

1. Heat skillet with 1 tbsp coconut oil. Add diced chicken. 

2. At the same time add your sweet potato strips into another skillet with another 1-2 tbsp coconut oil. 

3. Once chicken is cooked through, add seasoning. I just sprinkle all over the top until it looks well seasoned. 

4. Make sure you stir/flip food often. When chicken is browned, set on a plate.

5. Add your raw green pepper and onion in the same pan. Let it get soft and slightly brown while finishing the sweet potatoes. 

6. Season your sweet potatoes when cooked with seasoned salt, pepper, garlic salt.

7. Take your lettuce, lay it out, add cheese, chicken, sweet potatoes, veggies. Roll and enjoy! 

 

Let me know when you make this recipe! I am thinking of trying with feta cheese in it. We'll see :)

The Journey Continues

I shared in a blog post last month that I have been having some difficulties which aren't normal for me (read HERE). I figured I would update because progress has been made, which I am so thankful for.  Here is what has happened since my last blog post...

- Got hormones tested (blood test) and found out all my levels are too low (thyroid panel, estrogen, progesterone). Still do NOT want to take medicine so I am looking into natural ways to balance.

- Applying an essential oil combination that helps balance my hormones

- started taking fish oil dilligently each day (within 2 days my joints were feeling less stiff!)

- My chiropractor is having me come in everyday this week to intensify some things for me that will hopefully allow my nerves to work properly with my hormones and heal itself.

- I am reading Wheat Belly and am possibly going to have a specific nutrition consultation with a doctor on how I can manage it with eating.

- To go along with the above, removing grains from diet completely is something I am trying as well. I eat 80% no grains usually but my doctor thinks this is contributing to things. 

- Continuing with yoga and kickboxing. Added some more back and neck strengthening exercises to help with the adjustments I have been getting. 

- Continuing to rest more and have fun!

Having a fun night with my man! 

The results so far? I have been sleeping better through the night and am feeling like my old self with my energy and emotions. The other day I had grains at breakfast because I was running low on food and time....I felt awful. Sick to my stomach, yucky feeling, and like I wanted to cry all morning. That's when I really felt like I needed to try this. Wow. Making a difference. Also, my joint pain is subsiding, hemmorhoids/bowels are hardly giving me issues, and my tendonitis in my arms is almost gone. My cravings for sweets are dissipating as well.  

Continuing to change things is producing a tighter, flatter, tummy!

Honestly, eating the last couple days 100% grain-free feels really good. I've been working on this for about 2 years anyways, just because I am replacing low-nutrient grains for healthier fruits and vegetables. I just want to clarify that it still has been a process without even knowing I may have to remove them out of necessity. Isn't God amazing like that?! 

The idea is that if my body doesn't "like" grains, then repeatedly eating them is making my immune system attack itself and it's throwing my body/hormones off. So my goal is to be wheat free and find recipes to replace my favorite things (like pizza and cupcakes!). If I find YUMMY replacements (which I am working on trying) then no big deal. It hasn't been difficult thus far. 

Examples of what I'm eating....

Breakfast- eggs, cheese, fruit or sauteed vegetables

Snack- nuts and dark chocolate

Lunch- some type of meat in a lettuce wrap or kale, fruit/raw vegetables, guacamole, veggie chips (make my own or get a crispy variety at Aldi)

Dinner- Just a meat, fruit and vegetable. Tonight we are having roast, garlic mashed potatoes and honey glazed carrots. 

Holding a yoga pose.

Awesome pin for a yoga routine I've been doing in the mornings and would like to add before bed. 

I am feeling excited (partly because I am naturally feeling better) because of this new challenge. I see it as fun to learn new recipes and keep my family healthy. My husband is so supportive and hasn't minded the changes I've been making. He has actually been doing great and lost 4 pounds over the last month because he sees the benefit of things I've been implementing the last while. 

Thank you to everyone for prayers and support in this journey. I am grateful and see God's Hand in our mindset and hearts to make this diet change not feel overwhelming. I am also grateful that I don't have to settle for no answers or just take medicine! All the years I have spent researching diet and ailments, I am able to use some knowledge and mostly all the helpful resources at my fingertips to aid my own issues. 

I will keep you updated :)

Outdoor Baby Shower

Saturday night turned out to be a perfect evening for an outdoor shower. God was definitely pouring favor out with how the weather has been up and down (it even rained earlier in the day) and it was a beautiful, peaceful night. I'm so glad we could celebrate a new life that will be born next month! My sister-in-law, Lindsay, is pregnant with her 4th baby. 

I love parties. I especially enjoy throwing them. It's so fun to plan and put together. I know it was her 4th baby and why not celebrate?! A life is a life and why only celebrate for the first baby?! Although we haven't done it for all the pregnancies, this will probably happen each one after, now. It was a private, family shower just to celebrate the life of little Roger Douglas Jacobs.  

The decor turned out better than I envisioned! I used ribbon, lanterns, wooden centerpieces, with mason jars and flowers from trees at my in-laws house. It was a gorgeous setting. I knew the party would be perfect at their home. I'm so glad they let us "kids" use their stuff like it's our own and are always open to things...I have great in-laws.

I am now collecting party decor items and got the lanterns and the amazing centerpieces for free, from friends who no longer had use for them. Apparently I love planning parties so much I need to keep things on hand for any type of party I want to create (book club party night??). Who knows, maybe I'll start planning parties on the side in the future....ha.

Anyways, here was the set-up....bird themed outdoor shower. 

The Menu consisted of...

Appetizer- Garden Veggie Dip (Recipe), Fruit Skewers

Main Course- Burger in a Nest or Chickadee Wrap

Sides- Bird Seed (rice), grilled veggies

Dessert- Dirt Pudding

Drinks- Fresh Lemonade and an Orange Lemonade (Recipe, I just omitted lime)

I wanted the menu to be light, healthy (of course), tasty and reflect birds. That's why I named things that had to do with birds and outdoors. I think it turned out delicious and it's nice to get full (or stuffed) but not feel terrible later. Win, win :)

As a little surprise, I had Lindsay come early and have some maternity photos taken of her (thank you Rebecca and Erik!!!). They turned out beautiful. 

Another fun thing was this bird house diaper cake. I bought the bird house and asked my cousin, Angie, to paint it. Of course she went above and beyond and did a fabulous job! Thanks Ang!

I am also learning that part of planning a party is recognizing the help you need, and I had FABULOUS help. I really couldn't have pulled it off (especially stress-free like I was) without asking people to help you with tasks. So thank you Mama, Papa, Rebecca and Erik, Jenner, and Angie. They helped provide the food, set-up, pictures, bird house, energy, and love needed for this! I love you all and appreciate how great you made this shower. 

And to my sis, Lindsay, I'm so excited for Roger's arrival and I love you. Thank you for letting me throw a little shower to celebrate, you deserved it!

"He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge."

Psalm 91:4