the healing continues....

I've realized that I need to say 'the healing continues', because I've had some trying moments this week. It turns out.... I'm not healed yet! I think I feel great, make plans, then forge on only to wake up the next morning feeling like I had been run over by a bus. It has still been less than a month since my surgery. I need to remind myself of that when I'm anxious about getting back to my old schedule with my old energy levels. 

Yesterday, I combatted my painful awakening with not only juice, but also a smoothie for work. Unfortunately, my pain and the stress of my old life/responsibilities put me in a tailspin that led me straight to my bed at 8:30pm with a Migraine. I never get headaches and I never go to bed this early! I was asleep by 9:30 and work up this morning at 8am. That is a lot of sleep, and obviously I needed it. My sleep has not been high quality for the last couple of weeks, and now I see that I need to make this a priority for a while until I'm feeling healthier. 

I picked up some green superfood and used it in my smoothie yesterday. Supposedly, you can drink this powder with just juice or nut milk..... I'm not that courageous yet. What I did taste was pleasant though and packed with nutrients!

In other news- I'm growing wheatgrass! My house is starting to feel like a mini farm! Gardening, grass-growing, bean-sprouting, composting Bethy! Yes Ma'am, my wake-up call has sparked real change and I like it! The only negative side effect is that I might not laugh as much when I watch Portlandia. I'm becoming one of them....... (insert eerie music here)

Have a great day!

persistence....

Some days the juice is harder to drink than others days...... this is one of those days.

Need to go shopping for new veggies and fruits.

around the house

This weekend was pretty awesome! 

I worked in the yard, walked dogs with a friend, checked out a raw foods recipe book from the library, juiced and smoothied, soaked up some sun, planted some onions-strawberries-kale-celery in my garden box, and slept in late. I had hoped to escape to the coast for the day, but it didn't happen and it's okay. I thought I was antsy and sick of being chained to the house, but it turns out I was just sick of feeling sick. Now that I'm on the mend, I'm pretty darn happy just hanging around my house and yard. I have so much to be thankful for.......

Now a few pictures of my weekend creations-

Green Juice- I've made a few different variations of this and some have been much tastier than others, but they always have that same earthy greenish color. 

Sunday night dinner- seasoned sauteed tempeh with a sweet potato, kale, cauliflower, basil mash. Delish.

...... and my favorite creation yet! An avocado smoothie made with avocado (duh), kale, carrot, apple, flaxseed oil, hemp milk, and a touch of stevia and cinnamon. So decadent! 

I'm having fun with this stuff and I feel like a rockstar after I eat it! Cheers to health and cheers to taking care of my body! You only get one!

Change is a comin'

I'm not messing around.

I want my cells to be superstars and while my change is gradual (it's SO hard to cut out sugar and dairy!), I'm doing it.

I've been studying the Crazy Sexy Diet book by Kris Carr. She has been such an inspiration to me! I've slowly been transitioning into my new food outlook and am drinking a lot of smoothies, (need to juice more) and also eating very wholesome healthy and filling dishes.

Here's my first smoothie ever-

It was actually quite tasty! A Basil, Lemon, Cucumber and Celery frozen treat. It was surprisingly refreshing! Getting used to the gritty factor has been a little challenging, but I just visualize healthy organic fruits and veggies reprogramming my insides.....

It ain't pretty!

Bigger grocery bills, a messy kitchen and increased food prep time have been a little hard to get used to, but I'm worth it!

This was a DELICIOUS carrot, apple, cucumber, celery, banana and flax seed oil smoothie. I need to go with more green, but I'm not going to be too hard on myself just yet.

Smoothies and juice are good, but what can I eat when I want to get full and stay full? Brown rice, quinoa, onions, avocado, tomatoes, mung bean sprouts, olive oil/balsamic vinegar and a touch of fresh lime juice washed down with a big glass of alkaline water. Holy Crap this was tasty and it didn't take long to prepare. I love my rice cooker! I just threw the quinoa in with the rice and it worked!

How about a smoothie for the road?  This started out with Kale, Crenshaw Melon, cucumber and hemp milk. It tasted like poo though. I learned this morning that you can make any smoothie deliciously edible by adding more hemp milk, a banana and a little bit of stevia! Yummo!

My apologies for the excessive posts about my new healthy food creations that may pop up in the future. I think I might really get into this whole lifestyle change thingy. I feel compelled to live for a very long time, and I think this will help!

My Mom

My Mom has not slept in her own bed in over 3 weeks. She loves me so much and I know this because she has taken such amazing care of me during...... well, for the last 33 years really. This last month and a half has been the hardest of my life and I couldn't have done it without my Mom! She's going back to Seattle tomorrow and I will miss her company. Thanks Mommy for everything and I love you so much!!!

Tulip trip day.

 Mom celebrating for a friend!

 Here's a picture of us right after hearing the best news I have ever heard in my entire life! I'm so glad Mom shared that moment with me!

My first trip out of the house to New Seasons Market. It was a lovely day!

 Post healing celebration at East Burn.

 The food and service at this joint is really fantastic!

Our waiter was extremely friendly and even brought me a celebratory desert on the house!

I have so much to be thankful for, and that includes My Mommy! I love you Mom!

Thank you DAVE!

My Brother drove down from Seattle this past weekend to visit with me. I asked him if we could take some junk to the dump and he ended up working for several hours in my yard! He cleaned out a few of my garden beds and also mowed some very out of control grass in my yard. This was the first day I started to really feel like I was getting back to myself. It was an AWESOME day!!

 I love these people!

Dump Run!

 The day after Dave left, Mom and I rushed to the Portland Nursery to pick up some starters. I'm getting a late start on this garden- but better late than never!!!

 Do you see that lovely Buddha in the back of my cart? That's an early Birthday present from my Mom! I love this Buddha! I know he will make my back yard more peaceful!

Had to hurry up and plant my starters. I also bought a few too many, so they're kind of close to each other....oopsies!

This is not his final resting place. I just needed to snap a quick shop so I could adore him indoors! LOVE!

Thank you again David for all your help! It really helped me get back to feeling like myself. I'm also really excited about spending this beautiful spring season in my yard! Love you!