If you noticed some changes…

It's because I just went through and purged a bunch of old posts including all the old weekly deal posts. And in the process found a couple of old drafts that I decided to publish.  This is still really just a ghost site but I do try to check in on it every few months.  I'm still battling Chronic Lyme disease and the last 2 months have been extremely rough for me, I'm thankful to currently be on the mend and starting to regain some strength.    God bless. Pin It

Time for a workout!

I'm so excited that my home gym is set up now!  I'm so happy and feel so blessed, my husband has worked so hard for me to be able to have that space to work out.  With how busy and hectic my shedule is and having a little guy home in the mornings, realistically the only way I am ever going to get a workout in is at home.  This week I did some front, back squats, deadlifts ( one of my favorites), rowed, did some sit-ups and some stretching/mobility.  I was really wiped out at the begginging of the week with a flare up of my Lyme Disease and Bartonella, so I wasn't real active till later in the week.  Last week I did 2 workouts also, and one thing I'm finding as I ease back into it is the coach in me starts coming out.  It makes me want to write a post of pre and post workout nutrition, recovery, hydration etc., all of them are so important.  We put so much time, money and energy into eating right, why not take it a step further and be sure when we exercise we are taking the best care of ourselves also.  Be sure to remember to eat a small amount of protein post workout (within 15-20 minutes is best), it will aide in your recovery and help replenish your body.  It's so simple but quite often is forgotten or not made a priority, maybe sometime I'll do a post on the benefits.  I am also finding that although I'm fatigued and have been having pain and numbness in my hands this week, that working out helps, at least mentally.  And I believe that in strenthening my body it will be stronger more able to win the fight against Lyme disease and Bartonella.    My goal is to be able to go backpacking in the Trinity Alps again this summer with my husband. And to look great for my oldest son's wedding in June!

My new home gym, complete with rubber mats, thanks to my husband!

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Rest..Relax..Enjoy

My husband and I had a wonderful time doing just that in Maui for 12 days!  I'm so thankful I've been blessed with such a caring, loving husband, one who knows me well after almost 23 years of marriage and can tell just by looking at my face what's going on.
Raising a large family while going through treatment for lyme disease has not been easy on myself or my husband.  He works 2 jobs, one as a Fire Captain which involves shift work and can be exhausting in itself and then on his off days he works as a contractor (doing physically hard work).  So while he was thinking of me when he scheduled the trip..in reality he needed it too.  It's so important in our busy, hectic lives, to take time for each other, to slow down and enjoy the company of one another.  And while we make great efforts to do that by having date nights, it's really needed more often.  We have adult children and little children living in our home, which makes it much more challenging at this stage in our lives.  When they were all little kids we would just simply put them all to bed early (8:00) and then have our time to catch up on the days events, talk, etc., to slow down and be together.  But what we are finding now that our oldest is 21 and our youngest is 3, is that bedtimes are spread out.  The younger 4 go to bed by 8:00 on school nights, and then we spend the next hour between 8:00-9:00 trying to catch up with our middle child (our 15 year old daughter), then once she is off to bed between 9:00-9:30 we like to spend time with our oldest 2 sons (19 and 21).  It's really the only time we see them most days and it's so important to us to talk to each of them and to be there for them, our children are so important to us and we are very involved in there lives.  I want them to know we are there for them,  but I'm sure you can imagine how that can also be hard for us to have time to talk and why we try to get away alone for a few days a couple of times a year.  I encourage every couple to make time for themselves, because it doesn't help your kids if you and your husband aren't in unity.   We are so blessed with great friends who are willing to take our kids at any time and who know the importance of   getting away and resting.  And what better place to rest than "paradise"?
When we go to Maui, it's a time of rest for us, a time to slow the pace down, and not be in a hurry.  We really don't DO much, we get around slowly in the morning, and nearly every day is spent at the beach and/or pool.  We get some snorkeling and hiking in there too, but our goal is to slow down and enjoy each other.  This was our first trip to Maui without all of our kids, and while we really enjoyed ourselves and it was very restful, it made us think of them often! It ended up being just the medicine I and my husband needed (which he foresaw), lot's of vitamin D, rest and fresh air!  The first week I slept a lot, I took naps on the beach and afternoons in the condo, but Maui proved to be good for my health and by the second week I was only needing about a 1/2 hour nap!  I am so thankful to my wonderful husband for knowing I needed a break from our hectic lives and a chance to catch up on some rest.  We also enjoyed having time to do things we don't normally have time to do like read.  We read some good books while sitting on the beach listening to the waves, I grew up right on the ocean and the sound of the waves is so calming and means home to me).  While there my husband finished Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis and started the book Whatever Happened to Penny Candy ( a book our kids read for school), I read The Hammer of God and we both listened to dozens of sermon podcasts by a variety of theologians and pastors.
Now that we are home and back in the thick of it, I've made myself a promise not to get so worn out and to stop pushing through so much.  To slow down and take time to rest (which I'm failing miserably at so far), and to slow down and enjoy my youngest more.  He is such an easy little guy, and I was so exhausted much of the time that I must confess, I had fallen into him watching television nearly every morning the kids were at school (4 days a week).  I was able to get a lot done that way, but it's not what I want for him.  So this week since I've been back I've turned off the TV and involved him in what I'm doing.  The other day it was time to start another batch of Kombucha so I let him "wash" the jars while I worked on other parts of the process.  He LOVED it and felt helpful, children really want to be a part of what we are doing and I'm thankful the Lord convicted me of my selfishness (sin) so I could be forgiven and start a new with him, we are really enjoying our mornings together now.
As if our lives weren't busy enough, or complicated enough, I am having to totally change my diet!  The day before we left I got the results back from Immuno Lab for food sensitivity testing that my ND had ordered.  Many of the foods I was consuming daily I do not tolerate, I was having sharp stomach pains which I kept attributing to the 6 months of heavy antibiotics I had completed for chronic Lyme Disease, but they weren't!  Turns out I am most allergic to almonds!  Which is something I was eating probably daily, because we already knew I reacted to coconut, once I cut that out (on our trip) I stopped having the sharp stomach pains, yay!  On our trip I just tried to cut out the almonds and cashews and kept other foods at moderate amounts, except eggs ( I ate those daily).  Now that we are back home I'm working on cutting out all of the foods we discovered I don't tolerate.  I think for me the hardest is no mexican food and no Kombucha, this girl LOVES her mexican food and her Kombucha!!  That and having to make separate meals for myself, I cook extra stuff for myself to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinners.  At my Doctors suggestion I'm using Duck eggs for myself and chicken eggs for the rest of the family, the duck eggs are harder to come by and more expensive so it's not feasible at this point to feed us all this way.  I really thought avoiding most of the food items would be pretty easy, but I'm finding it a bit harder than I anticipated.  I rarely drink coffee so I  didn't think It would be a problem, but now that I know I can't have it guess what I want?  Yep, coffee!

I'll try not to bore you all with to many details, I  really want to do some posts on the subject and have been trying to organize my thoughts and figure out where to start.  I'm thinking that I might start with what the differences are between food allergies and food sensitivities or intolerances and then move on from there.  For now I'm embracing this new challenge and thankfully I have many people who need me and no time to waste wallowing in self pity or thinking about it.    One example: last night was a crazy night, so the kids had taco salad and I had my chicken breast with  Herbs de Provence, sea salt and pepper on it with carrot sticks and honeydew melon, I had a fleeting moment of pity (like I said this girl LOVES mexican), but it was a good reminder of what we frequently tell our kids" We eat to live we don't live to eat" and that food is fuel.  As I get the hang of things and the list of what I can't have becomes ingrained in my memory instead of having to check it everytime it will get easier I'm sure.  What I'm most thankful for above everything is that I have a savior who loves me and promises to never leave nor forsake me, a God who I can cry out to and even vent my anger/frustration with what life has served up, my hope, faith and trust are in the Lord "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

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Important News, Please take time to read this...

Things have been a little quiet around here lately and I thought some of you might be wondering why.    I initially started blogging about Paleo after reading Robb Wolf's book and my husband and I deciding to give Paleo a try.  Resources at the time were limited and a google search would yield a handful of blogs and not so tasty recipes.  Today that same google search yields hundreds if not thousands of Paleo blogs and it seems there are new ones popping up daily with an abundance of excellent recipes.  It has been 2 years now since I first started the blog, and it's been through a lot of changes in that time!   Originally it was called Budget Paleo, and I started it because I figured my closest family and friends would tire of hearing about Paleo on our family blog and I wanted to share some great tasting Paleo recipes.  I was so excited about what we were learning and experiencing.   A few months into blogging I became a business partner in a CrossFit Box (my husband had already been a partner for a few months prior), and at that time we decided shift gears a little and make the blog part of our nutritional information for the gym so it was linked it to our website.   December 2010-December 2011 the blog was primarily used as a part of our CrossFit business, and it took on the name Paleo Made Easy and then later on it had our business name before the Paleo Made Easy.  Most of the posts where done by myself, but one of our other business partners did some great guest posts relating to working out and nutrition, sleep etc (if you search the blog all those old posts are still there hiding).  It was very focused on Crossfit and workout nutrition during that time.

Then the blog once again took another direction when I left the business and the blog went back to being my own last December.  I redesigned it, and took a more personal direction with it, which is also when I combined the two names and made it Budget Paleo...Made Easy.   However this past year I had been struggling with my health so much that I haven't been very consistent with my posts.  Funny thing is I have written dozens of posts that never got published and have stacks of recipes that never made it to the blog.  It started to feel like Paleo was consuming me, it was becoming my life and pushing out other more important things.  It almost seemed that the sicker I got, the more I studied, read  and thought about Paleo.  I would read article after article, blog post after blog post, book after book constantly trying to stay "up" on the latest Paleo news.  I would even lay in bed and write posts in my head, dreaming of recipes and things I wanted to blog about.  I also realized that the blog was in desperate need of more technical upgrades and I was feeling the underlying pressure from myself that I needed to get something up on the blog more regularly.  At the same time my life has was going through a lot of changes.  Most of you know I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in June, low thyroid, Adrenal fatigue, Celiac and now most recently a co-infection called Bartonella.  The disease and it's treatment have taken away much of my energy and health.  I take lot's of naps, some days are better than others, some days I'm barely functioning, other days no one would be able to tell I was sick.  My cognitive abilities have been greatly affected and some days I feel like my brain just won't do what I want it to, and thinking straight is just not going to happen.   In addition to all that, I recently took over our family finances (trying to create a workable budget, we all know what a challenge that can be) and the finances of my husbands construction business.  Plus our kids started school, so most afternoons are spent doing hours of homework with the 4 girls who are in school and Fridays are a homeschool day.  Life is very hectic and busy (in fact this post is going to be a day late do to a day busier than expected), so we were faced with a decision and after much prayer and consideration we have decided it's time for me to take a sabbatical from the blog.  Right now we are thinking I will stop blogging and then we will reevaluate in 6 months to a year.  The blog may need to take yet another direction at that time, it may become less focused on recipes and more on just blogging, or I may be done blogging, we aren't sure yet. I would however like to keep the Facebook page going, there will just be a lot less activity on there, I may post some new recipes or thoughts on Facebook, I haven't really decided yet, we'll kind of see where things go.  The way Facebook is set up these days if I don't keep it active no one will really be seeing the posts, but for now it'll continue.

 I'm thankful there are so many blogs and great cookbooks available now days, which can offer lots of great help and wonderful recipes, it seems as though the original intent of the blog really no longer exists which makes me more comfortable giving it up.  While it is something I've really enjoyed and something I'll probably miss,( I love Paleo and I love cooking and get so excited about sharing it!).  I'm also looking forward to what's ahead, I trust that in being obedient to the what I feel the Lord is leading me to do it will be a blessing.  I want to thank you all so much for following my blog, it's been an honor and a privilege, I've really enjoyed sharing the gift it is to us with you all.  But I know I really need to focus my energy else where and not have the distraction of the blog.  Honestly I think it will be more profitable for for me to put the same time and energy into studying the word and encouraging my husband, children and friends in the word, that I've been putting into studying Paleo.  Children grow so quickly and I want mine to know my focus is on the word and them, not on Paleo.  Yes, Paleo is a way we eat to be healthy but...it is not our life.  Best wishes to you all in your Paleo journey,  I will leave you with a list of blogs you may be interested in following if you're not already.  There is no shortage of great blogs or great recipes out there, I do however, want to preface my list by saying that not all of them share my beliefs or standards, some have inappropriate language but wonderful recipes and I enjoy them for just that (skipping the reading and just using the recipes).  Again thank you all for your support, I really appreciate it.  God Bless.

Sincerely,
Sheilla Salinger

http://robbwolf.com

http://everydaypaleo.com

http://whole9life.com

http://beta.primal-palate.com

http://www.growinguppaleo.com

http://balancedbites.com

http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com

http://paleoslowcooking.com

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/#axzz28IehMrq7

http://paleoparents.com

http://www.thepaleomom.com

http://www.thefoodieandthefamily.com

http://paleocomfortfoods.com

http://civilizedcavemancooking.com

http://nomnompaleo.com

http://jensgonepaleo.blogspot.com

http://www.paleomagonline.com

http://fastpaleo.com

http://www.paleodigest.com

http://paleomg.com

http://cavegirleats.com/?ref=akagunduz.com

http://www.cleaneatsinthezoo.com/

http://www.chowstalker.com

http://www.elanaspantry.com/paleo-diet-recipes/




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My journey with Lyme Disease...

I posted this over on my Facebook page a few days ago, and thought I would share it over here too.


It's been a rough week for me with the Lyme's, okay, more like a rough month. I have lot's of ideas, thoughts, even recipes etc. I would love to write in a post(s). However, I am having to adjust my priorities right now, the blog is way down on the list behind, my husband, children, friends etc., as I have such limited energy right now. My other little hurdle is the arm pain I've been suffering

 makes typing and writing for any amount of time painful, so for now I am focusing on my primary vocations (that of serving and caring for my family), and on resting and getting healthy. I am so thankful for all the prayers and support I have. Without the Lord, my husband and faithful friends, I don't know what I would do. I was reminded of the hymn, Count Your Many Blessings, this week and I have to say, it's so true, what we focus on can make or break us. Even in the midst of struggle most of us can find something to be grateful for. May you be blessed with a restful weekend enjoying your many blessings. 

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

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My Journey to Health Continues...I have what???

I'm going to preface this by making a disclaimer that I am not a Doctor, nor do I have any medical training, this is not intended to be taken as medical advice.  Please seek the counsel and treatment of a certified medical Doctor for that.  That said here is what's been happening in my life.

I haven't been writing much lately about CrossFit, our my health, because, well...I have really been struggling with my health to the point where I couldn't work out anymore.  It all started last June,  I went from being in the best shape of my life, feeling strong, healthy, etc., working out consistently, hitting Personal Records for my lifts, running 5-6 miles two to three times a week, being a CrossFit Coach/trainer and part owner of a CrossFit box and then "it" hit.  

Before my decline.

At first it was body aches, fatigue,brain fog, insomnia, and I just thought I had overtrained and was suffering from Adrenal Fatigue, as the summer went on it would only get worse.   I finally sought out medical help in August because I was starting to have muscle weakness, headaches and the joint pain was getting worse.  At that point in my life a CrossFit workout would totally wipe me out, and a 3 mile run felt like running with lead in my legs.  My conventional Dr. ran a few blood test (mainly looking at autoimmune and thyroid), when those came back acceptable, she just said well you either have Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia and prescribed anti-depressants.  I wasn't satisfied with that and felt like she really didn't care about getting to the bottom of what was really going on, so I said no thank you on the antidepressants and moved on. 

Beginning of the decline.

Shortly after that I had an opportunity to do something many of you have probably never heard of, I know I hadn't, it's called, Biosignature Modulation.  Which by the way, is not something I necessarily  recommend but at the time it seemed like a good idea and it certainly didn't hurt.   In fact all the supplements and protocols probably helped some.  I started that program in September and ended in late November, while I made some improvement, it wasn't much and really probably only because I was forced to back off on my workouts.  Because during that same 3 months I was also battling a back injury that just wouldn't heal.  During that time I was also under a tremendous amount of stress relating to our business partnership, so we kept chalking a lot of it up to stress and the assumed Adrenal Fatigue.  


January came and I started trying to work out again, but every time I did it just seemed to be to much for me, and I would feel ill for a few days or maybe a week.  Still we chalked it up to Adrenal Fatigue and marched on, we backed of the intensity of my workouts, putting rest periods in frequently and shortened the length.  

Run/walking a 2 mile fun run with my kids, March 12, 2012

Then February 9, I was involved in an auto accident, which really set me back physically.  Once again I was unable to workout while I went through chiropractic, and massage therapy to recover from the accident.  I think I was doing some light running by late February maybe, and no lifting or Crossfit.   But by April I was the worst I'd been and we just couldn't figure out why I couldn't get better, still we thought it was stress as things with the business partnership were coming to a head (and as a result ending).  
My husband had been encouraging me for 3 months to go see a Naturopath, and by April I was ready!!   I had finally had enough of being sick and told my husband, I am tired of trying to figure this out on my own and tired of trying every herbal treatment known to man for Adrenal Fatigue!  So I called a local Naturopaths office and scheduled an appointment. I had found out about her through an old friend and Facebook acquaintance when we thought we were dealing with Adrenal Fatigue.  This person had great success with treatment for Adrenal Fatigue from their own local Naturopath and suggested that a Naturopath might be able to help me recover.  


I had my first appointment with my new Naturopathic Dr. in late May and after sitting with me and listening for about 1 1/2 hours, she looked at me and said "Do you want to know what I think it is?", and I said "well, yes!! "   She said "I  think you have Lyme Disease", I was shocked, and in disbelief.  Sure I had been bitten by a tick but it had been nearly 8 years since then.  Turns out that 50% of people don't even know they were bit, and that it's also possible ticks are not the only way Lyme disease is transported.  I still didn't really think that was what I had, and postponed getting the blood test she had ordered.   That was until I read a chapter on Lyme Disease in the book If Naturopaths Are Quacks Then I Must Be a Duck (written by PhD, CTN, Shauna K Young) .  It was then that I thought, wow, maybe this is what I have and immediately went the next day to have the blood test done.   

Backpacking in the Trinity Alps
with my husband Aug. 2012
something I hope to do again
when my health improves.

It turns out I tested positive for both antibodies, confirming her suspicion and giving us some answers to the mystery of why I just could not seem to get better, I have Lyme Disease.  The good news is, that thanks to my Paleo diet (which helps reduce inflamation), all the herbs and supplements I had been taking to support my adrenals, and my previous physical fitness, I am not as bad off as I could be.  It makes me so grateful when I start reading how bad my symptoms could have been, grateful for a diagnosis and treatment (which I am just now starting) but most of all I am so thankful and grateful for the Lords mercy on me!  And for his infinite wisdom, to have given me the Paleo diet and CrossFit to make me strong and healthy coming into all this.  And that he gave me a supportive family to bear this with.

My family December 2012

 I trust that my heavenly Father has me, my health and my family in his hands.  The ways he has provided for us continues to astound me, for example the Dr. I am seeing does not take insurance, we can  submit to our insurance directly, but we also have a very high deductible, so right now all the tests, visits, medications, etc. are out of pocket.   All this could be a huge drain on our finances,"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:19. And guess what, he has provided a wonderful opportunity for my husband to have lot's of extra work doing construction this summer, a way to pay for all these medical bills!  Thank you Lord!  So while we were hoping to put that money towards buying a house, it will go towards helping me regain my health, we are so grateful for the way he provides for us.  

During one of my "come backs" this winter.

As far as working out, right now I get to walk, and maybe do some heavy weight lifting (nothing that gets my heart rate up), because along with the Lyme disease, I am also dealing with low Cortisol levels, low thyroid levels, and low iron stores, all of which she thinks we will see remedy itself by treating the Lyme Disease (except for the Iron).  And as for my future in CrossFit?  I don't know, but  I do hope that in sharing my experience and process of healing that it may be able to help someone else. I believe everything happens for a purpose,  maybe it will increase awareness of Lyme Disease and someone will go, that's me, I think I have Lyme's, I'm going to push for a diagnosis or maybe I will be used to encourage someone, I really don't know how Lyme in my life will be used!  I can say that it has increased my faith and made me cry out to the Lord more than ever!  I hope that by getting more information out about Lyme it will benefit someone.  It often takes people years to be accurately diagnosed with Lyme Disease, and with Lyme the sooner it's treated the better so while I know this has been a long read, please take the time to read through the following symptoms of Lyme Disease for the sake of yourself and/or someone you may know.   I would also love to hear from any of you who may be battling Lyme Disease or whom have battled and won over Lyme disease, if you wouldn't mind leaving a comment.   Thank you!

Courtesy of: http://www.canlyme.com/tickslg.jpg

What is Lyme Disease? 
 This is taken directly from American Lyme Disease Association: http://www.aldf.com/lyme.shtml#symptoms

The early symptoms of LD can be mild and easily overlooked. People who are aware of the risk of LD in their communities and who do not ignore the sometimes subtle early symptoms are most likely to seek medical attention and treatment early enough to be assured of a full recovery.

The first symptom is usually an expanding rash(called erythema migrans, or EM, in medical terms) which is thought to occur in 80% to 90% of all LD cases. An EM rash generally has the following characteristics:

• Usually (but not always) radiates from the site of the tickbite
• Appears either as a solid red expanding rash or blotch, OR a central spot surrounded by clear skin that is in turn ringed by an expanding red rash (looks like a bull's-eye)
• Appears an average of 1 to 2 weeks (range = 3 to 30 days) after disease transmission
• Has an average diameter of 5 to 6 inches
  (range = 2 inches to 2 feet)
• Persists for about 3 to 5 weeks
• May or may not be warm to the touch
• Is usually not painful or itchy

EM rashes appearing on brown-skinned or sun-tanned patients may be more difficult to identify because of decreased contrast between light-skinned tones and the red rash. A dark, bruise-like appearance is more common on dark-skinned patients.

Ticks will attach anywhere on the body, but prefer body creases such as the armpit, groin, back of the knee, and nape of the neck; rashes will therefore often appear in (but are not restricted to) these areas. Please note that multiple rashes may, in some cases, appear elsewhere on the body some time after the initial rash, or, in a few cases, in the absence of an initial rash.

Around the time the rash appears, other symptoms such as joint pains, chills, fever, and fatigue are common, but they may not seem serious enough to require medical attention. These symptoms may be brief, only to recur as a broader spectrum of symptoms as the disease progresses.

As the LD spirochete continues spreading through the body, a number of other symptoms including severe fatigue, a stiff, aching neck, and peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement such as tingling or numbness in the extremities or facial palsy (paralysis) can occur.

The more severe, potentially debilitating symptoms of later-stage LD may occur weeks, months, or, in a few cases, years after a tick bite. These can include severe headaches, painful arthritis and swelling of joints, cardiac abnormalities, and central nervous system (CNS) involvement leading to cognitive (mental) disorders.

The following is a checklist of common symptoms seen in various stages of LD:

Localized Early (Acute) Stage:

• Solid red or bull's-eye rash, usually at site of bite
• Swelling of lymph glands near tick bite
• Generalized achiness
• Headache

Early Disseminated Stage:

• Two or more rashes not at site of bite
• Migrating pains in joints/tendons
• Headache
• Stiff, aching neck
• Facial palsy (facial paralysis similar to Bell's palsy)
• Tingling or numbness in extremities
• Multiple enlarged lymph glands
• Abnormal pulse
• Sore throat
• Changes in vision
• Fever of 100 to 102 F
• Severe fatigue

Late Stage:

• Arthritis (pain/swelling) of one or two large joints
• Disabling neurological disorders (disorientation; confusion; dizziness; short-term memory loss; inability to concentrate, finish sentences or follow conversations; mental "fog") 
• Numbness in arms/hands or legs/feet

Here is another great resource for information on Lyme 

Disease, on the CDC website.

http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs_symptoms/index.html

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A TRIBUTE TO MY DAD, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

My dad, summer of 2010

So, I wrote a whole post about Fathers,  and Fathers day and then when I went to edit it today, well...it went bye-bye!!  I am very frustrated, but I want to have something up in honor of my Dad so here it goes.

I am very blessed to have the experience of growing up with a father who loved me (and my 2 younger brothers), very much and whom also loves the Lord.  I realize not everyone has had a good experience with their earthly fathers, so I consider it a blessing.  He has given myself and my family so much over the years, both monetarily and in wisdom.  My husband and I actually attribute our meeting to him!  Summer of 1989 I graduated from High School in Bellevue Washington (where we had been living for 2 years), my family all went back out to Unalaska for the summer, but I stayed behind and didn't join them until later in August.  During that time I remember several conversations with my dad where he would mention how there was this nice young man there who really loved the Lord and how I should meet him.  During that time, Dan (my husband) was in Unalaska too, he had arrived in June to work for the summer and apparently my dad would show him my senior portrait and tell him all about me.  So while he claims not to remember it, we give him credit for planting the seeds and for pointing us in the direction of each other.  Turns out my husband and I  didn't just stay in Unalaska for a few months to make money for college. We were engaged on January 6, 1990 and got married on August 18, 1990 and lived in Unalaska for the first 4 years of our marriage.  We were young and in love (both 19, our poor parents!) and didn't have a lot of common sense yet.  Like thinking about where we would live, but my loving father, converted one of his units into an duplex, putting in a kitchen for us and only charging us minimal rent.  My parents even furnished it!  If it weren't for them we probably would have been sleeping on on the floor at a friends house!  I don't' think we realized at the time just how blessed we were, but now I see how much my dad loved us and wanted us to have a good start.  Over the years he would, help us numerous times, to many to count actually.  And though he has had many trials and heartbreak in his life he has always loved and followed the Lord.  He and my mom continue to be an example of giving their life, and loving/serving the Lord,  I am thankful for him and the example he is to my children and myself.  I love you DAD!

 My son Daniel learns from his grandpa how to clean fish.

My dad proudly displaying his king crab catch.

My Dad and oldest son Jamie with my Dad's fabulous Alaskan smoked salmon!  It is an old native recipe and the best smoke fish you will ever have!  I am so thankful my two oldest boys had the opportunity 2 years ago to spend a month working and living with their grandparents. 

 There is a lot they can and did learn from my dad (and my mom for that matter). 

Thank you Dad and Happy Father's Day! 

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Musings on Memorial Day

I've been working on a couple of really yummy new recipes for you all, which I hope to remake (and photograph) this week and then get posted.  One of them I made the other night, but did not get photos of and let me tell you it is one really sensational burger!!
Since school is out for my children now, I have been involving them more and more in the preparation and making of our meals.  One thing I am being reminded of, is the more you involve them in the process, the less resistive they are to new foods and/or Paleo.  I let my 14 and 9 year old go through my 3 favorite Paleo cookbooks (Everyday Paleo, Make it Paleo and Paleo Comfort Foods) marking with sticky notes the pages of recipes they would like to try.  They ended up filling most of the books with stickies, I then had them narrow it down and each pick a complete meal (next week they can pick another one).  And I also asked them to each pick a treat they would like to try making during the week, I haven't seen them that excited over Paleo ever!  My 14 year old made Beef Kabobs, Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Watermelon for dinner the other night, YUM!  And tomorrow night is my 9 year olds night to cook, although she will still need a bit of help.  She chose to make Paleo Pizza, which we made last week also (recipe to follow), this week if the weather cooperates we want to try making Grilled pizzas, one of our favorites!  My 9 year old has also been helping with the food prep, and she's been more excited about eating foods she never would have before (mind you she is my pickiest eater ever!).  I know it can take more time to involve them, but I really encourage you to get your children in the kitchen with you.  Even if it is just involving them in choosing the meals, they feel like they are more a part of it.  It is also a wonderful opportunity for one on one time with a child.  If your life is busy like mine, sometimes it's hard to slow down and take the time to just listen to them and be with them without being pulled in a million different directions, cooking is a great opportunity to do that.  I have also found that having a garden and involving them in the planting and care of it, helps tremendously!  My girls love helping with the garden and love eating it's bountiful harvest!  Last year they tried lot's of things they had previously turned their noses up at, simply because they had actively participated in growing them!
The other thing I want my children to understand is why we do what we do.  Today is Memorial Day, so I took the time to ask the kids this morning (after our Catechism reading) if they knew what Memorial Day was for.  That was an interesting discussion, but an important one.  It got me to thinking, how many things we do on a day to day basis without really teaching them why, why we celebrate certain holidays (and not others), why we as a family have chosen to eat Paleo, why we are Christians, why we have our children in a small private school, why we grow our own veggies, why exercise and fresh air are important to us, why, why, why....  The list can go on and on, life is full of what I like to call opportunities and to often I forget to slow down and take those opportunities.   Which is one of my goals this summer, to really focus on making those "connections" for them and involving them more.   I want them to know and understand why we eat the way we eat and do what we do and even how that connects to our faith.   I guess it's a little bit like stopping to smell the roses!  Life goes by way to quickly to miss those opportunities.

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My Mothers Day Thoughts and Some Dessert Ideas...

What I'm most thankful for this Mother's Day...

 I wouldn't even be a mom if it weren't for the 7 little bundles of joy we've been blessed with who call me mom.  I'm thankful for them!

The Salinger family, December 2011- Christmas Choir Concert

As Mothers I think most of us desire to do what is best for our children. So, I'm thankful to have found Paleo and be able to offer them a healthy nutritional start to their lives. 

 I'm also thankful I am able to pass a love of cooking to my children, along with a love for eating Paleo. 

 I'm thankful for the sacrifices my husband has made over the years for me to be able to stay home with our children.    He has worked more than one job most of the years we have been married (21+ years).  Right now he works full time as a Fire Captain, taking overtime when he can and extra "Duty Days", in addition he owns a small construction business and does small side jobs.  Oh, and he coaches CrossFit so our family can have a place to work out. 

I'm thankful for the opportunity to be so available to our children.  I remember my mom offering the same gift to myself and my brothers and how comforting it was to know she would be there when we got home from school.  I always knew and felt how important we were to her and hope to impart that same gift to my own children.  And it didn't stop when we became adults and parents ourselves, I still know my mom is there to talk to or to help.  In fact she demonstrated this,  once again after the birth of my 7th child.  I had some severe complications following his birth and was bed ridden for weeks, she flew down from Alaska at the drop of a hat to help with the children and house and stayed for several weeks.  With out her life would have been much more difficult, she kept things going and allowed my husband to return to work sooner.  It was so comforting to us all for her to be there, she was and is such a blessing to me!  
THANK YOU MOM!

My mom and I December 7, 2006

I am thankful for the church family we have been placed in, and for the value it places on motherhood.  And for the help we receive in raising each of our children, it's such a comfort to know we are not doing it alone.  They are like our extended family.

I'm thankful for a wonderful husband to be a parent with, I don't think God could have blessed me with a better man!

Most of all I'm thankful for the opportunity to pass onto my children a love of God and His word.  To teach them to fear, love and trust in God above all things.

I believe motherhood is one of the highest callings there is.  If you think about it we are blessed with the opportunity to shape future adults and that's pretty amazing!

I am thankful I had such a wonderful example of what is to be a mother and hope that someday my daughters will be blessed with the opportunity to be mothers themselves.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Looking for some Paleo Ideas for mothers day?

Chocolate dipped frozen bananas

Mom's chocolate sunbutter cups

Baked Date wrapped Pecans

Flourless Chocolate Torte

From Mastering the Art of Paleo Cooking

Blueberry Crisp

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Dark Chocolate of your choice
coconut oil
strawberries


Wash and dry your strawberries, then melt your chocolate with a little bit of coconut oil (it will make the chocolate a bit softer) in a double boiler.  I used 1 cup of chocolate chips, about 1-2 tsp. coconut oil, and 20 strawberries.
Remove the chocolate from heat and dip each strawberry in the chocolate and then roll in your desired topping, chocolate bits, finely chopped nuts, coconut, etc. and serve.  


*Note: I find it easier to use a wooden skewer to dip the strawberries and then tap the skewer on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate then roll in desired toppings.

 An assortment of dipped strawberries.

Dipped in shredded coconut.

Dipped in shaved dark chocolate bar.

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My thoughts...

I'm sure some of you who have been following this blog for a while have noticed the lack of posts lately, I apologize. As some of you know I have been battling some health issues that have left me very exhausted and lately it has become more severe, limiting my ability to take care of my family the way I would like.  I've been so extremely fatigued that preparing a meal seems daunting and exhausting, so I have been resorting to quick and easy meals (and not trying many new recipes). We are hoping to get some answers and help soon, as I am scheduled to start seeing a Naturopath in a couple of weeks.  It's time to have some more blood work done and see if I can't get some help getting better. For right now I am resting a lot, eating well (just finished a slightly modified Whole 30 and am looking to start another one), seeing my Chiropractor and massage therapist regularly and not doing any form of exercise for the next 7 weeks (at the recommendation of someone who knows a whole lot more than me!).  That last one is a tough one for me mentally, although honestly I know that physically I couldn't run or workout even if I wanted to right now, just climbing a flight of stairs is hard work.  Some days are better than others, and on those days I intend to grab the world by the horns and enjoy it!  Today started out that way, the first day in weeks that I actually had some moderate energy, at least enough to wash the dog, do some laundry and a little light housekeeping.  I'm learning to embrace this trial, and to cling to my faith in God, my family and my friends.  They have all been a huge support and I don't know where I would be without them and the Lord.  All that to say, I may not be doing many posts in the next few weeks.  I have a million (okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration) half written articles and partially tested recipes waiting for you all.  But I have such limited energy that I really feel the little energy I do have, needs to be focussed on my family and getting better.  I do have a post on How to Make Kombucha that I worked on finishing today, and hope to keep pecking away at until it's ready to post (hopefully that's soon).  I really love blogging and look forward to when I can do more of it again (or at least more consistently), share new recipes with you again, and who knows maybe even blog about my journey to health and what I learned.    Pin It

My first week of Whole 30 and Easter Eggs...

I apologize for the lack of posts lately, I have had a lot on my mind and on my plate for the past few weeks and the blog had to take a backseat.  There are so many things I think about and want to get on here, if only I had more time!


 I started my Whole 30 on Monday, April 2 and am nearing the end of week 1.  It's still not to late to join in, just follow the badge on the sidebar for the Whole 30, get the specifics and you can join in.  I thought I would share how things are going for me so far.  I sort of alluded to it, but I have been under a tremendous amount of stress the past few weeks and have really been struggling with my adrenal fatigue as a result.  So exhaustion is my daily battle right now, and I don't know about you but when I get tired let alone exhausted I just don't care about pretty much anything and would love to eat like crap!  I'm so tired and cranky I really don't care!  But that's where this Whole 30 comes in, it is a great way to train myself (or train my soul) that just because it doesn't feel well and really wants to be lazy or be comforted with some dark chocolate or other treat, I can say NO!  Teaching myself not to turn to those food items in the long run will probably be a good thing.  I knew I was eating a lot of dark chocolate lately but I don't think I really had any idea just how much, or at night I am finding I just want to snack on something sweet or salty.  And that's just what it is, an extreme urge to snack or munch, banana chips are sounding really good to me and usually I could take them or leave them.  It's really not that difficult to do a Whole 30,  it's just been interesting  to see things through a different light.  Well...maybe I should take that back today when I was looking for plastic eggs for the kids Easter party  I was very tempted by all that Easter Candy!  And when the kids ate their weekly popcorn with their movie night last night, I found myself longing for a bowl of buttery popcorn.  But generally it's pretty smooth sailing, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to help my body recover from the stress and maybe break some unhealthy eating habits that had crept back in. 
On a different note, we have a department Easter Party for my husbands Fire Department tomorrow and the thought of all those kids (not to mention my kids) receiving and eating all that candy, makes me crazy, so...I bought Organic fruit snacks with no corn syrup to stuff my 2 dozen plastic eggs with (not Paleo, but a better choice). My other idea was to put money in them (like quarters, etc.), but I was worried about the choking risk of the younger ones and thought better of it.  But if you are doing an Easter Egg hunt with some older kids, money would be fun treat, we also thought of using the little tiny mini boxes of raisins.  
Hummmm...I wonder if my kids can trade away all the corn syrup ridden candy they find tomorrow?  I think we may steal the idea someone gave to us from Halloween, they bought all their child's candy from them.  Or maybe exchange  the candy for an item the kids have really been wanting.  Or maybe trade it in for some other more healthy treats, most of the fun is in hunting the eggs and being with friends anyway.  I hope you enjoy your Easter weekend and the joy that comes from celebrating our Risen Savior!  Happy Easter!

While not Paleo sometimes we have to make concessions and I felt this was a better choice than candy.

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It's Spring and Time For a Fresh New Start...Focusing on Health and Recovery

As I start getting back into working out after my car accident (about 6 weeks ago), my focus and motto have been "Take it Slow".  It has been my history previously to jump right back in and rush things.  I'm very competitive by nature and have a hard time restraining myself when it comes to working out.  So my plan of action is to listen to my body and leave plenty of recovery time in between my workouts.  Recovery and sleep are so important to success!

1. My first priority or focus for week one (starting April 1st ) is Nutrition.  I will be going back to the foundation of Paleo and hitting reset.  I will be doing a Whole 30 by Whole9 Life, I would love to have you join me.  The more the merrier, it's great to have support when you are doing something like this.
2. Week #2, I plan to implement my protocols from doing my Biosignature Modulation (Sept-November).  I will focus on being faithful with what I was given through that program, supplements, eating breakfast within one hour of rising, Epsom salt baths, stretching/yoga, etc.
3. Earthing, hopefully by the 3rd week in April I will have my Earthing pad (if not earlier).  I am really looking forward to receiving it's benefits and writing about it.
4. My plan is to do 1-2 days of full  CrossFit, depending on how I am feeling, with 2 days of running a week.  Recovery and listening to my body are going to be key. Again, I will be reminding myself, "take it slow!"

I am really excited to see how my month unfolds and what happens with my energy levels. I hope you will join me in this and Spring into Health!

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