Dairy vs. My Skin

My Skin is Freaking Out 

Ugh!!!!!   That should actually be the title of this post, but no one would know what it was about...for some reason my skin has an absolutely horrible reaction to Dairy (just cow dairy).  I break out in direct response to any dairy in my diet.

This might seem like a very simple thing to avoid and usually I do a good job (although I love cheese I just switched to Goat Cheeses, problem solved).  However, it has been increasingly difficult I have realized to give up my Venti Iced Americano with Half and Half and One Sugar.  I love this treat during a sunny day!!!!  I can sometimes find Almond Milk to take the place of half and half, however that is tricky when I am traveling and since Starbucks only has Coconut milk and Soy Milk I am usually out of luck there.

I have tried Soy milk and I don't like it, plus I have been hearing more and more that women are sometimes getting way too much soy.  (I eat a lot of soy beans so I try and avoid it everywhere else).  I have tried coconut milk and I don't like that either...not thick enough.  I also have thought about non-dairy creamers but they seem highly processed and not very healthy.  

• Do I just give up the drink completely?  
• Do I find a replacement...Berry Refresher (I like those)...they are not the same as a yummy iced coffee tho?
• Do I just deal with the skin reaction and try to keep it under control with topical treatments (so expensive)?

Still trying to decide what to do...what are your treats that you refuse to give up no matter the consequence?

Well since it has been sunny I have had the worst skin and that is the ONLY dairy I have added back into my diet:(  It is so frustrating!!!!!  I am now completely convinced that a lot of our 'ailments' and 'annoyances' are directly related to what we put in our bodies.  

I recently spent a couple days as a guest and of course eat what they had made and prepared for me...it was way off from my usual restrictions, but I would never refuse a meal that someone else has taken the time to put together.  The food was delicious, but my body was not the same afterwards.  I have been sluggish and my skin is breaking out like crazy.  I feel puffy and bloated, I cant wait for those things to get out of my system and feed my body the fresh whole foods it is used to.  Its like I put molasses in the engine of my car and went for a long drive.  UGH!!!!

All the food was filled with meat that wasn't fish, wheat, and dairy.  It is a constant struggle to just live a normal life and also be good to your body and brain.  It explains a lot of what is wrong with Americans and how hard it is for us to make good decisions with what we are surrounded with.

I am going to spend this week trying to clean my eating and add a little more water and tea to my day and make sure I go to my workouts each day.  That should get my skin back on track soon.

Workout Routines

Crossfit Workout Routine

I have been doing Crossfit for about a year now...but I have been serious and consistent with it for about 6 months.

I started out with individual training sessions twice a week.  This allowed me to get stronger without hurting myself and learning proper technique.  It was definitely a financial commitment, but your health is priceless and so that was my decision.

The classes are intense and I am competitive so I got sick of being last every single time...going more then 3 times a week made the biggest difference.  I was able to recover quicker each time so I was less sore and could continue to work those muscles the very next day.  I also started to stay after and choose one exercises that was particularly difficult for me, and I would do it after the workout to get better at it.

For example I was terrible at Double Unders, so after each workout I would commit to doing 50 no matter how long it took me.  Then I would commit to doing 100.  Then I would try to do 20 in a row, then 30 in a row and so on.  It helped tremendously.

I noticed a difference in my body after just 3 months and it continues to feel stronger and better definition.  Strength is so important for women over 30, and I didn't want to wait to long to make it a habit.

I have found my favorite workout, and I actually really really enjoy going so its not hard to work it into my day and week.

The best part for me has been the small accomplishments along the way.  Doing your first unassisted pull up, first handstand push up, 10 chest to ground push ups in a row, faster times on my 400 meter run.  All of those things written in my journal so I can go back and look at them and see how much I have improved.  Very helpful and motivating.

Crossfit Regionals are this weekend so I will have a blog about that too.  Gonna be some bad ass chics there!!!  So fun.

My Mother - by Sequoia Leopold

Mother Knows Best - 

My mother is probably going to live forever and I think I just got the receipt for it today.  Her famous homemade granola!  My mom has eaten organic and fresh and local and unprocessed foods her whole life, effortlessly.  She shopped at organic local grocery stores before it was chic and always tried to convince me that fruit was a desert (even going as far as to freeze the dessert).

Now that I am trying to improve my overall life thru nutrition, what better way then with my mothers homemade granola.  I am getting much better in the kitchen these days!

I grew up on this stuff as much as I fought for Lucky Charms they never appeared in my house.  I am lucky now as I have an amazing immune system and I know it is from my childhood.  One year (birth to first birthday) in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri with no Anti-bacterial spray or handy wipes will do that!!!

Belt - Switzer - Leopold Granola 
Old Fashioned Oats
Sweetened Coconut Flakes
Wheat Germ
Sunflower Seeds (raw)
Brown Sugar
Honey
Molasses
Vegetable Oil
Flax Seed***
Sesame Seed
Walnuts
Almonds ***
Pecans
Dried Apricots
Dried Papaya
Dried Mango

Spread it out on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven until just barely crispy...then let it cool, bag it up and ready for breakfast each morning.  You only need about 1/4 cup.

I eat mine with Almond Milk and fruit.  It also makes a great snack during the day (keep it in your car so you are not tempted by drive thru's and Starbucks)

Also a great alternative to Gold Fish Crackers for little ones!

Fruit Smoothie Obsessed! - by Sequoia Leopold

I have to admit that I was super skeptical about The Magic Bullet blending machine, because it is from an infomercial. I tease my husband all the time, because he buys everything they sell on infomercials.

However, now I am obsessed... It is easy to clean, really fast, and no counter space!

My smoothie is fresh, and no added sugar or preservatives. Just 2 full servings of fruit every morning!

I live it!!! Worth it completely!! Get one!

The Biggest Loser - by Sequoia Leopold

I used to watch The Biggest Loser all the time and then the product placement got annoying and I stopped watching.

I'm back this year to watch again, because they have the kids on the show.

I'm so glad they have decided to tackle this, because it is so sad! It is our fault, because no 10 year old feeds themselves McDonald's or Taco Bell.

This is so exciting to see these kids hopefully break the cycle for their future kids. The adults are acting like the victims and that is what got them there!

I am going to add this to my workout/nutrition plan. During the show, I will cut up my veggies and fruit for the week.... And during the commercials I will do jumping jacks, abs, lunges, and pushups.