Kale Chips

Kaia foods stopped carrying the kale chips that I like so I had to find a new brand. Since my diet is so limited, this was a major downer. Luckily, New York Naturals nailed the recipe for my salt and vinegar kale chips! If you want a salty snack I recommend looking into these! They are healthy and raw (meaning they are dehydrated, not cooked) so they keep all of their natural vitamins and minerals and they are truly delicious!!

http://www.nynaturals.com/

25 LBS!

John and I were in Kroger a few weeks ago and found this 25 lbs bag of carrots! I wish I had the time and energy to juice them all! Also, this is my first posted video using my new flip (thanks Gina & Melissa) so look out for more videos to come!

Green Smoothie

I want to share a delicious and healthy smoothie that I discovered about a year ago from Victoria Boutenko (a raw foodist). I made one almost every morning last summer but I got out of the habit during all of this craziness - so today marks the return of good green habits!

Ingredients: Spinach, Avacado, Mint, Pear, Coconut Water (sometimes I add kale or dandelion for extra kick)

Blend together!!

 And Voila!

Don't be afraid of the green color! It really is delicious! mmmmm! 

Think of all the good vitamins you're getting - what a way to start the morning!

Instant Comfort

Wouldn't it be nice to have one of these in your pocket at all times? So cute.
I hope everyone is having a good day! Yay Sunshine!

Take a Minute.

Today is just one of those days where nothing seems to go right. The ones where you don't get to sleep long enough and then throughout the day you continue to hear bad news. So I propose that we take a minute to send prayers, or positive thoughts, or meditating wisdom, or love, or whatever it is you want to send today to everyone you can think of. Friends and family,  anyone that might be having a rough day, even strangers on the street that look like they could use a pick me up.... think of them and wish for the best. And if you still have room after all of that, send some love to John's family and to my friends Taylor and Grace as they are all having a rough week.

"Love and Kindness. That's all there is"

Words Of Wisdom

I wanted to take a minute to share with you how important it has been for be to receive messages, emails, letters, packages, text messages and everything else from my friends and family.  Recently I was thinking about support and how difficult it is for people to be there day after day, week after week, month after month, for someone with a chronic illness. It's so much easier when someone has something like surgery and the recovery is only a week or two - people can stick around for that. So I wanted to say thank you to everyone that continues to stand by my side even after all this time. When you make a comment on my blog, or send me a letter or even a simple text - it makes my day easier and reminds me that I have people I can turn to. Lately, especially this month, I feel like I am very far away from my "real life". I can't believe I have been a part time student for over a year, living at home for 11 months -  away from the friends, school and town that I came to adore. Of course, I have a wonder family and a few friends that are home with me but even they have felt my isolation as my health has declined over the past year.


With all of that said I really wanted to thank you all again for being there for me. This past week, as my next IVIG was rapidly approaching (and my anxiety growing and growing) people sent me so many supportive words, pictures and packages and it was an enormous help to my mental state. One thing that stood out and is worth sharing, are a few wise words from a simple text that I received that said this:"I won't say "be strong" because you already are an incredibly strong and dynamic woman. instead I will say "know your strength." Right when I was thinking I was going to loose it these words reminded me that I have come so very far already. Yes, I do have more obstacles to overcome but with the love and support I am receiving and the progress that my doctors have made I know that "we are closer than ever."( That last quote is something I hear quite often, from John, when I need a pick-me-up)

(and laugh)

Stumbled upon this wonderful book a while ago but I just found it again and loved it even more! Take a minute and read through it- it will take five minutes at most! It is beautiful and inspiring and cute cute cute!

 

Here is the link: An Awesome Book!