Strawberry Banana Coconut Smoothie

Here's our current favorite smoothie to enjoy for breakfast each morning.

1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries

1/2 medium banana

2 tbsp coconut milk

1/4 cup pineapple

1/4 cup skim milk

1 cup ice

Blend in blender...

I don't currently have pineapple on hand, so I've omitted it and since I'm trying to eliminate milk I just increased the coconut milk a little.  Also, David loves banana in his smoothie, so I used a whole banana in his.  Also, my mom was here and wanted some almonds in hers so I threw a handful in, she loved it!

I'm working on a "Green" smoothie, but haven't found a recipe I like yet.  I drank one the other day to take my vitamins and that was about all of it I could handle.  I also made Honey Roasted Peanut Butter - there is just one word for that... YUMMY!  I am going to attempt to make almond butter and hummus in the next few days. 

So if you have any favorite smoothies, can you put the recipe in a comment?  I would love that.

Get Healthy - Phase 2

Monday started a new season of my life.  A no sugar, dairy, processed food season.  I am also attempting to be coffee free!  I will also be taking supplements.  I am attempting to eat RAW for Breakfast and Lunch and then only chicken or fish for dinner.  David is joyfully joining me on this new journey.  And I have found a ton of encouragement from my family and friends.  

Breakfast consists of a fruit smoothie with protein powder and flaxseed oil (omega-3s).  Snacks throughout the day include all types of fresh fruits and veggies - apples, oranges, radishes, coconut, celery, chickpeas, carrots, mangos.  All super yummy things!  

Lunch so far has been a smaller meal for me than usual because of the smoothie in the morning.  I find that I am not hungry until like 1 or 2.  

David also blessed me with allowing me to purchase a very expensive blender - its called a Vitamix and its the most awesome blender i've ever used.  Mine has not arrived yet, but I've used a friends before.  You include the whole fruit in the blender, seeds, skin and all.  You can put a Avocado pit in it and it pulverizes it.  There are so many nutrients found in the seeds and skin of a fruit.  

I am praying that this journey is a successful one for me.  With the possibility of my symptoms changing but also to eat a more healthy diet will give rewards for years to come!  

No Soda - Day 7

Today marks a new milestone.  7 days straight with no soda.  My moments of biggest temptation are when we have to get fast food.  Who wants a burger and fries with a bottled water?  I believe the Lord has spared me from the typical lack of caffeine headaches.  I am still drinking coffee in the morning, but only 1 cup.  I've also added in having a fruit smoothie for breakfast.  Primarily strawberry and blueberry because, from what I've read, blueberries are naturally anti-inflammatory.  There will be many more changes to come, but I like baby steps the best :)

Day 2 - no soda but plenty of sugar...

In my planning of cutting back on my sugar intake - I forgot that we had plans to go to the Central Florida Fair.  So Day 2 was not so successful, but we had a great time and ate lots of yummy fair food.  Hot dogs, corn dogs (the girls ate these, not me), funnel cake, cotton candy, sweet tea, gyros.  It was so much fun - i'll post pictures later.

Day 1 - Good bye soda!

Most of you probably wouldn't know this, but for the past 2 1/2 years I've had some health issues that have yet to be diagnosed.  At the end of last year I went to a Rheumatologist and he diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia.  Without saying that either is a diagnosis, but rather a probable cause and something he could treat.  So I began treatment for RA (with three prescriptions).  At first there was immediate relief but after a few weeks - the meds stopped working.  So in the midst of pain and confusion - a dear friend asked if she could help me try to treat my symptoms by changing my diet.  I will officially begin May 1st.  But the first step is to try to eliminate sugar from my diet.  First to go - SODA!  What a chore this will be... for the majority of my adult life and all of my teenage years soda has been a regular part of my daily life. So today began my first day with no soda...I think I've drank more than my daily recommendation of water intake.  Eventually the goal will be to eliminate all sugar and then my coffee will go.  That will be another whole battle that i'm not really interested in conquering.  But I feel like this is where God is leading and this may be the only way i truly find relief.  The future is promising...my hope is the God will give me strength to be diligent with myself and what I eat.  But more importantly my greatest need has been met in Jesus dying for me on the cross.  There my hope will rest and true comfort and strength will be found.

Pray for me as I endeavor on the journey to new health!