Vegan MoFo Day 29: Snow Day and Some Changes

Hello Chickadees <3 First of all, I just want to thank you all so much for your support and well wishes for me. Unfortunately the journey to figuring out what is going on with my should hasn't even begun because I'm still looking for a primary care physician. I doubt I'll have any tests done for at least a month. It is really upsetting and really frustrating but I just have to make sure I stay diligent in my search for doctors and for answers. This has been going on for years and I doubt it'll ever really get better. For now, I think it is a matter of learning how to live with it and how to maintain the most comfort possible while still participating in activities that I love. 

My body has been rebelling against me. I've been feeling crappy, never completely getting over my illnesses, my shoulder is flaring up and I am just tired and in bad spirits. I don't like feeling this way. I've decided that for the month of November, I'm going to do a 30 day cleanse. It will be a repeat of the cleanse I did when I decided to go gluten free. For the first two weeks to completely clean my system I completely took all grains, starchy veggies and added sugars from my diet. I ate mostly fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds, and a little tofu. It was clean clean clean. After two weeks I felt phenomenal, I had energy and just felt so much better. I added back some grains (obviously gf grains only) mostly in the form of oats and brown rice and tried to limit it. This was for another two weeks. Then I started to use a little more of the added sugars such as maple syrup, etc. Recently with all of the baking I've been doing and because of my schedule I've eaten more processed food, gluten and sugar than I like so starting on Tuesday I'm ridding my body of the crap and getting back on track.

I found these two photos and they are truly inspiring...they are so beautiful and vibrant and they make me crave fresh produce!!

   

I've got a major hunch that my shoulder issues have stemmed from a pinched nerve somewhere. I'm not sure where but I just really believe that's what it is. I've read that posture is key in maintaining comfort with pinched nerves and I know that yoga helps with posture so much. I'm going to try and practice for at least an hour every other day and hopefully the combination of stretching and proper posture will help alleviate it. In addition, over the next two weeks I won't be hitting anything, just working on core and lower body. I'll probably only cut down to 2 sessions a week while I have to limit my workouts and then use the other days to focus on yoga and cardio.

It is a really yucky day here in NY. Heavy wet snow is coming down and it is just ugly. I went to the studio to do some work for a few hours and then I just came home to relax. I'm in warm pjs relaxing in bed with tea watching old UFC fights in a UFC Unleashed marathon on Spike. It is an ugly day, but it is a perfect day to rest enjoy a day inside. Now, lets check out the food!

For a snow day treat I enjoyed this slice of GF Carrot Spice Oat Bread and a mug of spearmint tea. It was the perfect treat! I warmed up the bread and the warmth of the spices were really lovely on this chilly day.

To continue the theme of warming from the inside out, I had a bowl of hot and sour soup. Check out all of the chili flakes! Super spicy and delicious :)

Just as a reminder, you can vote in the second round of the Holiday Baking Bracket until midnight tomorrow - Sunday, October 30! Get those votes in! The final round is approaching!

Stay warm and dry everyone and travel safe!