It's my Birth Day!

Today is my blogging birthday!  I've been toying with the idea of starting a blog, and well, with my daughter's encouragement, a blog is born.  Truth be told, I am a bit blog obsessed.  I (stalk) follow a bunch of different blogs with a varied assortment of topics.  Some of my favorites are centered around family, health, fitness, sports, cooking,  and makeup.!! Yeah, I am a little product crazy. I have drawers full of everything from blushes to bronzers; mascaras to moisturizers.  So, as I envision what my blog might end up looking like, I imagine that it will be a little bit of everything that is me.

I have a family that I adore.  My husband and I have been married nearly 33 years and are blessed beyond words with two kiddos, two bonus kiddos, and two grandkiddos.  Our happiest days are spent with them.  Additionally, we have my dad, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and friends that we love.  As this blog unfolds, I know you will get to know our family a little better.   

Lately, I have developed a new passion for health, so I see this blog being used primarily for that purpose.  My own personal journey has created a monster, of sorts, inside of me.  I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis about fifteen years ago.  In those 15 years I have experienced the full gamut of typical MS symptoms, including, weakness, pain, burning, leg drop, vision disturbances, tremors, digestive problems, fatigue, etc.  My treatments have included interferons, corticosteroids, and even chemotherapy.  Since there is no cure for MS, these drugs were used to delay the progression of symptoms.  Sometimes they worked (for awhile) and other times they did not.  However, long term use of these drugs always came with their side effects, ranging from major weight gain to really disgusting bowel issues (enough said!)  This past Christmas (2011), the disease appeared to be winning.  Due to my increased weakness and digestive complications, I was "stuck" in a public restroom for SIX hours while traveling.  That was my "hit rock bottom" moment.  If the public restroom floor hadn't been so digustingly dirty I would have literally hit rock bottom, but I certainly did so figuratively.  The pain was unbearable and the weakness terrifying.  I cried out to God for help, begging for some answers.  Two weeks later my answer came in the form of a video on Dr. Mercola's website.  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/12/23/overcoming-multiple-sclerosis-through-diet.aspx

As I was watching the video, I realized I was crying.  Dr. Terry Wahls, an MS sufferer,  was telling my story.  I was looking at my future.  My reaction was so strong that I knew this was about something bigger than just another video I was watching.  This was my answer to prayer.  This was my hope. 

I had never heard of Paleo or this lifestyle, so I had some research to do.  Luckily, I love research!  And so my mission began.  I read every single book, blog, or article I could get my hands on.  I armed myself with knowledge.  I wanted to be 100% prepared so I would be poised for success. 

On January 15, 2012, my Paleo journey began.  Seven months, 35 pounds, zero irritable bowel flare ups, and 100% improved health later,  I AM NEVER LOOKING BACK!   I submitted to the 30 day challenge proposed on www.paleoplan.com wholeheartedly.  I downloaded their Quickstart guide and followed it religiously. 

If you suffer from an autoimmune disease or know someone who does, please join me as we learn together how to take our lives back.  Let me say, I am not a doctor.  I am not a nutritionist.  I am simply a wife, mother, and grandmother who happens to have Multiple Sclerosis and simply wants to live a full, happy, and healthy life. Thanks to the faithfulness of a loving God,  I now have some help in knowing how to accomplish my goals and Simply Paleolicious is my attempt at spreading the love!

Talk with you soon.  I'd like to share my Paleo perspective.