Striving for Health & Simplicity

September is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month. Even though this disease affects about 10% of Canadian women it is so little known. I want to talk about my journey with PCOS, particularly how it has affected my weight, cravings, and my overall self worth feeling. As a young child when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I always answered that I wanted to be a mom, even as a teenager I didn’t understand that I might not have that opportunity. The reality sunk in at the age of sixteen as an endocrinologist explained to me that I was one of the 10% of Canadian women that had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.   I had never heard of the disease before, but the symptoms all lined up to what I had been experiencing. Over the year or two before the diagnoses I had been experiencing a lot of weight gain, irregular menstrual cycles, and irregular hair growth. All of these symptoms added up to be the initial signs of PCOS. PCOS is a hormonal disorder. It’s someth...

It’s been a week of learning experiences. Over the course of the last week there have been a number of stressful situations, I tried to not be an emotional eater but I wasn’t successful all the time. I ate two dark chocolate bars, and had one piece of gluten/meat free pizza. As I ate these items I knew that they weren’t within my eating regime, but I still did it anyway. I’m sure that I will see the affects of my choices on the scale and measurements tomorrow. I can honestly say that I learned I need to not have anything but what’s within my eating regime in the house, and I need to be extremely prepared when I go away so I’m not tempted. Monday: Lunch: Vegan Black Bean Chilli, Kiwi, Clementine, Banana & Unsweetened Applesauce            Supper: Huge Salad with one ounce seeds & nuts, Piece of Fruit Tuesday:            Lunch: Vegan Black Bean Chilli, Kiwi, ...

I learned a very valuable lesson in week two of my Eat to Live journey. The second week started out on a high note, I was extremely motivated and committed to following this plan completely, but then one day all I could think about was chocolate! I had cramps, I was achy, and all my mind could focus on was chocolate. I ended up having half a dark chocolate (70% cocoa) bar, and it took away that craving. I took away from this experience that moderation does work, having half that chocolate bar took away all my desire for something sweet. It was both high in cocoa, and significantly better than a Reese Pieces bar. I’m thankful for that lesson . Below are the number results for the last week. I was extremely nervous of the results knowing that I swayed from the guidelines, but I’m still very happy with the results. Weight Lost: 3lbs Inches Lost: Bust: .75 Waist: 1.5 Hips: .5 Thighs: 1.25 In two weeks I have lost a total of 9lbs and 7.25 inches. Here’s to an e...

Have you ever swore that you're going to stick to something extremely strictly? I swore when I started this ETL journey that for six weeks I would not go off the guidelines. That was until my menstrual cycle greeted me. I caved on Thursday and had some dark chocolate. I haven't done week two results yet so I don't know if it affected my weight at all, but I was disappointed that I caved. My goal for week three is to stick to it completely. Below are my meals for week three! Monday: Lunch: Eat to Live Mushroom Stroganoff, Plum, Clementine, & Unsweetened Applesauce            Supper: Coleslaw, & Nachos loaded with just veggies Tuesday:            Lunch: Mushroom Chilli, Clementine, Banana, Unsweetened Applesauce, & Kiwi            Supper: Salad & a piece of fruit Wednesday:   ...

Have you ever wanted to do the happy dance at seven in the morning? I sure did on Tuesday! The first week was challenging, but I stuck to the guidelines completely. Over the course of the last week there were some opportunities that really provided a challenge. One of the challenges that I’m proud I overcame was when a coworker bought the ladies in our set of cubicles smile cookies. I love smile cookies! I was able to say no, but I felt bad declining an offer from someone. I knew if I ate that cookie I would fall back into feeling the need to answer those cravings. I had to get up and walk away while they were talking about how good they were, but I got through it. There have been many little moments where I feel like I could easily fall back into that lifestyle, but each time I get through it. Below are the number results for the last week, I’m most pleased with the weight that has come off! Weight Lost: 6lbs Inches Lost: Bust: 1 Waist: 1 Hips: 1 Thigh...

Have you ever had a moment where you want to throw in the towel and just eat all the sugar around you? I had that moment on Saturday night. We attended a company party, I was prepared with my own dinner but there was a cheesecake being served for dessert (my favorite!) and it was all I could do to avoid it, but I was glad I did! Week two starts today, and I’m really excited for the upcoming week! We are hosting a dinner party Saturday, and it will mostly be all Eat to Live. Monday: Lunch: Eat to Live Mushroom Stroganoff, Pear, Clementine, Banana & Unsweetened Applesauce            Supper: Veggie Stir Fry with Bean Sprout Base (all veggies in the fridge) Tuesday:            Lunch: Mushroom Chilli, Pear, Clementine, Banana, Unsweetened Applesauce            Supper: Salad & a piece of fruit Wednesda...

It’s go time! Week one started on Tuesday September 6 th , I’m now on my fourth day of following Eat to Live strictly. There were some definite withdrawal symptoms the first two days but I’m feeling much better today! Below is my meal plan for week one, I eat a smoothie with Almond Milk, ½ Banana, Blueberries, 1 TBSP of Ground Flax, and 2 Cups of Spinach every morning for breakfast. I have left out weekends from here because we generally decide last minute what’s for supper, it will definitely fit in the guidelines though!   Tuesday:                  Lunch: Crockpot Mushroom Chilli, Banana, Peach, and Unsweetened Applesauce                  Supper: Bean sprouts, Carrots, Broccoli, Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms Wednesday:                ...

I have lost count of how many times someone has asked me “Why are you doing Eat to Live?” there seems to be at least one person each day that asks this question! I have three reasons why I’m doing ETL. They might not be the reasons you would do it, but they are mine. One of my biggest reasons for starting the ETL journey is for health reasons. In each of the books by Dr. Fuhrman there are multiple success stories about health issues being resolved by following this diet. That is my biggest motivator for doing ETL. I’m a young professional who has been dealing with both Anemia and Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). A number of people have recommended controlling my PCOS by diet, yet I haven’t found one that gives me the results I want. I’m hoping ETL will be different. Recently I was taken off both my medication for PCOS and Anemia in hopes that I will be able to control both conditions with diet. I do not want my health reasons to define me, so it’s time to make a change. Ha...