Jay Cutler's New PR Girl?

Anyone who knows me is clear that I am not a Chicago Bears fan. And I'm not a Jay Cutler fan. And maybe everyone is finished eviscerating Jay Cutler for getting hurt in the NFC Championship game and then not continuing to play or not "acting injured enough" on the sidelines afterwards. But I'm still angry, and NOT at Cutler. Who do these people think they are to say he should have gone back into the game, despite what was later diagnosed as an MCL tear? I have had my fill of people telling ME about MY chronic illnesses and how I should behave and feel in the midst of them. This includes family members, doctors, pastors, and friends. I actually live inside my body and experience what it is like to have chronic illness that interferes with my life 24/7. And I've been doing it for over 17 years! I might know a little bit more about what I can handle and what my limitations are than other people.

First of all, I have personally injured my MCL, ACL, and LCL multiple times in my life. If you haven't had an injury to a knee ligament, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. It is very painful, and for the first hour or so after the injury, you may feel nauseated, dizzy, and disoriented. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may be able to stand or bear some weight on the leg, but you can't pivot or shift your weight. And a partial tear is much easier to recover from then a more severe tear. So if you have a tear, you're an idiot to go back out there and injure yourself worse, possibly ending your career.

Secondly, Jay Cutler has diabetes. For a diabetic to be a professional athlete is a feat in and of itself. My husband has been a diabetic for over 30 years, and I've been a part of his life for half of that time. A diabetic's body operates completely different than a healthy person's, and small things can have a huge effect. A sudden injury can even suddenly bring on insulin shock due to stress, adrenalin, etc. Could this have something to do with why Cutler appeared to some to be "disengaged" on the sidelines after his injury?

The point is, you don't know what's going on with someone else's body. I've borne the brunt of the most ignorant comments and thoughtless questions about my chronic illnesses. People want to know why I don't "just" exercise or eat less since I'm overweight. Little do they know that I gained 70 lbs in 6 months from one narcolepsy medication, had untreated or improperly treated thyroid disease for 15 years, my body produces 5 times the amount of insulin it's supposed to in response to food - which causes me to store food as fat rather than burning it as energy, and when I perform mild physical exercise like standing or walking for short times and distances my muscles go limp suddenly due to cataplexy. Not to mention that I eat healthier than 99% of the population. You skinny people would DIE if you had to eat the way I need to just to have the energy to bathe and dress myself!

Why don't I drive? Why don't I have a job? Why don't I attend 12 church services a week? Why isn't my house clean and my laundry done? Why don't I have children...do I not like kids? Why do I need a wheelchair to go to a mall or ballpark? It's GOTTA be that I'm just too fat and lazy, right? After all, I'm "too young" to have all these health issues. I'm probably faking it for attention. Or maybe I'm just depressed. Probably I'm not right with God. And I don't have enough faith to be healed. Blah blah blah blah blah.

The bottom line? We can't look at someone and know what's going on "under the hood." And it's really none of our business unless we really care enough to be a part of that person's life as an encourager, a helper, a real friend, and a prayer warrior. If you're just a critic who attacks people because it makes you feel better about yourself or an "armchair quarterback" who didn't have what it takes to make the playoffs, just keep your mouth shut. I say this with all the love of Jesus and a healthy dose of plain truth. Sow some seeds of kindness and compassion. You never know....some day you or someone you love may have an injury or illness. And when that day comes, you may need that harvest in your own life.

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." -I Peter 3:8

Overcome

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” - Genesis 32:24-28

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it. -Revelation 2:17

I found it interesting that both in the story of Jacob wrestling with the Lord and receiving his new name of Israel, as well as in the passage in Revelation, the word "overcome" is used in reference to receiving your Secret Name. Just a neat reminder in my devotions this morning that God gives us a new name when we overcome adversity in our lives. I recently read an amazing book about discovering your Secret Name and learned my new name: Treasured. You can read the story of my journey to find my Secret Name here.

Have you overcome adversity in your life? Do you know your new name?

What if I Had Cancer?

I have a confession to make: sometimes I wish I had cancer. How twisted is that? And what would possess me to say such a thing? Of course, although I've had close family members waste away and die from cancer, I've never experienced it myself. I know it's a horrible and serious disease that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. But as crazy as it sounds, there have been several times in my life that I've found myself being jealous of people with cancer. Shocking?

About a year before my health took a serious downward spiral, a friend from church was diagnosed with breast cancer. You would not believe the outpouring of love and support shown to her and her family by our church! People came over to clean, brought meals, and offered to take her to doctor appointments. I'll never forget the time she was sharing the stories about the support from our church family and, knowing my own chronic health struggles, innocently asked, "People come over and help you out too, right?" There certainly have been a couple of people that have helped out before. But as far as the kind of constant support she was getting? Not even close.

Several months later I was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy, and my cataplexy was so bad that I was constantly falling down all over the house. I couldn't prepare meals, shower, dress myself, or do any household chores on my own. We asked our church for some help and in addition to being told we lived too far away from the church for people to serve us, a church leader admonished us, "It's not always your turn to be helped; sometimes it's your turn to help." Huh?! Anyone who truly knows us would realize what an ignorant statement that was. And we'd been faithfully attending and serving in that church for over 3 years.

So why was my experience so different from my friend with cancer? I'm not entirely sure, and I'd love some feedback from you. But here's what I've come up with so far.

1. I'm not dying. People seem to equate cancer with dying. I guess they feel that since you may die, they should serve you while they can. On the other hand, the long-term, daily struggles in the life of someone with chronic illness are largely ignored. Maybe it seems like too long a commitment?

2. I seem like I can handle it. I've always been a strong, independent person. I am a problem-solver, and I don't give up easily. Maybe people think, "If anyone can work through this, she can."

3. I don't know how to ask for what I need. I've had a few people offer to help, but I feel badly asking for and even accepting help because of what I've experienced in the past. Who wants to be helped grudgingly, our out of a sense of duty? Or what if I ask for help this time, and then I really need help another time but I've used up my "Ask for Help Card"? After all, maybe it's not my turn to be helped.

All I know is, everyone has a limit, a breaking point. We live on the edge of ours all the time. After two months of a major health setback we are about to fall off at the moment. But is it safe to ask for help? Or do I suffer alone and hope for the best? What do YOU do when you need help getting through the struggles of life with chronic illness?

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." -Ecclesiastes 4:8-10

Coming Back Stronger by Drew Brees: A Book Review

Who doesn't love a good comeback story? Add in football, and it's even better. Drew Brees, the quarterback of the Superbowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints is no stranger to adversity. But all his life, when faced with adversity, he determined to make a strong comeback. Whether it was going through the divorce of his parents, fighting for a starting position on his high school football team, suffering an ACL injury that nearly ended his hopes for a college scholarship, or leading his Purdue team to the Rose Bowl, overcoming each of these hurdles now seems to be a foreshadowing of his NFL career. When a severe shoulder injury effectively ended his position as starting quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, and he found that most NFL teams considered his NFL career over as well, he refused to admit defeat. Instead, he found a home with a team and a city that needed a miraculous comeback as much as he did. And they both came back even stronger.

No matter what adversity you face in life, you cannot help but be inspired by the story of Drew Brees. His courage, faith, and determination to conquer life's challenges is both a testament to his character and an infusion of hope to anyone who's ever faced hardship and dared to mount a resurgence for victory.

Buy your copy of this amazing story here!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

1.1.11

I love beginnings. They are a great opportunity to start fresh with new goals, no mistakes, and lots of hope for the future. And my OCD also finds tomorrow's date of 1.1.11 another reason to view this New Year's Day as a fantastic time to achieve new things in the upcoming year. I've read that it's important to publicize your goals so that you will be accountable to reach them. I'm asking you to check up on me throughout this year and follow up on my progress. I need your help!

My New Year's Resolutions:

1. Read the Bible through and complete a Bible study every quarter.
2. Post to my blog twice each week, for a minimum of 104 posts by December 31, 2011.
3. Complete the first draft of a chapter for my book every two weeks, or 2 per month.
4. Start fresh with the Know the Cause Phase One Diet, and stay on it faithfully the entire year.
5. Begin Dr. Mercola's Peak Fitness Program, with the goal to fit into the clothes I wore when we first moved to Florida 5 years ago.

Life Without Limbs by Nick Vujicic: A Book Review

A few months ago, I saw this video about a man named Nick Vujicic. It's impossible to see this man, hear him speak, or learn about his story without feeling inspired. Born without any limbs, he has faced adversity that most of us could never understand, yet he travels the world to communicate to others the love of God and the message that their life has a purpose and can be lived without the limits we place on ourselves due to negative circumstances. Nick shares the joy that he has found by determining to live a "ridiculously good life" and using his struggles to encourage others to overcome obstacles and embrace life.

This is much more than a self-help book. This is a story of inspiration and courage. By sharing his own journey to accept that God did not make a mistake allowing him to be born without limbs and that he has an important message to share with the world, Nick Vujicic is a true example of what it means to live life to the fullest. His practical wisdom, humor, and raw transparency will encourage you to change your attitude about life, rise above your challenges, and find a way to ignite passion in others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Predator by Terri Blackstock: A Book Review

"Riding my bike to Sinbad's. Dying for a soda, and Dad won't keep them in the house." That was 14-year-old Ella Carmichael's last Thought Bubble posted to the social network Grapevyne. But someone was watching - someone with sinister intentions - and took the opportunity to abduct, rape, and brutally murder the unsuspecting teen. Now her older sister Krista is taking on GrapeVyne and laying a trap for the killer, determined that no other young girls become his next victim. Despite the horrible pain of losing the baby sister she practically raised after their mother's death, Krista turns the tragedy into an opportunity to educate teens and young women about the dangers of posting personal information and current locations on social networking sites. In the process, she ends up working alongside the site's creator and CEO, both of them fighting for their lives as they seek to uncover a potential conspiracy or criminal activity originating with GrapeVyne's parent company and stay a step ahead of a killer.

Not only does Blackstock achieve another suspenseful story with a great surprise ending, but she really makes you stop to consider how our innocent comments on social networking sites can be used for malicious purposes by the wrong person. I want every young woman I care about to read this book and take to heart that particular message. This book will give you nightmares, which is the hallmark of a great thriller, and it will certainly leave you contemplating your own online activities. But it's also a story about using personal adversity to reach out to others, about healing in the midst of tragedy, and about the power of our faith and God's grace to carry us through our darkest trial.

View the book trailer and buy the book here

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Where's Tonto?

"I feel like the Lone Ranger," my husband said to me last night, sighing as he made the difficult decision to go home for a good night's rest rather than sticking it out at the hospital for another night with me. Part of me was angry and hurt because I am afraid to stay at the hospital alone due to unpleasant past experiences. On the other hand, I recognized he was burned out physically and emotionally and needed his own bed. While I've been either hospitalized or bed-ridden for the past month, he's been trying to run our small business, take care of things at home, take care of me and/or stay by my side 24/7 in the hospital, plan and prepare most of Thanksgiving dinner, run all of our personal errands, and take over the few administrative duties I can still do for our business all on his own. So his "Lone Ranger" sentiment is understandable.

But even the Lone Ranger had a side-kick: Tonto, someone he could talk to along the trail and count on to have his back. Even his horse Silver would pitch in once in a while, dragging him to water when he'd been injured by an outlaw. Because we have no family living nearby, we recently moved to a new area of a large city and have visited our new church only a handful of times, and we have very few friends in our lives that are willing to roll up their sleeves and be involved in our often-dramatic lives, we have sadly grown quite used to bearing our burdens alone. We are thankful for God's grace, for each other, as well as long-distance family and friends who pray for us and encourage us via phone and internet. But sometimes you just need back-up. Like someone who will offer to drop off one of your diet-specific meals, take you to the doctor, or stop by and let the dogs out for some exercise while you're in the hospital.

Everyone is busy and everyone has less-complicated friendships to put their effort into. I know this. But everyone needs someone to talk to along the trail. Someone to count on to have your back. So for MY Lone Ranger's sake...where's Tonto? Heck...I'm sure he'd even settle for someone to just drag him to water.

Some thoughts and ideas I've shared before about being someone's "side-kick":
If We Are the Body
Get With the Program

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury: A Book Review

Holden Harris is an autistic, high school senior whose father has given up on his ever being normal again, leaving his mother to deal with the day-to-day struggles of parenting a special-needs child. While Holden's mom Tracy holds on to hope and prays for a miracle to release her son from the prison of his autism, he is reunited with his childhood best friend Ella Reynolds, the popular daughter of Tracy's one-time closest friend, who abandoned Tracy shortly after Holden's diagnosis. Through Ella's friendship and Holden's love for music, miracles begin to happen not only for Holden, but also for his parents, his high school, and Ella's family as well.

So many topics that hit close to home for me were touched on in this riveting story. Karen Kingsbury demonstrates so clearly how those of us with chronic illness and our caretakers are often abandoned by our loved ones -often out of fear or not knowing how to deal with the situation- both physically and emotionally, just when we need them most. And the way people ignore, tease, and treat Holden differently because of his illness is sadly typical of how our culture regards those of us with disabilities. But Tracy Harris' strength in the midst of adversity and her fragile faith and hope in God is nothing short of inspiring. Likewise, the courage and compassion of young Ella to reach out to Holden is a testament to the power of one to make a difference. Unlocked is truly another in a long list of Kingsbury's "Life-Changing Fiction."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

He Knows My Name

A Book "Experience" from Your Secret Name by Kary Oberbrunner

Every once in a while you read a book, and you just know that your life will never be the same. It feels like a personal message, meant just for you. And it becomes more than a book: it's an experience. I'd like to share my experience with you.

Each of us, whether consciously or unconsciously, is seeking our purpose in life - our identity. We want to know who we are and why our life matters in the grand scheme of things. As we go through life, we are given labels or Given Names that describe how others see us; and then we often spend the rest of our lives trying to live up to or to live down those names. But God has a Secret Name for each of us, a name that describes how He, our Creator, see us. Discovering our Secret Name is a journey that leads us to a deeper relationship with God and the beginning of truly understanding His plan for us.

As Author Kary Oberbrunner compared his journey to finding his Secret Name with the story of Jacob in the book of Genesis, I could not help but see similarities in my own life and realize I'd spent too long "playing the Name Game." I learned very early in my life that I could get recognition by being an achiever. The more awards I won, the more top grades I received in school, the more I improved my musical talents, the more people seemed to see me as a valuable person. This worked well for me until age 16 when I suddenly became "The Sick Girl," and I could no longer keep up with everyone's expectations of my being "Most Likely to Succeed." In my senior year of high school and through my freshman year of college I struggled just to get out of bed in the morning and stay awake through classes, but I did my best to put on a front that I had it all together as usual. But by the end of my freshman year I had begun to have major health problems and could no longer stay in school.

That's when I first noticed that I was becoming Invisible. I worked hard at improving my health and would have periods of remission where I would force myself to perform at work or at church so that I could have that feeling of being special and important. But inevitably my health would fail me again, and I would begin to feel Isolated and Abandoned by my friends and family. There were times I was out of commission for up to 6 months at a time, but I rarely had a phone call, email, or visit from any of those people I'd been trying so hard to impress. I felt Worthless and Forgotten, like I was a "Non-person." And as my health issues began to affect my weight, I no longer even recognized myself in the mirror. Pretty soon I was just a Fat, Sick, Depressed Person who meant very little to myself or anyone else. In the midst of a two-year downward spiral in my health and a series of events that left me feeling completely Invalidated by everyone in my life, I decided that my life was no longer worth living. And I attempted suicide.

Despite all the difficult circumstances over the past 17 years, I always felt God's presence and would see His hand at work in my life. I heard Him whisper loving assurances to me and would often picture Him holding me and singing over me, as in Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,he will rejoice over you with singing." When Kary asked us at the end of the book to picture ourselves alone before God and to imagine what name He would call us, I immediately heard God say, "I see you. I hear you. I remember you. You are precious to me." I immediately was drawn back to Zephaniah 3:17 and discovered the name Zephaniah means "treasured by God." That's when He confirmed to me that the words I heard Him say all described me as His Treasure. When God looks at me, he values me as a precious treasure, of so great worth that He would never abandon, forget, or overlook me. And I don't have to earn a list of achievements to be treasured in His eyes.

"When I don't measure up to much in this life, I'm a Treasure in the arms of Christ." -From "Forgiven" by Sanctus Real

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Twelfth Imam by Joel C. Rosenberg: A Book Review

Iran has a secret nuclear weapons program. A small cult of religious and political leaders in the Middle East believe they must destroy the nations of Israel and the United States in order to bring about the coming of the Islamic "messiah", or Twelfth Imam, whom they believe will usher in a new era of Islamic rule worldwide. As they are plotting the demise of the Little and the Great Satans, Iran is unaware that a trusted, young Muslim businessman is actually a CIA operative whose objective is to gain solid intelligence to thwart their nuclear efforts. It soon becomes clear that there are spiritual forces behind Iran's evil plot that the CIA refuses to acknowledge until it is perhaps too late.

Joel C. Rosenberg begins another spine-tingling fiction series that hits very close to home. His seemingly prophetic insights into real political events of our day are set in an action-packed, can't-put-it-down thriller that will capture your attention and leave you paying much closer attention to current events in light of this storyline. Whether you're a seasoned Rosenberg fan or a first-timer, you will not be disappointed in The Twelfth Imam.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Recommendations

I've had the privilege to read some really great, life-changing books recently. I'm currently working on writing the reviews to post them here for you. While you're waiting, you should just go ahead and start reading them now; they're THAT good.

Your Secret Name by Kary Oberbrunner
Visit the book's website

The Twelfth Imam by Joel C. Rosenberg
Visit Joel's website

We All Scream for Ice Cream

When it's hot and muggy outside, I like something cold and sweet. But I don't sacrifice my health for an ice cream treat, nor do I trade away "delicious" for "healthy". This yummy ice cream recipe is adapted from Sally Fallon's "Nourishing Traditions" cookbook for the Know the Cause Phase One Diet

Chocolate Raspberry Soft-Serve Ice Cream

3 cups heavy cream
3 egg yolks
6 T. unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup xylitol

Whisk together in a bowl.
Pour into ice cream maker (the kind with the bowl that you freeze. Mine is a Cuisinart model) and allow to mix for 25-30 minutes.
Add 1 pint fresh raspberries and mix another 5 minutes.

Best if served directly from ice cream maker, but can be stored in a sealed container and stored in the freezer. This will change the consistency, however, to something like you would have if you try to refreeze a Wendy's Frosty, for example. But it still tastes good!

Questioning Vaccinations

Questioning Vaccinations

Click the above link to read this article from www.knowthecause.com Newsletter.

The Secret Life of the American with Chronic Illness

My house is an absolute wreck! I live in constant fear that someone will stop by my house and find out that I'm not Susie Homemaker. I like things very neat, clean, and uncluttered. And I'm a classic germophobe. So it's not like I'm oblivious to the mess or don't care to address it. At the moment I'm just overwhelmed. Last month I was hospitalized for heart problems, and my sister came from Michigan and stayed with me for about a month to help out. While she was here, she did nearly all of the cooking and cleaning. Then, it took me about a week or so just to rest and recuperate from her visit. (And if you have chronic illness, you know what I'm talking about: is there anything that DOESN'T take a week of recovery?) Also, she and I tended to stay up late at night talking, watching movies, playing board games, etc., which is great except for the fact that it wreaked havoc with this narcoleptic's sleep patterns.

I look around and see piles of laundry that needs folding, furniture that needs dusted, carpet that needs vacuumed, and dishes that need washed and put away. And I don't know where to start. Of course, telling you about it isn't getting it done either. I guess I just felt I needed to confess the huge secret mess that is behind my front door. You probably think less of me now than before, when I seemed perfect and you thought I had it all together. But this is my reality. Sadly, there will probably never be a time when I will be caught up on all of the household chores and would feel great if unexpected company just showed up. That's just a part of my life that I have to learn to accept. I don't know that I'll ever be completely okay with it.

So today it is my goal to get ONE room in my house clean and clutter-free, and if I can accomplish this through God's strength, then I will choose to be content in that. And if you happen to stop by and see all the other rooms in my home, please don't judge me too harshly. I'm doing the best I can, and everything else will just have to stay messy until I get to it.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" ~Colossians 3:23

The Witness by Josh McDowell: A Book Review

Marwan Accad, owner of a posh international security firm, suddenly finds himself on the run after disclosing to his client that his wife's kidnapping was actually staged as a plot to extort millions from him. Narrowly escaping death himself, Accad is the only witness to that client's assassination and the only person who knows about the extortion. Circumstantial evidence leads police to believe Accad himself may have been behind the murder, and a corrupt detective does all he can to manipulate facts and evidence to show Accad's guilt. Marwan Accad's quest to uncover evidence to clear his name while trying to avoid being killed himself, leads him to a journey of healing deep wounds from his past and discovering God's love.

The Witness is an exciting, page-turning thriller with well-researched detail that makes you feel like you are traveling through the different countries and experiencing the dramatic chases along with the characters. Although some of the conversations about God that arise between characters seem unexpected, the historical Biblical facts they contain are thought-provoking. And despite the fact that the much-anticipated conclusion is a bit abrupt, the story does provide a clear gospel message enveloped within an engrossing and highly titillating drama. I would definitely recommend Josh McDowell's The Witness as an entertaining read but also as a clever evangelistic tool.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Taco Salad - Phase One Friendly

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I thought I'd post my original taco salad recipe. If you're following the Know the Cause Phase One Diet, if you're into low-carb, or if you're just a healthy eater, you'll love this recipe.

Taco Salad
1 – 1 ½ lbs grass-fed ground beef
Chopped onions & green peppers
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes (check ingredients! No sugar, etc)
Chili powder
Paprika
Cayenne pepper
Salt
Pepper
Onion Powder

Sauté onions & peppers in olive oil until clear
Brown meat, break down into very small pieces
Add diced tomatoes
Add spices
Bring to a boil
Allow to simmer on Low 30 minutes, until liquid is reduced
Add garlic

Guacamole
1 avocado, diced
3 grape tomatoes
Green onion, roughly chopped tops & bottoms
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of ½ lemon
Salt
Mix together in Magic Bullet with Cross Blade,
Using Short Cup

Serve over a bed of leafy greens, grape tomatoes, and shredded yogurt cheese. Top with a dollop of real sour cream. Serves 3-4, depending on portion size.

Think Outside the Box - Snack Bar Recipe

For those of you who enjoy trail mix-type bars, I thought this recipe that I adapted from TBS Dinner & A Movie's "Cramming for the Bar" is a yummy alternative to those pre-packaged "healthy" snack bars with all the added sugar and grain. If you're following the Know the Cause Phase One Diet, or if you're just a healthy eater, you'll love this recipe.

Healthy Snack Bars
No Grain, No Sugar


Ingredients:
• 2 1/2 cup dried unsweetened cranberries and other berries
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 cup raw almond slices
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1/4 cup raw pecans
• 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup ground flax seed
• 1 cup unsweetened dried coconut
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 5 tablespoons agave syrup or raw unpasteurized honey
• 1/4 cup Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

Directions:
1. Combine the dried fruit in a food processor. Pulse mixture 10-15 times until a ball forms. Add the remaining dry ingredients and continue pulsing until the nuts are chopped and the mixture begins to come together. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl and add the oil and honey and knead 5 minutes until the mixture holds its shape in a ball.

2. To form the health food bars, line a cookie sheet with plastic wrap and press the mixture forcefully into the pan. Place another piece of plastic wrap over the top and then use a large rolling pin to compress the mixture into a solid block. Alternatively you can press into small cake molds or wrap in foil and twist tightly into cylinders.

3. Cut into bars. Bars can be left plain or coated in your favorite choice (i.e. sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, dehydrated coconut, green tea Mache, powdered cocoa, etc.) Freeze bars for 30 minutes and then wrap individually and keep refrigerated for longest shelf life.

Happy Happy Birthday Cake

Chocolate Fudgy Bundt Cake
No grain, No sugar
Adapted from Hannah Byers’ Original Chocolate Fudge Almond Butter Cake Recipe

2 cups almond butter
4 eggs
1 cup raw unpasteurized honey
1 tsp. baking soda

8 oz. unsweetened (100% cocoa) chocolate
2 sticks butter
1 cup xylitol* (or more or less to taste)
*This recipe is meant to have ½ cup raw honey in the chocolate mix, which would make the cake MUCH more moist. See Notes below for more info.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Melt butter, chocolate squares, and xylitol in a pot over low heat.
Mix almond butter, eggs, honey, and baking soda with mixer until smooth.
Pour in chocolate 2/3 of chocolate mixture, and beat until mixed.

Pour into a bundt cake pan, greased with extra virgin coconut oil and lightly coated with coconut flour. Bake for approx. 50 minutes at 350 degrees (if you use all honey instead of using xylitol in the chocolate mixture, you will probably need to bake up to 10 minutes longer)
Allow to cool 20 minutes, then flip out onto serving plate.
Reheat remaining chocolate mixture and drizzle over top.
Add fresh strawberries and/or raspberries to center.
Add a dollop of heavy whipping cream, whipped with stevia added, to taste

You can also divide ingredients for cake batter in half (as in Hannah’s original recipe) and pour into two round cake pans lined with parchment paper. Then you can make a filling and ice the top. The following is a recipe for filling/icing. Or you can just half the recipe and bake as brownies, too!

Icing/Filling:
1 8oz. cream cheese
1 stick butter
¼ cup raw unpasteurized honey
3 T. unsweetened cocoa, optional for chocolate icing (or more to taste)
You can also add heavy whipping cream and beat for an extended period to make it fluffier.

Notes:
1. I tried making this in the round pans and greasing the pans with coconut oil but the cake STILL stuck due to the gooiness of the honey. My MIL makes wedding cakes and advised me to line with parchment paper. You can’t do this in a bundt cake pan though. So you just have to carefully work it out of the pan before it’s cooled too much.

2. Almond butter can be expensive, but I do not recommend peanut butter because this is a healthy recipe and peanuts contain mycotoxins which are extremely harmful to the body. Cashew butter can also be used, which is less expensive. You can make your own almond butter (which will save a lot if you find a good price on almonds. Sam’s Club has 3lb. bags of plain unroasted almonds for $10) by putting almonds in a food processor, adding a small amount of almond oil, and mixing until a buttery texture.

3. You can substitute the xylitol in the chocolate mixture for ½ cup raw honey. I opted for xylitol because there was already so much honey in the cake, and honey is very high on the glycemic index, especially for people with diabetes, PCOD, thyroid disease, obesity, and other endocrine diseases.

4. Because this is a healthy recipe, I strongly recommend using eggs from free range, organic hens that are NOT fed grains; butter and other dairy products that are from grass-fed organic dairy; raw, unpasteurized organic honey; and organic ingredients whenever possible.

5. For more information on mycotoxins and why I avoid grain and sugar, please refer to Know the Cause

Ransomed Dreams by Sally John

A book review

Sheridan Montgomery, the wife of Eliot Montgomery, former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela, has gone from her dream life to her worst nightmare after her husband was seriously wounded in a shooting. She felt she had lost everything - her husband, her career, her peace of mind, and nearly all contact with the outside world - in a matter of mere minutes. Choosing to retreat to a remote Mexican village to escape the trauma of the incident and to care for her disabled husband, she thought she had put distance between herself and her worst fears. But when her father's failing health and her sister's plea to return home forces her to leave her safety zone and her dependent husband, the realities of her strained family relationships, the disappointments of her marriage, discoveries about her parents' pasts, and the feelings she has developed for her savior Luke Traynor are just some of the realities she must face before she can find herself again.

For anyone who thinks that fiction is simply an indulgence to escape reality, this book will be a huge surprise. The story will resonate with anyone who has ever found himself in the midst of unexpected and disappointing life circumstances and asked, "How did I get here, and how can I escape?" As a person whose life has taken dramatic turns in the area of my health, I empathized with the struggles of both Sheridan's character, who feels forced to swallow the bitter pill of a life lost, and that of her husband Eliot, who is trapped by his body and paralyzed with fear that he will end up alone. But not until they reach the end of themselves and turn back to God, do they find peace to reconcile damaged relationships and rediscover their love for each other. The story is dramatic and action-packed, but it is also full of life-changing truths. This is surely one work of fiction that will be worth your time!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”