Ketchup 2: Paparazzi Post

As I previously mentioned in a post, roughly two weeks ago, I wanted to start taking and sharing more photos.  Well, I fell behind in that goal, so here she goes.  A little Paparazzi update on whats been going on in our world lately.

I love winter, but I loathe the boot monster.

Peter redeeming himself after forgetting to pick me up kleenex the night prior....gosh I love that guy.  AND he made me AH Ma Zing Homemade chicken 'n veggie soup!  And little factiod for you, the spice/herb Thyme is good for a chest cold because it helps relax and loosen mucus membranes.

 Wednesday night, Steph and I attended the Lady Gaga concert at the Xcel Energy Center.  And to sum it all up in one word: WOW.  I do have a new appreciation for her and her insane creativity as well as the message that underlies all of her crazy costumes and scenery.  Numerous times throughout the concert, she would pause to climb up on her soap box (while in crazy platform heels and intricate leather costumes), to express her desire for people to embrace who they are, whether they are gay, straight, bi, transgender, black, white, yellow, etc. Pretty cool.

This is how I have been surviving the last 48 hours.  After my shift on Saturday, I came home and crashed.  I started feeling miserable, with a likely sinus infection, and crazy fatigue.  I never like taking over the counter cold medicine, simply because it only quiets the symptoms, and doesn't help the root issue.  So I opted to just sleep, hydrate, drink tea (Gypsy Cold Care & Chamomile Citrus), and use my neti pot.  Additionally, I am starting a 14 day detox on Monday (today, which I will explain in a bit), so I didn't want to take any medications; therefore I sought out some natural home remedies.  I read about the "healing" powers of Apple Cider Vinegar.  A concoction of 1 TBSP ACV, 1 TBSP Honey, and 8 ounces of water, is said to help clear the sinuses and kill bacteria.  It was amazing how well it worked.  Within 2 minutes of choking it down, literally choking (it does NOT taste good), my sinuses would clear up.

14 Day Detox, this actually will deserve a blog post on its own, but announcing that today is my first day on Life Time Fitness 14 day Detox!  Goals of the detox are multiple, but some include dextoxing from Caffeine, sugar, chemicals, and in general allowing your body to be cleansed so it can be more efficient.  The detox consists of two dairy free Fast Fuel Shakes with a Fiber supplement, multi vitamins, fish oil, and a packet of Liver Detox supplements.  Additionally, the nutrition protocol consists of clean whole foods, primarily clean protein sources (free range chicken, grass fed beef, and wild caught fish), cuniferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, etc), and healthy fats (coconut oil, EVOO, nuts/seeds).  Items you are NOT allowed to ingest are dairy (milk, cheese, eggs, butter to name a few), Sugar (in any form other than in foods/fruit), gluten, caffeine, among a few other things.  Basically NO processed foods also, which isn't an issue for me as I eat pretty clean.  The only big adjustment that I've been working on is the caffeine.  More to come.

As I mentioned, I've been under the weather, and my boys have been taking great care of me.  Diesel has been super snugly and comforting, and he is at the foot of the bed now as I type.  Peter just brought me a bowl of his yummy soup.  I am hoping to make a return to the real world tomorrow!  Can't wait to get back at it!