I received a really nice compliment the other day. I walked into our school yoga group and was told I was looking really healthy. That comment, more than most, made me feel really great! As someone who has struggled with weight most of my life, it’s nice to hear you look good, did you lose weight, but it is much more impactful and real when someone comments on health. I don’t always notice when someone has lost weight, even when it is significant, or when someone gets a new hairstyle because that doesn’t change how I see that person. However, I do notice and feel that it is a striking difference, when someone has made changes and looks healthy. To me, that is very noticeable! It shows in their skin and in they way they carry themselves, and often you can see a general calmness to them.
I have been working on eating for better brain health and function, trying to practice some energy medicine, and adding some exercise. With encouragement from my work friends, I have started doing some yoga. I think the yoga is making a big difference! As someone with MS, my muscles tend to get tight and I need to stretch them in a way that’s not overly stressful. Also, yoga provides a concrete way to de-stress. It has been a pleasure to start this experience with people who are non judgmental and kind. Who better to practice my new skill with than special educators that accept everyone for who they are and spend their days making accommodations for students of all abilities?
As I continue to focus on the path to healthy living, I am mindful of food and what I cook for my family, actually now just the two of us. I personally follow the Wahls Protocal, a modified paleo eating plan for managing MS. I have chosen not to eat dairy or gluten and try to limit sugar and its more unrefined counterparts as well as adding more vegetables, sea vegetables and other items. As an example, for dinner tonight we had spaghetti squash (I used to be a real pasta lover!) with homemade tomato sauce and spicy sausage, a green salad, and tomatoes & artichokes in a simple marinade. While I have switched out some items, I still eat fabulous tasting food! What I don’t eat any more is fast food. My husband and I were talking the other day about the last time we had eaten in a McDonald’s. And neither one of us could remember. Which is definitely a good sign that we are on track.
Maybe that is why people have noticed a change and remarked that I look healthy. In any case, it’s nice to hear.
One of the things I have been doing lately is creating healthier alternatives when I crave a sweet. Here’s one I made this week.
Toasted Chocolate Coconut Bites
1 cup old fashion oats
¾ cup sun butter
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1-2 Tbls maple syrup
1 Tbls chia seeds
1 tsp vanilla
Pour oats into a dry frying pan and toast for 1-2 minutes until light brown (optional, but I like the added toasty flavor and the bit of crunch they give). Make sure to stir and pay attention, the oats will burn very easily if not attended to. Remove from the pan and add to a mixing bowl. Add all other dry ingredients and stir. Add the sun butter, maple syrup and vanilla to dry ingredients and mix well. Feel free to use your hands. Roll into small balls. It should make about 10 bite-sized treats. Chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour and enjoy.
Optional ingredients:
Chocolate chips
Peanut butter in place of sun butter
Protein powder
Honey
Chopped nuts
Flax seeds
