Introduction to my blog and how to begin eating clean!

Hello!  Thank you for checking out my blog!  I have wanted to share my battle and success with Fibromyalgia, and all the terrible things that go along with it, I just haven’t been sure how to go about it.  So this is my way of sharing my SUCCESS in fighting Fibro!  I have suffered from Fibromyalgia for about 10 years now, for about 8 years (undiagnosed after what seemed every test imaginable) and then for 2 years after my diagnosis.  When my symptoms worsened to the point that I could only work part-time (from home) and could barely do that, and my life consisted of work and bed (literally), and I had tried all the pills the rheumatologist wanted me to take; I decided to take a friend up on a challenge to eat “clean” for 45 days to see if my body would use food as medicine.  I needed a template to get started so I used the ‘Whole30’ meal plan guide just so I knew what was “clean” and what wasn’t.  I’m in no way selling that program; I’m just saying it helped me so I had a way to tell what was allowed and what wasn’t when considering a clean eating program.  I also got some good recipes from the book to get me started.  

Please let me say this, eating clean is not easy.  Just in case it didn't sink in, eating clean is not easy.

I tell people every day that eating is my part time job and most days it is.   But I can also tell you for me it has literally given me my life back.  Are every one of my symptoms gone?  No, but if I had to put it on a scale I would say 95% of my pain and fatigue are gone and most of the time I actually feel like a “normal” person again.  I am working full time (outside of the house) and enjoy family activities all the time now.  I have even traveled recently with very little fatigue afterwards, which wasn’t even an option before.  If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know but the list of things I do now that I couldn’t before goes on and on…

All I want is to encourage others with Fibro to try it, see if it works for you, and you decide from there.  You can’t be any worse after just 45 days, right?  And your body didn't get sick in 45 days so it's going to take a little while to work the bad foods out of your system.  That’s what my friend told me…and she was right.

What does eating clean mean?  It means eating only foods that are natural or have natural ingredients.  Think of it this way; if God didn’t make it, it’s out!

What I “DO” eat:

Any type of meat (not pre-seasoned or marinated by the maker or restaurant)

Fish (not seasoned or breaded)

All Vegetables (fresh or canned with only natural ingredients) except *nightshades

All Fruit (fresh or canned with only natural ingredients)

Eggs

What I “DON’Teat:

Anything processed or in a box.

Dairy

Sugar

Wheat

Soy (this is a major inflammatory and is in more of your foods than you know)

Nightshades

Legumes (this is only because it’s part of the Whole30 compliance, I am in the process of re-introducing a few legumes so I will let you know how it goes….)

What are Nightshades?

Tomatoes

White potatoes (not sweet potatoes)

Eggplant

Peppers (Green, Red, and any spice made with peppers; cayenne, red pepper, etc.)

*Nightshades are okay for a healthy person but for someone with Fibromyalgia, they cause serious inflammation which means pain!

Below are some substitutes for nightshade vegetables:

Sweet potatoes and yam

Cauliflower

Celery

Radishes

Zucchini

Carrots

Fresh fruit like blueberries, grapes, orange slices and melon

Mushrooms

Salt

Black and White Pepper (instead of red pepper)

So if I haven’t scared you off yet and you would like to give ‘clean’ eating a try, I would love to be here to support you through your first 45 days and beyond!  I would love to share food ideas, recipes, answer questions, be there for you in any way I can.  Please take your time in considering whether you want to do this, don’t make a quick decision because it is a life change, it’s not easy, and it needs to be a serious commitment.  But if your body responds the same way mine has, you will never regret it and you will never go back!  While I can’t promise you will have the same results I have I can promise you will be healthier just for giving it a try!  And a couple bonus results other than seriously reducing my pain and fatigue are; energy level is higher, sleep much better and I've lost 45 pounds this last year!  Don't do this for those reasons, but they are a very nice bonus!

I hope to hear from you, please message me if you'd like to know more or you have questions that I can help you with.  I would love to help you find a way to reduce the symptoms of Fibro and help get your life back too!

What are your next steps?
1)  Carefully consider a 45 day (minimum) commitment
2)  Be sure any medical conditions or needs take priority and talk to your physician about a diet change.
3)  Talk to your family - you need their support!
4)  Prepare your home with plenty of 'clean' foods and remove any foods that will be too tempting!

5)  Set your start date!!!

Please note:  I am not a physician or nutritionist so please do not stop or change any medications your physician has prescribed, and any foods that your body may need due to a medical condition outweighs any suggestions or opinions contained here.  All references are my personal experience and in no way guarantee the same results for anyone else. Nothing included here substitutes consulting a physician and any change to your diet should be discussed with your healthcare provider before starting.