Cauliflower Rice is a great side dish...and great for you!!

You can substitute just about any side that isn't "clean" with cauliflower rice.  It's easy, heats great as a leftover and is super good for you!  (And this from someone who doesn't care too much for cauliflower.)  Try it you are going to love it!!

(Swanson has an organic Chicken Broth)

Anti-inflammatory foods - reduce inflammation and pain caused by Fibromyalgia

Check out this article by Dr. Axe and try to keep as many of these foods as possible in your daily routine.  Not only are they part of a completely clean diet, they will help reduce your inflammation which should reduce your pain from Fibromyalgia.

https://draxe.com/anti-inflammatory-foods/

Isnt eating clean so restrictive? Can you really do it?

Sometimes as I make my "go to" breakfast, I think how I would love to pull out a piece of fresh bread, pop it in the toaster and then just literally bathe it in butter and grape jelly!

Those thoughts last about 15 seconds and then I get back to cooking my favorite "clean" breakfast consisting of Chicken Apple sausage, sweet potatoes, carrots, some days broccoli (was in a hurry today) and 2 fried eggs.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I wouldn't enjoy that beautiful piece of toast and jelly, but I enjoy being practically PAIN FREE even more!  Way more!! 

So if you are already eating clean or thinking about trying it and someone says "I couldn't do that it's way too restrictive", just remember all the pain and fatigue are FAR more restrictive than having to eat only certain foods.

I have heard a LOT of Fibro warriors say other types of treatments have worked for some people and not worked for others but I have not heard one single person that is eating 100% clean say that it didn't reduce their pain and fatigue drastically!  Think about it, it's not only a way to reduce your symptoms but you will get healthy, maybe lose some weight, improve other medical conditions that may be effected by food, but most importantly you may get back to that place you used to know in life called "normal".

Meet my friend the DASH. You are going to want one of these!

When you are eating clean, eggs are a way of life!  (At least for me they are.). You will find many ways to be creative with them believe me!  I don't usually promote products but today I'm compelled to share this one because it makes eating clean so much easier.  It's called a DASH and they are sold on Amazon for a little over $20.

If you like hard boiled eggs but hate peeling them you gotta have a Dash!  This one makes up to 6 eggs in about 10 minutes and they peel practically in one piece.

A hint that I have learned is use a little more water than it calls for, leave in for 2 min after the buzzer and put immediately in ice cold water for 5 minutes.  Perfect every time!!!

I usually include eggs in at least 2 meals a day, and hard boiling ahead of time is a great way to have them to just grab for salads, sides, breakfast, a snack...just about anything!

If you try the Dash or if you already have one, I'd love to hear how you use it and how it effects your meal planning.  I hope it makes you as happy as mine does me!  I seriously think I'd give up just about anything in my kitchen before my Dash!

Consider "drinking" your supplements or OTC medicines.

I have fallen in love with this brand of teas because there are so many OTC medicines I can't take because they affect my Fibromyalgia.  Keep in mind that some of the inflammation that is causing you pain might be coming from OTC meds or even the capsules that they come in!  

I drink Breathe Easy instead of taking an allergy pill.

I drink Throat Coat anytime I have a sore throat coming on or a sore throat from sinus drainage.

And today I forgot ALL my supplements (my bottles mares "B"(breakfast), "L"(lunch), and "D"(dinner) so I tried drinking Turmeric tea with Ginger and I honestly think it worked better than the capsules which I normally take 3x/day.

So while you're improving the foods that go into your body, consider the pills too, they could be causing your pain and fatigue too!  Enjoy...and I wish you a pain free day ahead!

When it comes to seasoning...make your own

Seasoning is key when you are eating clean.  It's also where you find many hidden ingredients that can quickly turn your recipe from clean to Not So Clean. 

If you do buy seasoning from the store, be sure to check your labels for pure ingredients and no sugar!  You will be surprised how many have hidden ingredients.

And since you are fighting Fibromyalgia and need to reduce inflammatory foods, be sure you aren't using any spices with peppers of any kind.  

Yes that takes a lot of hot and delicious spices off the table but you can replace them and when your pain begins decreasing, you won't miss them!

Here is a simple homemade spice that you can keep on hand and use on so many meats, in soups and anything you want to give a little Italian flare!  I'm using this on a chicken soup that is cooking right now and it smells delicious!

For an even quicker Italian spice I make this without the marjoram and sage.  Play around and see what you like but try making this and other spices yourself, it's the sure way to know "exactly" what is in your spices. Not to mention, spices are expensive when you buy them already mixed!

Best of luck and happy "clean" eating!!  Your body is going to love you for it!

Eating clean is NOT a DIET when you are beating the symptoms of Fibromyalgia

It may just be me, but I really dislike when someone calls the way I eat a DIET.  I associate a diet with weight loss and eating clean to improve your Fibromyalgia symptoms is not about the weight loss. However, I will say, if you are overweight, which many with Fibromyalgia are because the fatigue limits your activity so drastically, you will possibly lose weight by eating clean because it balances your bodies natural response to good, clean food and if you are like me, you will probably lose weight until your body is at a good natural weight.  I like to say that the weight loss is a BONUS to eating clean because its not the main reason or purpose.  So call it whatever works for you but please remember the weight is not what's important here and you are really using Food As Your Medicine, you're not on a diet.  It's purpose is for you to be healthy and get relief from the debilitating effects of Fibromyalgia.

My personal experience has been a very consistent amount of weight loss the first 6-8 months I ate clean, and now it has tapered off to a much lower amount per month with no change in my eating habits.  It's my body telling me what my natural weight should be.  And along with reducing the pain, fatigue, brain fog, etc. I feel so much better just because I really needed to lose that weight.

ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED???  Check out this article to start removing the BAD and adding the GOOD foods to your diet!  

Eating Clean Can Significantly Reduce the Pain and Fatigue of Fibromyalgia

I wish you the same luck I have had and would love to be part of your journey!  Please let us know if we can help support you through this process, we would love to hear from you!

Don't Judge a Vegetable By It's Label

Don't judge a vegetable by its label.  When you start eating clean, you will learn some things in ingredients that "look" like they would be "bad", really aren't.  You want to be very careful about knowing what's in your food.  These are examples of an obvious label, a not-so obvious label and what that ingredient "really" is.  There are many canned vegetables that you can eat and remain clean but my go to brand is Del Monte.  Good luck and hope this helps you begin eating cleaner than you did yesterday!  You are one day closer to killing the pain and fatigue that comes with Fibro.

It Really Is The Little Things...

 

When you begin eating clean, these two little symbols, when found on a food you weren't sure you could eat, will absolutely make your day!  Yes, I've been known to get a little excited when I see these in the store.

If you are just getting started, begin by checking labels and looking for organic and non-GMO anytime you can!

These Pork Patties are not just for breakfast! They are easy to make, delicious and CLEAN!!!

Try these pork patties for breakfast, lunch, dinner, leftovers, anytime!  You will want to make enough for leftovers trust me!!

Mix the following in a large bowl:

1-lb of ground pork (purchase from the meat section, not pre-packaged so it doesn't have any unwanted ingredients).
1 Large Egg beaten (remember, range free brown eggs are the best!)
1/2 (small) or 1/4 (large) onion chopped
1 Teaspoon dried Oregano
1 Teaspoon of Salt (Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt if you have it, if not regular salt is fine)
1/2 Teaspoon of Pepper

Put a couple 'healthy' tablespoons of Coconut Oil and a tablespoon of Virgin Olive Oil in a skillet and melt.  Cover the bottom of your skillet.  Scoop the mixture into a skillet using a 1/4 cup measuring spoon or a serving spoon.  Flatten slightly so they are like a patty not a meatball.





Cook each side for 6 - 7 minutes or until outside has a beautiful crust!  Serve with a clean vegetable like carrots or beans, maybe cauliflower rice and a side salad.  About 30 minutes from start to finish!

Enjoy this delicious, and CLEAN meal!!  I hope you love this one as much as I do!!

Eating clean can significantly reduce the pain and fatigue of Fibromyalgia

Below are the "Do's" and "Dont's" that have given me my life back from the pain, fatigue, brain fog, and everything else that goes along with having Fibromyalgia.

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)
Sweet Potatoes

Eggs

What I “DON’Teat:

Anything processed or in a box.

Dairy

Sugar

Wheat

Corn

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

Nightshades

Legumes

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)

If you'd like to know more please send me a message.  I'd love to share ideas and experiences with you.  I promise there are no gimmicks and nothing to buy on this site.  I just want to share my success with others suffering from Fibromyalgia!