Time for a Change

A new year, a new you, right?  If only it was that easy!

I have decided it's time to make some changes, though--partly because I know that I need to, and partly because I'm still having gastrointestinal problems, and after a year of testing, doctor visits, and a lot of medical bills, the doctors have come to the conclusion that nothing's wrong with me.

I, however, have come to some different conclusions, and know there IS something wrong.

From Pinterest

So far, we've ruled out all gastrointestinal diseases, lactose intolerance, glucose intolerance, and gluten intolerance, but I'm still having problems, so what gives?

I have a suspicion that it's a combination of food and medication, and so I've started taking steps to change what I can and counteract what I can't.  That includes making dietary and food changes.  I've been wanting to go this route for a while now, getting away from processed and going to all-natural/raw/organic foods (we're not jumping on the paleo bandwagon, but I'd like to move us a little in that direction). 

From Pinterest

We purchased a quarter of a cow from someone I know last fall, and the difference in the meat is surprising in a delicious way--I don't think that we can ever go back to store-bought beef again.  I tend to agree that all of the chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, etc. that are put in and on our food today have a bad effect on our bodies, and I think that these things could be a contributing factor to my problems.

From Pinterest

I'm also on medications that I think have affected the good bacteria in my body.  I can't help but wonder if this is also contributing to my problems.  Because of this, I've started taking probiotics to help re-build the good bacteria in my body. 

Basically, I know that my insides are inflamed and irritated.  That's the only thing that all of the medical testing revealed.  I am going to start eliminating foods again and see what makes me feel better when I don't eat it.  I'm also going to take probiotics to help replenish my gut flora, since I don't think that eliminating my medications is an option at this point, but I'm looking into it further.  So, what I'm proposing to change is listed below:

Change our eating habits--switching from foods that have been found to be inflammatory (I'm using the book 21-Day Tummy as a reference for the first three weeks)
Change our grocery shopping habits--buy raw, local, natural, organic foods whenever possible
Try to work in some daily exercise--15-20 minutes five days a week to start
Shop local for meats and dairy--I have a few local places on my radar, and I'd like to start buying raw milk cheeses and other unprocessed dairy

If you're interested in recipes, tips and ideas for healthy living, visit my Pinterest page!  The button is located at the top of the blog.  There are also regular recipes, crafting ideas, and all sorts of fun stuff!

Change is hard for me, so this will be a challenge.  I'm hoping to start this soon, probably this next weekend.  I admit that I look forward to change in the same way that I look forward to going to the dentist--with apprehension, to put it mildly.  I'll change what I can with the time and energy I have, and I know that my husband will support me, which will be a great help.  I'll keep track of my progress as I go along, and if my problems and results help just one other person, then it will have all been worth it!