The Miracle of Mornings

Before you expose youself to the ineractions of the world
And consider the demands of your day

Fill your cup with what you need to face others
The love you give yourself is what your life will portray

When you arise say thank you for your breath
The God in you, your food, and second chances

Release you waste, energize your limbs, and smile
Greet your ears with music, light your body with dance

Filling your vessel and adoring yourself in the AM
Will invigorate your heart, mind, and self esteem

It provides an example for how others should treat you
And the positive effects last longer than caffeine

The art of shooting

I went skeet shooting today today for the first time. I was nervous, a little scared and overwhelmed. But I was committed to try and committed to learn. The instructor taught me the basics of shooting: Stablize your body weight, focus on the target, keep your eyes open, and don't change your strategy once you found your balance. Skeet shooting is no different than life. The same approach that you take to hit your target on the field is the same approach you should take to hit your dreams. So the next time you struggle to hit your target, stop reassess your position, crouch down in order to balance your weight, open your eyes, ask yourself if you are comfortable and wait for the right time to aim and fire. It maybe be a struggle in the beginning, but with practice, trial/error, patience and comfort in your own skin you will be able to make progress. Shooting just like life is an individual journey, people can give you tips, but you are in charge of puting everything in place.

Just like with any major decision in life, you must remain focused and figure out your own program. Listen to your gut instncts, you will know when you can hit the target before you shoot if you stay aligned with your goals and inner core

Gluten Free and Dating

Is this how vegetarians feel? Am I that different? Does what I eat affect you? What's really the deal?

These are questions I ask myself when I tell someone that I dating that I am gluten free. You would think that I just told them that I have some incurable illness, because after I tell them, there are a series of questions which usually result in confusion and frustration. The funny thing to me is that I know what I can and can't eat and for the most part, there is really no food spot that is off limits.....well maybe Pizza Hut, but even there I can at least get a salad. I have found that the men who want to resist gf, are guys I don't need and others that use it as a way to show me they care definitely get brownie points.

The guys that listen and try to help me will go out of their way to tell me about gf food locations. One suitor even took time to shop for gluten free snacks, which went a long way!!! What I have found is that it really isn't about the food it is about the basics of a relationship: communication, respect, giving, and expressions of love. Women tend to be the ones that are super considerate and go above and beyond to cater to their man, but it does feel good to be cared for by a man who takes a little bit of time to show he cares and takes time to go out of his way to make sure that he has planned something special for his lady.

Lesson Learned: Men who really care about you will take a little extra time to make sure you are comfortable, cared for and catered to. And although many think that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, I am here to tell you something a bit different: "The way to get on my good side is to tickle my tummy with tasty treats, and touch my heart with care and consideration"....So I guess I am rewriting the dating rules, The way to my heart is by learning to love my gf tummy

Gluten Free in the 21st Century

The best thing for anyone is knowledge.When you have knowledge you then can choose how to respond and my best friend is the Internet. No more do I have to wonder about food ingredients or allergens. Usually I am able to find the information that I need with a few strikes on the keyboard. I am empowered and that makes me stronger to make the best decisions in my life and better decisions allow me to live the life I want to live. A life where I am in control of how I feel. True I could cook at home and make sure that everything I eat has passed the gluten free test, but just like others I enjoy picking up fast food every now and then (by the way gluten free is a lifestyle it isn't a low calorie/low fat diet). I enjoy going out to dinner and enjoy being pampered.

So if there are others like me who at times have been afraid to eat, don't be. Take a little extra time to get a menu and look at the ingredients or if it is easier just google your resteraunt or food choice. The market is ready for us and has embraced gluten free with providing gf menus, sauce free dishes and educated workers.

Lesson Learned: What you seek is what you will likely find. Never just accept what you think is truth, dig a little bit deeper, ask questions, keep searching until you find the answers that you need. Life is really never about finding the right answer, it is about identifying the key questions in your life and taking the time to answer those questions with your own truth. Gluten free may have started off as a way to heal my body, but it has had a profound effect on my mind and personality. It has made me more inquisitive and has made me trust myself. There are many things I may not be able to control, but this is one thing I can manage.

Gluten Free Holiday

I had written off macaroni and cheese, gravy, cornbread, sweet potatoe pie, and pound cake once I became gluten free. I didn't think the food could taste the way my grandmother Claudia made it (my grandmommy was a GREAT cook) . She made "slap your momma" good food, the food that makes you race to the kitchen to get the "Last Plate"....I had written off my favorite foods because as much as I loved those foods they didn't love me back. Now I come from a long line of cooks, so I don't know why I would have thought they wouldn't come up with a solution to my gluten free diet. My sister and mother recreated my favorites, this time gluten free and I have been impressed by the food at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. With each holiday, they have perfected their gluten free dishes and have made me feel so specially loved. I didn't expect anyone to alter their recipes, but it goes to show how much they love me and want me to feel included. I would only hope that others would feel this lucky.

Lesson Learned: The lesson here is that in life you must do a little trial and error, sometimes things just work other times you have to tweak your ingredients and approach until you get the right combination.  In life, you can't use the same cookie cutter approach for all situations, you must customize your approach until you find the right mix. The other lesson is that those that truly love you will go out of their way to make you feel loved and included

Trust your gut...Trust your instincts

Trust your gut...Trust your instincts....What happens when your gut is telling you are sick but no one can help you. What happens when your instincts tell you that something is seriously wrong and all you hear is that "this" will pass its stress. Why don't doctors evaluate the basics: where you work, where you live and WHAT you eat. Why does it take someone to fight for the right to live. Well I am glad I trusted my gut because my gut gave me my life back.

I knew something was wrong but couldn't place my finger on it. I was tired and just didn't feel myself all the time. I would also get moody, but unlike the normal moody person I had really good days and really bad days and just couldn't understand why. I had been on a "search" for an answer for over 10 years now and then after googling, reading homeopathic books, and talking to others, I thought maybe I had a problem with processing wheat. I was clued in of my problem early on in college when I like so many others decided to try Atkins. I loved the energy I felt but when I went back to normal eating I would feel bad again. And then I had a life changing surgery and I refused to just continue to "get by in life" meaning I refused to just have enough energy to go to work and come home. I wanted more out of life. I started an elimination diet and I felt better and that is how I began my road to recovery.

One year after I eliminated gluten, I was diagnosed with sjogens syndrome, which is an autoimmune illness which attacks the moisture producing glands, to manage this illness it is recommended that gluten is removed from the diet. I had found my answer to living.

This is not a common ailment for African Americans, so I find many raised eye brows when I tell people what I battle, but instead of it being a curse it is my blessed condition. I know how to love myself by feeding myself the food it needs and I love that I know myself so well and I finally listened to my gut instincts.

Lesson Learned: The lesson in this post is that you must know your body, mind and soul and you must be your GREATEST advocate, doctor and supporter. Once you know your body, you can love your body and make decisions that benefit you and can lead to a more fufilling life.

Gluten Free Ordering

I am not high maintenance, rude of even critical
I trust those around me to do the best job that they can
But I also recognize people only tell you what they know
So I ask the same type of questions to strangers, friends or foes

Do you know if this dish is made with gluten or wheat?
Do you know if there is soy sauce in this dish?
Are there fillers in this soup, dressing, or sauce?
Failure to ask such questions will result in my personal loss

A loss of joy, feeling well, and being in control
My tummy would be as unpredictable as a volcano
A moment of passiveness could lead to a setback
And for a few days energy and wellness I would lack

I have learned it is not worth it to silently suffer
Many are eager to help if you are honest
And in the end the matter comes down to service
The effects of gluten and wheat are things I do not miss

The essence of gluten free is curiosity and education
Educating yourself on how to read food labels
And a curiosity to find safe recipes, restaurants, and stores
Realizing your health is worth that and so much more