Herbal teas...how they are good for us!

Oh man, does this meme sum me up!

Seems like if it is not one thing it is another. So, I have started back eating the Mediterranean way! The Keto way of eating made me sick. I was at work one day and blacked out. I got some orange juice and slowly it helped me feel better. My blood sugar had dropped way too low from the low carbs and because of that, migraines came back full force.

I still do not eat meat for inflammation purposes... I am able to eat certain fish and eat a ton of fruits and veggies.

Something else I started doing is drinking herbal teas. I still love coffee, but limit myself to 1 cup a day now. My favorite herbal tea is blueberry. It aids in heart health, digestion, immune health, kidney health and has anti cancer potential. The gallis acid in the tea and other antioxidants can lower the risk of colon, prostate, breast, lung and cervical cancer!

I take herbal supplements and still work out 3 to 4 times a week to keep the pain at bay. If you follow my Instagram account: Runner_girl_coffee_addict you can stay updated on different herbal teas and how they are good for us! You will also see posts about exercise and fitness.

What to take away from this article:

• Drinking herbal teas are good for us
• Eating the Mediterranean diet is a great way to fight off or keep cancer at bay
• Push yourself to workout and stay healthy...even through the pain (with supervision of your Doctor)
• Never give up on yourself...take care of you, no one else will 

Modified Vegetarian Keto Lifestyle...

Let me share a touch of my life with you right now... I am an overcomer on several levels. I have overcome abuse, which caused me psychical complications. Those physical complications have caused me pain...so much pain.

In December 2017, after being unable to work for months, I decided that going from 5K to couch was NOT OK anymore. I joined a local gym and worked out through every ounce of pain. My body was on fire from fibromyaligia and the atrophy in my right arm kept it scrunched up by my side. But, I said to myself...if I am going to be in pain, I may as well be healthy and be in pain.

After working out for a couple of months and going through extensive spinal therapy for a compressed spine, which was caused by trauma, I came off all medications and stopped going for spinal injections!

Shortly after that, I stopped eating meat as I learned it can cause inflammation. I immediately felt a decrease in the pain throughout my body.

Fast forward almost 2 years...and here I am...working out 3 to 4 times a week, weight training, running and doing yoga. I have decided to implement a modified vegetarian keto lifestyle. I am feeling great and the swelling in my stomach is almost gone! I have not had a flat stomach in years.

When I say modified, it is because I eat some cheese and I can eat certain fish. Other than, I am a vegetarian. No meat or other dairy products.

I hope this has inspired you to keep pushing forward with your health goals...no matter what you are going through right now. Don't give up or give in. If you fall, fall on your back, because if you can look up, you can get up!

For more inspiration:

Dedicate your workouts to someone or something

Encouragement to get out and walk or run

Cucumber feta salad

I practice what I peach... it happened today

I recently wrote an article about dedicating our runs or workouts to someone.  Today I had to do just that!

Since being diagnosed with spinal compression and fibromyalgia over the past two years, I have recently started my fitness journey again from scratch.

I used to run 9 miles at a time with no problem. But, after having to stop all running and weight training for two years, I am forced to start over again.

The spinal compression and fibro were caused by a trauma in my life. It was an abusive relationship that caused the trauma that is causing me so much pain. About two months ago, I decided that if I am going to hurt, then I am going to do what I love and run and weight train anyway! So, that is what I have been doing and I feel better than I did when I lived on the couch for months and months at a time.

Today, I was at the gym, on the treadmill, working on week 4 of the couch to 5K program that I have been doing. There was a long spurt of running and my body was screaming for me to stop running and walk. But, I told my body NO! I thought about how next weekend, for my birthday, I am getting 2 new tattoos and how I want to look good in my bathing suit with my new ink this summer. I thought about making my husband proud of me for pushing through the pain. I also thought about how I need to do this for ME! As I thought about my WHY, I pushed through and finished my run.

Rest assured, all the things I talk about on this blog, I am doing myself :) Love and hugs to everyone struggling in any way. Just keep pushing through and do NOT allow pain to stop you!

Dedicating your runs and workouts to someone...

I met a lady at the gym that colors her hair different colors as a symbol of supporting friends and family for what trials they are going through. For example, she had a blue streak last week to support her husband who is dealing with diabetes. His favorite color is blue and this is her way of showing support.

Often times I need to focus on someone or something to help push through a run or workout. Ultimately, I am doing it for myself. However, when a run is tough or my legs are burning from weight training, it helps to remind myself about others I am doing it for.

You can dedicate each mile to a different person who is important in your life. Try dedicating each set when weight training to a specific person.

People you may want to dedicate your pain to:

Spouse / Significant other
Children
Siblings
Friends
Those going through a difficult time

Doing things for those we love helps give us strength...which is why this technique helps!

Encouragement to get out and run or walk

What is easy fitness?

Encouragement to get out and walk or run...

It’s great to go for a long walk or jog outside on a cool, sunny day. It is also great to get out when it is hot, cold or even rainy! We don't need to limit ourselves to getting fresh air and vitamin D only to days where the weather is perfect. If it is the heat of summer, we can get up early or go for a nighttime walk if the sun is too hot. If it is too cold to walk in a t-shirt and shorts, bundle up. We all know, there is nothing like jogging in the rain...so, don't let a little bit of water keep you from exercise!

Lake Lynn is my favorite place to go for a walk or run. I used to live right on the lake and was able to simply step outside and walk or run around the lake any time I wanted to!

It is located at: 7921 Ray Road, Raleigh, NC 27613. The view of the lake any time of year is spectacular. If you walk around the lake one time, you will walk approximately 2.5 miles. There is also a place to throw a frisbee or ball with your dog or feed the ducks with your kids.

Pack up some snacks and jogging stroller for your child / children to get them outside while you get your exercise. Don't let anything stop you from your exercise. Make the best of your situation and get out there!

I am not suggesting you do anything I would not do. If you don't have the time to drive to the lake, run through your neighborhood.

Look who came back to life...

Well, hello again! It's been quite some time since I have checked in! I have been through some health challenges and continue to fight through others.

I was running 7 to 9 miles at a time...and then had to stop. Instead of couch to 5K, I went from 5K to couch! It was challenging to go from working out 4 days a week and running 9 miles at a time to being laid up on the couch for months.

I have decided that I am no longer going to allow the pain to rule my life and I am slowly getting back to running and weight training and yoga has become my new best friend!

It is unfortunate that the spinal pain and compression was caused by trauma...which occurred in a previous relationship. It took years for the pain to surface and when it did, it was brutal!

I share all of this to encourage others who are dealing with a similar situation in life.

When I first began to run, I used a walk and jog DVD by Leslie Sansone. I would walk in place and jog back and forth in my living room. It was my first step to becoming a runner. Now, to get BACK to running, I am using a free couch to 5K app on my phone. You too can run. Check with your doctor before starting a new program and know that if you use the app, when it directs you to run, you don't have to at full speed. You can simply jog and an easy pace. Just keep moving :)

I have so much to share, such as, how I have changed my diet and some of the recipes that have become my favorites. I will share everything in time.

For now, here is a tasty cucumber and feta salad I like to make: (pictured above)

Cucumber and Feta salad recipe

• 2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 red onion, chopped
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• Feta cheese,to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients into a bowl.
Drizzle salad with olive oil and white vinegar.
Serves 2 to 3 people as a side dish.

What is easy fitness?

Easy fitness, in my eyes, is a simple way to live a healthy lifestyle. It is food and nutrition tips that can easily be incorporated into everyone's daily life. It is easy exercises that can be done at home or in the gym. It is a way to live a happy and healthy life that isn't so difficult that one would simply give up on being healthy.

Hopefully, I am clear with my concept. I am here to help you (and myself) live a happy, healthy lifestyle without the crazy stress of doing so.

I like simple recipes. Simple exercise techniques. I enjoy the simplicity of being healthy! That being said, here is a recipe I came up with for mango salsa. I like to eat it on top of a turkey burger (in place of a burger bun). I have also eaten it with organic blue corn tortilla chips! Oh, and there was that one time...I just ate it with a spoon!