Dairy is disgusting...don't be a great big cow

 

I oftentimes get asked how I do it... 

Our bodies were not made to drink from the mammary glands of another species.

Does this thought not make you feel completely disgusted?

Well, that's how I do it... think about it this way and you won't miss dairy!

 #dontbeagreatbigcow #coconutmilkformeplease #dairyfree #gutsygirl #nutritionista #colitiswarrior

What the F is nutritional yeast and why should I care?

 

You've probably seen lots of my recipes that call for nutritional yeast, and you may have thought to yourself... what the f nutritional yeast?!  That's what I first thought too! 

I know, yeast doesn't typically sound like a good thing...  but this one is nonpathogenic and way beneficial so just bear with me!

Nutritional yeast, or "nooch" is an inactive yeast that has long been called one of the original "superfoods."  Its fancy science name (the kiddos love to hear me say big science words) is saccharomyces cerevisiae, and it really just looks like fish food.  But it tastes really fantastic!  

It's popular in the dairy free circuit because its nutty flavor let's you pretend you are eating cheese...Not kidding! You can sprinkle it on anything and everything.  Use it like Parmesan! I love to use it make "cheese" sauces, to make seasoning blends with it, put it on pasta, popcorn, pizza... so many ways to use nooch! Add flavor AND good for you goodness?! ... yes please! 

Here's why it's oh so amazing...

1. Chock full of lots of B vitamins. Make sure to get a quality brand that is fortified with B12 and is certified gluten free.  It's one of the few sources of B12.
2. B vitamins give you brains AND beauty, who doesn't want those?!
3. A natural energy booster.
4. Fabulous non-animal source of protein with lots of essential amino acids. 
5. Helps keep a happy habitat of gut flora.
6. Gives your immune system a little extra punch.
7. Antiviral and antimicrobial
8. Fabulous for your digestive system.
9. Promotes a healthy pregnancy and lowers the risk of birth defects.
10. It makes everything taste good! 

Here are some ways to use it..

Vegan sour cream and onion popcorn seasoning

Cashew ricotta

Chunky chicken broccoli and bean chowder

Creamy crockpot lasagna soup 

Chicken cordon blue casserole 

My favorite alfredo sauce

#nutritionalyeast #nutritionista #gutsygirl #celiac #celiaclife #colitis #glutenfree #dairyfree #vitamins #protein #apennyformyglutenfreethoughts

Some days you puke up your tacos...

 

Some days you puke up your tacos...

I'd like to tell you all I always have it under control... but that would be a lie I wouldn't even believe.

There are days when the pain hits so hard I sweat, I freeze, I shake, I puke... it is what it is, it's the life of a #gutsygirl. 

It is a chance to be #brave.  It is a sign from my body to chill the f out and listen.

I've been telling my family that I need a break.  I'm doing too much, I can feel it.  Did I listen to myself?  Eventually when I couldn't keep my tacos in my belly I did. 

I just wanted to share with you all that it's not always good days.  But those cloudy days are the days you can find the #silverlining! After all, tomorrow is another day and you can always make more tacos!  

#gutsygirl #celiac #lyphocyticcolitis #autoimmunehotmess #trustyourgut #tellyourstory #findthesilverlining #achancetobebrave #thatshowasuperherolearnstofly #alwaysfindthesilverlining #painintopower

Lessons from colitis... my love/hate relationship with colitis...

 

It's been three years since colitis tried to take my intestines, my light, and quite honestly, my life... I won, and am still winning, most days anyway! 😉💪🏼

 It is so true that you don't know how to stand up until you've been knocked down.  I've cried, laughed, grown, and learned so many lessons on my way back up.  

Here's some of them in no particular order...

1. You're always stronger than you think... and every struggle is a chance to be brave. 
2. You find out who you're friends are... not everyone's going to get it, you don't need those people.
3. Nothing is worth sacrificing your health.... NOTHING!
4. Trust your gut...that bitch knows what's up!
5. Food is the best medicine or the worst poison... you choose.
6. Pain equals perspective...
7. Tell your story... you never know who you are inspiring, or saving.
8. Always, always, always find the silver lining.
9. Listen to your body before it has to scream at you.
10. Stress destroys you... manage that shit! 
11. It's ok to rest
12. Never underestimate the power of some deep breaths.
13. Gutsy girls can still drink red wine, and tequila too! 😘
14. I knew you didn't need gluten, but you don't need dairy either... in fact it's kinda gross! 
15. Lettuce is so overrated... eat some real leafy greens!
16. Happy girls are not only the prettiest, they're the healthiest too.
17. You need to take responsibility for you own health and save your own little self.
18. A medical degree doesn't necessarily a doctor make... find a real doctor that you trust and gets you and your health goals.
19. Salt water has the power to make everything better... need to find yourself and your power again?...head to the beach!
20. A punching bag is a necessity... gutsy girl life can be frustrating!
21. If you don't have enough energy to punch... that's ok, get on your yoga mat instead!
22. Makeup makes your illness invisible, which can be good or bad.
23. It's ok to say no, not today, or not ever.
24. Invest in your health or later you will be forced to invest in your illness.
25. Yes, it always could be worse, BUT... you don't always have to be thankful that you don't have it worse... some days it gets you, and that's ok... let it, and try again tomorrow.
26. Most people walk around feeling like total shit and don't even realize how amazing they could feel.... IF they ate the way their bodies needed them to.
27. Green smoothies make everything run a lot smoother.
28. Parts will just keep breaking if you don't fix the real problem.
29. Your digestive system fuels your entire body...If it's not functioning, nothing else is!
30. Nutrition and digestive health have an insanely profound effect on mental health. 

So yes, #fuckcolitis and the way it changed my life... 

However; remember, always find the silver lining... so at the same time; be grateful for colitis and all the ways it changed my life! These are lessons my stubborn little ass wouldn't have learned if I hadn't been forced to... so for that I am forever thankful.