So... that was then. This is now.

It's been a couple years since I've tried keeping up with my blog. It's a hassle sometimes, and I never really feel like anybody wants to read my stupid ramblings. That is why I've decided to ramble less and cook more.

I'll quickly update you on my life. The last year sucked! I tried really hard to make the most of it and be optimistic, but it still sucked! Oh well, that is over now and so much has changed in the past few months. Things are really great right now and continue to get better.

First of all, I moved. It was not an easy move, but quite necessary. I am living in Oregon now and absolutely loving it! It is beautiful here! There are so many things to do all the time. It is a big outdoorsy city, and I'm already getting excited about all of the things I want to do and see. It's very exciting for me!

The Carnivore and I have new jobs, and we both like them a lot. I would like to start cooking professionally again or teaching or both, but right now I am a waitress and that is good enough for me. The move was quite expensive, and we have both been in recoup mode. So this works for now.

The kids are awesome! My daughter is already Miss Popularity in her new school. My son will be in Kindergarten in the fall. And, oh man! Am I excited to have my days back?! It's nice to spend all day, everyday with my son... but it's time for him to get around some other kids and start being a bit independent. He's ready for it too. He's such a smart little fella'!

So that's about it. I've got a fresh start and I'm ready to make the most of it. This will be one of my last lengthy, boring posts. Now it's time to get creative with my blog and really enjoy it. That was then, this is now. Let's make something fun!

Peace!
 - Ali

So this must be it? Welcome to the New Year!

This has been an incredibly good week for me. First off, I have reached my goal of losing 100 lbs! Of course now that I've done that, I probably would like to lose another 20. And once I get there, I'm sure there will be something else I want! Also, I did my very first pull up! This might not sound very impressive, but it's a pretty big deal for me. I seem to be able to do 1 single pull up every 30 minutes or so. I've installed a pull up bar so that I can continue this until I can do 2 then 3 and so on and so forth.

Last, I started playing my horn. You see, I used to be a musician. I was very good at what I did, but I never allowed myself to feel truly at ease with my abilities. I was hypercritical of myself and (as a perfectionist) if it wasn't perfect, it was wrong. Instead of truly working out my flaws, I would nitpick every tiny detail until I basically went crazy and had to give it all up. I haven't touched my horn in over 8 years. That is, until this week!

It feels good to be doing well for myself; taking actual strides forward. I saw my doctor, and he is even thrilled with my physical progress. He believes that if I can continue to eat a Meat, Dairy, Nut and Gluten Free lifestyle, combined with a good amount of physical activity, I may not only be able to ease many of my problems, but actually completely cure them. Can you imagine, a completely natural cure for Rhuematoid Arthritis and Fibromialgia; as well as keeping my allergies at bay? That keeps me going, for sure!

This is why, I have decided to use my new blog to share my life; not just for my own benefit, but hopefully other's. This is not only something you can do, but something you could come to enjoy! I know I do! Life is good right now!

Ending on a High Note!

So I have had quite a year! It actually hasn’t been too bad. My daughter started kindergarten. I am so proud and a little terrified that she is growing up! We got a puppy! He is the cutest ever! A Jack Russel Terrier we named Zapp (like Zapp Brannigan aka The Zapper). I got a job teaching healthy cooking classes, then immediately lost it, then got it back. I lost 20 lbs. This is not a huge accomplishment, but I am glad to be working (slowly!!!) toward my goal. 20 lbs. next year will put me (I don’t know) pretty close to where I would like to be.

Of course there are a lot of changes that need to be made. I have recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromialgia. Let me be clear. I am not very happy about this. But, for some reason, I am at peace with it. At least I have an answer for all the pain I have been dealing with. Now I can begin to do something about it. For this reason, I have finally decided to become a full fledged vegan. My doctor believes that veganism (or at least avoiding dairy products) may help alleviate some of my pain and strengthen my bodies’ defenses.

Next, I am giving up gluten. Turns out I am joining the millions of people who suffer from Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance. Yeah, I’m shocked too! I had no idea, but in retrospect it kinda’ makes sense. I have had the symptoms forever and didn’t realize that they were all related to the same thing.

Lastly, it turns out I am deathly, and I mean deathly (I almost died last Christmas Eve) allergic to hazelnuts. Unfortunately, I am so allergic that I will not be able too eat any other nut, probably ever again. I have had a bad reaction to peanuts, and my allergist thinks it would be smart to avoid them entirely.

So that’s it. I am a Nut Free, Gluten Free, Vegan. Not by choice, but by necessity. I guess if it were to happen to anybody, I am glad it’s me. I am capable of changing my diet completely. I’m sure it will be hard at first, but I think I could even learn to enjoy it once I am more used to it. And as for "taking it easy" (you know, because I am arthritic and weak). Well, that’s simply not going to happen. In fact, I feel energized! I will be adding intensity to my workouts until I cannot stand it anymore, and then I will just have to take it up another notch. No way that I will be slowing down. I am so ready for a new year!

My Very First Post!

I'll be perfectly honest. I'm not exactly the blogging type. I don't journal, and I generally like to keep to myself. I'm unbelievably modest, and and I lack the general confidence it takes to do normal people things like leave my home or have close friends. So, for the most part, I don't. That is why I decided to blog.
I need to have a place to be me. I need to be more accountable, and I want to be creative. I was a very creative person once. But lately that side of me has been on life support, and I want it back.

My new obsession is good health. On New Years Day, 2009, I stepped on the scale. I'm not going to lie. I actually fainted. I knew that I had put on a few pounds since having my kids, but I had no idea it would be 100 pounds. Worst of all (and that's pretty bad) I had NO respect for myself anymore. That day I made a change in my life. At first I made a small change. But then it started to become more important to me. Now I am dedicated to doing whatever I can to make my health my number 1 priority. I want to stand out. I want to rise above. I want to be a role model.

So far, in not quite 2 years, I have lost 90 pounds. It's been frustratingly slow but I am evolving. I am becoming the person that I always wanted to be. And the best thing is that every day I get a new chance to do better than the day before. The more I do, the more I want to do. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. The more I share, the more I want to share.

So this is me! And for the first time in my life I am doing it right!