Letting Go and Flying

This weekend I had an experience that I've never had before. Getting off work Sunday morning I walked out into the cold knowing only 2 things. First, I was determined to run 8 miles, and second that I was going to put my sweet husband first for once and sneak home earlier than expected to get some cuddle time in.

I headed up to park my car and mouthed a silent word of thanks to God for the sunrise that was blazing across the morning sky in shades of pink and purple that no photograph can ever seem to capture properly.

 I pounded pavement for an hour and fifteen then headed over to the gym to train back and shoulders. Already, a perfect morning for me! Sometime after the pull-ups and the Arnold presses and the music in my ears driving me hard, a feeling washed over me that I am still, three days later, struggling to express without feeling really lame. It was like an endorphin rush only better.

Out of nowhere I saw myself, really saw ME. Looking in that gym mirror I suddenly found myself overwhelmed by a sense of peace, gratitude, pride and joy about WHO I am, WHERE I am and WHAT I am doing with my life. It was as if God said, "Enough, woman. I'm tired of you filtering your view of yourself through what you aren't, where you THINK you should be and the expectations of some invisible "they"."

     You know what? It was glorious. It was the most freeing feeling that I have ever had in my life, and as silly as it sounds I will do anything that I can to maintain or strive for that level of freedom for the rest of my life. That's the voice of God. That's the heavenly father looking at me and letting me see me how he sees me, how my husband sees me, how I SHOULD see me. That's what we all should experience. Instead of always looking to the media or other external sources I would pray that all of the people I love could see themselves as they truly are.

God doesn't make junk. He just doesn't. Armed with that knowledge has had me flying high ever since Sunday morning!

As for the rest of the day? It was just as big a gift. We had lunch with at Mom's with my Step-dad, Brother and sister in law that lead to my SIL and I signing up for aerial silks (more later!).  We FINALLY bottled our beer. 

And the best part? I ended the day in the arms of the man that I love, slow dancing in the kitchen to our song while I sang in his ear and when I kissed him there were tears in his eyes. This is what happens when we let love in. This is what happens when GOD takes control of our hearts. This is why I'm grateful. I am learning how to fly.

Creamy Chicken Tomato Soup- 6 month anniversary!

Friday was Mr. Bean and my 6 month anniversary.  Neither of us could believe how quickly it had gone by.  I find that marriage is the one thing that all of us are lied to the most about in the grand scheme of life.  We're sold a bill of goods that love and marriage go hand in hand, that they're glorious, and lovely, and never messy.  Then you get married!  I know he would agree that the first three months after our honeymoon were the hardest of our relationship so far.  So, when Friday came, and we realized that the battles had seemingly disappeared as we settled into each other it really DID seem like a reason to celebrate!

My heart felt like it would explode that day!

I find so much comfort knowing he's in my life.  My happy place is a quiet morning drinking coffee with him, kisses when he leaves for work, and BIG hugs when he comes home.  I'm content, and that is something that I've looked for all my life.  He's my anchor.  He gives me purpose, and I love him and the life we're fighting to build everyday!

That's why we started the Whole 30 to begin with.  I'm determined to have him healthy for a really long time, because we got started late in this thing called married life!  Sadly, we haven't stuck to the Whole 30 for 30 days.  Still, it's not a loss.  I'd frame our progress, especially his, as a success.  We needed more discipline at home, and on the weekends, and he needed a much more healthy awareness of how to feed his body for health and wellness, instead of purely for sport.  In that we've been successful.  I've given up artificial sweeteners, and wheat.  I've cut out dairy, and starches, and I'm getting better at eating healthy fats.  He's reading labels, and has begun to think before he eats.  So, where are we in it?

For us, the Paleo Diet is about 80% of what we want to do when we're at home.  The 20% that's left allows me to eat my oats, and have a little wine on the weekends, while making me slow up a bit.  I couldn't run train like I need to for marathons and lifting with only fruit and fat to fuel me. I bonked all the time.  That 20% modification will give me some room to fuel properly.  It allows him to have a baguette on a Saturday with his eggs if that's what he wants or pasta instead of spaghetti squash.  After all, he's not the one with the wheat issue.  For me, it leaves me feeling foggy and hungover- no more, thanks very much!

This recipe is one that follows the Paleo Weekday, at home diet we are adopting.  It was absolutely delicious, and like my favorite recipes, easy!  Feel free to modify the veggies you include.

Creamy Chicken and Tomato Soup:
Serves 8

Ingredients:
14.5 oz Can Fire Roasted Tomatoes
14.5 oz can tomato Sauce
6 oz can, no sugar added tomato paste
14.5 oz can Coconut Milk
2 lbs boneless, chicken breast
1 Onion, sliced
1 Zucchini, sliced
1.5 cups baby carrots
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 T Italian Seasoning
10 oz bag baby Spinach
Salt and Pepper to taste

Method:
In your slow cooker arrange chicken.  Season with salt and Pepper.  Add tomatoes, sauce, paste and coconut milk.  Mix together well.  Add sliced onion, garlic, Carrot, Zucchini and Italian Seasoning.  Cook on the low setting for 8 hours (give or take)

After cooking, remove chicken breasts from the liquid, and shred well.  Place back in the stew with the bag of baby spinach, and cover until the spinach is wilted.  Taste for seasoning, and adjust salt and pepper as needed. *If you find it's too soupy, and you want to thicken it to a more "stew like" consistency add 1 T of coconut flour and combine well.  Allow it to do it's thing, and in 5 minutes it'll be perfectly thick.