But nutrition is just so HARD!

Or at least that's what I've grasped onto for a long time. 

But here is the simple truth:

You wouldn't hand over the blueprints to your dream home to a fly by night contractor who uses conduit instead of rebar and balsa wood instead of 2x4s would you?

Think of your stomach as a construction crew. They can only build as well as the materials they are given.

Feed your body empty calories and heavy fats doesn't give the master builders much to work with. Give them quality materials and you will have a home you love!

And let's face it, your body is the most permanent home you're ever gonna have!

I've known this for a while, even did it for a short bit 6 years ago.  But the last year or two I totally went off track. 

Why? oh ho... 

Let me share with you my semi recently aquired allergy list dear friends:

Wheat

Egg

Beef

Chicken

Pork

Onion

Apple

Cinnamon

Navy Beans

Cauliflower

Green Beans

Lima Beans

and something else we haven't tested on yet. (broccoli seems to not like me much either.)

It is endlessly frustrating that my chickens lay these beauties everyday, which taste like heaven, and I can't eat them!

Now while none of my allergies are life threatening, all cause great discomfort and abdomen distension and headaches and hives and all kinds of goodies.

Ask me if I avoid them 100% of the time.

I used to. Then I got angry about all the limitations and said FUCK IT. 

 (see my current body)

I am now again following those limits-minus apples and rarely cinnamon as they are my low allergies and as long as I don't have it more than once a week I haven't felt any issues with them. Thank God. Because Apples and Peanut Butter are gifts from the heavens. Or universe.  Or whomever it was that thought to put them together. 

What happens if I eat wheat or the meats or onions? ? 

Massive bloat

Migrains

Horrid twisting pains in my entire intestinal tract (I have an intestinal intollerance vs. a hystamine allergy regarding wheat)

Horrid gas

Acid reflux

and

Horridly smelly poops.

Yup.  I just talked about my poop. 

**DISCLAIMER: THIS NEXT BIT IS ABOUT POOP**

In fact, let's all take a minute to reflect on the least favorite thought in human biology: our waste.

Did you know it's actually important to look at the toilet when you're done? Both ways? 

I know, I know, it's the most attractive view ever right? But it can tell you SO MUCH about your health! And I'm not just saying it! 

What can your Poop tell you? 

-If you are hydrated enough (is it soft or hard/bumpy log like? do you have to strain to pass it?)

-It can indicate allergies (smell, oily, black, green, bright yellow, or looking like it has bits of fluffy string all in it)

-If you have a GI issue-bleeding/lining shedding etc (fleshlike small bits, black or red)

-Parasites (some typically worms)

-Whether your gut is absorbing nutrients correctly (are you passing essentially whole pieces of food? Is there a seemingly large amount every time you go?)

and more than that.  But that's just a start! 

So seriously, look at your poop. And for that matter, when you pee too.  

Pee should be clear to almost clear if you are hydrated properly. 

Go drink some water. I know I need to!

***POOP BIT OVER***

So needless to say, for me it's really not easy to use traditional recipes, no matter how healthful they may be! I have to modify just about EVERYTHING.  However, that is kind of a shitty excuse (ha! I just laughed at my own internal accidental poop joke!) for me not eating well.  Just because this that and the other thing make me sick and potato chips don't is no reason to eat the damn potato chips. 

And now I want potato chips

54321-NO

carrying on....

Nutrition really can seem hard to figure out, but I have learned through using the 21 day fix years ago and reusing it now how to create a balanced diet.  If I have time to scroll facebook, I have time to google gluten free vegan dishes and modify them.  I can buck up and try stuff that doesn't sound amazing.  I can learn how to make Turkey 40 different ways.  I can do the same with fish.  And how about the sweet potato? That little sucker is chock full of good stuff and has a million and one recipes out there. 

Ya know what else happens when you start balancing YOUR diet?

Your kids win too.  No I am not making them switch to salads for lunch and a ban on all junk food.  Because I am a big believer in balance. For instance this is todays lunch: 

In the green: carrots and ranch.  Purple: strawberries, sliced turkey, bbq frito twists and yes a swiss roll.  This is a lunch the kids will DEVOUR and while yes they get some crud in it, they are getting good protein and vitamins and much more!  When we don't do chips, I do a sandwich.  Balanced carbs!

So long story short, the internet is full of amazing recipes.  And food doesn't have to be the enemy.  The WAY we eat is. The great great great news about that is this:

WE HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OF THE NUTRITION GOING INTO OUR BODIES.

That's right.  You can completely do it! Even on super tight budget, you can shop the weekly mailers and get GREAT deals on fresh fruits and veg and meats.  I KNOW pasta and stuff is cheap.  That s how I gave myself my intolerance.  I literally wheat-ed myself out.  I know you may be struggling but even if all you can do is swap one meal of ramen for a can of tuna do it.  Do as much as you can! If you can go out and do all organic amazing stuff, go for it!  I can't yet. But I have found that carrots, spinach, green leaf lettuce, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes are all pretty dang cheap.  Ground turkey too.  Heck some of the stores end up doing chicken breast in a pack of 10 for $6 if you get 3.  That's insane.  No matter the budget, you are not trapped eating crap.  I believed that lie for a long time. Please don't you believe it too!