The healthiest decade of my life

You had no idea I was talking about decade number three, right? I know, I can’t believe it either … how am I 35?

What’s the Big Idea?

When I turned 30 I determined that this would be the healthiest decade of my life. And so far, that’s exactly what it’s been.

In a nutshell, the main things I wanted to realize in this ten-year span was the following: to be physically strong and experience another healthy pregnancy—or two. But I’ve gleaned a bit more.

In the midst of 2020, I was expecting my daughter! Circumstances allowed me to be home all throughout this pregnancy which was a blessing to take daily walks and when I was sick with her for that one week, no one had to witness that hot mess. Working remote gave me a lot of flexibility.

Then after I had her, for the first time I realized how beautiful a woman’s body truly is. Maybe this sounds silly, but I was not raised to view it as something lovely but to despise it and cover it with resentment.

I tell my daughter every single day that she is beautiful because I don’t want her to ever second guess her worth like I had. Now, I know I am in no way a perfect mom or even better than mine—but I’m choosing to not repeat this cycle for her.

This freedom of mind led to breaking fully free from the control of emotional eating.

During my maternity leave with the sweet girly, I kept myself nourished with healthy, amazing food. I learned firsthand that cravings are not something to stifle and ignore. God designed our bodies to know what it needs. We can absolutely honor these cravings, but with balance.

Since it was spring, pineapple, sweet peppers, and other produce were in season, so I was consuming incredibly sweet, vitamin-rich foods. At the same time, I was enjoying a Panera’s coffee subscription, so I had hot hazelnut and perfectly sweetened iced coffee every single day. It was so fun enjoying all those things—and without any guilt at all!

I also learned during that time—which solidified that part of my mental health—that a person’s relationship with food parallels their relationship with their mom. That made so much sense to me. (And this realization happened at the same time I was overcoming challenges with my parent) … I felt like I had had a breakthrough and was now free to simply enjoy without thinking I was being bad, unhealthy, or guilty. I’m so thankful for this freedom.

It was not unusual for me to make brownies every week. Mainly to have a treat to share with some friends coming to meet my daughter but also because I found my recipe to be especially satisfying. I was okay eating it–or not.

Want to try it? Here you go!

Exercise was Simply an Option

I didn’t even put pressure on myself to do hard, long workouts. I did efficient ones that were no longer than 20 minutes. So very realistic.

And what’s more, I only did them when I felt like it.

Now, since I’ve had another baby after my little girl, I’ve been focusing on rebuilding my core through Pilates. I’ve even purchased a program for moms that has 10-minute super effective workouts as well. And another to repair diastasis recti.

Why did it take me 20+ years to realize I don’t have to spend hours working out to make a difference? At least I’m here now.

With my first child, I worked out every single morning up until I began labor and days after coming home I took walks plus a hard workout every day. Yes, I was quickly back in my pre-baby clothes but I set up an unrealistic routine that I couldn’t maintain once I started back to the 9-5 schedule. Stress won and I gave up.

So it’s huge for me to arrive here.

My current season doesn’t allow all the time in the day or night to do all the things that I want to do. So I have to choose carefully. One day I’ll run five miles again, lift weights consistently, and be able to do Pilates regularly—but I’ll miss having these little lives so dependent on me. (I remind myself this often).

Back to the Basics

Oh, and gut health has become a whole thing. It’s the foundation to better overall health. And has become so important to me these days.

I’ve tried the “pink drink”, and it tastes great—even my kids like it! But I don’t have that kind of money to spend … so I’ve actually found something that is fairly cost effective for me right now. (See video below!)

My favorite online wellness store sells a fiber beverage that is also super tasty and super effective in a gentle way. (I’ve always been regular but this is next-step cleansing out.)

I’m working on getting my hubby on it so he can experience the amazing results. (There are so many!) They offer other things I can take that altogether won’t break the bank. I’m looking at taking magnesium in the near future and other types of probiotics.

Big Phood

My almost 11-month-old is beginning to eat more food and I’ve become hyper-aware of what’s going into the food we’re eating. I don’t want to be making my babies sick unintentionally.

When I was pregnant with my littlest one I got into a conversation with a coworker about the ingredients in Doritos and now I can’t unsee it all. I almost can’t stand eating those things myself. Bioengineered food products? Synthetic dyes? No, thanks.

It’s hard being a momma sometimes. Cuz I want to protect my kiddos—keep them from eating the junky food and keep them from getting the coughs from their friends. My daughter calls it “the sixness.” If that isn’t the cutest thing…

But unfortunately, I can’t fully protect them from the world … but I can prepare them at home beforehand. The store I was talking about earlier? They carry some great things my kids love to take! Like omega 3 cremes (which taste like dessert), probiotic powder, vitamin C packets, and more.

Lately I’ve even been making the time to make sourdough, and I made cheese crackers the other day! I’ve got plans to make fruit snacks and other fun stuff for the kids (and big kids).

Good stuff! We love food in this house! So why not make it even better?

For a Girl Who Doesn’t Like to Shop…

I am obsessed with an online store that carries all the good, clean, healthy things. I want to overhaul my whole home but I am not rich, ha.

But! I read and cannot unsee this concept that makes all the sense in the world… you know how it’s normal to be healthy 80/20 of the time? Well, the same can apply to reducing the toxic things in life. No need to stress out and change everything overnight. So that’s the track I’m on now.

Halfway through the year I’ve had two babies, broken free from eating disorders, am enjoying exercise as I’m able, and am making small, reasonable changes at home.

Hey, I’m living my best life right now.