2020...Buh-Bye

2020, what more can I say? A hell of a lot more than I have chosen to, and I’ll spare you many details and keep this as short and concise as I possibly can. 

I’m still hanging on to my crown as the queen of positivity, because everyday, friends, I choose my attitude. I have no time for BS and negative energy, but I did shed some tears this year, limited association with friends (some not due to social distancing) as the world was struck by a pandemic, friends lost family members and jobs, and parents gave commencement speeches and homeschooled their children. This shit is all super sad. Working from home, watching the news, canceling flights...SMH.

Our lives literally changed. I’m still shook. I’d be lying if I said this had no impact on me. I left my partner, rediscovered a part of my inner self, increased my vitamin D levels (woot) and got a promotion. My life slowed completely down. Completely! For every negative there is a positive. People always have shared learnings from their toughest experiences and moments in life. Have you ever noticed that?

I started the year off in the Alps, followed by a business trip in Germany, with high hopes for the year overall. Plans were delayed and canceled once I returned home, things happened continually that were completely out of my control and comfort zone. So, I started focusing on what was urgent and important, then I flipped the script and pushed the reset button. It works when I’m focusing on my thyroid health regimen, so why not apply my principles to my life during a pandemic?! 

I read a lot of books! Oh, check out Mark Pilja’s, The Hashimoto’s Handbook. Mark reached out to me during this time. It really made my heart happy. His book is a great resource. He took the opportunity to provide a resource to all. He talks about our immune system, which everyone now is enthralled with, and discusses how it reacts to foreign pathogens. He dives in a little deeper to discuss chronic inflammation too. It is intriguing! He also covers, in brief for those of you thinking about new year’s resolutions, tackling weight from a sensitivities perspective! Love it! Food lists, ways to unwind and manage anxiety - he provides what we all can benefit from - thyroid health issues or not! Please read! He is @healthjuvenate on Instagram. Thank you, Mark!

Virtual Happy Hours continue to be had, books continue to be read, and masks continue to be worn, in my world. I am blessed, well and thankful for 2020. But I would be lying if I didn’t say, I’m beyond ready for 2021. I’m just keeping it real!

Be well!

Shemeka

21 Days of Mindful Eating with Healthline

It’s time to share a little health bite with you. Before my friend’s wedding, I did 21 Days of Mindful Eating with Healthline. It was a perfect way to press the reset button and focus on a new avenue of self-care. Sign up for a mindful and intentional start to your day for the next three weeks. Your body will thank you for it! 

If you want a shorter commitment, no worries, because Healthline’s got you covered! Check me out on Facebook to find out how!

https://m.facebook.com/shemekarsumrall/

Be well,

Shemeka 💛

Paleo Way of Life

It's time for me to share some nuggets on how I'm managing my health and diet, and my approach to doing so. I don't recall ever naming a particular 'diet' on my blog, but today, I will do so in efforts to sum up what has helped me embrace my allergy struggles. Notice I didn't say weight struggles. Allergy struggles.

I have wheat sensitivities, lactose intolerance and I'm carb sensitive, in addition to living with hypothyroidism. I have environmental allergies too, but we won't get into those today. Long story short, I got sick and tired, literally, of my struggles, and started cooking my own food, carrying my lunch to work and making the best meal choices when out with friends. Creating new routines takes time, but when you pay attention to how you feel, and it goes from good to great, you share!

Today I'm sharing a few of my favorite eats. This conversation is just getting started. Stay dialed in, my friends. I'll share pictures of my meals, me, my stats and more! Plus, I'll talk more about how ascribing Paleo to my health lifestyle has brightened my skin, lowered my blood sugar and lightened my load, literally.

Protein

I LOVE protein! It fills me up and is satisfying. Plus, it goes with all sorts of colorful veggies, and is the starting point for which my meals are built. Eggs, in particular, are like an enigma. I couldn't eat them for years, my body has changed over time, and now they have become a staple that my body absolutely loves me for.

If eggs don't work for you, consider other protein sources. We know our meats and fish, but have you considered beans, cottage cheese, quinoa, spinach and brussels sprouts!

Whip up a protein rich meal today and trust me, your body will love you for it!

Happy eating,

Shemeka