When you literally see the weight lifted off your chest.

Well that's a big graphic, I know. I'm not one to flaunt pictures of myself around (although I do LOVE a good selfie!). The change is huge and real and impossible to ignore. I suppose I don't really even need to make the photo so big. It's obvious. But there are some things in this photo that aren't so clear -- important things-- so let's chat about them, shall we?

First off. Let's talk about me on the left. You may see a chubby faced girl who is sorta smiling. But what is really behind those somewhat-sad eyes is a girl who had just lost her father. Losing a father to anyone is a source of trauma, I think. For me, I lost my best friend. I lost my dad before he ever got to meet the love of my life. I lost him before I ever knew I would have children. I was sad. I was broken in a million pieces. 

The first few weeks after he passed away I told myself the biggest lie I think I ever had. I told myself I wouldn't fall apart, I wouldn't stop caring.  I would mourn him,  but make it out alive with not a lot of scarring because I knew that is what he wanted.  I had the best of intentions. But the girl on the left, she doesn't look very alive does she?                                                                                                                                                                                             Grief doesn't always allow our intentions to come to fruition, does it? And maybe placing ANY blame on grief is the worst move. Because I was already weak in mind and body -- I quickly quit on myself. I was already overweight prior to him dying (weight has been a struggle my whole life), but I just stopped living. I stopped laughing and smiling. I was in hiding. I couldn't allow myself even for a moment to really *feel* the pain I was experiencing, so I ate. Or sometimes I didn't. Either way I was punishing my own health for my short comings. 

I want to hug the girl on the left. I want to shake her. I want to tell her things will be okay. And more then anything, I wish to remind her that she is worth the self love she so desperately needs. 

Now to the more pleasant picture on the right. Oh how I love this girl too. She's pretty new to me, but I'm pretty sure I love her more each day. The girl on the right has promised to be a friend to her body. She has sworn so. 

On the outside, with the pretty made up face you can see she's *smaller* then on the left -- but that is really just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. She has more confidence then ever before. She has a body that is ever changing, ever improving. 

She works through her grief each day, and has begun talking about her loss a little at a time. She recognizes the importance of walking through the pain instead of mashing it down. I find myself seeing my dad everywhere in life -- especially in my determination to be everything God has intended for me to be. 

I have a renewed passion for helping others who literally need life breathed into them. The broken hearted, the lost, the sick, the tired. If I can pull myself up out of the dirt and rebuild -- so can you. If this is you, and you feel a pull to make a change or simply need someone to talk to - contact me.  Let me share with you things that have worked for me. Let me inspire you to take that first step. Let me remind you that you CAN restart again. You are worthy of the world.

Ashlee

Gut Bacteria

Trust me. I never in my life expected to write a post with the words gut and bacteria in the title bar. I quite honestly hadn't even known the word gut as used in a medical terminology sense.  But after my son was diagnosed with Autism, I started to learn a lot more about the gut and how it affects not only our digestive system, but also our immune system. Recently i read an article about gut health, what the functions of our gut are, and ways to support those functions. I thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and share some of this info to my readers. Perhaps you were unaware, like I was :)

Through my research I learned that the "good" bacteria in our gut has at least 7 different functions.  Listed below are some of them. In the comments below, tell me one function you were unaware our gut affected! Deal? Sweet!

Functions of Gut Bacteria

1. Balancing Immune System 
2. Controlling Inflammation
3. Ridding body of potentially damaging toxins.
4. Making Brain Chemicals like Seratonin (the "feel good" transmitter)
5. Manufacturing vitamins
6. Harvesting nutrients from food
7. Keeping gut wall from becoming leaky.

Leaky, what? Yeah that one just sounds gross. Because it is! Leaky gut is a real and scary thing that SO many of us may be suffering from.  So basically, our gut is lined with a layer (only one cell thick) of protection that allows us to absorb the things we need, (such as vitamins and nutrients) while at the same time serving as a protective barrier against absorbing dangerous viruses and gut chemicals.  

Broken down barrier = leaky.

Leaky gut is a focus of INTENSE research right now. So far, it has been associated with Depression, Weight gain, Anxiety, Type 2 Diabetes, Autism, and Alzheimers. 

It is VERY important to keep our gut lining healthy. 

Healthy Gut > We don't absorb damaging chemicals > Inflammation isn't triggered. 

Have you ever heard of Inflammation? Chances are you have. Inflammation is an underlying issue in SO many health concerns. Inflammation can be found amongst Coronary Heart Disease, Cancer, Type 2 Diabetes, Skin Issues, Alzheimers, and Depression. 

So what do we do to get our gut healthy? 2 things.

1. Eat whole and nourishing foods that promote a healthy gut.

2. Supplement where needed. 

Food

Food is the biggest player in terms of keeping our guts healthy. It has a truly profound influence. For instance, refined sugar actually favors the growth of bad gut bacteria and actually ADDs calories to food, which contributes to obesity.

It has also recently been discovered, that artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, may be worse for us then sugar in regards to what the bad bacteria likes to grow with.  Sadly this would explain why those of us who have enjoyed a diet soda (thinking at least this was a better choice for us), were actually putting ourselves at a greater risk for obesity. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19295480)

 A neurologist, Dr. David Perlmutter, who is a 30 year veteran in the field, suggests a two step process to maintaining gut health: 

1. Eat foods rich in probiotic bacteria (generally fermented) such as: Kimchi, Yogurt with live cultures, Kefir, Sauerkraut, Fermented meats, fish and eggs, Cultured sour cream, and pickles. Ideally 1-2 servings of fermented probiotic foods each day. He also adds that if this isn't an option, taking a broad spectrum probiotic supplement is a great way to populate your gut with friendly bacteria. 
2. Add prebiotic foods to your menu as well. Prebiotic foods are rich in prebiotic fiber.  These fibers actually encourage growth and activity of good bacteria in our gut.  Prebiotic foods include: Jicama, Chicory root, Dandelion greens, Jersusalem artichoke, Onions, Garlic, and Asparagus. 

Dr. Permutter states: "I am a neurologist. And in my 30+ years of dealing with patients with issues like depression and brain fog as well as an inability to lose weight, the program outlined above has proven to be the most powerful treatment strategy I've ever recommended!"

So... what is one to do when they don't have Dandelion greens and Kim-chi in our backyard ? Well, what I have chosen to do is supplement my diet with products that will support my gut health. Currently, I take supplements that contain ingredients that support ALL 7 of the functions of the gut. 

We live in a busy world where top nutrition isn't always available to us. The second best thing we can do is to supplement our diet with vitamins, minerals, and good bacteria that will promote a healthy body!

If you made it through to the end, yay! Gut health is so under talked about in my opinion, yet SO essential. If you have any questions, leave them below or as always, feel free to contact me!

Ashlee