I get so excited for the 'most wonderful time of the year' that I go straight from Halloween to Christmas, completely skipping Thanksgiving all together.

 

I was reminded today of what Thanksgiving is all about; being thankful for what I have.

 I am thankful for the people that are in my life. Thankful for the love I have from and for everyone around me. Thankful for my family's health. Thankful for my husband and my son and how I am blessed to have them in my life.

 

Even though my family has suffered a great tragedy in the past, I believe these events led me to the wonderful life I have today. As they say, "God works in mysterious ways." But I admit, I sometimes dwell on what I have lost and forget what I have right in front of me; Life, Love and Happiness.

 

I thought I would share the story behind my thankfulness that is both beautiful and inspiring. It made me forget all the "troubles" I thought I had in my life. It made me truly grateful for what really matters...the love of God and my loving family.

 

 

 

Meet Tripp

 

 

Tripp was born on May 14, 2009. He was diagnosed with a rare genetic skin disease called "EB." Any type of friction on his skin or mucous membranes causes blisters. They told us he would not live to be a year old. Every day he amazes us by his strength. He is a fighter and with all he has been through, he has never given up. He is the strongest person I know. Tripp wakes up each morning with a smile on his face. Every day spent with him is a blessing. God has a special plan for him. I'm just blessed to be able to witness that plan.

 

 

Tripp is on constant pain medicine, but on most occasions (when he is not down from an infection or acutely sick), he is a very playful, happy boy who LOVES to play the drums.

 

He is VERY smart and despite not being able to speak/see, he has definitely been given a gift of hearing and an ear for music. He can play his drums perfectly to the rhythm of any tune:)

I am one PROUD Momma.

 

On January 14, 2012, Tripp received his wings and went to be with Jesus.

My baby took his last breath, in the rocking chair, in my arms.

Our hearts are broken.

I truly appreciate your prayers and support through this unbearable time.

Mommy misses you, my little angel.

And you are always, ALWAYS in my heart.

 

You can meet Tripp and his mommy HERE.

 

 

Clean Eating

Matt and I are trying a new 'diet'.

Not a salad only, starve yourself diet.

We are eating clean...eating things the way nature entended.

Our reasons:

1. We are trying to get back into shape. We need to feed our bodies with the proper nutrition so that we are healthy inside and out. It will give us energy and make us feel better all around. We will eat to make our bodies thrive, instead of filling them with garbage because we have a craving or because we are just bored.

2. Eating Clean is easier. The fewer the ingredients in a recipe, the better. This will definately help me out in the kitchen!

3. It's about choosing fresh, whole foods with all of their nutrients intact. This means no boxed meals or processed food While they may be conveinient, they are also detrimental to your health.

Here is list of typical processed foods:

White wheat flour, especially bleached white flour

Refined sugars (crystalline fructose, maltodextrin, dextrose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, maple syrup, date sugar, cane sugar, brown rice syrup, corn sugar, beet sugar, agave syrup, etc..)

Margarine and other hydrogenated vegetable fats

Refined vegetable oils

Artificial sweeteners

Food additives

Canned foods

Boxed foods such as meal mixes, cereal and pasta

Soft drinks and sugary "fruit" drinks, which are loaded with white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors and other food additives.

Fast food, which is a source of trans fats

Cheese food, packaged cakes and cookies, chips, snack food crackers and other junk food

Processed meat products (sausage, bologna, bacon, packaged ham, and salami) if they contain artificial colors and soy fillers.

Frozen foods such as tv dinner meals, fish sticks, pizza rolls and similar foods

Soy products such as soy milk, soy cheese, soy protein isolate, and other processed soy foods. Natural soybeans taste horrible; it's Nature's way of warning about the dangers of soy. In order to make soy products edible, soy manufacturers have to add large amounts of sugar, MSG and other flavorings and spices.

Powdered milk and eggs: Commercial milk powders contain oxysterols (oxidized cholesterol) in high amounts. The oxysterol free radicals have been suspected of being initiators of atherosclerotic plaques. Powdered eggs contain even more oxysterols.

Learn more here: http://www.healthy-eating-politics.com/processed-foods.html

So far, our grocery list has been pretty darn good. But we are still going through the rest of food that was bought before the clean eating began. I admit I had two regular cokes-not even diet, and I had some no so good for me meals-out this weekend. But today is a new day and it's back to the gym for some serious work.