Baby Steps… Are what I need

I haven’t posted in forever. This post is about the baby steps I am taking to get back into the world of sharing recipes, tips and random other lifestyle tweaks.

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Why I Am Using Baby Steps to return

     So I’ve been gone for a while, there are a few reasons for that and I’d like to explain. Most of them are health related, both physically and emotionally.

The Timeline:

Judy

     In April of 2022 Rick and I moved back to Rockford because I could not walk without the help of a walker. I made an appointment with a doctor only to find out that I had 30% blood flow to my feet. This condition was caused by a blockage in my Aorta (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm). 

     Fast forward to October of 2022 when I underwent abdominal surgery where stents were placed in both of my femoral arteries. When I went in for the follow up appointment, the doctor informed me that I had a blood clot in my left groin and I was immediately admitted back into thee hospital for bypass surgery. Sadly, I was there for about a week because of a myriad of weirdness which uncovered a small blockage in my heart as well. 

     About a month after I came home, Rick and I both came down with Covid. So we quarantined and life and recovery from major surgery  continued. 

     During all of this my doctor was also monitoring me for my Type 2 diabetes and we decided to try insulin because I don’t do well with oral medications and diet and exercise weren’t bringing my numbers down consistently. So injectable meds became the focus (not my favorite). 

     I went to see someone about my mental health and to deal with all of the stress. Unfortunately  or fortunately it was determined that I am dealing with some heavy duty PTSD. Some of it stems from life events prior to blogging and some from an incident a few years ago when I was targeted with a smear campaign against this blog and my coaching business.  So again, baby steps are what I need in this season of life.

Rick

     In October of 2023 Rick had a stent placed in his heart and four days later a stroke. Then about 10 days later they went in and cleaned out his left carotid artery. The complications he faced were serious as he was still on blood thinners because of the stent. The stroke affected his right side and while he didn’t have severe damage due to getting TPA within about 20 minutes of the first signs of the stroke, he has memory, mobility and cognitive movement hurdles.

So Baby Steps are what I need at this time 

     With all of that laid out, I’m asking you to indulge me in allowing me to take baby steps back into blogging because it is what I need right now.

Some Things Have To Change

     Sometimes, things have to change and through all of these challenges I have found out that I am allergic to stevia, and I can no longer use erythritol (doctor’s orders).  I am able to use Allulose as well as monk fruit extract, so going forward those will be the sweeteners that I will be using in my recipes.

     On a positive note allulose works wonderfully as a sugar replacement because it caramelizes and acts much more similar to sugar than any of the other sweeteners out there. I’ll share more about that in another post.

     With all of the health issues we have faced and continue to live with, Rick and I have been baby stepping into more of a DASH/Mediterranean way of eating which also fits in with THM for us older adults. I look forward to sharing some of our newest favorites.

     I’ve also chosen to step back from being a certified THM Coach, although I AM a certified Health and Lifestyle Coach.

Other News & Information 

     Sadly, my friend Carey from The Healthy Milestone and the Unofficial THM Instant Pot group, is taking her blog down. For many years she has blessed us all with her knowledge and cooking tips for both the Instant Pot and the Vitamix.  She has graciously allowed me to repost her recipes here on Wonderfully Made & Dearly Loved, so please keep an eye out for some amazing cheese cakes, soups and other recipes that are tried and true for your journey to better health and wellness.

One Baby Step At A Time

    Thanks so much if you read this all the way through (wink) and please know that I am thankful for each and everyone of you. Come along with me on this journey one baby step at a time.