Moving right along...

Hello all!  I know I go MIA at times, but that's just part of walking with me in my flip flops!  Life is crazy... and I thought as I got older it wouldn't be... kids are growing up, starting lives of their own... but mine keeps getting crazier!  Didn't think that was going to happen.

So to catch you all up on the happs around my neck of the woods.  Starting to get back on track after having my inflammation flare up.  Finally!  Amazing to me how food and lack of exercise can affect your body, either positively or negatively.   Once again reminds me of why I started this blog in the first place.  I truly hope that I can help someone, even if it only be one person... I will feel accomplished.  If you need help, please reach out to me and let me help you.   I have spend years struggling, figuring out what works and what doesn't, and lost over 100 lbs doing it.  I'm not a professional, I am just your average gal, with your average everyday problems.  However, I am learning that I deserve to be healthy and so do you.

This week, I'm hoping to get in the kitchen and create a healthy something, something to share with you all.  It's time I must admit!  My garden is just kicking in and we are going to have zucchini coming out our ears soon!  I am sure my recipe will have something to do with those... just a hunch!  Workouts this week will be the 21 day fix workouts.  They really do wonders for me when I am doing them everyday.  The exciting part of my week is the arrival of the new PIYO!  I have been waiting a super long time for this and ordered it the day it came out.  It's led by my favorite fitness guru, Chalene Johnson.  She is the Turbo Fire genius, and I am,  and always.  will be a Turbo girl.  I started my weight loss journey doing Turbo Jam, which seemed like ages ago!  Her new PIYO is great for beginners and elite athletes.  No equipment is needed... "Your Body Is Your Gym"!  PIYO is a combination of Yoga and Pilates, but don't let that fool you!  You will burn amazing calories, get lean and defined without jumping and straining your joints. Totally exciting!  Here's a little sample of what it is...

So.. until later this week peeps!  Recipe on it's way... PiYo on it's way!  Great week ahead!  If you want to join me, I will be having a,  PiYO challenge group starting on the 7th of July!  Email me for more info at karimarkel@yahoo.com.

Here's to a great week ahead!

Holy Zucchini Noodles Batman!

I think it's funny that we control our own destiny, and yet sometimes we chose to make decisions that may be good at the time, but you regret later.  Living with Autoimmune disease can be a bitch!  The worst part about it, is that I have learned to keep mine at bay, yet there are times when I falter a little and then I'm the bitch!

If I stray from my diet, stray from my workouts a tad... my body truly pays for it.  Why oh why I wonder why I can't be like other people.  Anyone that has a disease or disorder to manage can attest that we all feel like that at times.  I really have to bring myself down to earth and remind myself that I DO know how to control it, and fix it... so get back to business and quit feeling sorry for yourself!

I did it... had an autoimmune attack and the only one to blame was myself.  What does it feel like?  Well just as an example... this cardio queen can't even make it up a flight of stairs when she feels like this without huffing and puffing.  My joints ache, I have no energy, I swell, and I can't seem to get enough sleep.  When does this happen?  When I get busy, caught up in life, and don't cook and plan my meals properly.  It also happens when I am not exercising!  So for those of you who suffer Autoimmune disease... hear me loud and clear!  IT IS OK TO EXERCISE!  Often times I read that people with Autoimmune disease should limit their exercise, I beg to differ with you.  Of course, you must have proper nutrition to go along with that or you won't have the energy to get through it.  It all works hand in hand. Physical activity boosts physical energy, endorphins produced are like a natural pain killers and it also reduces inflammation.  So even when you don't feel like moving... a little moving can go a long way for the way you feel.

Summer is not my favorite time of the year, but the one thing I love most is my trips to the Farmer's Market. My counter ends up looking like this every week... Beautiful huh?

I got the most amazing tool for Mother's day which I must share with you of course.  I have had my eye on this handy dandy vegetable slicer for some time.  Drum roll please...

This contraption was going to make my Farmer's market finds come to life... I just knew it... and it did...

Are those the most beautiful Zucchini noodles you've ever seen or what?  Freaking amazing!  Those my friends are the best damn thing to sliced bread!  (Gluten Free bread in my case of course.) The family was a tad bit reluctant because of my zucchini noodle experiments in the past, but they didn't know what goodness was about to dance into their tummies.  A healthy sauce had to be made to smother these baby's, so I pulled out the butternut squash cheese-like sauce and they were a match made in heaven! So forks up peeps for this anti inflammatory meal!

Comfort Zucchini

4 Zucchini Spiralized

1 Butternut Squash

1 1/2  tbsp Ghee

3/4 Cup Coconut Milk

6 tbsp Nutritional Yeast

1 tbsp Arrow Root

2 tsp Yellow Spicy Mustard

1 tbsp Lemon Juice

1/4 tsp Garlic Powder 

1/2 tsp Onion Powder

1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Cut Squash in half, and place face down in a Pyrex.  Fill with water about a 1/4 inch and place in oven until squash is tender.  In saucepan add 1 tbsp Ghee, whisk in coconut milk and arrow root powder until smooth. Stir in the rest of the ingredients (minus the zucchini of course and continue to whisk until it has thickened.  It takes about 5 min.  Remove from heat and set aside.  (It will thicken a tad more while it sits.)  In a saute pan, add 1/2 tbsp ghee and saute zucchini until it softens a bit.  Add sauce to noodles and mix well.  Serve up and Enjoy!