It's been a while...

I've had a couple emails from friends wondering if everything is ok, it's been so long since I last blogged.  Everything is ok, just crazy busy!  Started a new course, heavy into basketball season, you know, the usual around here :)

Going gluten-free has made me feel better.  I've had a few questions about if I did it for intestinal reasons.  No, gluten doesn't bug my stomach, just causes me a multitude of other issues.  But gluten-free is working out great for me.  I'm beginning to feel like myself again, more energy, and I'm crossing my fingers that my antibody levels will be better.  We'll see in a couple of weeks!

Eliminating coffee has proven to be more difficult, and I haven't totally eliminated it, but cut down my consumption.  I'm weaning myself.  I know it has to be done, but it is a physical addiction and I don`t need to feel any crappier than I already do some days.

Interestingly, we woke up to a foot of snow this morning.  Which even here in Ontario is strange!  I don`t recall a snow day for school this late in April before.  But it let me get my planning done for the next couple of days since I won`t be in my classroom.  And I caught up on the gossip with a couple of friends too.

Looking forward to warmer weather and getting outside to run.

Happy April snow day!

gluten...again & some other stuff

Found another great blog about autoimmune, Hashimoto's and gluten.  This post in particular was great!
http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2012/02/gluten-questions-answered/#more-1401

And another
http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2011/10/healing-autoimmune-disease-8-a-podcast/

I am starting to feel better, the dietary changes and IVs are kicking in....for now anyway!  Next step is to add exercise back in--particularly yoga and some running.  I miss them, and since I'm feeling a bit better I'm going to give it a try.

And really the best part of it all is that being gluten-free has not been that difficult.  Realizing it's essential for better health helps for sure.  Not sure why, but I don't really even miss it.  Which is a good thing.  And for whatever reason, it's made it easier to stay dairy-free too.  Go figure.

You know that little thing over to the right that says "Stress is related to 99% of all illness"?  Turns out it's true.  I swiped it from Lululemon btw if you didn't realize.  One thing that Lulu has right.  Manage the stress, manage the illness.  I'm trying to keep that in mind.

Having said that, yesterday was a hugely stressful day.  I had a very important and meaningful meeting yesterday afternoon.  I'll spill the beans about it when I find out the results.  Suffice it to say that I'm glad it's over, I think it will have really positive results, and I'd like all of my friends to keep their fingers crossed for me.

Enjoy this Good Friday, friends.  A day that causes me introspection and quiet meditation.  A day that fills me with a mixture of sadness and incredible hope.  This extremely important day to Christians.  I am grateful for this day.

find your passion

Passion week seems like the perfect time to speak of finding your personal passion.  It coincides with a week spent grieving the loss of an amazing coworker.  A life spent in education, a positive, joyful woman, her life cut tragically short by an automobile accident.  She and her husband both taken shortly before their retirement.  The time of life when the freedom to do all of the things for which you didn't have time.  Leaving behind family, friends and acquaintances reeling with the suddenness and shock of it.

My message is this--life is too short.  Don't count on doing "it" (whatever it is for you) later, when you retire, when the kids leave, when you can afford it, when you have more time.  If it is something you feel strongly about, do it now.  We don't have the luxury of knowing when our time on earth is up.  Find the joy, find the passion, do what you love.  Spend time with your loved ones.  Kiss your kids, your spouse.  Tell people that you love them and how much they mean to you.

I am guilty of waiting, not making the time now.  If my friend and coworker Joan and her death have taught me anything, it is that the time is NOW.  Not later.

In loving memory of Joan and Neil Coe.  You may be gone, but your spirit lives on.

Dear yoga...

Dear yoga,
I miss you.  I'm sorry I've been so fickle and unfaithful.  Please take me back.
I'll see you later.  I promise.

Also, please pass the message on to your friend running.  I miss it too. 

My iliopsoas promises to be nice.

Love,
Nicole