Detoxing, fabulously

I've been absent... Life took over. If I wasn't at work, I was at school, studying for school or sleeping. That's been my life for the last few weeks. Things are on the up and up now though. Some big assignments for school are behind me, so a bit more free time. Hurray!

As I mentioned in my last post (that seems oh so long ago), I made some major changes to my diet over the last few weeks. But the best news is, that I'm having great success! My allergies have piped down a lot and my digestion has never been better! I still have room for improvement, but things are heading in the right direction – so that makes me smile (a lot).

I've been getting some interesting reactions when people find out what I've eliminated from my diet: "so where do you get your protein? your calcium?" My response... uh... plants, some grains and some meat. There is still SO MUCH I can eat that I'm not finding it overly cumbersome. Eating out, on the other hand can be a bit of an issue sometimes... ah well, I'm likely saving way more money by eating mostly at home anyway.

Last weekend, amidst the craziness, I was in Toronto for the weekend visiting friends and relatives. But the real reason for going this particular weekend was to attend a couple of workshops with the lovely Meghan Telpner! One of the workshops I attended was based on her successful Fab Uplift Detox program. Included in the price was also registration into her coached Fab Uplift Detox program that started this past Monday.

This detox is so timely to what I'm going through right now with food allergies/sensitivities and I thought it would be a great "reboot" button for my body. And so far so good! The first four days weren't a big change from the way I currently eat -- just cutting out the meat (which there wasn't tonnes of to begin with), so I didn't see big changes, but Friday marked the start of the real deal leading up to a juice and smoothie fasting for a day, which from my calendar looks like it will fall on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to it and feeling great thus far.

I hope to post a few more times about some of the things I'm eating and how I'm feeling so you can follow along and maybe join in next time, but also for myself, so I can look back and see how far I've come.

Enjoy the ride. I know I will.

Happy holidays!

Well I've been a bad blogger this month. December just kind of got away from me. I'm currently enjoying my last full day on PEI with my family. It's been really nice -- lots of relaxation and fun.

I was also blessed to receive some pretty fabulous presents this year.

Source

• I got some awesome red rubber boots so I can channel my inner child and go jump in some puddles, or slush for that matter because these babies are good for up to -15C!
• I also was given a very cool new Hamilton Beach blender. It's very lovely super powered machine,with a nice glass container. I decided this would be a very needed tool to have in my healthy kitchen. It will replace my magic bullet, which is dying a slow, painful death and my current blender which is an el-cheapo from university. So excited to get home and get this set up in my kitchen.
• I got lots of new David's Teas to keep my addiction alive and well.
• And the last thing I'll mention are my super awesome glass straws from Strawesome. They are super fun and super Eco-friendly. Also can't wait to put these lovelies to use in my smoothies and other deliciousness.

Can't say that I've been eating that well. M&Ms and Quality Street chocolates have been my nemesis but only for another day... Refined sugar will be banished again very soon! I hope you're with me.

Happy New Year!

Three-year nostalgia

Girls learning about HIV at a fair put on by a Canadian NGO

Around this time of year for the past three years, I dream of Bolivia. You see, three years ago, when I was working at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), I was given a fantastic opportunity to write a short essay about a country (from a list) that I wanted to visit to visit CIDA projects and write success stories about the projects.

After some discussion with a friend who knew Latin America quite well, I finally chose to write my piece about why I wanted to travel to Bolivia and submitted it to our branch's management team to decide who would get to go on these trips (of a lifetime, I might add). Lo and behold I came to work one day and my colleague stopped me and said "congratulations". I turned to him and said "for what?", he replied "the international mission". I ran to my cubicle, turned on my computer to find an email listing the "winners". I think I must have jumped out of my chair (several times).

Delivering rice courtesy of the World Food Programme by helicopter to local village affected by flooding

If I remember correctly I found out in very early March and I ended up leaving for South America within the second week of April. So not much planning time, but the CIDA representatives in La Paz were great and worked out a fantastic schedule for me that brought me to many different parts of the country.

Kids surrounding me at a camp for flood victims

Upon my return back to Ottawa, I had to write project success stories about my trip. All of which can now be found on the Bolivia page on CIDA's website. I just re-read these stories. They bring chills to my bones as I remember the amazing Bolivians I met on this two-week journey and how happy and resilient they were despite their daily struggles. I also was so proud of my country, for without the support of the Government of Canada and many talented Canadian NGOs, these Bolivians' lives might be drastically different. What I remember most is how proud they were of what they accomplished in part thanks to Canadian knowledge, expertise and funds.

Field of oregano

If you have a few minutes, read my stories and learn about the amazing Bolivians I met (Maria, Luisa, Flavio, Roberto, Florencia, Gregoria, amongst many, many others).

• Combatting Domestic Violence in Bolivia
• Lifted from Poverty by Oregano 
• Recovering from the Floods in Bolivia 
• Saving the Lives of Mothers and Children in Bolivia