About 8 months after I had Arlo, (about 3 years ago), I started noticing that I wasn’t bouncing back to my pre-baby self as fast as I thought I would. I don’t just mean with weight, but with the way I was feeling emotionally and physically. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t just “not bouncing back”, but I seemed to be regressing. My hair was falling out (from 3 mo postpartum to 2 years postpartum), I was sleeping 11 hours a night, dozing off several times during the day, gaining weight like a mad woman despite eating healthy(-ish) and I was super swollen all the time (to name a few of my symptoms). I started seeing an endocrinologist because I suspected it was my thyroid that was causing all of my problems. He confirmed my suspicion and told me I was hypothyroid-meaning my thyroid was underactive, and started me on thyroid medication. Of course nobody wants to be told that they have a medical issue going on but honestly, I left his office ecstatic because I thought I would start taking that little pill and all of these new issues would go away and I would be back to “normal”. Well, that didn’t happen. I started taking the meds and going in to see him for check ups, where he kept upping my dose in hopes that something would happen and I would start feeling better. Finally, once my dose was multiplied several times, my levels on paper said I was good, but my body still said otherwise. My hair thickness was improving, but I was still gaining weight, fatigued, swelling, etc. My doctor mentioned to me autoimmunity and threw around some big words so I started to do my own research. By this time I am 2-2.5 years postpartum, up to the weight I was when I gave birth (insert cry emoji), swelling like a water balloon, miserable, and desperate. That’s when I came across Dr. Amy Myers on almost every website I was reading about inflammation, autoimmunity, and thyroid. Almost everything she mentioned as a symptom for chronic inflammation and autoimmunity I could relate to. I self diagnosed myself and was convinced that’s what I had going on. I went out and purchased her book The Autoimmune Solution where she goes in depth about what is going on in your body when you have autoimmunity and chronic inflammation and how to fix it (because the BEST part about it is you can reverse it or at least diminish your symptoms significantly). She recommends a specific diet which she calls “The Myers Way”-basically a slightly modified version of AIP (autoimmune protocol) in which you cut out all ingredients that could be causing you inflammation in your system (gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, legumes, nightshades, anything processed, anything not organic, alcohol, caffeine, etc). I finished her book and to say that I could not wait to try her diet recommendations would be an understatement. I was over the moon that I found some new hope. I started the diet and immediately my energy levels changed and I started seeing small changes in almost every aspect of my mental and physical health. My swelling was going down so much (I mean if you guys could have seen a before and after of my neck and face you wouldn’t believe it), my dark circles under my eyes were almost completely gone, my personallity was coming back, and I started to remember what life was like before I got pregnant-something that I hadn’t felt in a long time. The craziest part-only 2 months had passed and I stepped on a scale and was 20 lbs lighter-all from changing the way I eat. On a more personal side note-my husband, Perry, and I had been trying to conceive for a while with no success and after one month on the diet, we did! It may have been a coincidence but I believe the diet had something to do with it. Unfortunatelly, I was going strong and feeling great but then got slapped with the worst morning (actually, 24/7) sickness ever. I couldn’t stomach anything and life became a game of survival at that point. I started eating whatever I could stomach and had to stop my AIP diet. So now that the holidays are over and my sickness is gone, I cannot wait to start it again January 1st. I want to continue doing it after my baby is born so I need to start now to make it an easy transition, not to mention its the best thing I can do for my body and baby right now. So you guys, if you don’t feel like yourself, have any of the issues going on that i mentioned, have some other things going on that haven’t been diagnosed, or just want to feel great, I cannot recommend this enough. Do your research. Listen to doctors, but dont assume they are going to tell you everything you need to do for YOUR health. Look into chronic inflammation and autoimmunity and if you think you could have that going on-TRY AIP! Because I have seen such good results and I believe everyone can benefit from it I’m some way.
Ps: if you guys do end up trying it out, please let me know. I would love to hear your success story as well.
Xx Hannah
I've mentioned in previous posts that I am hooked on embroidering. I've been itching to do another project, but this time on a much smaller scale. I ended up embroidering the word "dag" on this plain white men's T that I had lying around because I wanted to keep it suuuuper casual. "Dag" is in ode to my mom who has shortened her go-to phrase of "dag-on-it" to just "dag". I think it's hilarious and it might just be my new favorite t-shirt! Of course I paired it with my favorite mom jeans in keeping with the whole "mom" theme (haha not really). I was going to dinner with a friend this night so I wore my simple Aldo pumps to dress it up a bit. Hope you likey.
double kiss, Hannah
T-shirt: Hanes mens
Pumps: Aldo
Jeans: H&M
I LOVE figs. I LOVE caramelized onions just as much. Both flavors remind me of cold weather so much...add walnuts or pecans into the mix, and it's perfection. That's kind of how I came up with this recipe. I found that figs were only available in my grocery store for a short period of time, but I'm so obsessed, I wanted them to last as long as possible. I picked up some fig butter, and for a while- was putting it on everything. When the day came I felt like making a baked brie wrapped in puff pastry, it was the obvious choice, and paired with the other cold-weather ingredients-magic. Make it. Eat it. Trust.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 Cup chopped Walnuts or Pecans
3 Tbsp fig jam or fig butter
1 round of brie or about .65 oz cubed
2 Tbsp butter
1 yellow onion
1 sheet frozen puff pastry
1 egg for egg wash
First, slice your onions into thin pieces, and saute in 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Once they have started to brown, add 1 more tbsp of butter and continue to saute until the onions are a deep caramel color and are completely caramelized and soft.
Usually, I would use a round brie, but this time I bought a wedge instead. If so, just chop the brie into cubes. Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions and place on a sheet pan with wax paper underneath. Arrange cubed brie in the center of the pastry in a circle shape (if you have the round brie, just set it in the center).
Heat fig butter in microwave for about 10-15 seconds so it is easier to spread/pour. Pour evenly over the brie.
Put all caramelized onions on top of brie and fig butter.
Top with chopped nuts, being careful not to spill off of the brie and onto the puff pastry. The nuts can be sharp and cause the puff pastry to rip when gathering up the edges and sealing. Pull up the 4 corners to the center, and then the remaining corners as well.
Beat one egg and brush onto puff pastry.
Add a tiny slit with a sharp knife to the top of the pastry before baking to allow steam to release. Place in a preheated 375 degree oven for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with crackers.
double kiss, Hannah
Denim Jacket: Forever21 Mens (size Small)
Bodysuit: Forever21
Jeans: Target
Boots: Target
"Are you wearing your blanket again?" That's what I hear from Perry every time I wear my poncho. Even though PJ is kind-of making fun of me when he says it, the jokes on him! Because it is so comfortable, it really is like wearing a blanket. It's so versatile, I use it for so many things and can wear it in so many settings. Now that I'm a mom, I have to take a blanket everywhere. A lot of the time, I'm carrying A with a blanket wrapped around him for a little extra warmth. But sometimes now I just wear this and forgo the blanket for a two birds with one stone type of deal. For that same reason, I always travel with it because I'm ALWAYS chilly in the car or on a plane. In this particular case, I was wearing a simple outfit of just a white top and jeans with pumps, but it was just a bit chilly and I wanted something that would add interest to my outfit because of its simplicity. I think it was a perfect combo.
double kiss, Hannah
