Monday, September 1, 2014

Healthy Changes, Healthy Life

Annelise Rowe, healthy living blogger, dairy free lifestyle

Since returning from BMT, I've been on a quest to transform my lifestyle and eating habits. A rather healthy person all-around, I was already working out 7-days a week and eating—for the most part—pretty well. But after returning from BMT, I was hitting up ice cream shops, pizza joints and fast food far more often than I would have liked. And my body paid for it. I gained back roughly 10 pounds very quickly and while I still maintained my level of fitness, I could see and feel the difference my food choices were making.

In addition, after returning home I began breaking out all over my chest, neck and face. I couldn't figure it out—I've never had any type of acne and never had any unusual skin problems... but this was bad. I had big, painful blemishes all over my chest and neck and small red pimples all over my face. I didn't know what was wrong! I started thinking about why it would have started after BMT. My stress was gone (for the most part) and I was back into the swing of my normal routine. And then it hit me—the ice cream, cereal, yogurt, etc. DAIRY! I ate dairy maybe 2-3 times over the 8-weeks I was down at BMT and my skin didn't seem to have any problems. When I came home and began indulging in daily ice cream trips, yogurts at snack times, cereal for breakfast, and pizza for dinner—that's what did it. I experimented with several different things (laying off perfume, changing my body wash/detergent/shampoo) and while none of it worked, after giving up dairy—just to see if it was the culprit—after one week my skin was clear. ONE WEEK! I couldn't believe that it had been dairy the whole time.

I've been dairy-free now since the middle of August. It's not quite as hard as I thought it would be, though I do miss a good Blizzard every now and then. But with dairy—since my only aversions to it seem to be acne and upset stomach aches, if I truly want it—I'm going to have it (like a slice of pizza every now and then!). Although, I'm becoming a big fan of other healthy-minded desserts like chia seed pudding, banana "ice cream," and small servings of sorbet. And cereal is still on my menu—I just enjoy it with unsweetened almond milk instead—and let me tell you... it's really good!

I've also started making other small changes in my diet. I no longer eat with the intention to fill my stomach to the brim (which was my mea culpa before). I now eat sensible portions and try to cook and prepare my weekly workday meals ahead of time. I've been living out of tupperware lately, selecting the day's lunch (like this) from the assortment that is piled high in the fridge. I can cook an entire week's worth of meals in the slow cooker, divide it up into lunches for Daniel and myself and then customize each one from there—like adding a tortilla, sour cream and cheese to his and some fresh veggies to mine.

Of all the changes I've made lately—my favorite is the new outlook I have on food. I'm seeing it as fuel, not a fill-me-up. I'm enjoying it. I'm creating new recipes with it that not only will nourish my body, but ones that taste good, too. Living a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to be hard. It is all about how you look at it. I don't have to live a healthy lifestyle... I get to—and have fun with it!

Annelise Rowe, healthy living blogger, dairy free lifestyle

While I'm trying to incorporate more "healthy living" style posts into this blog, you can always click-over and find all of my day-to-day recipes, healthy dessert ideas, and fitness routines on my Instagram. I post as I go there and find that it's a really great resource for sharing my simple-to-prepare, healthy meals & treats. Here's to being healthy & happy!

20 comments:

Aunie said...

I'm happy that going dairy-free is making you feel better and clearing up the blemishes. I'm also glad that you aren't making it a forever restriction. I try really hard to keep a balanced diet but also knowing that I can have a little indulgence keeps me on track, even if I don't take on that indulgence. What I try to avoid is meat, not for moral reasons per say but because it makes me feel slowed down. Instead I have it at most once a week.


Kindness is the best accessory,
Rebecca

Aunie said...

It's amazing how much the things we eat can affect our energy levels, our immediate health, and our outlook! We indulge in rich food every once in a while, and I showcase a fair amount of it on my blog, but what doesn't show up between the lines is that every other meal we're having is extremely light and as clean as I can make it. We've found a lot of success with the South Beach plan - which is basically a mediterranean diet, low in sugars and starches, high in fish and lean meat and vegetables, with judicious additions of dairy and healthy fats.


I'm always looking for healthy recipes and quick clean meals, so I will definitely be watching for those on Instagram!

Aunie said...

I'm so glad you wrote this! I'm going dairy free for the full month of September. Day one down .. Let's see how this goes!

Aunie said...

I am glad you were able to figure out it was dairy!

Aunie said...

Right with you sista!
Dairy in my diet completely messed with my balance - internal, external - you name it.
I have 33 days until the wedding - so, I'm going to get back to the basics - Clean Eating - Cutting out the complex carbs and dairy (that have slipped back in my diet - silly fun summer!) And Fueling my body rather than GORGING it.

Aunie said...

I liked this post! It's nice to talk about healthy living on our blogs, since it's such an important part of our daily lives.

I'm having a weird struggle with acne, too. I never had breakouts on my chin before, but I have been in this sisyphean cycle for the last 3 months where as soon as it clears, a new breakout begins -- in practically the exact same spot. Other people mentioned diary, you mentioned diary, OK I'm going to finally cut down and see what happens!

Quinn
www.Desgettier.com

Aunie said...

I have always admired how in-tune you are to your health: mind, body, and spirit. that is definitely a God-given strength you have! keep at it, you are encouraging others by setting a great example. :)

Aunie said...

You look awesome! It sounds weird, but I am totally jealous of your muscle tone haha.
You are (again) super inspiring. I have been really trying to clean up my eating, only to fall back into old habits, I have the working out down (I do CrossFit at least five times a week) but my eating, while mostly all natural, is definitely not what it should be. So thank you for being an example, I am going to try to cut out dairy completely and and probably almost all gluten!

Aunie said...

Ashley, I'm so glad to hear it! Isn't it amazing how our bodies can tell us right away when it likes the changes we're making? I just love it! Best of luck to you with your goals!

Aunie said...

Rebecca, I agree with you! When you totally eliminate things, that's when the cravings take over. Little indulgences make all the difference :)

Aunie said...

I've heard great things about South Beach. Glad it works for you!!

Aunie said...

Wishing you the best! It surprises me all the things it is in... I visited Seattle this past weekend and found that my grandma was adding dairy (half and half to be exact) to almost everything we ate. I didn't mind (or ask her to change it, for that matter), but my skin surely paid the price! :)

Aunie said...

Me too! Though now I'm wondering if it could be gluten as well! Process of elimination :) Thanks Kelly!

Aunie said...

Agreed. I'm right there with you. I saw your post about that... 32 days left now I think! So excited for you!

Aunie said...

Well regardless, you look fantastic. Very healthy and beautiful:)


I absolutely love it! I didn't at first, but now I feel like my day isn't complete if I don't go. The people are always so friendly and encouraging and its a great community to be involved in. Haha I'm working on the ripped bod, and would see even more improvements than I already have if I ate right.


My mom does absolutely no gluten and its done wonders, as has a mostly vegetarian diet. So I know it works, I just have to get it to stick. I totally recommend it though (hopefully that doesn't sound too hypocritical).

Aunie said...

No, not at all! I feel like almost everything I eat includes gluten. I would need to make a lot of changes to switch it up. But maybe that's just what my body needs!! :)

Aunie said...

Will do! And btw, I can't believe I typo'd "dairy" into "diary" twice in a sentence lol.

Aunie said...

haha... now you're making me think I need to go back over and check over my spelling too! haha

Aunie said...

I need to get into a healthy mindset too, Im living on takeout pizzas. I have a trip to California booked to see family this weekend for a few weeks, so im using it as an excuse to run the dogs on the beach and eat well!

Aunie said...

Vacations are always my excuse, too! And takeout pizza... so delicious! It's hard to resist but so worth it when you see the changes it makes. Also, I'm a huge fan of cheat meals... don't deprive yourself if you're really craving it, you know? That's my view!

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