Beautycounter Consultant

This is something I have been wanting to do for sometime now as my journey progresses toward becoming an NTC (I started writing this a month ago!).  It fits right in, right?!  I mean you clean up your foods and you clean up what you put on your skin.  It is the largest organ after all!

Why did I decide BeautyCounter?  When did I start using it?  I think it was just over a year ago.  I was and still kinda using CocoKind.  Purely coconut oil based and it was so simple and the line had expanded but I needed more.  My makeup was ZuZu and I knew it wasn't as clean as I wanted it to be.  Then many bloggers in the Paleosphere were posting about this new line called BeautyCounter.  I think it started with mascara.  Everyone I tried made my eyes itchy.  Did this one?  Not at all and it looked fabulous on and didn't clump!  Boom.  I was hooked.  Ah but before the mascara I had won the rejuvenating night cream from Maria Mind Body Health.

I can't say enough good things about the mascara!  I have tried so many and even the hypo allergenic ones and my eyes still itched and burned until this one.  I have never had a problem and it lengthens and looks perfect!

I certainly have almost all the products.  Next I am trying the sunscreen and charcoal mask.  I would appreciate the love by shopping on my page!  This post is short and more Beautycounter coming!

http://www.beautycounter.com/heathermattice

Tell me what you think!  Have you used Beautycounter before?  Do you care about the garbage that's in your products knowing that your skin is absorbing all this and leads to a host of problems?  What are you curious about?  I'm sure I have tried it!

Father's Day & A book review

Father's Day 

What a great day it has been!  I got up early - no surprise there.  Nostrand had been bugging me for hours to get up and feed her.  The pups were snuggled in bed with me and D.  It was cozy, but I couldn't lay there any longer.  I got to feed the cat and let the pups outside before I fed them too.  Once they were taken care of, I changed, stretched and headed out for my usual Sunday run of 6 miles.

It was windy and a bit humid so I got super sweaty.  Unfortunately the run pretty much sucked.  I take it pretty easy anyway but I had to take 2 very short walk breaks.  I'm going to just say that I probably didn't need to drink 2 glasses of wine last night at dinner.

Yeah, sweaty and this is how I felt about this run.  They all can't be great, right?!  Damn I wish they were and my pace was 3 minutes faster like it use to be.  Not that I have given up hope!  So, I went inside and D got up.  I did a mobile Starbuck's order.  I got a venti iced coffee with coconut milk and D a grande iced caramel macchiato.

It was really good and took me the morning to drink it.  I am happy to say that I have not had any adverse reactions to coffee since adding it back into my rotation.  I do try to stick with organic coffee when I can and try to limit it to only on the weekend when possible.  It's just sometimes it just tastes really good.  I had my now typical breakfast that I won't bore you with a picture of, I didn't take one either.  Today was 2 scoops of protein powder mixed with water to make a thick pudding, a banana, 1/2 tbs hemp hearts and cashew/coconut butter blend.  Again, I have successfully introduced these things into my rotation.  I am though questioning the cashew butter just a bit and only have a tablespoon left.  So n=1, I will take it out and not open another jar for a week or so to see how my skin looks.  This is my biggest indicator that something isn't always right.  If I'm breaking out then I am over doing something.  I also didn't have dairy today, but yesterday I did.  Again, trying to not go more than 3 days per week with dairy.  When I do have it, it's high quality, grass fed yogurt with 5 grams of sugar or less.  Cheese on the other hand makes my stomach grumbly and that I am not a fan of.

My sister and her kids met myself and my dad and his wife at the club for brunch and it was fabulous!  Not just the company, but brunch too!

The only thing that could have been is if this was real bacon and not turkey bacon!  LOL - all good!

Dad and I!

Not sure what D and I are going to do tonight yet.  Whatever he wants though, it is his day!

My other fabulous thing from this is week is, I read a book!  Start to finish in only a couple days.  Big deal you say, really it is!  Prior to getting some healing done anything I even started to read would put me to sleep instantly.  This has gone on FOR YEARS!  So yeah, this is a huge deal!

Well, what did you read, you may be asking.  I read Elle Russ's book The Paleo Thyroid Solution.

My overall thoughts about this book are fabulous.  There is some great information in there about the tests that you should be looking to get if you suspect you have a thyroid issue and even if you currently have a thyroid problem but not getting the right tests done or possibly not on the right medication.  The types of medication opened my eyes a little more as well.  While I did my own research for about 6 months prior to going on Armour Thyroid, I have decided to ask my endocrinologist about switching my medication to WP Thyroid since it has less inactive ingredients in it and I don't believe I'm optimized on my current medication.  Elle also explains in very simple terms what is happening to the thyroid, processes and not reacting, and what happens when the pituitary gland and the thyroid are not communicating.  I know everyone out there with a thyroid problem has met a number of doctors who just won't listen and that it takes years to finally get a proper diagnosis and the maybe a few more years to get the right medications.  Elle, like many of us in the AIP/Hashimoto community have done this as well.  We are more than thankful for the Facebook communities that are there to listen and help us on our journeys.  I only have one downfall to this book (but it's her story so I love it too!) is that she focuses on Reverse T3 issues, which I don't have.  So, I think this would be a great book for someone who has this particular issue.  Reading this book has made me curious to read Isabella Wentz's books on thyroid/Hashimoto's.  I have read from so many how this book was a huge game changer for them as well.

Overall this is a fabulous book that I would encourage those with a thyroid issue to read for sure.  Since knowledge is power and anyone with thyroid problems know that symptoms can swing in many ways and we are in constant check to make sure that we keep our flares to a minimum and know what to do if we get into one and how to try to avoid them as well.

I'm looking to gain more knowledge and am so looking forward to becoming an NTC and helping those out there that can't get the help they need.

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Geez am I fat!? A short rant

This is by no way about me.  I can honestly say I am pretty damn happy with the way I am.  I'm pretty comfortable in my own skin, expect when I'm bloated, but that is something so different.  Yes, I am currently bloated.... so I'm ranting here.

So what am I talking about here?  Men and women who constantly and consistently talk about how fat they are.  Yes, I put men in this too - they are just as guilty.  Come on though, do you think you could really go up to a guy and ask him if he is happy with his body?  What do you think he is going to say?  He may give you a dumb ass look or state that he's "fine".  Saying I'm fine really doesn't mean I am fine.  When my dad states it, it's anything but fine.  It means he is completely irritated and is just done.

So getting back to all this.  What makes someone think they are "fat"?  Society, family, significant other?

ALL THE ABOVE.

It generally takes but one single comment for the downward spiral.  Think about it.  I bet there is something that someone said that you have never forgotten. I also bet, that said person doesn't even remember it.  So why hold on to what they said?!  They clearly didn't.  So just drop it, leave it and let it go!  I remember I was 7 or 8 when my step mother said my ankles were getting fat.  Seriously?! Ankles?!  Clearly there was something going on in her life that she wanted to reflect on me.  

My mom was always dieting when I was growing up and I thought she was perfect.  Come on, she was my mom.  What child thinks anything different.  So, in junior high I went on her medical weightless program with her.  Not that I needed it but I didn't want her to do it alone.  That probably began my own journey, but that was then and all the things in the name of being "skinny".

Ugh.... didn't I say this wasn't about me?!  So, if you have to say how fat you are or how you don't like X about yourself would you go about changing it? Or would you just keep repeating it over and over and hope that magically something would be different?

I see and hear this so much lately - from both men and women.   

WHA............

I'm not talking about some crazy crash diet, weight watchers, etc.  You've seen what I have written so far.

EAT REAL FOOD AND ALL THE FAT!!!

Seriously, it's no simpler than that.  Did I say it was easy?!  No, I would never say that.  I'm saying you have to want it enough to not even care about the ice cream, cookies, cakes, bread, pastas, etc.

Sure I love watching Cupcake Wars and cake decorating.  WHY?  Am I punching myself?  Nope not at all.  I watch it because I love the creativity and I think watching someone decorate a cake VERY relaxing!

So challenge time - go find those trigger foods - the bread and chocolates and high sugar items and donate them, give them to a neighbor or take them to work.  Eat real food, prep, do the things that make it easy and excuse-less to accomplish what you want.  Go for walks, you don't need strenuous exercise.  Drink more water.  Get rid of processed foods!  

Just remember your pant size will NOT MAKE YOU HAPPIER - YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN!!

By the way - this is my present state.  No 6 pack here, but that's ok.  Weight is a number and means nothing.  I wear a small, sometimes a medium.  Does it tell me what my self worth is?!  Nope - I've come a long way.  If you have listened to Jason Seib, you really need to.  Seek out Body Beliefs and Altshift.

Rant done - I could go on.  Just remember to love yourself for who you are.  Peoples opinion should not have anything to do with your own happiness.  Make your own happiness!

Should I talk more about this??

Changing the fitness game!

I posted the other day that I needed to reduce my stress which means I needed to cut down on my endurance training.  All good!  I really don't mind all the peaceful walking I have been doing.

I should say they are peaceful until you run into EVERYONE at the fair in the downtown park.  Eh, it's all good.  I just walked right through it all and continued on my way.  The longest and most annoying part was waiting for my coffee at Starbuck's.  I used my mobile app and still waited over 10 minutes once I got there.  Ugh, I really don't like that location and should have gone somewhere else! Oh well. This was actually part 3 of my walk.  I took each pup Saturday morning for about a mile walk each.  I don't always like handling them both at the same time.  If something spooks Jack I need to not have to worry about Stryker.

 

Mexican Cobb with Steak

Last night we decided to go to a new (to us) Mexican restaurant in Clawson, Mohave Cantina.  Overall it was really good but the messed up part of D's dinner.  My dinner was great and the salsa was the best we have had.  My only issue was the steak was tough.

The Skinny Chica

If you know what a NorCal marguerita is then this is the same!  I was very happy with that!  Tequila, soda water and lime.  Easy peasy and no added sugar.

I love Sunday mornings for the peaceful neighborhood.  I can go out running and there are not a lot of people out, very little cars too.  I wanted to run early since it was going to get VERY HOT and potentially storm later.  It rained all but the last mile I was out.  Figures! 

So my game plan for the rest of the week is walking to work, keeping the cardio to a minimum and only doing when my plan says to and take my well deserved rest day and sleep in!

Tuesday - Dr Brett Allen Appointment

I got my test results back this past Friday and I was hoping for better.  Of course, I immediately went to typing an email to Dr. Brett Allen about the whys and the what nows.

Don't get me wrong, I feel great!  I expected my thyroid levels to be near perfect and my candida to be back in normal range.  I even wrote - "Maybe I should have detoxed harder!"   I can't say that would really have been a solution.  We don't get where we are overnight do we.  How can we expect to heal overnight?!

Totally unrealistic!  I want it now, but I get why I can't have it now.  It takes awhile and even 4 months is not enough time.  Some people heal quicker than others.  Some people can give up things and never look back.  I have been told I have great will power.  I beg to differ.  I just remember how I feel eating certain foods and what happened when I ate those consistently - like losing my job because my brain fog was so bad and the worse I would feel as the day went longer.  January was my worst month ever.  I was paranoid beyond belief, anxious, headaches, exhausted.  By the time noon came around I just wanted to lay around and sleep.  I got my blood work done then and knew the path I needed to go on.  I was starting a new job and needed focus so I went AIP.  Within a couple days I felt better but I know I needed to do more.

I looked into functional medicine, set up apps with 2 different doctors and asked questions.  I chose Dr. Allen because I didn't need to travel to an office, not that it was a deciding factor but it was a nice addition.  He focused on wanting to help me without breaking the bank.  Yes, my bank still got a bit broken since our current health care system doesn't acknowledge functional medicine, so zero coverage.  But, I knew this going in and it wasn't life altering where I couldn't get the supplements I needed.  I had told D and my family that I was at a point that I didn't care what it was going to cost me I wanted and needed to get better!  Honestly, yes I cared - a growing credit card causes stress!  I've managed it the best I could and hope to have it paid off way before the end of the year.  Dr. Allen was focused on answering all the questions I had and answered all my emails quickly!  

So, getting back to my lab results.  Yes, I still have candida.  How can I expect that it would have gone away or become manageable in that little amount of time.  What was the biggest factor and the solution to get the rest of the numbers to become within normal range -STRESS!

Honestly, I don't feel this at all.  I feel pretty good and am trying to relax in the evening and get rid of the electronics.  As of today I work within walking distance so walking is relaxing.  I also need to lower my exercise load.  This means following my training plan closer and when it says to not do cardio - don't do the cardio!!  No adding on more exercise because it seems like it was easy or I think I can add on more.

Honestly - I will probably gain more muscle!  Cue The Bigness Project!  I'm at the end of week 4 (again), so I will tweak what I have been doing and actually follow the program to the letter.

So slight disappointment that I need to continue the candida supplements - but I'm certainly ok with it.  I'm looking forward to the continued healing and learning process.  It's interesting if you just pay a  little more attention to your body it will tell you what works and what doesn't.

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Weekend Recap

Ah, the long weekend!  

What isn't there not to love?!  They can be lazy or productive or both!  They usually end with wine!

I did forget to go to a birthday party though!  Oops! I was so busy Saturday that I totally forgot.  I got up my usual time which is generally between 7 and 7:30.  I did 45 minutes of cardio then went out for coffee and made breakfast.  Weekends it seems I like to get all my workouts in at home, so I will continue that until I prefer to go to the gym.  I did some upper body in the weight room (basement).  I need to get a few more weights then I think I will be all set.  The adjustable weights would be great!  For right now at least. I like the look of these!

Saturday morning cuteness right here!  How can you not love a kitty cuddled up in a blanket?!  Ok, if you are a dog lover than this isn't the cutest.  But, I post about the pups all over the place! 

Nostrand in her chair and blankets

Week 3 of project walkway and I finally finished it!  Yes, I did this all by myself.  No help, except for bringing in the pea gravel because my back just couldn't take anymore lifting.  I moved enough bags of sand from Home Depot to the car then to the backyard.

For dinner we went to Mt. Chalet - right across the street.  We went there all sweaty and sat outside.  Me sweaty from my morning workout and then my walkway and D from riding.  Their burgers are just so good!  Piedmontese burger with bacon, coleslaw and guacamole!  Guacamole on everything!  What can be better?!

I wanted a treat and a cold hard cider sounded so good.  It had a hint of cherry, yum!  Zombie Killer - not my favorite name but worth it!  It was cold and more sugar than I have had in a while, I didn't even drink it all.

Sunday morning I wanted a smoothie bowl.  This isn't the prettiest or most elaborate one by far - there are so many out there.  I stumbled on Earthy Andy, check out her site - everything is so bright and delicious looking.  My smoothie bowl has a whole banana -which is more than I should be eating in a single day, but I only eat fruit once or twice a week.  I added Maple Hill Creamery plain greek yogurt to my shake mix and topped it with a coconut/peanut butter mix.

Sunday night some storms came in, though not nearly what they were suppose to be.  None the less Jack hates any loud noises and was just shaking.  So we wrapped him in his thunder shirt which helps and gave him his duck for comfort.  It definitely helped.

There really isn't too much more to the weekend -Monday was pretty much the same even though it was the holiday.  I worked out at home, D went riding and we headed to my dad's for dinner by the pool.

Some things I am working on that I will be writing about soon.

Beautycounter - I'm a consulant now.  Visit my page to learn more. http://www.beautycounter.com/heathermattice

Nutritional Therapy  - going to start down that path in September!

Last "official" appointment with Dr. Brett Allen and lab results.

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Bad reaction to ? Nuts?

I was feeling fine yesterday.  I ate my normal breakfast and lunch was my shake and an RxBar.  The RxBar was the Maple Sea Salt and tasted so good.  

Not huge on sugar and I know cashews are okay.  Pecans?  Maybe the problem?  Egg whites (doubtful)  Like I said I was feeling fine all day and I was hungry around 3:30 and couldn't wait to get home.  Once I got through the door I ate 2 pieces of goose liver pate, which I ate yesterday too without any problem.  Dinner was what I had below.  2 eggs and 2 pieces of bacon and 3 cassava flour pancakes topped with coconut/peanut butter mix.  That's when I felt sick to my stomach!

Tasty dinner!  I love Thursday's!

So, how do I know it wasn't dinner that bothered me?  I have always been able to pin point what bothered my stomach other times.  It's always the meal I had prior and it doesn't happen until after I eat my next meal. I ended going to bed early.  I still took my supplements and even had some heartburn too.  I found it woke me in the middle of the night and I couldn't really go back to sleep either and I had a hard time falling asleep.

I still have a little heartburn and my stomach was a little off when I got out of bed.  My brain feels a little on the foggy side.  I felt good enough to go the gym and lift and run without an issue.  I was still able to have breakfast - but felt gassy afterwards.  I drank dandelion tea and had an extra activated charcoal.

So how am I going to move forward?  Well it's all experimental.  I have limited my nut consumption anyway.  So maybe if it's just for Thursday nights.  I have a peanut butter RxBar to try next, so will see how I react to that one too, but not for a few days.  I haven't gone overboard (more than 3 days) with anything else.  Maybe it was just an overload of things on one day that I have more of a reaction too when I consume them too much- eggs, cassava flour, nuts, coffee.  I had been curious about it.

I think this is one of the times that nothing can be done but waiting it out and maybe being a little more mindful.