About Us

I started Healthy in the Heartland as a way to document my journey toward a more healthy lifestyle.  I have always been interested in health and wellness although I may not have always made choices as such.  After spending 10 years in the Food and Beverage industry (and eating in a restaurant 5 or 6 days a week for at least one meal, if not 2) I have now spent the last 8 years trying to eat from home as much as possible.  Exercise / working out have been a large part of what I would refer to as my adult life but it has come in waves.  There have been times when I would work out 6 days a week for an hour a day and there have been times when I have not worked out at all.  I have done step aerobics, spinning classes, running, yoga and pilates and most recently, Jillian Michaels 3 days a week.

Both my husband and I believe in alternative medicine and vitamin supplements.  We also embrace that there is a time when Western medicine must enter into the equasion.  Like when we embarked into the world of ART 4 years ago - a story I will save for another post. 

I went gluten free in February 2013 after my self-diagnosis of being gluten intolerant.  I don't feel I have Celiac Disease, I simply do not tolerate gluten.  I tried being what I refer to as "Gluten Lite" for 2 years but that did not work for me.  Since going completely gluten free I feel so much better!  What do I mean by "feel better"?  I feel I have a clearer mental outlook and can stay focused for longer periods of time, the feelings of being bloated or gassy after I eat have declined drastically and my digestion has improved (I would go DAYS without a BM).  My body composition has changed as well although I cannot give that credit to going G-free.  I have also started my work out routine again, have switched to Almond Milk from Cow's Milk and reduced dairy down to cheese on my scrambled eggs.  I am someone who benefits from the endorphins that come with working out so I know that has helped with the mental outlook.  I can't say as though I have really lost much in terms of weight but I'm not a scale watcher; I rely on how my clothes fit.  For the sake of this blog I did my weigh myself:  I am 5'7 and weigh 123 lbs.  If I had to guess I would say the above probably improved my weight by 10 lbs.

Since going G-free I have not experienced a change in my complexion and this was one area I was desperately hoping would improve.  Just as with my work out's my complexion has had it's up's and down's over the years.  I have had moments when my skin was beautiful and I never had to wear make-up and other's when I don't want to leave my house without make-up on.  I am currently going through the latter and have been for the past 6 months.  I am also still suffering with stomach pains after I eat something that is G-free.  Which brings me to today:  Day One of going Grain Free 

I can't say as though I am excited about this new challenge but do feel I need to make an effort to see if I experience a difference.  So what am I going to eat today you ask?  With my job I have days that I work from home and today happens to be one of those so it will be much easier.

Breakfast - Whey protein shake and scrambled eggs with raw spinach, cheddar cheese and tomatoes
Lunch - Spinach salad with Nitrate free shaved ham, carrots, slivered honey almonds and balsamic vinegar
Dinner - Chicken with peppers and onions seasoned with salt and pepper (my G-free version of fajitas) topped with avacado and pico de gallo

I am also introducing a new vitamin supplement protocol today.  Youngevity by Dr. Wallach.  My husband has been a distributer of these products and been taking them for years.  I was taking these all through my IVF years and while breastfeeding my son however, I slowly got away from taking them.  Not sure why, I just did.  I'm keeping it real here folks!

Here is my supplement protocol:
1 scoop in the morning of Tangy Tangerine with 3 EFA's, 2 HGH and 3 Ocean's Gold
1 scoop in the evening of Tangy Tangerine with 3 EFA's,2 HGH and 3 Ocean's Gold

I plan to post as much as possible regarding my meal plans as well as recipes, successes and failures.  I hope you enjoy following along!