Five Observations: Jazz Hands and All

What’s up, my friends? I hope this blog post finds you well. I wanted to stop by to tell you what’s up over here in Paleo Partridge Land – me, in that picture. Literally. And, well, figuratively too because I’m positively jazzed (jazz hands and all) about how wonderful I’m feeling again thanks to AIP!

I can’t believe it’s been a month since I shared with you my one-week-AIP-reset update. Time flies when the summer graces us with its “honey breath” (bless Shakespeare for fabulous phraseology), doesn’t it? Anyway, I thought to myself, “This is indeed a fine summer we’re enjoying, but it’s high time I share some of my recent observations on my journey to wellness.”

I’ve been far more reflective about my healing process, so I’ve made loads of observations recently, but for now I’ll just share five points with you.

1. I’m not talking “reset” anymore. This last month has made it abundantly clear to me that AIP is my go-to, my lifestyle. This means, basically, that I have no intention of attempting formal reintroductions any time soon – indefinitely, in fact.

2. However, I acknowledge and reward the healing that has taken place in my body by indulging in a little good, old Treat-Yo-Self, as I did on my fellah’s birthday last month. (And that delectable piece of paleo Hummingbird Cake didn’t disappoint!)

3. Liver is the bomb! I made a goal to diligently eat more liver to combat chronic anemia and doing so has resulted in an overall sense of improved wellbeing. (By the way, here are my two favourite pate recipes: Mickey Trescott’s Bacon-Beef Liver Pate with Rosemary and Thyme and The Primalist’s Blueberry Balsamic Liver Pate(I use chicken livers for that one)).

4. Never, ever ignore the brain-gut connection. This is a tough one for me, but psychoneuroimmunology is the real deal. None of us – but, my goodness, especially not autoimmune warriors! – can afford to allow unbridled negativity to jeopardize our health. It’s taken me many years to overtly confront the link between damaging thoughts and increased Crohn’s symptoms, and while I look back and often feel sad or irritated at all the times I let anxiety and stress get the better of me and my large intestine, I’m relieved that I’m finally in a place that acknowledges and respects the power of my thoughts. I struggle with getting a handle on anxiety and stress, but I’m proud of myself for finally making a clear connection and doing everything I can to avoid flare-ups as result of my thought patterns.

5. I’m prioritizing sleep. I’ve always been one to go to bed early and aim for no less than eight hours of sleep per night, but now I’m endeavouring to improve my sleep quality. I turn off all electronic devices an hour before bed, and half an hour before bed I read, rather than watch TV, as a way to unwind. (I don’t know about you, but TV gives me a bad case of ants-in-the-pants!)

So there they are — five of my recent observations nicely laid out for you in point form (lest things get too ramble-y). Individually, these five points aren’t particularly profound. But collectively they’re potent in that they allow for an examination. That is, they allow me to examine and tweak my steps accordingly. After all, one’s journey to wellness is certainly never uncomplicated. We never journey on neat, tidy, well-paved paths. But the journey always begins with a single step. Or five, in this case. Just remember to take those steps with a full heart. Oh, and with jazz hands. Jazz hands make everything better. Namaste, Lovelies!