Simple Sunday

I was the only one up for literally hours this morning...love a quiet Sunday with lots of coffee, time to knit...even better new yarn!....and a blustery rain outside. On Pinterest, I came across this image that I love. What a beautiful idea for simple holiday cookies. Love the idea of using vintage crystal glasses as a cookie press. The imprints are enchanting and would look so pretty dusted with confectionery sugar. I believe this photo is from the blog Babes In Boyland. So perfect for the season ahead.

 

Love this!

I've been eating lots  of salads lately which have worked fine with the warm September weather but with October nearly here I need some good, cozy soups that are in line with my gluten free, carb free eating. I love broccoli soup and this recipe from Closet Cooking sounds perfect. Roasted broccoli and garlic, bit of cream and cheddar....great for cooler evenings!

Check out Closet Cooking for this yummy recipe!

Perfect Sunday

I am reading a really great new debut novel. A friend recommended The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell and I'm completely addicted. If you're looking for a good cozy autumn read...you have to grab this book!

With my new clean eating routine...I've read lots about watching your blood sugar and how it relates to inflammation. I've also come across a lot of research suggesting that even diet drinks can cause a spike. So, with that in mind, I've given up diet sodas.....and at first I thought it would be impossible for me. But really I think I just like the carbonation. I've switched to natural seltzers waters and I love them. No sweeteners at all...a really good choice for me. Polar offers a cranberry-lime selection that I just love.

Autumn Arrival

I could do fall all year round. By far my favorite season.....I love the temperature, colors, cozy sweaters...everything. After a super crazy week....today is my quiet day. I'm reading a great book and in the middle of a knitting project. Still keeping gluten, sugar and carb free....my experience with "clean eating" continues to amaze me. My inflammation and pain from frozen shoulder that had consistently plagued me over the last nearly three years (a bit over two years ago it was my left shoulder for twenty or so months. More recently now my right shoulder)  continues now to be virtually nonexistent. My range of motion is slowly returning but my shoulder joint pain disappeared when I gave up gluten and sugar....literally the results were within a day or two...I still cannot believe the difference. Until I experienced this myself, I never really understood the tie in between auto immune disorders, inflammation and gluten. Since altering my eating, I have a lot more energy and I'm sleeping so well at night.

This journey is a lifestyle change for me. I'm at day 32 and I'm down thirteen pounds. Earlier this past week, I happily marched a pair of now far too big jeans out to the garbage tote...I was thrilled! I had worn those jeans to death because I refused to size up even when they were getting far too snug. 

Have a great weekend! xo

New Light

It's been a enlightening month here with so much new. New season ahead....autumn is my favorite. Fresh school year. And an amazing healthy perspective on diet and health. 

First....knitting wise...here's one of two projects I'm currently working on. I love the three yarns I'm working with...so soft and such great variation of texture and tone. I'm about half way done with this long, wrappy scarf.

I've just started a new book recommended over dinner by a friend. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. It's a wonderful novel for long autumn nights of reading.

I haven't posted in a while as I was going through a health situation with inflammation in my shoulder. I was diagnosed, for the second time in three years, with frozen shoulder. This time, my right shoulder joint was completely locked down. Being my prominent arm, the crazy pain and stiffness impacted my knitting, cooking, getting ready in the morning....absolutely everything. This second bout was going on five months when recently a friend at book club asked me if I was gluten sensitive. I had no idea. Since April, I had x-rays, MRI's, acupuncture, physical therapy and a cortisone shot. Nothing helped. But no one spoke to me about my diet or food choices. I had not considered gluten at all. 

I told me friend I would eliminate gluten if she thought there could be a tie in.....I would try anything at this point. I also had two glasses of wine at this point so maybe I was just extra agreeable! The next day I cut out wheat, gluten and sugar. Within two days my pain level dropped to nearly zero. I thought it was probably a fluke but enjoyed my new found comfort. As days went by the pain stayed nearly nonexistent. Slowly now my range of motion is starting to come back. I think that my diet was contributing to inflammation throughout my system. I notice far less puffiness in my face, hands and feet. I cannot describe how much healthier I feel. I will be posing recipe links inline with my new food choices! xo

Amazing Talent

While looking at Pinterest, I came across this dreamy Etsy shop and was completely blown away. This artist creates the most magical doll accessories....her work is just breathtaking! My daughters have a white wooden doll house and these pieces would be such a wonderful addition! Take a peek at the full shop, Taylor Couture, right here.

Knitting By The Lake

Knitting on vacation is one of my very favorite things about summer. I'm going to Lake Placid soon and I grabbed some ShiBui yarn yesterday. I love the combination of mohair and silk. The color is so rich and vibrant. I'm adding to this some yarn I already had.....a great Manos del Uruguay silk blend (30% silk with70% merino extrafine wool.) I'm making a cozy, wide wrappy scarf. xo