I’ve got a vacation hangover,  which, despite how it may sound has nothing to do with alcohol. I was on such a glowing, natural high over my 4th of July holiday.  My partner in crime (hubby Craig) and I loaded up the car headed to Prescott. WOW! We stayed at a mountaintop cabin, where Mother Nature entertained us with her symphony of bird songs and canvas of incredible vistas.  The only thing that could be heard above the bird chirps was the click of my camera. I could not stop taking pictures of the birds nibbling at the feeders. We even had a special visitor one morning, a deer.

Fast forward the clock; and it’s back to reality; I’m writing to you at café on lunch break at work.  I’m not on vacation anymore and neither is my Multiple Sclerosis.  For some reason, I woke up depressed, which is nothing new for an MSer or anyone else coming off a vacation hangover.  Do you ever feel that way?

This life is a FIGHT but I am determined to win. I fight to be happy every day. MS has taken a lot from me but I’m not letting it steal my happiness or my gratitude. I have a lot to be thankful for! I have my vision. I can walk. I have so many great people who love me, including my amazing husband!!! (Triple exclamation points for this guy.)  Tonight I am going to one of my MS Support group meetings and I’m very happy Craig is coming with me.  I know the meeting will help cure my vacation hangover.

Good morning world let’s do this thing! Today has been a really wonderful day.  Aren’t endorphins amazing? I made a delish smoothie complete with (kale, carrots, banana, some other fruit, splash of tomato juice, coconut milk and protein powder).

Here's why your body will love you for Elana's Jubilant Juices!

Ingredients: 
Use berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries) for their antioxidant properties. 
Use kale & spinach because hey, they're great for the body- packed with vitamins and kind to the digestive track.
Use coconut milk or almond milk because it's better on my intestines than dairy.
Use some tomato juice for added vitamins.
Use Turmeric because it reduces inflammation.
Use organic carrots because they are packed with vitamins and give the smoothie great flavor/texture.
Use bananas for potassium and they make for great consistency.

I rewarded my power packed breakfast with a trip to the gym!  Take that MS!

I’m now in a committed relationship with the gym. We’re a pretty good team. Yesterday was my first day off in 15 days! Yahoooo!!  I don’t want this to turn into a co-dependent thing so I hope she forgave me for taking a break yesterday. Today I’m back at it, releasing endorphins and feeling a-okay on the bike! Yes, I am officially now one of those people who blogs from their work-out bike!! At least I’m not one of those people talking on the phone while running on the treadmill!! Hahahha

Friday I decided to ignore my body and go a little too hard at life, which is why I took the break yesterday. I felt incredible all day and then my MS hit me like a ton of bricks in the evening. Jerk. Craig and I went shopping and he even asked me before-hand if I could handle it… (“Of course I can handle it!!” Although I do have a history of over extending myself, as I find most of us women do.)   Thank God I had a handi-cart at the store because by the time I got home, my stinkin’ legs refused to work. (Quite rude of my legs if you ask me…) Craig even had to go inside the house and get my wheel chair so I could make it to bed.

Sunday however, is a new day! I decided to celebrate this new glorious day with one of my signature smoothies. Have I mentioned my magnificent juicing abilities yet? Well, I totally need a juicing gig because I’ve really stepped up my game since this last relapse started. I make a mean, delicious, totally nutritious smoothie and I can’t go a day without juicing. The days I skip it I feel a negative difference. This morning’s model had spinach, celery, kale, frozen banana pieces unsweetened coconut milk, splash of cranberry juice, a few drops  of stevia and whey protein powder. Ahhh, I can see the sign to my shop now “ Elana’s Jubilant Juices.” Until next time… 

Hi there, my name is Elana.  Welcome to my life!  I, like many of you am on a health and happiness quest (Who doesn't want more sunshine and rainbows right?)  Just consider me your go-to cave woman (err Paleo guinea pig) on a quest to cure my Multiple Sclerosis. Exhale. It feels good to say that out loud. It took 15 years after first being sick with MS, but at 35 years old, I'm finally beginning to acknowledge my diagnosis as I channel all of my MS Warrior strength to live as positively as I can. I'm blessed to have an amazing husband, Craig (whom I'll blog about later) who actually bought me the book that inspired this Paleo path: The Wahl’s Protocol, by Dr. Terry Wahl’s. I am by no means saying this is the cure all to chronic illness and while everyone's journey is different, it doesn't hurt to explore your options beyond synthetic drugs.  I’m working with an amazing doctor who is guiding me and I will candidly share my insights during this interesting ride. Disclaimer: This is not the time to start feeling sorry for me.  I've got plenty of rainbows and sunshine to go around!  Don't get me wrong- I too have my difficult MS days (Because MS= More Sh** or Memory Shot), but no one is immune to bad days right?  So my hands and legs are numb since this last relapse- BIG DEAL!  I am not about to let a little numbness stop me.  What I ask of you is to start looking at your own health and happiness triggers. Let's come to the table and all eat raw fruits and veggies together!