“I dropped the baby today…”  Breathe. “He’s okay. He fell on the rug, but I broke his fall.” Silence. I willed myself to finish the story, but I could not, just as he could not answer. More silence, more breathing + nervous glances, and more shame… which in turn, equalled more pain.  

As parents, we all have such stories, but there was an unspoken understanding between my husband and me. His intent was NOT shame, and his innate reaction was not his fault. He knew this wasn’t a common accident nor an incident to be laughed off due to the slip of clumsy hands and gratitude that our son was unharmed. It was added to the growing number of everyday needs and tasks that were out of my control, such as the buttoning of my pants, the ability to drive from point A to B, or the capability to think. I was losing common function and quality of life. In turn, I was loosing hope…

Several years ago, after the birth of my fifth child, I had a health crisis that changed me and how I now approach health + wellness. In truth, it changed how I approach myself, others, and life in general. During this time, I was diagnosed with multiple autoimmune issues + diseases (fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, adrenal + thyroid failure, Hashimoto's disease, and celiac disease to name a few) and told that if I did not begin my pharmaceutical regimen, I would not walk or properly function by the time I was 50.

In the months to come, insert a myriad of other spectrums, future diagnoses and a new life that revolved around the next appointment, therapy, or ability to research each new suggestion. To say the least, I was confused, exhausted, lost, without answers, afraid, and still. in. pain. To this date, it is one of the hardest, loneliest, and most painful struggles I have ever physically experienced, including the birth of five beautiful babies. It changed me, and I am grateful. 

I thought I was healthy and doing all the right things - eating farm to table, getting in all my whole grains, and staying active with my precious little people. Yet my body was in complete revolt with each symptom a screaming red light, as if to warn me of what was to come if something did not change. Each specialist or practitioner had a new jargon and opinion. Thus, the continual searching, grasping + running down every rabbit trail simply trying to find an answer or a reason behind my depleted health. At 33, I found myself looking squarely into my future wondering what life might look like to have a health-professional take care of me and my family, and the weight of even the thought seemed suffocating. Feeling backed into a corner and unaware of my options, I prayed.  

One day the phone rang, and upon looking at the caller ID, I realized it was a dear friend whom I had not spoken to in years. This sweet soul was calling to check on me, and having lost all ability to fake my resilience, I was honest. To my surprise, her response was not simply astonishment, pity, or disbelief. It was empathy. The next hour would be a life line to my weary body & soul. As she shared her personal journey, of which I was only partially aware, she made sure I knew there was hope. I had choices, and she confirmed my desires to try the "non-conventional" natural options and diet change. Then she, Rachel Heppel, being the incredible individual that she is, let me know she would be there for counsel and to listen when I needed help along the way. (I still cannot write or even think about this moment without tears and praise.) I love that Rachel is now a part of the HONEYS in the Hive community serving as a trusted culinary consultant with her mad skills.

I did not take the medications prescribed me for the rest of my life, nor did I listen to the status quo.  I chose to take a different path, and I can't help but ask, what if I hadn’t answered that phone call from a friend who just “happened” to call me? What if I hadn't been stopped by a knowing technician to hear his words of encouragement and suggestion to CHANGE MY DIET rather than fill my prescriptions as I had been counseled? Or what if I wouldn’t have listened to my inner voice + curiosity to seek out stories of others and their experiences via blogs + social media forums so that I may evaluate my options? Where would I be had I not been given the choice + prompting?

Learning from my wellness journey and experiences the past several years I now find myself, not only willing, but passionately compelled to find others in need. (Read further on that here) Pain and chronic illness + disease set me on an unexpected path to not only find and encourage others who have experienced the same, but to find an avenue to educate + advocate for those in the midst of their current trial or better yet, before it has even taken place. It is astonishing how one event can completely change the trajectory of one's pursuits. I find myself continually grateful and humbled by the ability to use the knowledge I have gained for the benefit of helping others, and by doing so I am constantly reminded of the joy that my story matters and my struggle was not in vain.  

With this motivation, we have several resources to help our community with healthy diet change. We focus on changes we believe are of true sustainable benefit. Please take advantage of any and all we have to offer, especially our new NEW - HIVEhealth 1-Week Paleo Meal Plan. This is one of our most asked for resources to date. This little e-book is an excellent start to help those desiring to not only start new healthy habits but begin a healing journey at the price of a $1 a day! (For those wanting a more personal journey, click here to be placed on our wait-list to find out about our personal or group HIVEhealth consultations.)

Why did we choose paleo recipes for our e-book? I chose paleo recipes, because I believe it is the easiest transition from a traditional diet to a healthy lifestyle diet. It allows for natural sweeteners to replace processed sugar, while still giving you the benefit of whole, nutrient rich, non-processed, non-inflammatory food options. For even greater benefits, combine an intermittent fasting approach with our plan!

A FEW DETAILS ABOUT THE E-BOOK:

This 34 page ebook is basically all the resources we included in our HIVEhealth challenges and more offering healthy start charts, a journal/log, prep and planning instructions, grocery + staples lists, and of course, recipes for breakfast and dinner options, with the encouragement to utilize leftovers for lunch and the ease of prep to keep you from getting too overwhelmed with all.the.things. (Changing patterns is difficult! Sign up for info to help here!) If you choose to make all recipes, you will notice their coordination, allowing you to use items of previous recipes to prep for others. (Click here to view sample pages of the ebook.)

Purchase Your New Start Here:

HIVEhealth 1-week paleo meal plan, for only $7.00!

Best, and to wellness,

Andea Beims

DIET CHANGE RESOURCES:

CHOOSE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.  (Everyone is different.  For some it is easiest to choose one regimine and stick to it, for others, they need a little flex with a plan. My personal recommendation is to choose or combine elements of Whole30 and Paleo diets while adding the method of intermittent fasting, especially if seeking weight loss for health benefit. The combined benefits of these approaches is incredible, in my opinion.)

  - Whole 30

  - What is Paleo? (Use our 1-Week Paleo Meal Plan to get started!)

  - What is Intermittent Fasting?

HELPFUL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR PURCHASE: 

Against All Grain: Find inspiration and encouragement in Danielle's heart-felt story and battle with autoimmune issues. Check out her fantastic cookbooks, Against All Grain, Meals Made Simple, Celebrations and Eat What You Love. You won't be disappointed.  

The Paleo Mom:  Here's a mom who knows her way around the kitchen and the science lab. Dr. Sarah Ballantyne is an incredible health advocate who has researched extensively and offered not only detailed science but also practical solutions. Find her thorough and practical books on how to heal autoimmune disease through a paleo lifestyle, Paleo Principles and The Paleo Approach.

Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom- This is a comprehensive guide, leaving out no details, and includes recipes.

And don’t miss our FREE HIVEHEALTH RESOURCES

Credits:

Rachel Heppel, your support and knowledge was a light in a very dark place. I am forever grateful for that fateful phone call and for your story. Find Rachel, her story, her many talents (pastry chef, adventurer, slash musician), and her adorable poodle over on Insta @feedmerachel.

Photos by HIVEhome team-member, Jessica Collins of https://jessicacollins.photography.

Editing, Design Layout + Publishing by Andrea Haney

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