Day One

Some of you may know that Jeremy and I have slowly switched to a paleo-type diet. If you are unsure what “paleo” is- think of “cave people”. All they ate was meat (straight from the animal and without growth hormones), nuts from the earth, and fruits and vegetables (minus the fancy fertilizer and pest sprays). All-natural, hormone-free, cage-free, gluten-free, dairy-free…you name it.

With this, we have also begun taking an all-natural health supplement called Moringa. Moringa Oleifera is a tree native to Asia that produces extremely high amounts of vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids. What’s “extrememly high”? There are ninety-two verifiable cell-ready nutrients produced naturally. You read that right. NINETY-TWO. Here’s a quick gram-for-gram break down:

All that to say, we are gaining more vitamins with every glass of our Moringa drink than we would consuming all the vegetables, fruits and nuts we could stand eating ALL day. We love it!

Today marks Day 1 training to run a 5k. I have downloaded the app “Couch-to-5K” that helps discipline me and track each work out. It’s a nine week program that slowly transforms your body from being one that never ran, to one that is able to run long distances for longer lengths of time, hence the name “Couch-to-5k”. We will work out 3 days a week, gradually running more and walking less with each passing interval of the 30 minute workouts.

Jeremy is doing it with me. Hallelujah! I would not be able to do this alone. Get out of bed at 6am? Heck no. Thank you sweetie, for pulling me out this morning! Together we start and together we end- hopefully through a big red ribbon at the finish line of a race!

Why all the healthy stuff?

Well, to say it plainly. I’ve gotten FAT. Yep. In fact, I’m the largest I’ve been in my entire life. It’s scary stuff! With this, I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, a condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. With the help of an amazing Naturopathic Doctor, we have caught this early enough that it can be reversed. How? Diet and exercise! Oh, and thyroid meds. Being on a Paleo Diet, taking daily nutrients, and exercising every morning should put my body in it’s most healthy condition.

I cannot wait to see the changes! I cannot wait to shop for smaller sizes. I cannot wait to comfortably wear a bathing suit again (CA, here we come!). I cannot wait to look in the mirror and not decide to change my outfit, again. I cannot wait to be able to run FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. I cannot wait to enjoy hiking and outdoor sports with family and friends. And most importantly, I cannot WAIT to feel better physically, and emotionally.

I’ve titled this blog, “Gaining Ground” as a daily goal for myself. Each second of my life will be moving in a direction on a road to better health, spiritual growth, and all-around improved life skills, doing something new each and every day.

Goodbye, old Me!

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**For more amazing information about Moringa, please visit: moringagoodness.com and contact me about trying it for yourself!**

Nourishing Burgundy Beef

I can always trust my mom to find uuhhhmazing new recipes. Haven’t tried this one yet, but it sounds DELISH! I’ll update ya’ll when I make it this week!

Burgundy Beef:

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Clarified Butter or Ghee (from Grass-fed Cows)
• 1/2 cup Sprouted Grain Flour
• 1 lb Grass-finished Beef Stew Meat
• 5 Organic Carrots (Scraped and Chopped)
• 5 Organic Celery Stalks (Chopped)
• 1 lb Organic Mushrooms (Sliced Thin)
• 2 Organic Yellow Onions (Chopped)
• 3-4 Bay Leafs
• Handful Thyme and Marjoram
• 1 tbsp Whole Organic Black Peppercorns
• Unrefined Sea Salt (to Taste)
• Bunch Fresh, Organic Parsley (for Garnish)
• 1 cup Burgundy or Pinot Noir
• 2 cups Homemade Beef Stock

Instructions

1. Melt ghee in pan over medium heat. In the meantime, dredge the beef stew meat in the sprouted flour until well-coated.
2. Brown the stew meat in the ghee, and remove from the pan using a slotted spoon. Place the meat in a covered casserole, clay cooker or oven-safe dutch oven.
3. Fry the mushrooms in the remaining ghee, and pour them plus any leftover fat onto the stew meat.
4. Add vegetables, bay leaf, thyme, marjoram and peppercorns to the casserole.
5. Pour in the wine and beef stock.
6. Bake, covered, at 350 ° F for three hours. Alternatively, you may toss ingredients into your slowcooker and cook for 8+ hours

See the full recipe HERE

So, I’ve started a blog.

This is all so new to me. In fact, it’s taken me nearly 3 hours just to figure out how to make this post. Kidding. But, I have to say that my head started throbbing as I began scrolling through the bazillion options to build this thing. Also, I’m not really a writer. Scratch that- I’m NOT a writer. Plain and simple. Why in the world have I started a blog? I’ve seriously gone crazy.

The way I see it is, life is happening fast. I feel as though moments, whether they be big or small, are slipping right through my fingers in the blink of an eye. I may not write EVERY. SINGLE. DAY, but at least I will be documenting more than I was before. Besides, this will be a good way to share more of my life with family across the states (Hi, Grandma!), more than just a “what’s on your mind?” post or a picture of my lunch on facebook.

Anyways, if you’re reading this, thanks. Thanks for bearing with my terrible grammar and writing skills. Let’s just make everyone else who passed me up think they are REALLY missing out.

Love and hugs,

Shea

About ME

Hello. I’m Shealin Duncan. I am on a lifelong journey to finding a better ME by growing my faith, loving my family, and becoming healthy! Straight out of sunny Arizona, I am happily married to the man of my dreams who swept me off of my feet only a short 4 years ago. We have three cats and a dog, whom you’ll get to know quite well.

I am the proud owner of At Last Events, a vintage focused design and rental company in the wedding industry. It is my true passion; shopping for antiques, and decorating fabulous events from ceremonies, receptions, showers and photography sessions.

My husband and I attend a small non-denominational Christian church called, Cornerstone. There we serve together on the worship team, as well as in the usher ministry. What a blessing it has been in our lives to have found a congregation were we are surrounded by a community of strong believers and wholesome fellowship. Oh, and the doctrine is pretty awesome, too! We are changing each and every day as we seek God’s plan and witnessing His beauty surrounding us.

I have been someone who many might call “a little chubby” or “big-boned” for a good portion of my life. I grew up eating “comfort food” and never worrying about how many calories were in my gigantic bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch (YUM!). I have come to a point in my life were I have found that my old way of living was selling myself short. The realization of a life potentially better has given me the encouragement and motivation to get healthy and create a new body for myself. Now, my goal isn’t to lose a bunch of weight in a short amount of time, only to gain all of it back again in a short 3 months. I’m changing the way I LIVE, expecting results that will last a LIFEtime.

If you read my blog and find inspiration, PLEASE tell me! Come along side of me in your walk with God, jump on the health wagon, or simply enjoy the portraits of my cats, cause there will be many!

Thanks for stopping by!