Do Something Every Day That Scares You!!!....YES PLEASE!

I am not used to doing things that are outside my comfort zone at all, well i mean, not anymore that is!. Or at least not without someone i feel close to.THAT is going to change!! A lot of things have happened that a lot of my readers will know about already. (look on the right column for my history reading)
 I feel that since challenging myself and promising to make myself better through diet and succeeding!!
 I now feel I need to take the next step.... so that brings me to the sign above that i came across randomly online it is a quote said by Eleanor Roosevelt;

" Do One Thing Every Day That Scares You  "

By Eleanor Roosevelt

I thought "YES" this is what i need to do, I need to push myself further! I need to get out there and get myself back, get my life back!, I felt ashamed thinking that I haven't done anything without anyone being there at the end, nothing alone, except for the normal every day things for nearly 4 years....I was shocked too, 4 Years of my life, wow. 

Its amazing how Endometriosis, or any illness that traps you for that matter, restricts you and turns you into a scared little hermit that pushes everyone away, because... well i have a couple of ideas why it might be, maybe its being ashamed that you have no idea what is going on with your body, that you cant control it for yourself anymore, that no one understands it either, your constantly made to feel like your to blame for your pain and feel like a hypochondriac nearly 100% of the time, you feel lost, you feel that your life is vanishing and everyone that was once apart of that, you feel like a prisoner in your own body, you now have no confidence and have become the insecure needy one, the pain is now your best friend that you cant get rid of no matter how hard you try....the list goes on. 

Anyway bringing it back to the quote.... I was reading Womens Health and came across an advert to apply to an event in London on the 21st September for Always Infinity Pads to take part in Barrecore & Anti-Gravity Yoga, What a better start to 'do something that scares me' than an event on my own! all alone!, to be honest this scared me to the core and i nearly bottled it a million times over! 

I heard back with an email stating that all the places had been filled and my heart sank a bit but i also felt a little relieved that i didn't have to scare myself by doing something new and alone. (what a chicken)

A week later, I was getting excited about starting exercising and getting toned, going on long walks and challenging myself further and further to get out there. Then I get an email inviting me onto the event as a space had opened up! WOOHOO, I was super excited! I arranged transport with megabus....(WHY??! I should have learnt from my university days) 

My Sample never came so i didn't get to sample the product before going to the event, actually I never did get to sample the product! how bizarre.  

As I mentioned my Endometriosis pain is so much better from where it was in 2010, allowing me to venture into the future with my head high, its taken quite some time to get to this place, being able to read your body is very very important, knowing your limits and what effects your body takes time and a lot of trial and error.

Now there is another thing that i need to work on, my fitness! I am what you could call a dabbler when it comes to exercising, No matter how much warming up i do my recovery is a little snail like, I tend to jump into everything whole body first and push too far too soon, think its to do with everyone telling me to take it easy. So I will share with you my ventures of the great out doors and new mini adventures too so you too can embark on them with me. 

I hope you enjoy them and can get out too with the help of the endometriosis diet HERE, and the many recipes I have created to help you get going.

You WILL get there, Don't give up!

I love you all thank you for all your support!!

x x x

Motivation & Positivity Questionnaire Answers Features: Jenny Statham x Plus Recipes x

Motivation & Positivity Questionnaire Answers Features: Jenny Statham

Recipe inspired by Jenny's Answers Below:

Vegan Non soya Hazelnut Caramel Latte

*What keeps you motivated? (To do exercise or the diet)

the thought of not letting something beat me. i admit it is hard especially when you feel really hormonal and emotional but now i know that exercise and diet (no milk) works for me, i try extra hard to keep going. i have always been interested in fitness and i feel like while ever it helps me i will try to keep going! The no milk thing has been fairly easy - i substitute for Soya ( i know this does not work for everyone) I also limit my wheat intake - i have not been able to cut it out completely yet! 

*Can you give me one positive thing/thought that having endo has taught you that you didn't do before?
it has taught me that you are stronger than you think. even at your lowest point there is always some one worse off than yourself and you should be grateful for what you do have. i am so thankful every time i wake up after an op, even though i am in pain - at least you have woken up. Women are fighters.

*what is your go to thing that will make you instantly happy every single time you do/go to/have/are with it? 

a hot water bottle! and of course having a cup of tea (soya milk style!) 

*If you could give advise/motivation to a fellow endo sister what would it be?

Let endo define you - as a fighter not a victim.

Be the lawyer who has endo - not the endo sufferer who is a lawyer 
*One thing/person that is inspirational to you and why? 

All my endo sisters are a constant inspiration to me - some are further along this journey and others just starting but knowing what they are going through is an inspiration. 

(I will also say Beyonce! as she is my hero! she defines strength in women and belief in being yourself . )

*What is your favourite exercise to do that you find eases your endo pain? 

depending on how bad my pain is - normally i like body combat ( it helps relive a lot of stress and anger and also makes you feel strong) for that 1 hour you are a fighter. 

if my pain is bad i like yoga - this can help muscle spasms relax

i also like dancing just because it is fun and makes me feel "normal" 

*And finally have you a favourite endo friendly recipe you'd like to share that makes you feel great? 

i haven't tried any food recipes but i do like a Hazelnut Soya Latte :) 

Your name: (whatever you want to be known as) Jenny Statham
Your websites: twitter/fb/website @jenjenxxx2013

Recipe inspired by Jenny's Answers

Vegan Non-Soya Non-Caffeine Hazelnut Caramel Cinnamon Latte

Endometriosis Safe

Ingredients:

100ml Hazelnut Milk

2  heaped Tsp Prewetts Organic Instant Chicory Coffee
3 Tsp hot water

1 Tin Coconut Milk (Refrigerated over night) 

Squirt of Caramel or Agave
Sprinkle of Cinnamon
Makes: 2

If you want caramel then your can make it here: Caramel  For sauce add some coconut milk to the caramel and heat it gentle and stir. 

Now separate the cream from the top of your refrigerated tin of coconut milk into a bowl.

  Next pour the milk and hazelnut milk into a sauce pan and heat on a medium heat until hot.

 If you like your latte sweet then add a squirt of agave nectar to the milk before putting it in your blender.

Pour the heated milk into your blender and whizz for 10 seconds.

Pour 3/4 of the milk and place the foam on top until its nearly to the top.

Tap the glass on the side to burst the bubbles to make the foam thicker.

Mix together your chicory and hot water into a measuring jug or pouring jug.

Pour your chicory coffee on top of your foam. 

now squirt either your agave nectar or caramel and sprinkle with cinnamon.

(For Squirting your caramel: take a freezer bag pour your caramel sauce into the bag and cut a little hole in one of the sides at the bottom. just like a pipping bag... Alternatively you can just scoop up a spoon full of sauce and drizzle the sauce on top.)

Yummy! just what you need in autumn.

x x x

Mushroom & Mustard Pasta Bake

Mushroom & Mustard Pasta Bake

 Vegan, Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Rice Free, Refined Sugar Free, Red Meat Free, Soya Free, Egg Free, Dairy Free, Lactose Free.

Ingredients:

2 Tbls Fine Cornmeal

200ml Dairy Free Milk

1 Heaped Tbls Pure Sunflower Spread

2 or 3 Handfuls of Gluten/Egg/Wheat free pasta  (buckwheat/corn/amaranth)

1 Tbls Seeded Mustard 

1 Tsp Vegan Bouillon Stock

2 Tbls Nutritional Yeast

3 Chestnut Mushrooms

Sprinkle of dried parsley 

 Pre-heat your oven to Gas Mark 5.

Follow the directions on your pasta packet and put the pasta onto cook whilst you make the roux.

To make the roux;

In a pan mix your pure spread, milk and cornmeal together on a low to medium heat.

Keep stirring.

The mixture will thicken, if the mixture is too thick add a little more milk and stir.

Now turn the heat off and add your stock, 1 Tbls of the nutritional yeast and mustard to your roux.

Now your pasta should be just about ready, pour your roux onto your pasta.

and mix.

Place your pasta mixture into a casserole dish.

Chop your chestnut mushrooms into slices.

Now spread them over the pasta.

Put your dish into your pre-heated oven for 15 minutes.










Now sprinkle the final 1 Tbls on top of the mushrooms and pop the dish back into the oven for 10 minutes until golden brown.


Sprinkle with dried parsley.

Enjoy!

x x x 

Marie Rose Sauce (Seafood Sauce)

Marie Rose Sauce (Seafood Sauce)

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Rice Free, Refined Sugar Free, Red Meat Free, Soya Free, Egg Free, Dairy Free, Lactose Free.

"It has slightly more of a tangy taste than the normal mayo and tomato paste/sauce version"

Ingredients:

120ml Hot Water

1/2 Tsp Mace 

1/2 Tsp Smoked Paprika

1/2 Tsp Paprika

2 Tsp Ground Flax Seeds or Ground Chia Seeds

3.5 oz Raw Cashew Nuts

1 Tbls Cyder Vinegar

1 Tbls Balsamic Vinegar

2 Tsp Agave Nectar

2 Tbls Fresh Lemon Juice

2 Tsp Dill Seeds

7 Cloves of Roasted garlic or 2 Crushed Garlic cloves

1 Carrot

2 Dates

1/2 Red Onion

1/2 Tsp Rock Sea Salt

7 Pink Peppercorns 

If you are roasting your garlic for this sauce.
Put your oven on gas mark 5, pop your garlic bulb onto a baking tray and into the oven for 30 minutes.

Your garlic should look gorgeously roasted.

Take each clove and easily peel their skins from them, and put them into the vitamix/blender ready for blending the sauce.

Now add all the dry ingredients.

And all the wet to the vitamix/blender.

Blitz until completely smooth.

If the sauce is too thick for your liking, feel free to just add more water and blend again.

The sauce isn't pink like marie rose sauce, you can easily make this pink by adding some beetroot juice, add a little bit at a time to make it your preferred colour.

Lovely with salads, used as a dipping sauce, use it instead of mayo for a tangy tuna pasta.....

x x x

Motivation & Positivity Questionnaire Answers Features: Amanda Small x Plus Recipes x

Motivation & Positivity Questionnaire Answers Features: Amanda Small

Recipe Inspired by Amanda Small's Answers Below:
Raw Pineapple Cheesecake

Amanda Small is our new Yoga Journey inspirational blogger CLICK HERE to see her intro into Yoga experience and how you could get into it too, Here are her Motivational & Positive answers!

*what is your go to thing that will make you  instantly happy every single time you do/go to/have/are with it?

My boyfriend and Yoga!! I would love a dog but I am away from the house for too long most days. Maybe when I retire.

*Can you give me one positive thing/thought that having endo has given you?

I am far more spiritual these days since eating correctly and taking note of what's more important in life. Staying calm and stress free is so important to everyone, especially throughout ill health.

*What keeps you motivated?

Yoga has changed me. It keeps me calm & focused.  It has relieved my pelvic pain and helped my sex life tremendously.  As you are all aware, endo really does put the dampener on our sex lives.  

*What is your favourite excersize to do that you find eases your endo pain?

I do hot (Bikram) yoga classes 3 times a week & follow a dvd at home when I'm not feeling up to leaving the house.  My boyfriend does the dvd with me. I have to skip during my first couple of painful days of my period. The diet helps keep me energised & decreases my aches and pains.  A good detox like the 9 day detox by Patrick Holford or Beat candida through diet by Gill Jacobs helps kick me in to shape if anything bad for endo passes my lips by mistake or from when I've not wanting to offend.  I really notice the pelvic pain, nausea, headaches and fatigue when I've had something I shouldn't. It's been a process of elimination over the last 2.5 years. Endo has encouraged such a healthy life style I may not have entered without it. I used to be a party animal. I would binge drink, smoke & stay up late. I am far more wholesome now. 

*One thing/person that is inspirational to you and why?
I have a very lovely & supportive boyfriend who inspires me to do all the things that make me feel good.  He's encouraged and supported the diet and yoga and is always behind me 100 % in all I do to improve my healthy body and mind. I have started a nutrition online learning course which he is also learning from via my waffling's. I am really enjoying learning new stuff. 

My other inspirations are Josephine Eliza, Melissa Tuner (Endo Angels) and my Yoga instructor.

*If you could give advise/motivation to a fellow endo sister what would it be?
Yoga is definitely the one thing I would advise an endo sister to do, even if it's at home using a dvd. You can do it at your own pace and it really helps the aches, pains,  stress,  depression, mind  clarity....the list is endless.  I've done the relaxation part of the dvd when I've been too ill to do a full session. Its helped me switch off from the pain.  Me and my boyfriend have a giggle when doing this & is good bonding time for us. 

*And finally have you a favourite endo friendly recipe you'd like to share that makes you feel great?
I am loving smoothies right now. I mix all sorts in them from chia seeds or raw cacao nibs for antioxidants and protein and use coconut milk or hazelnut milk with a teaspoon of coconut oil for good fats. I also add a teaspoon of cinnamon if I fancy a bit of a kick. Pineapple is my fave fruit right now as it seems to help a lot with inflammation. Also, I've done some nice home made fish cakes and curries that have been mild and worked well. Food is getting fun again! Thank god for blenders!!

Recipe inspired by Amanda's Answers:

Raw Pineapple Cheesecake Chocolate Surprise

Makes 3 Little Cheesecakes

Ingredients:

Base:

7 Brazil Nuts

9 Dates

Moat Filling:

2.5oz Cashews

3 heaped Tbls Cold-pressed Virgin Organic Coconut Oil

5oz Pineapple

2 Tsp Vanilla Paste
Chocolate Filling:
2 Tsp Carob Powder
100ml coconut milk
Topping:
1 Refrigerated Tin of Coconut Milk ( The thick top)
1 Tsp Vanilla Paste
6 Pieces of Pineapple 

Pop your dates and brazil nuts into your vitamix.

Blend slowly and gradually pick up the pace to a higher speed.

Blitz until they stick together.

Line your chosen pots with baking paper.

Spoon equal amounts of the date and brazil nut mixture into your pots and spread them across the bottom to make the base.

To make the hole for the surprise chocolate inside i used a medicine pot covered in cling film you can use a bundle of straws covered in cling film if you haven't go a medicine pot or what ever you have to hand.  

Push your 'pots' gently into your base so they do not float around when you pour the cheesecake mixture into the moat around it.

Now to your vitamix add all of your moat filling ingredients. 

Blitz until smooth.

 

Pour half of the cheesecake mixture into the 'moat' around your chosen cling filmed middle.

Now pop them into the fridge for around 1-2 hours.

Now add your chocolate filling ingredients to your vitamix where the other half of the cheesecake mixture is and blend until combined. 

When your 'moats' have turned solid., pull out the cling filmed pots and pour the chocolate cheesecake mixture into the middle. 

Pop it back into the fridge to let the middle thicken a little.

Now scrape the thick cream topping from the coconut milk tin and stir in your vanilla paste. 

Once the chocolate has thickened a little your can spread your thick coconut cream on top of your cheesecake to hide the chocolate center.

Place your pineapple pieces onto the top, Dust with carob powder if you wish.

Now serve and eat.

x x x