Why 8 Days in the Hospital Wasn’t Terrible

It was 9 weeks of an autoimmune flare that sparked me to take an uber to the ER.

I was admitted after waiting many hours in extreme pain. I was speaking in tongues while waiting to be seen and put out of my misery. The pain and anguish covered my body from head to toe, inflammation and dehydration debilitating me to sweat and tears.

This was the first time I visited a hospital as a Christian. I brought a 3-day packed bag, because I knew I wasn’t going home, and needed to be restored. I brought my Bible and read it in the ER. A few people came up to me to praise me for reading it, and gave me their phone numbers. I thought, “Well this is nice.”

As I was in the ER section, I met two more fellow Christians, and we connected and became friends. One of them is a transporter and now we speak daily about God and work on our missions together.

As the days went on, every single day, I met another fellow believer in Jesus Christ: the people who took my blood each day, the nurses, the nurses aides, the cleaning crew, and more. Each day God blessed me with love and light from His people.

One day I was praying in a lounge room in tongues. When I was finished a nurse came to me and spoke to me in Portuguese. I looked at her with question, and she asked me where I was from, “Brazil? Portugal? Spain?” I said, “Hi, I’m from California, and I’m not too sure what you said.” She told me I was speaking in Portuguese and Spanish through my tongues, and I had no idea. She translated it back to me and my eyes welled with tears.

I then felt a sense to prophecy to her, and asked her if she had a son. Now her eyes teared up, and said, “Only God could be speaking this, because we have just met.”

I could feel her worry about her child, he was going through something, and God let me know to tell her, everything was going to be okay. It had already been done, in His name. We hugged and cried, and I went back to my bed to rest, full of the Holy Spirit and Awe.

I then began to translate all of my tongues using the Translate App, and began seeing that I really was speaking French, Portuguese, Latin, and Spanish. God works miracles, and He spoke through me, to me, with loving, affirmative messages. “I am with you. I am your best friend. I love you, my daughter, my love. Rest, sit, wait, I am here with you.” It’s amazing, and now we speak everyday through this language.

Each day, the blood tests came back the same. There was no improvement for 7 days and the doctors could not find a cause or trigger. Each day I walked around the floor, singing and praising the Lord, being in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and spreading smiles to the patients and nurses. I spoke to Chaplains, got advice about my journey, and poured my heart out. I knew I would heal because I’ve healed many times before.

Did you know, most people staying in the hospital are quite crabby? God let me know I was a ball of sunshine there to walk around and lighten the moods that week. I was put there on assignment, and He knew I could handle the pain, the IV’s, the testing, and the answers.

On day 8, the numbers changed by about 30% from the first day, showing a slight decrease in inflammation, and the doctor allowed me to go home to heal.

These 8 days were drastically different from the 9 days I spent at the hospital earlier this year, without knowing Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. This time was a time for rest, and time to get closer to God, and to be fully blessed with the speaking of tongues. This time was a time to let me know, let me grow, and let me heal on His time, on His will.

I’m home now and healing day by day. I’ve learned I physically and mentally cannot do a normal job – it always ends up with me sick in the hospital.

I’m going into 100% Full Time Ministry and Teaching of God’s Word. It is my purpose to read, write, learn and teach. It is my duty to spread the Gospel.

Jesus is coming, God Loves Us, and the world needs more Love. Stay tuned for more blogs!

If you’d like to contribute a gift of love to my life and purpose, my cash app is $NixieDee

Learn More About Nixie using LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/nixiewellness

Advocare: What’s All the Buzz About?

I have recently discovered an amazing opportunity that I want to share with you. I work full-time as a passionate, caring, and dedicated personal trainer. If you’re my client, you know I sincerely care about your training, health, and lifestyle. I want to know what you eat, how often you workout, and most importantly why. Well here I am to present you with an opportunity to experience the top-of-the-line supplements. No matter what your goal: more muscle, weight loss, or better wellness, Advocare has a product for you.

I’ve been using them for a month now and feel more appetite control, energy, and have even experienced some weight loss, without adding in anymore exercise than I normally do. I’ve been a firm believer that strict diet and exercise is the answer, but I have been wrong. These supplements really help me and I believe can help you too! You can check out my Trusted Equipment and Supplements page for some specific items, and shop from here.

Advocare isn’t only for the consumer though. You can become a distributor and receive 20% off each order! (And I don’t make money for you simply signing up, so go ahead and get your discounts now!) If you need extra income (like most of us do in this economy) Advocare can allow you to reverse your debt, start a college fund, or even just help pay the bills. I’ve just started and am already making money, and you can too! I’m here to help. I know a lot of my readers, friends, and family turn to me for health and fitness advice. You know I care about you. And I know we all struggle at times with money. We want to work less and make more, but it’s hard. Advocare is about to help me tackle this ordeal, and I believe it can help you too. Just dedicate yourself, or simply sign up for discounts, and you will reap the health and income benefits.

Honestly, I’m not trying to be spammy or “salesy” at all. That’s not me. I never get paid for my reviews of products. Well here I am trying to help you. Contact me today for more details and I’ll help you every step of the way. If you’re in the fitness industry, click this link and watch the video. If you decide to become a distributor, my Distributor ID is 130735500. Let me know what you think!

Thriving Forward In The Kitchen

Clean Food from a Non-Chef, Non-Photographer

I’ve always wanted to try zucchini pasta. I finally dished out the surprisingly low amount for one of these. You can see the awesome veggie-pasta maker above. The Thrive Forward program been reminding me to eat more raw, fresh foods. It has inspired me to use my Vitamix daily, boil some quinoa, and eat less wheat. I haven’t started sprouting yet, but I do have my own organic herb garden growing! The pasta above is mostly raw, minus the silken tofu. I was searching for an oil-free pesto because I try and follow the Forks Over Knives philosophy of not eating oils, or keeping them to a minimum. I actually looked at a few vegan pestos and then made up my own. (Recipe below.)

Oil-Free Avocado Pesto & Raw Zucchini Pasta
Recipe

1 avocado, small and ripe
1 oz basil (1 pack)
1 cup parsley
1/2 cup silken tofu
dab of ground garlic (mine is in a squeezy tube)
juice of 1/4 lemon
sprinkle of sea salt
sprinkle of vegan parmesan, optional

One zucchini

1) Place all ingredients, except the zucchini, in a Vitamix or Food Processor. Leave on for 5-10 minutes, stirring down sides as needed. I used the Vitamix stirring tool to keep things going. If it’s not moving, add more lemon juice.

2) As it is churning around on low, turn your zucchini into pasta. If you don’t have the pasta machine, use a vegetable peeler to make thin strips.

3) Stir it all together and eat… or cover and refrigerate for dinner, or lunch the next day. Enjoy!

The entire bowl of pasta is under 300 calories! I’m proud of this recipe and it is all clean and organic! =D

*The calories include all of the ingredients listed, including the zucchini.*

Soon after, I went on to making these cookies.

2013-01-20 20.38.55 — I need to start using my expensive camera. Dang blurry phone pics!

Personally, my boyfriend and I wouldn’t call these cookies. They are more like little bundles of yumminess, but not a cookie. They are gluten-free and don’t contain any flour. You could honestly eat the dough for breakfast or dessert, without even cooking it. It’s great, but not a typical “cookie” dough form. I bought some coconut flour on sale today, so maybe my next cookie dough will look/taste more like a wheat cookie.

The main ingredient in these “cookies” is quinoa. Freshly-cooked plain quinoa, quinoa flakes, and bananas make up the bulk of this dough. It truly is guilt-free. Look at the Nutrition Facts. I measured each cookie out with a tablespoon measuring spoon.

How To Have A Good-Health Day

Start with alkaline.

First things first. Drink some water. Not just plain water, but a water that will alkalize your body, readying it for nutrients. Add the juice of half a lemon to a glass of water, warmed if possible. Add an herbal tea bag or some dried Goji berries to go the extra flavor mile.
Why? Alkalinity is related to Ph balance. Your digestive system is the main center of your immune system. When your body is alkaline, bacteria, viruses, indigestion, and pain have a hard time surviving. The more alkaline you are, the healthier you are. Lemon may seem acidic, but it actually turns alkaline in your body. Anything that is fresh and plant-based is alkalizing to your body. Processed foods, junk foods, and sugar are acidic. Avoid at all costs!

Hit the road with protein.

The best way to get your hunger under control is to start the day with some plant-based protein. Protein takes longer to digest, and increases your satiety (fullness factor). I suggest a VegaOne shake or smoothie. VegaOne has 50% of your vitamins and minerals, 15g of protein, 6grams of fiber, 1.5 grams of Omega 3’s, Antioxidants, Probiotics, and greens. Plus, it has the super foods chlorella and maca! You won’t only feel full until lunch, but energized and happy. Blend half a frozen banana, one scoop VegaOne, and 12oz unsweetened almond milk or water. If you’re in a rush, you can simply mix a scoop of VegaOne and 8oz water in a to-go BlenderBottle. (Do this at night for a grab-n-go.) The berry flavor of VegaOne is best mixed with water -and nothing else. Vanilla Chai and Chocolate are great with water, or the banana and non-dairy milk.

Why? A mid-morning munchie attack before lunch time can sabotage your calorie count and weight loss efforts. It can also mean snacking on vending machine junk or the cake in the back office. Sound familiar? Candy-dish diving is just going to make you hungrier and grumpier. Be sure to get a smoothie.
Why plant-based? Whey protein digests very quickly and can bloat you. Many people have dairy-sensitivities, which is where whey comes from. VegaOne doesn’t only provide you with protein and satiety- you get most of the greens, vitamins, probiotics, and minerals you need for the rest of the day. Now that’s a good start!

Pack security.

You may have forgot to pack a lunch. You may be invited to go out to a staff lunch. And you will be tempted with that staff pizza party. If you want to be free from guilt, and health-insured, pack some security. I suggest a home-made trail mix, piece of fruit+raw almonds, or non-dairy greek yogurt. Bananas, oranges, and apples are year round fruits that are very purse-friendly. Raw almonds are full of fiber and protein; only a handful will sustain your hunger until you get home. When fruit and almonds are paired together, you will get a healthy dose of carbs, good fats, and protein. Non-dairy greek yogurt, made from coconut milk (Delicious!) is also full of protein and fibers. Plus, it tastes sinful but is actually very good for you.

For more information:

Alkalinity: http://thriveforward.com/lesson/assessing-your-ph/
Plant Protein: http://thriveforward.com/lesson/clean-eating-101-lesson-3/
Snack Security: http://thriveforward.com/lesson/clean-eating-101-lesson-4/

Inspire

It takes the smallest word, picture, film, or person to inspire someone to do something great. I dream of being that inspiration for you. It makes me ecstatic to know that I inspired someone to do one thing healthier, pick up a new health food, or even eat a vegetarian meal. Something that has inspired me lately is the Thrive Forward program, which I wrote about here.

I look at plenty of other health, fitness, and wellness sites and find that the personal weight loss stories get the most views. The front page is usually a set of before, during, and after photos of the girl and the website is full of how she lost the weight. People want to know exactly how the person did it: What did they eat? How did they exercise? What supplement did they take? Did they use a weight loss pill, green coffee bean, or ketones? Did they lift weights or do cardio?

That reminds me. People always think that weight lifting and cardio have to be different. They can’t be in the same move or exercise…yet they can! For example, Kettle Bell workouts are weight lifting/strength training and great cardio. You build muscle and get your heart rate to skyrocket. Don’t get stuck wondering if you should be lifting weights or running. Combine moves, use multiple muscle groups, and stay at a medium-fast pace. For example, hold weights and do a squat+ shoulder press. Do them quickly for your high heart rate, and use a heavy weight for the strength. Hint: The higher your heart rate, the more calories you burn, the more weight you lose.

It’s great that people visit these sites and want to know these stories. But I must tell you some truth: What worked for that girl, may not work for you. Any new lower-calorie diet and exercise is going to make you lose weight, but sustainability is what you should be focusing on. What is going to work for you for the rest of your life? What is a type of exercise you love that feels like play?

Personally, I love working out…except most of the time I hate running! I know, I know, a trainer who hates running?! But that doesn’t mean I don’t love dancing, kickboxing, cycling, or any other type of heart-racing activity. I don’t enjoy pounding the pavement or treadmill unless I’m racing someone, doing it for a good cause (Fundraising), or if I’m super stressed (Fight or Flight, right?). If I’m stressed out, angry, or sad- I’ll be glad to sprint on a treadmill for an hour. But most of the time I’m happy, humble, and carefree, and I enjoy doing other sorts of exercises…

It’s okay if you hate something, you don’t have to be obligated to doing that thing. As a Personal Trainer I find out what you love to do, and cater your exercise around that. If you want a personalized workout, contact me. 🙂 I’d be happy to help you! First timers are always free.

My goal is to inspire you, so let me know what you want to see. Do you want to see personal stories? My workouts? My daily food? (I post a lot of that on Twitter!) Tell me if you’d like some help. Don’t be shy. I won’t judge you.

Best Health,

Nicole

That Hole You’re In? It Ain’t All That Mighty!

Dear Reader,

Don’t let your current struggle define who you are. Don’t let it define your entire life. Are you overweight? Depressed? Jobless? Or just can’t find your place yet in this world? Don’t worry, it’s not so hard to climb out of that hole.

You are a wonderful person. You work hard. You mean well. And you speak your mind. You’re not afraid to be you. So whatever has got you down, know that it’s only for a limited time.

It’s not permanent.

We can always change our circumstances.

All it takes is a little dedication and work to get out of this hole. Learn what it takes, whether it be a lifestyle change, a new way of eating, a new way of connecting to others, a novel approach to your dream career, or even starting a new hobby. Create something with your hands. Go for a walk. Gaze at the stars. Write a poem.

Don’t simply sit around and let this hole be a sinking sand. You are better than this hole. You are the shovel. You are the ladder that drops down into it. You are the rungs that support your weight. You are the ground in which the hole is dug. I am the hand reaching down to help you out. Grab hold. Now show that hole who’s boss and get out of it, fill it with cement, and never go back.

Love,

Nicole

Mindful Living

We all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life.

Wake up.

Get Ready.

Go to work.

Come Home.

Eat Dinner.

Workout.

Sleep.

What ever order you do it in, it’s over and over again, day by day, week by week, and before we know it, it’s all over. That is why I’m here to say:

Slow down.

Take a moment to breathe, listen, and refresh your mind. Yes, we may “relax” by going on Facebook or Pinterest, reading the news, or watching T.V. but those are not refreshing our mind set and letting us live in the moment. A great way to just shut everything out and focus on YOU for a moment is belly breathing.

It is a technique of breathing that slows down your whole body, turns off your fight or flight system (sympathetic nervous system), and lets your body find time to digest, heal, and wind down. Honestly, I don’t do this too often and really should do it more, but I suggest doing it at least once a day for 15 minutes.

Where To Do It

Anywhere! Do it where you are now – standing, sitting, lying down, driving – anywhere you are. Stop and belly breathe!

I like to do it right when I’m ready to go to sleep. It helps turn off my brain, let my body relax, and let me have a better sleep.

How To Do It

Pretend your stomach is a red balloon. Put your hands on and feel it. As you breathe in, you push your stomach muscles out, slowly inflating that red balloon, until is about to burst. And then you slowly breathe out your nose, letting it all deflate. You want your muscles and breath to be synchronous (in motion together). They are flowing, in and out, as slow as possible. Make sure you push ALL the air out of the balloon before you let any new air in.

Imagine fresh air coming in to be positive vibes, positive thoughts, dreams, wishes, and smiles. The air going out is negative thoughts, worries, stresses, and tasks of the days. Really suck all that positive air in, fill that great balloon. And sincerely push all that negative out of your life, deflating your red balloon.

Continue until you feel relaxed, your muscles wilt, and your mind is free.