Author: timewithjenn

In June, I took a road trip with my kids to visit my parents. I was enjoying the drive, but like most people, I just wanted to get to my destination. On the way, we stopped at a Walmart to get some food, water, and snacks for the week. I was in “let’s get this shopping done so we can get there” mode. I was unaware that a valuable life lesson was about to be learned.

Normally, I’m nice, kind, or patient when salesmen come up to me, but this time was different. As I heard a salesman talking to a lady by her car next to me,  I was putting my items in my car and thought “He better not talk to me”. It didn’t help that on a previous thought and day I had already made up my mind that the next time some random strange salesman came up to bug me, I was just going to get right to the point and let them know I was not to be bothered, basically let them “have it”.

Sure enough, I was next. I was putting the big package of water bottles in the trunk and he came up and started talking to me. Without even turning around to look at him or let him get through his first sentence, I said “Don’t talk to me!”. I said it pretty mean. He replied “Sorry to bother you ma’am, have a good day”.

I instantly felt horrible and foolish. Did I really just do that? Was I really that rude and cruel to someone? It went against my nature, it was completely unkind. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Immediately that line from the movie You’ve Got Mail came into my mind “When you finally have the pleasure of saying the thing you mean to say…at the moment you mean to say it, remorse inevitably follows”.   

As I was driving for the next hour, till we got to my parents house, a number of thoughts and feelings of guilt went through my head. It was also a time to explain to the kids that just because someone is annoying you, doesn’t give us the right or excuse to be unkind. I even told them that even though Jesus was mistreated, He was always kind.

Lesson learned! For me, I will try to always be kind. The instant remorse and guilt I felt was my conscience letting me know that that behavior was unacceptable.

So now, I’m learning a kinder and gentler way to speak to salesmen or anyone else that I don’t think should be disturbing me.

It was a valuable lesson for me and I hope it helped my kids see that being unkind is unnecessary.

Thank you for sharing your time with me. Enjoy your day!

❤️ Jenn

p.s. I did find the guy and apologize.

Good afternoon! How are you today?

Recently, I’ve been thinking about how dreary winter can be. I haven’t been thinking about it in a “sad” or “depressing” way. But, contemplating the different ways it affects different people. It’s interesting how many people really do struggle through the winter. Not only are their moods affected, but also, their health. Then there are those who LOVE it. Really?? How in the world could you love winter?! But, there are the few that do. Then there are some that don’t care either way because it just doesn’t affect them. Their moods are the same no matter what season it is and feel good throughout the seasonal changes.

For me, winter is the worst. Ironically, a lot of MS patients have their worst time during the summer heat. Not that heat doesn’t affect me, but I do prefer summer over winter. It seems that most of my flareups are in the winter time, if not all of them. Over the years, I have learned to “deal” better. I have to get myself prepared physically, emotionally, mentally and even spiritually before winter comes to deal with it better.

So, I will share a few things that have helped me. Things that have helped my moods and overall health. First, eat well. Yes, that seems like a simple task to say and don’t feel bad if you eat something less good for you, but get the mindset (your head in the game) that you’re going to eat well. When I ask Dr. Rodier what I should eat, he says “Whatever God has put on earth. Anything that man has touched should be avoided.” (Which is really most of the food items that we see in stores). It’s a struggle for me, but know that I won’t feel as good if I eat that way.

Secondly, (and unfortunately) get off the sugar! This seems to be a HUGE trigger for me. Sugar affects our moods and how we feel overall more than we realize. It wasn’t until the doc put me on his sugar detox diet that I realized how addicted to sugar I really was. He has said time and time again what an epidemic it is that most American’s are addicted to sugar. It seems sweet and great at the time of eating it, but then eventually you realize that it does more harm than good. Obviously, natural sugars in foods are OK, but should still be limited, at times. And, some people shouldn’t be eating it, at all. Processed sugars are the worst!

Another thing that has helped is just accept it. Yep! Accept it. At first, this was hard, too. (and still is at times) But, I’m here, where it’s cold and sometimes (Okay, most of the time) quite dreary, so focusing on it only makes it worse. I have worked on placing my focus elsewhere on positive and edifying things. I will even have to have conversations with myself, at times and tell myself “it’s only for a few months or it’s only for a short time”, etc… This really helps and then my focus is redirected to something more helpful and uplifting.

Another one I know that helps a lot of people, and the times I’ve done it has helped, is exercise. I wish I could say I was an avid “exerciser”, but that is something that I have to work on. This year is the year, I know it. Ha!

Other things you can do is take a brief (cold) walk. Just getting in the fresh (yes, cold) air has helped me. There’s, also, drinking more water, being with your family, watching inspirational YouTube videos or movies and meditation. Some of my friends meditate. I guess I’ve done that a few times, but I call that “prayer” or communicating with God and that has helped me, as well. He taught me this last winter to be grateful for it. Okayyy. But, I became grateful for dark and dreary winter and it seemed to help me get through it easier.

There are so many things to help us get through the drab and blah winters.

What has helped you? I’d love to hear!

I know winter is almost over for most people and I am thankful for that. But, wanted to share while I’m in the “winter mode”. 🙂

Thank you for you and thank you for sharing your time with me.

Love, Jenn

When I say “chocolate”, I mean chocolate (cacao/cocoa). Not the “sugared” down stuff that people say is chocolate. That stuff is mostly sugar, hydrogenated oils and often times loaded with other ingredients that I can’t pronounce. I’m talking REAL chocolate. Chocolate that hasn’t been processed as much as the “chocolate” that you buy at your local supermarket (unless it’s at a Whole Foods, or Sprout’s, etc… of course).

When buying chocolate, you want to look for a good quality chocolate that is, at least, 72% or higher and has only a couple of ingredients (Dr. Rodier tells me that 72% or higher is better for us). The less processed, the better. Otherwise, it’s just a degraded version of chocolate and you’ll miss out on its nutritional value. Yes, chocolate is good for you. It has been shown to have excellent antioxidant value.

The “doc” says that it’s good for you at the higher percentage. Yeah, yeah, that’s too bitter. I hear it all the time. I tell you I used to think that way until he put me on his “sugar detox” diet. Now, anything less than 70% is just too sweet.

My suggestion this holiday season is if you plan on making a recipe with a chocolate bar or chips, I suggest getting bitter chocolate and then add your own sweetener. Honey is the best sweetener. But, anything less processed than refined white sugar is better.

I hope you have a joyous and wonderful holiday season with family and other loved ones! 🦃🎄

Thank you for sharing your time with me!

XOXO, Jenn

I will leave you with a quick recipe that my family enjoys over ice cream:

“Magic Shell”

Chocolate chips or bar and coconut oil. The ratio I use is approximately 1 cup chocolate chips to about 1 Tb. coconut oil. You can use more or less of either depending on your preference. You can also use unsweetened chocolate and then add honey to your tastes and maybe some vanilla or other flavoring.

Microwave ingredients for 30 secs, stir and repeat until chips are melted well into coconut oil and consistency is smooth. 

Hello, again, I wanted to post the link of the doctor I’ve been seeing for 5 years that has helped me SO MUCH. He writes in his blog, regularly and is up-to-date on the weekly medical journals. He posts much info about what he learns. I do recommend his book “Gut Health” if you’re looking for some new insight. He has written another book more recently (Switching Off Chronic Disease), but I haven’t read that one yet. He says that one is easier to read than “Gut Health”. But, I did enjoy that one.

hugorodier.com

Let me know what you think!

XOXO, Jenn

There are days and weeks that a certain issue or “topic” will keep coming up and presenting itself in different ways. In ways that I come to realize that God is “talking” to me and wants me to learn that certain point. Does this happen to you?

Earlier this week, I went to a women’s church meeting. It was a great time! We all had an enjoyable visit with lots of laughs and fun. As we were visiting, 2 women mentioned that they had put their “talents and interests” on hold because of some events that had arisen in their lives. One spoke of their daughter having health issues that had been going on for almost 5 years and another one said she had had a cancer scare, recently, and wasn’t participating in her talents because of it.

Then, the next morning, I spoke with my sister and the same subject came up. It was like, “Okay, God, I get it.” I’ve been thinking about this all week. I realized that since I’ve been “sick”, that I haven’t allowed myself to enjoy life as I should and continue in doing things that make me “me”. I haven’t been allowing the simple pleasures of life in. I haven’t known how to, dealing with the health issues and other troubles that have come up. I felt like there were either more important issues to take care of or I didn’t have the time to have fun.

So, how to we do this? How do we enjoy life when we feel so caught up with illness and other struggles? How do we allow ourselves to look passed our struggles and see that there is still good to be seen and great times to be had? It is something that I want to figure out and something that (apparently) God wants me to figure out, also.

When I talked to my sister about this, she said she had had a similar conversation before with another friend. That friend told her that there’s a balance. And, that the balance includes knowing it’s OK to “have fun” even when you’re in the middle of important things (and illnesses) that need to be taken care of.

This is me mostly thinking aloud. But, maybe we can all learn from this. I know several people that are able to keep up with their “life” and “themselves” by keeping their focuses in balance. They’re able to meet their struggles in such a way that they’re also meeting their “fun” needs, at the same time.

Any thoughts? I will definitely be putting more effort into this!

Thank you for sharing your time with me!

Love, Jenn

Good morning! Happy World Kindness Day!

Today is Friday the 13th. Are you superstitious?

In 2001, on a “Friday the 13th”, I took a flight on United Airlines from Seattle to Denver and made it there in one piece. 🙂 Since then, I haven’t been as superstitious. I am not crazy about flying and I guess since I survived that flight (in my mind) there’s not much to the superstition of “Friday the 13th”.

This morning, I read a post regarding “Invisible Disabilities”. I understood it and at times, have been frustrated over peoples “judgments”.

First off, how many times have we been told “it is not our place to judge”? I know that it is something that needs to constantly be worked on. I fall into the trap of “judging” people who judge (ironically, so) and at times, have to catch myself when I think or say an unkind word about someone. For me, I constantly work on it so that my focus stays where it should stay.

The post that I read was about a woman, with MS, who parked in a handicapped spot when she went shopping with her daughter. Someone left a note on her windshield asking “Did you forget your wheelchair”?

Not all disabilities are visible. I was diagnosed with MS in 2010, but I’ve had symptoms since 1998. Over the years, people (even family members) would be critical, impatient and unkind because of a certain way I was acting or doing something that they didn’t understand. After my diagnosis, people were kinder and understood. But, why do we have to have a diagnosis to be kind and patient? Why is it hard to be kind when someone is doing something we don’t agree with or like?

The woman wrote a letter to the person that left the note. She explained she was having a “good day” and was able to walk unassisted. But, by leaving that note it turned into a bad day for her. It made her feel like people were looking at her the exact way she feels when she can’t walk properly. She explained that a disability doesn’t always mean a person has to be wheelchair-bound and that we don’t know everything and just because you can’t see it, it doesn’t mean a person isn’t struggling to put one foot in front of the other.

I have had these thoughts and conversations with people and loved ones, also. My husband and I have had to explain to people that just because Jenn “looks normal”, doesn’t mean that she isn’t dealing with and fighting something, everyday. I want to be as “normal” as possible.  I have learned to place my focus on my “wellness” part of me. It’s not always easy and at times harder than others times, but I think it so important to learn. We do have “wellness” parts of us and that part should be our core.

Everyday, all across the world, someone in someway is dealing with and fighting something. It doesn’t have to be a “diagnosis”. It doesn’t have to be something that we’re aware of. It doesn’t have to be understood. It just needs to be handled with kindness.

In honor of World Kindness Day, let’s all work on being kinder to one another and that includes even being kinder to ourselves.

Thank you for sharing your time with me. Enjoy your day!

Love, Jenn

Good Morning! How are you today? I just got done watching Rebekah Borucki on Periscope. She’s a fun lady to watch. You should follow her if you’re on Periscope. She has YouTube videos that teach meditation, good living, clean eating, etc…

I’ve had many people ask me what diet I followed to feel and look better. Back in early 2011, a friend encouraged me to see Dr. Rodier, after I was diagnosed with MS. Immediately, he put me on the diet and within weeks I noticed a change in my health and energy. This diet isn’t just for people with MS, it’s good for ANY auto-immune and other chronic diseases.

After being on his maintenance diet, I didn’t need to go back to him for a couple of years. Then, I ended up with some severe digestive problems (H pylori) in 2013 and again found myself in his office, January 2014. I didn’t realize, at the time, that I could be helped. I had gone to several docs and put on different meds and none of them worked. Plus, it was harder to treat me because I have a sensitivity to anti-biotics and felt helpless to get better since that was pretty much the only treatment that the other healthcare professionals gave me.

With diet, supplements, encouragement and other positive changes I was, again, feeling better. I remember asking him, one time, “How long will it take for my gut to heal”? He said, “Depends on how dirty your laundry is”. Every body is different. So, I’ve learned that healing time varies from person to person.

I highly recommend this diet! And, I also encourage you that if you’re having health concerns or other issues or just want to have better overall health, go see Dr. Rodier. I call him the “Gut Doctor”. He has written many books on “gut health” and teaches that all disease stems from the gut. He, also, has a radio show each week on Sunday afternoon.

Let me know if you see him or how his diet has helped you! I know it will. I’m here to help and support you in anyway I can.

Thank you for sharing your time with me.

XOXO, Jenn

p.s. I am currently trying to figure out how to attach a copy of his diet. In the meantime, if you’re interested in it, let me know and I can just email it to you. I received an updated copy of it, today.

The last few years have been full of much growth and positive changes for me. Through challenges and much trial, I have learned how to eat better, think better, “wife and mom” better and overall just live better.

I’ve had many people over the last several years tell me I should share all I’ve learned, but really didn’t think I had much to share. I guess I’ve overcome my “ego” and have realized that now is the time. This part of my life’s journey, I’m sure, will be more growth through trial and error, but I’m looking forward to it.

I will be sharing much about overall well-being, food choices, what has helped me feel better, a few personal stories and anything I feel inspired to share with you and help you.

I hope to be apart of your journey, as well. I love to listen to your stories and feel connected with you through shared personal experiences and friendship.

Thank you for being apart of my life. Thank you for being apart of this adventure with me. Thank you for sharing your time with me.

XOXO, Jenn