Have you ever thought about what you were doing a year ago?  A year ago yesterday I gave birth to my second beautiful baby girl, Cecilia.  Watching Cecilia grow and develop this past year has completely amazed me.  She is walking, talking, pointing, laughing and I’m loving every minute with her and her sister.  A year ago I also started my primal journey.  It has had it’s ups and downs, but a very challenging, necessary, and rewarding lifestyle change for me overall.  In honor of the one year mark I wanted to share with you a “top ten” list (in no particular order) of things both learned and lived from this past year.  Hope you enjoy! 

1.  Watching an episode of Biggest Loser and realizing I could be a contestant.  A definite low point for me last year! (And I wish I could say I was still pregnant when this moment happened.)

2.  Goat’s milk (to me) tastes like I’m drinking the actual farm in liquid form.  (I really did try!) I’ll stick with my almond milk, thank you.

3.  Discovering how majorly sensitive I am to gluten has not been fun.  I’m grateful for alternatives that don’t leave me missing out on anything or running for relief.  (Wink!) Almond flour is my new friend.  Coconut flour ranks up there too!

4.  Playing, running, jumping on my new (to me) trampoline with my kiddos and not tiring quickly because I am morbidly obese is a pretty good feeling.

5.  Clothes shopping is way more fun when you are more a size 8 than a 16!  (Turning red now!)

6.  Making sacrifices so that we can eat better, be healthier, and (hopefully) live long, active lives for ourselves and our children is worth it. 

7.  Quitting my job to stay at home with my girls is turning out to be one of the best decisions of my life!  I have more time to make yummy treats and delicious dinners.  (I’ll be posting more recipes soon!)

8.  More people than you think are living this lifestyle.  It’s so wonderful to have friends who support you and who you can share ideas, recipes, blogs, and the joys and sufferings with. 

9.  Farmers Markets are not just for dog-lovers, hippies, or snobs.  Everyone is so friendly and my family and I have grown to love our weekly market days.

10.  85 pounds lost in one year, feels pretty amazing.  Now the only reality show I’m afraid of is “What Not to Wear!”