Well, this week is the week of firsts. It is the first week of phase one of my new "eating plan."

For years I have struggled with health problems. Last year we had a break through, when I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. This conquered most of my problems but they were still many days when I did not feel right. I was STILL having migraines and feelings of achiness. My memory suffers still from what the doctors call "brainfog." I was not satisfied with the results so I went in search for more answers.

I found out about the LEAP program. And since I can't explain as well as a doctor, I will copy and paste from a website:

LEAP or Lifestyle Eating and Performance is a program that will help you overcome any food sensitivity problems you might have. LEAP allows you to quickly identify what foods, additives, and chemicals are likely provoking your symptoms, and, more importantly, which foods have the highest probability of being safe. LEAP uses a patented, proven blood test named MRT (Mediator Release Test) to isolate a safe foods diet for you. MRT eliminates the guesswork to give you definitive answers. Once the test is performed, an eating plan is developed and tailored to the needs of each individual client.



So, as you can see, the LEAP program works in conjuction to the foods that you are sensitive to.

Ergo, I can't eat anything this week: I found out I am highly sensitive to these foods. (I realize that noone is really interested in all of this. I am mainly writing about this for my own good. It's good to journal these major events in one's life.)

So this is what I CANNOT eat for the time being, at least: (Highly sensitive foods) Apply, Asparagus, Avocado, Banana, Buckwheat, Caffeine, Capsaicin, Carob, Cashew, Coffee, Oregano, Pistachio, Rye, Scallop, SMB. Suflite, Sole, Tuna, Yellow Squash.

(These next foods I showed a reaction to but a little less severe than the previous ones listed) Almond, AM. Cheese, Apriocot, Aspartame, Barley, Beef, Blueberry, Catfish, Cauliflower, Cola Nut, Garlic, Ginger, Onion, Paprika, Shrimp, Sodium Sulfite, Spinach, Tilapia, Tomato, Turmeric, Tyramine, Zucchini.

Week 1: Phase 1: This is what I CAN eat. Pork, Egg, Lentil, White Potato, Celery, Lima Bean, Lettuce, Mango, Organic Grape, Cantaloupe, Yogart, Butter, Pecan, Olive Oil, Sesame Oil, Corn Oil, Honey, Lemon, Vanilla.

Needless to say this week has been interesting trying to come up with fun ideas to eat. I'm not very creative in the morning so everyday I've made scrambled eggs and bacon...not a bad deal though. I could get used to this.

The porkchops, however, can go...and I won't say a word.

For more information, (and if you're just really really really bored or interested in this kind of stuff, read this.)

engagement pics

This was my first "official" engagement session. It was really really cold so we might have a retake. Lauren & Daniel were just shivering the whole time. But I managed to snap a few good ones.

my brother

Today is my brother's birthday. Chris is one of the best brothers a girl could ask for. He has always been there for me as a role model and as a friend in my life. His will is strong as a rock but his heart is that of a child's. He has taught me so much as I have watched him navigate throughout life's traffic and turns. Above everything, Chris always has a smile on his face. He makes the best out of every situation. THAT is what I truly love about him.

I can remember growing up, on family vacations, he was our entertainment. He was always the one to make us laugh on those 24 hour car rides to Estes Park, Colorado. We never got tired of him being our tour guide and entertaining us with those ridiculous songs he would come up with off the top of his head. His creativity never cease to amaze me.

That is why today, on his 29th birthday, I can think of no better way to wish him a happy birthday than to simply say "thank you."

Chris, thank you for always being strong even when those around you weren't. You can't imagine how many times I thought to myself, "What would Chris do in this situation?" Thank you for always making me smile even when I didn't feel like it. I know I can always count on you for a good time. Whether it be listening to rap music in your car or getting lost in Disney World on New year's Eve, I will always remember those times as GREAT times!

I love you! Happy Birthday!

non conformist

I went shopping with my mother this weekend for all the things I didn't think I needed yet somehow came home with. She's good at thinking of all the things I forget...which is everything and quite often. We went to store after store searching for the perfect outfits to this and to that. Banana Republic, Ann Taylor (two of my favs), then to Chico's and Talbot's (two of HER favorites). After saying many, "No's" and several what seemed like THOUSANDS of "I just don't like it, mom! It's not my style", we finally went to anthropologie. It was like walking into heaven. or so it seemed. There was soft lighting and green plants and candles burning that reminded me of my grandmothers house. As a flitted (is that a word?) from rack to rack touching every single dress and blouse, I repeated over and over, "What about this one, mom?" or "Oh, I LOVE this!" At first mom was NOT happy about my choices. Her style is definitely more tailored, more classic, and less "hippie" so I've been told. But as I put my foot down there in Anthropologie, I told her I did not want to be restricted with button down shirts and jackets and pants that come clean up to my eyeballs! This was my wedding, therefore the showers I was attending were my showers and I would wear "wrinklie" dresses, as she calls them, and I would wear them proudly.

I think that was my first bridzila act. I promise it won't happen again.

On the good side though, mom and I both agreed on SEVERAL outfits. I mean, if you HAVE to attend showers, brunches, teas, and things of this nature, you might as well look cute.

http://www.anthropologie.com/

I DID end up with a jacket but how could I resist?

Love. & Marriage.

The countdown has begun. 148 days until I become Cara Beth Buie! C.B.B. I think I can get used to that.

That's right folks, I'm engaged! The wedding is July 5th. I will apologize now if my next months entries are filled with wedding stuff. Just bare with me because right now it's all I hear about. You see, my mom is a wedding planner on the side of everything else she does. As soon as she heard about our wedding plans she jumped right on everything. We just announced our engagement this week and I already have a photographer, a caterer, a florist, a wedding, reception and rehearsal dinner site. I am already ready for the planning to be over, but I'm going to try to enjoy it because we have a short engagement.

It's still weird to say that I have a fiance. I like it though. More details about the wedding will come. Here's a link to our website at theknot.com.

lovely pics.

My boyfriend and I realized we don't have any quality pictures of us. Grant Harrison took a few pictures this weekend in downtown Little Rock. I am very impressed! This one is my favorite so far.




Also, check out grantlharrison.com. It's pretty much amazing.