Have you ever had someone tell you something they've observed about you, and although that something should have been evident to you all along, it really wasn't? It may have been floating around beside your peripheral, but wasn't something you had actually acknowledged? That happened to me yesterday. I'm not sure what started the conversation, but my friend Mike made this statement to me "Your emotional health definitely manifests itself physically". WHOA! DUDE! Why don't you just stab me in the gut with a dull butter knife? I mean, sure, I "knew" this, but that damn peripheral, that's where I "knew" it. I didn't really "get" it until it was spoken by someone that knows me better than my own mom. Let's explore this theory of physical vs. emotional health, shall we?

Near the end of 2006 I made a life change in ending a relationship that was not healthy for either of us. It was like a weight off my shoulders. Over the ensuing months I gained 20 lbs (for me, that was a good thing) and I think I may have had one winter cold, but it wasn't really that bad. I was very active, had a great appetite and although still struggled with sleeping regularly I still had quite a bit of energy. I was doing all kinds of activities; concerts with friends, boating, road trips, reservoir hikes with Liv. You name it, I was up for it. Around the beginning of Summer 2007, I got back into said relationship because we had things left unresolved, what we thought was a deep love and respect for each other and just wanted to try and make it work. Looking back now, this was a major back slide for me. The first 6 weeks were like a honeymoon phase. After that, deep rooted problems began to bubble to the surface again and they never went away. Within the next couple of months I was slipping back into my unhealthiness full force. In fact, a friend I hadn't seen in a couple of months remarked upon seeing me again "why are you on a diet?" because the weight loss had been so shocking. When I commented that I didn't realize I'd lost so much and wasn't sure what to attribute it to, his reply was "you gained it because you were HAPPY, makes sense why you lost it to me, you're NOT ANYMORE". You would think that would clue me in, but it didn't.

It was then near the end of 2007 and the relationship ended for good, no contact. It was absolutely the best decision I have made in a long while. My health has bounced back and I'm starting to put on some good and healthy weight. I'm tired, yes, but that's just because I have so much going on right now; I still have a great deal of energy to deal with a lot of responsibility that I've recently taken on. I haven't been sick during this time where everyone seems to be getting the flu and colds, etc. For the first time in a long, long time I don't dread starting the day. I'm remembering to take my vitamins, I have enough extra positive energy to send the way of loved ones that are struggling. I'm uplifted constantly, instead of being drained constantly.

It's amazing what a difference being emotionally sound can do to your life and your health. For the longest time, my emotional state was blamed for problems in my relationship. Looking back, I realize that the state of my relationship was directly affecting my emotional health and therefore my physical health as well. Now, lest you think I'm putting blame on any certain individual, that's not what I'm saying at all. I made a choice and I was sticking with it. But you cannot fit a square peg in a round hole and my entire being was physically rebelling from the emotional decisions I was making.

My ailments over the past 2 years have run the gamut from constant colds and sinus infections to drastic weight loss, loss of appetite, heartburn, acid reflux, vomiting after every meal for months, violent mood swings (most of which I only felt internally, but were still palpable to others), muscle and body aches that felt like I'd been struck by a vehicle, trouble regulating my body temperature, migrain headaches, mouth pain, earaches. I think you get the picture, but I seriously could keep going. I was a mess, there were times where I seriously wondered if I had some fatal illness. I was actually scared that I might continue to get progressively worse and die. I still have a headache every now and then and body aches, but I think that's just my aging a bit body and high stress environment that I work in, coupled with commuting 2 hours per day. Also, I think my body is just healing itself. So, if you find yourself suffering from unexplained ailments, please, for your well-being, take stock of your emotional state as well. You might be surprised what you find.

So, epiphany smacked me in the face yesterday regarding this issue, but it only hurt for a second. I feel great lately and I know it's only going to get better!

I love anything that is stewlike, even in the summer. I've also been trying to take better care of my health and veggies are a big staple of this. It's so hard to eat enough vegetables to keep one healthy, though. My grandma makes this pot of stuff that has: tomato juice, ground beef and potatoes in it. Doesn't sound all that appetizing, huh? However, I've taken this base and added some touches of my own to come up with a staple in my diet. I hope you enjoy:

1 lb. Ground Beef (I prefer 96/4 lean or better)
One large can of tomato juice (I like Red Gold brand)
5 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks to your taste
5 celery stalks, cut into chunks to your taste
3 large potatoes (red or other) skin on, cut into chunks to your taste
1/4 medium cabbage (if desired)
Basil
Garlic Powder
Pepper

Put ground beef on to brown, stirring occasionally. Chop vegetables while ground beef is browning (don't forget to stir that hamburger). I've listed a few veggies, but you can really put in whatever you like. When ground beef is browned (and drained, if necessary), turn down to medium heat. Throw in all of the veggies and stir up with the ground beef. Add about a half handful of basil (dried, if fresh use a little less, chopped), about a Tbsp. of garlic powder and pepper to taste. Mix again, add in tomato juice, cook until veggies are tender. About 35-40 minutes, tops.

Healthy for you with great veggies, some lean protein and there will be plenty for leftovers (it's what I had for lunch yesterday and today). Serve with garlic bread or any other kind of rolls and a salad for even more veggie goodness.

Enjoy!

PS. You can use baby carrots, but after watching a show about how these are "made" I decided to stop buying. They are still healthy for you, but I think it's an incredibly wasteful process and part of my resolutions this year was to be less wasteful of food. I'll be using the rest of that cabbage from the goulash for smoked sausage and cabbage tonight.