My Mother

I know this is a cooking blog, but I have to dedicate my post today to my sweet mother, Rose! She is the most amazing person in the entire world and I look up to her in so many ways. I can honestly say she is my inspiration when I am in the kitchen cooking and creating. Ever since I can remember, she was creative in the kitchen and would always find a way for me to help her cook, even if it meant making a mess (which I usually did).

The reason I am dedicating today's post to her is because it is her birthday today!! Happy Birthday Mom!! I have always had a special relationship with my mother, but the last two years has been significantly special to me - She Saved Me. 

I have introduced myself as a very healthy eater - focusing on whole foods and organic, local ingredients when possible. However, I have not introduced why I came to be such a health-conscience eater. About three years ago, I started feeling very sick. I was tired and nauseous all the time and wasn't able to digest any food. I had constant fevers and rapid weight loss. After several tests and scans (and way too much Prednisone), I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, which is an autoimmune disorder affecting your digestive system. After being prescribed steroids and chemotherapy-like drugs for the rest of my life, my mom went in search for another treatment. 

She spoke and met with holistic doctors and specialists, tried acupuncturists, read books and sent me recipes and diets. I did a month of no gluten, dairy, alcohol or sugar. I started keeping a food journal and identifying the foods that bothered me, while Mom read and spoke to everyone she knew to try to figure out something. After about a year, I started getting back on the right track and exercising again. Mom introduced me to Body Ecology, which explains how certain food combinations can reduce inflammation in the gut and entire body. All was looking up and I was back on the right track. Then, I got engaged!! Yes, this was so very exciting because I couldn't wait to marry Ryan, the love of my life, but it also meant I would spend the next year of my life as a stressed out bride planning the wedding - this would flare my Crohn's right back up.

Mom came to the rescue again by taking on a lot of the stress and planning. We decided to get married in the mountains where my parents live, so Superwoman Rose was her amazing-self and helping me every step of the way. It was the most fun 16 months my Mom and I have ever had. She not only was so supportive and helpful with the wedding planning, but constantly kept me focused on my health as well. Needless to say, on October 1st, I married Ryan and felt the healthiest I have ever been.

So mom, thank you so much for everything and have a fabulous birthday! You are an amazing woman, mother and friend! I love you :)