Protect Your Eyes

Did you know that your eye doctor can detect chronic systems diseases before they get too out of hand? And if your vision problems are left untreated for too long, it can stunt your eye development resulting in permanent visual impairment. Per-ma-nent.

As a person who has particularly bad eyesight (Hubs' eyes are even worse than mine are, so our future kid is screwed), I've always made it a priority to keep my prescriptions current and follow all the "rules" of keeping your eyes healthy. I don't want my eyesight to deteriorate so quickly or badly that I am declared legally blind before I'm old enough to rely on the friendly (hopefully) nurses at the old folks home.

There are several things you can do to keep your eyes healthy in between eye doctor appointments.

1. Keep your glasses clean and the screws tightened. 

I mean with soap and hot water folks, not just the hem of your favorite shirt. By doing this you combating the germs that get on your frames from your hands throughout the day. Maintaining your eyewear can help you save money if your prescription doesn't change at your next check-up. A pair of glasses that are well taken care of can last two to three years or more!

2. Clean your contacts case regularly.

I never thought about this much until I started living with my husband. He gets very dirty at work and everything he touches proves it. One day I looked in his part of the drawer in the bathroom and was shocked to see how dirty is contacts case was! Now I clean his and my case every 2-3 weeks. Again, combating those pesky germs from getting into your eyes. I use regular soap and hot water with a spare toothbrush to get in the grooves.

3. Take vision supplements.

Not all of us can get every single recommended vitamin and mineral from the food we eat on a daily basis (hellooooo donuts!). Over the counter vitamins and supplements to the rescue! The most important vitamin that keep your eyes healthy is Vitamin A, but make sure you are getting it from plant based sources so it doesn't get stored in your body (too much stored Vitamin A is toxic). There are a number of options to choose from, eye drops with Vitamin A in them, the vitamins separately, and there are also multi-vitamins specifically for eye health. Check this list to see what might work best for you.
Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional. These are options that work for me, so please contact your doctor to make sure these options are safe for you.

4. Wear Sunglasses

Did you know that your eyes can get sunburnt? Yep. Plus those nasty UV rays aren't great for them either. So whether you get a cute, cheap pair from Target or buy a flashy, expensive name brands, WEAR THEM when outdoors and in the car.
"But what if I wear glasses? I can't see without them." - There is an option for you! Online glasses shops offer a much more affordable selection of prescription sunglasses (and regular glasses if you need those too!). I got mine from GlassesShop.com, and they have a "try-on" option where you can upload a photo of yourself to see what the frames will look like on your face. Cool right? All you do is choose from a wide selection of glasses frames and sunglasses, input your prescription & pupillary distance (you can get this by calling your eye doctor), and they ship them out to you in a neat case with a cleaning cloth. Easy peasy. Use the code GSHOT50 to get 50% off your first pair.

Disclaimer: I received a pair of prescription sunglasses in exchange for my honest recommendation and review of GlassesShop.com

5. Take breaks when working on a computer (or phone or tablet or video games).

If your eyes get used to focusing on one plane too long it can affect your vision, give your headaches, and tire your eyes out quickly. So get up for 5 mins each hour and exercise your eyes by focusing on different objects at different distances aways from you. You can remind yourself to do this by setting a timer or an alarm every hour or so. Plus we all need an excuse to take a break while at work, and now you have a legitimate reason to.


Do you wear contacts or glasses? If so, have you thought about any of these tips before?

Find What's Right for YOU

Ok. First let me say that I have been a super bad blogger. I'm still here, just don't have too much to say. 

That's a lie. 

I have a lot to say but it's not blog worthy. It's mostly rants about how the administration at the main campus of my school are making ridiculous changes to how the nationwide campuses work. Huge pain in the ass that not only makes things much harder for the students, but is causing our professors grief as well. But that is a long story that will bore most of you. 

Today I'm here to talk about my fitness journey. I announced several month ago, probably too soon, that my doctor put me on the Paleo diet. Yeeeaaahhh. About that. Firstly it was such bad timing to be put on such a restrictive diet. It was right before Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus we were going on a cruise the last week of December. Secondly, this particular diet isn't an easy one. After a conversation with my mom about my picky eating habits, we decided it wasn't something I would realistically be able to stick with for a long period of time. Thirdly (is that even a word?), I HATED every minute of it. H.A.T.E.D. I was a miserable, crabby, hungry-all-the-damn-time person that my husband was terrified of, therefore the Paleo diet was thrown out the window. 

Hubs and I discussed what was reasonable and doable for us, and made a plan of our own. I ordered a new Jawbone UP3 activity tracker and gave my UP24 to him.  I track my calories and nutrition with MyFitnessPal which links up with the UP app to calculate all that stuff. I bought new tupperware for meal planning and a water bottle with measurements on it to track my water intake. We try to workout for at least 30-40 mins about 4-5 times a week.

Using this plan, I've lost a total of 14 pounds in about a month. I'm much happier, and don't feel so deprived and hungry all the time. I am starting to get better, more quality sleep than I was before too. 

Lesson learned folks. Just because a doctor recommends a particular diet program for you, doesn't mean it's the right one for you. Especially if it's not a sustainable plan you can do for the rest of your life. 

Have you ever been recommended something by a doctor that just wasn't right for you?

P.S. I'm finding a new doctor.

Depression is like Cancer

I know it's December and people supposed to be joyful and happy, but that is not always the case. And before you start in on me for comparing a mental/mood disorder with cancer, just hear me out!

Chronic Depression is like a cancer of the mind and soul. It eats away at all the good parts leaving nasty gray spots of sadness and anger. It doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care what time of year it is. What it does do is affect every single aspect of your life, without giving any f*cks about it. Once it's started, it can feed on itself, getting stronger and stronger until it consumes your whole being, making you a shadow of the person you once were (or the person you present on the outside). 

Depression exaggerates every emotion you have. It makes you overthink things, going straight to the worst case scenario most of the time. You blame yourself for everything bad that has ever happened to you, and you "just know" that nothing will ever go well for you ever again because you just suck so much a life. You go over and over what you could have done to make things better, but you know that thinking about it doesn't make it better, it doesn't change things, but you do it anyways. And doing that makes you feel even worse about yourself and the choices you've made. Because you suck at life, remember?

It can be fatal. So many people who decide to end their lives experienced depression before doing so. 

What sucks the most, in my opinion, is that sometimes you can remember what it was like to be happy. When you do, you feel guilty for not being happy right now. I was talking to my mom about this and I was telling her all the great things I have going for me and how grateful I am for everything I have. And you know what she said? "Grateful doesn't always mean happy." Those words resonated so deep within me and got me thinking about things I didn't really want to think about, but really needed to think about. 

Grateful doesn't always mean happy. And depression is like cancer. 

I was officially diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in 2012, but I suffered long before then. It's been a constant battle for most of my teenage years and all of my adulthood, and it will continue to be a battle for the rest of my life. It took me a long time to admit I had a problem, because I didn't want to be that "crazy" person who had to take pills and go to therapy to be able to get through life. That negative stigma around depression and it's treatments kept me from getting help for a very long time. AND THAT IS WRONG. 

It wasn't until a huge breakdown while sitting in my car in a Target parking lot hysterically ugly crying on the phone to my mom that I finally decided I was not ok, and I needed to do something about it. My doctor put me on an antidepressant and a few months later I started therapy. I saw a huge difference in myself after about 6 months, so did my mom and my friends. 

Since then I've been on and off medication and in and out of therapy (not by choice, meds and therapy cost money and I went through some hard times). I could tell when I was "off the wagon" for too long. It sucked. Like really bad. But for the past 18 months, I've been mostly stable and able to control my depression with medication and regular therapy. It's not easy. AT. ALL. But it's worth it. 

There is no cure for depression. None. Zip. Zero. Just like cancer. There is only an array of treatments, some of which work and some that don't. Just like cancer. It's not a choice. You can't "just get over it" and it's not "all in your head". Just like cancer. You need a support system, and a good doctor (and popsicles don't hurt either). Just like cancer. 

Depression is a cancer of the mind and soul. And no one should be made to feel ashamed, guilty, scared, or judged because they suffer from it. Just. Like. Cancer.

If you are considering suicide or going through a rough time, please seek help. 

You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255, 

or you can text the Crisis Text Line by texting "Go" to 741-741 to text with a counsellor. 

or you can always reach out to me at knockonwoodblog@gmail.com

All life is precious.

It WILL Be Worth The Work

I was a pretty active kid. My bothers and I would play outside for hours and hours, running around, riding bikes, roller blades, jump ropes, you know, kid stuff. Then I had a bit of a rough patch emotionally with some family stuff right before and during middle school, and that's when the pounds started sticking. Ever since then I've had trouble losing and maintaining my weight. That totally made high school super fun... not. It was a slow build, the kind you don't notice until you're buying new jeans four sizes bigger than you remember. Yep, that was me Freshman year of high school, and it only went downhill up-scale (haha get it? just me? ok...) from there.

By the end of high school I was another 2 sizes bigger. I ate to make myself feel better, to bring my out of my slumps. I also ate because I was bored. I didn't really participate in extracurriculars that provided some sort of physical activity. Band Nerd and a member of the Art club, sexy right? Anywho, my health suffered. Emotionally and physically.

I attended one year of college right out of high school, and I totally gained those freshman fifteen. Because we had the best dining hall ever. People would come on Sundays after church and pay to eat our school food. Did I mention the DIY waffle bar and the soft serve ice cream machine? Anyway, after that year, my weight has yo-yoed over the past decade. Partly because I totally suck at sticking to a fitness routine. What? I just really don't like to sweat. It's stinky and sticky. Bleh.

If you follow me on Instagram, then you'll know that I had a doctors appointment on Monday. While she didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, she didn't hold back. I needed that honesty from her, someone other than my husband (who thinks I'm amazing no matter what, cue the awes) and my mom (cause who wants to hear that from their mom?). She put some things in perspective for me regarding our plans for the future, and to have a chance at those plans, some big changes need to be made.

The Biggest Change? I was put on the Paleo diet. Ok. I've read really great things about this plan and what it can do for your body. But, you guys, I really like cheese. And bread. And chocolate. And cereal with milk. I know there are variations of the Paleo diet that allow for some of that stuff, but the one she wants me to follow for at least these first thirty days doesn't. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL.

When we got home from the doctors, we looked up the site she gave us (cause she made a point to tell Hubs that he had to do it with me for support). Then we made a grocery list of things we can have. Next, we cleaned out the pantry, snack cabinet, and the fridge of all the items on the "don't" list. There was so much! We packed all of that food up and took it over to his parents house for them to have with instructions to donate what they don't want to the local food pantry. We did keep a few things from the "don't" list for the upcoming holidays though (because you can't have Thanksgiving without corn casserole or mashed potatoes, duh!).

It felt good. Like a juice cleanse for your kitchen. Until it didn't. After dinner that night, per the usual, I craved something sweet. Hubs had already moved the candy jar to his side of the couch to hold it hostage. I fought it. It was so hard. I just keep reminding myself that it will be worth it.

Have you tried the Paleo diet? Have any good recipes for sweets that are Paleo friendly?

#slacker

You read that right folks. I've been such a slacker lately, in so many things.

1. Fitness
2. Diet
3. Blogging
4. Sponsors
5. Laundry

I'm getting myself back on track here in the blog world this week while I've been ordered by my doctor and Hubs to take it easy. I have missed it a lot, but baby steps guys, this is my second post i this week and I haven't done more than one post in a week for about a month now. I'm hoping by Friday I'll be back on track with my sponsors too. It's my health I'm going to focus on today. Laundry... well that sorta speaks for itself.

While I may have a good excuse to not be moving around this week, it doesn't mean that I'm off the hook for the previous weeks. I need to get my jiggly butt back in gear. It's hard to keep myself motivated though. That's been my biggest problem for my whole life when it comes to fitness. I seriously dislike working out, so I tend to make every single excuse and justification to not go. I want to like it, to make it a lifestyle habit, but it just never sticks. 

I have a really good reason to workout and keep my healthier diet going, but I guess it just doesn't seem like it's enough to keep me going. It should be, but it doesn't. I do well for a few days, then I hop right off that wagon and sit in the lounger to work on my (non-existent) tan.

So I turn to you guys. How did you stay motivated in the beginning? What made you get off your butt and just do it already? How do you hold yourself accountable?

Check out my current Chestnut sponsor!

Making Fitness a Priority

Happy Wednesday. I wrote about priorities last week, and it kind of inspired me to really take charge and make the next step in other parts of my life. We've got a lot going for us: New promotion, new job, our cruise is coming up, and we're not getting any younger. We've made some significant changes in our diet over the past year or so (even if we fall off the wagon from time to time), but we haven't been able to stick to a regular fitness routine. 

We all know that I totally lack the motivation to work out. I don't like to sweat, I hate the heat, and I have some physical hurdles that keep me from doing as much as others can. BUT, one of the things that will help with those hurdles is losing some weight. I think my biggest issue is that I want some instant gratification, and with healthy weight loss that's just not going to happen. While I know this in my head, I still can't fully accept that I'm not doing it wrong and that the program I am doing really is working for me even though I haven't seen many changes in the first week.

What really got me to make this mental change is that I've given my husband a good reason to make some of the changes that we have made, but I haven't held myself to that same standard. 

"I want to live a long and happy life with you, and in order to do that we have to take care of ourselves now."

So, on Monday, we made a big decision. Hubs and I joined a gym. It's a local business run by a really great guy, plus I have a friend from school who goes there and has agreed to be our trainer for a little while. That is just what I need to get my butt back in gear. 

I am hoping that between MyFitnessPal, my Jawbone UP24, and the new gym membership, I can start living a healthier lifestyle and be happier with my body. What's more is that my amazing friends Kendra, Melissa, and Lora have started a new blogger fitness support challenge that starts next Wednesday, July 1 called Bloggers Give it 100. There's a hashtag and everything #BloggersGiveIt100, click here for more details.

How are you taking charge and keeping your priorities in line? 

P.S. The best way to kick off the opening of a friend's new Etsy Shop is a Giveaway! Help me support Ashely and enter to win a lovely piece from her shop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


P.P.S. I know I'm slacking on the Blog front, but I'm trying not to disappear completely while I get myself together again. I do miss blogging, and I have a lot to say and a lot to catch up on, but right now is not the time to do it. Don't give up on me yet.

Check out my current Chestnut sponsor!

[ guest post ] Staying Positive Despite a Chronic Illness

Good Morning! While I'm away on vacation in Georgia with Hubs and playing with my mommy, I've invited a few of my favorite bloggers to entertain you! Today Kendra is sharing something that has been on her heart for a while now. It's something she and I have talked about on several occasions and it's brought us closer together. Take away Kendra!

Hi everyone, I’m Kenji from Kenji is Here! I am so happy to be taking over Amanda’s blog while she is away! Today I wanted to talk about something that sits heavy on my heart everyday and I am sure there are so many other people out there that are right there with me.

In May of 2014 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was distraught and my world spun around completely. I went through long period of deep depression all while trying to figure out this disease. I was in the middle of turmoil and couldn’t figure out where the exit door was located.

Previously to being diagnosed I was always a happy person. I was always positive and never spoke a bad word. (okay, maybe a few…but who doesn’t) Regardless, my point is that I had never experienced depression, I was not a negative person, and I never lost faith in God. When I was diagnosed and felt the disease start to take over I lost all of who I was. My motivation diminished, my positivity was hard to be found, and depression settled in. 

After a hard couple month’s I felt that enough was enough and knew this wasn’t who I was. I wanted the old me. I didn’t want to be in a slump anymore. I knew I couldn’t break the depression, as this was a side effect of the medication. I knew however that I was a positive person and deep down I was still me..

Keeping positive with a chronic illness isn’t always easy. When medication stop working and your in pain and sick it is extremely hard to put on a happy face and act like everything’s okay. Still to this day it is not easy but I do it. Staying positive during the hard times has helped me immensely. Walking into a doctor’s office with a positive outlook on how things will go will help the end result.

The best thing one with chronic illness can do is to let go and let God. This is not something we can change, it is something we must live with forever. It is a part of us, hence "chronic." Giving it over to God was the best thing I ever did, no God did not heal me but the weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Another thing I found extremely helpful were my friends and family. Having a great support system who understands times are tough can completely change ones mood. Personally, I feed off of other positivity thus having positive people surrounding me aids in my own positivity. Lastly, smile. Simple, so so simple, but so purposeful. When you smile it makes others smile and when you make others happy it’ll make you happy. It’s a complete circle. 

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At the end of the day it’s all about doing what you can to make you happy. Whatever it is that brings a smile to your face, do it because the most important thing when living with a chronic illness is to stay positive.  All we can guarantee is our own happiness and we only live one life so why not make it as best as we can!


Huge thanks to Kendra for helping me out and writing something so important to both of us! I just love Kendra's heart. Want to fall in love with Kendra too?

Kenji is Here   |   Twitter   |   Instagram   |   Pinterest

Answers Sometimes Lead to More Questions

I'm exhausted. I am not used to working and my body is screaming at me. I'm kinda glad that I have this week to adjust before school starts up again next week. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my new job. It's so rewarding, and the people I help to take care of are so interesting. I've got a hilarious conversation for the link-up later this month.

My schedule will be busier than ever starting Friday, you should see our calendar board in our kitchen. So if you text or snapchat me, it may take me a little longer to reply. Or even email... and blog comments. Yeah. Sorry. I still love you though.

In other news. That blood work I mentioned last week, well everything came back normal. Great news right? Sorta. It didn't explain the symptoms I've been experiencing, some of which started about five years ago and have gotten increasingly worse. The nurse who gave me my results consulted with my doctor and called me back later that afternoon. I can't say I was surprised by what she said; I have actually been suspecting for a while that this may be the answer. It makes sense.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. (You can read more about it here.)

There is a really high chance that I have it. The only way to know for sure is to have an ultrasound done. My doctor wants to try one more thing before we do that though, so he put me on another medication to see if it helps.

I haven't really reacted just yet. I think my mom had more of a reaction than I did when I told her. She wanted to know for sure, right this second. I told her it was ok, and that it can wait. She said it was important. Then I told her that it didn't matter. If I had it, I had it. It's not curable. She mentioned kids. I told her it was ok, we didn't really want kids anyways.

I think she was hoping deep down that we would change our minds about that decision. I don't know if we will, especially now.

But then I started thinking about it and I'm sad and angry. Before now it was mine and Hubs' decision to not have kids, and now that decision has been taken away from us. My body has decided it for us.


I don't really know how to end this post. I sat here for about twenty minutes trying to think of something else to say, but nothing came. It probably didn't help that I was watching The Fault in Our Stars and crying into Misty's fur while writing this post. I guess I could say that I'm relieved to have answers, even if I don't like them.