On Saturday, it will be ONE YEAR since I finished all treatments.  This is my so-called first "cancerversary".  Hallelujah!  Thank you God!  Some of you may be confused and think I've celebrated my "one year" anniversary before this - but that was actually my one year in remission on Dec. 2.  So, I've got two big days that I can celebrate each year.  Which is fine by me!  I love celebrations, especially when they are about kicking some cancer booty!  

So, what's changed in a year?  Well, this time last year I was eating mashed potatoes and milk shakes, and I was battling a sore throat from radiation.  BLECH.  Yeah mashed taters and ice cream are good and all, but not really what a diet should solely consist of.  Lately I've been pretty focused on clean eating.  What's clean eating?  Well, my definition of it is that you are always alert about what you are putting into your body.  Check out Clean Eating Magazine - I LOVE this magazine!  I have been trying HARD to buy only organic meats, eggs, milk, and some vegetables.  I've also been trying to only eat whole grains.  I've been doing pretty darn good.  I am trying not to really eat as much meat anymore, but that's difficult when you have a carnivore for a husband.  ;)  Love you Ben, and don't be sorry about it - you're a guy for crying out loud.  That's what you love.  Why am I doing that?  Well my Mom gave me a book called "The Kind Diet" by Alicia Silverstone.  It's pretty tough to read, and it made me tear up a bit just because I am such an animal lover.  It's just awful what they do to animals that will be used for food these days, actually it's downright disgusting. If you read it, I bet you won't eat much meat anymore either.  I try to only buy meats that have the organic label, and there's certain ones that say "raised ethically" or "cage free".  The "Kind Diet" is pretty tough to follow though (it's Vegan, aka hardcore), so I'm trying my best to eat sensibly.  I can definitely feel a difference, especially in my digestive system.  Of course I let myself go crazy with food during the Holidays, but who doesn't???  If my Mama's dressing is in front of my face, you better bet your money I'm gonna eat it, and A LOT of it.  Gah that stuff should be illegal it's so flippin' good.  After the New Year, I got back into the gym (with the millions of other people, thank goodness they've fallen off the wagon and I can actually get a machine now!!!).  I have been going full force at least 3 times a week, every single week since then.  Ben has been running like a mad man too.  He can run 6 miles without stopping now - my goodness!  Way to go Ben!  I guess that's what 15+ years of intense soccer training will do for you.  His legs have no problem whatsoever running that far.  Hmmmm ME?  Not so much.  I'm not a runner by any means.  I stick to my elliptical machine and run/walk interval training.  So, we both are doing good with our food and exercise routines.

Other than that - I'm more mentally stable now.  Not like I was ever looney or anything, but if you can imagine going through cancer treatment...it's not the easiest thing on the mind!  I still have those thoughts that linger in the back of my mind about cancer, but they aren't as "loud" as they used to be.  Of course they ring loud and clear when a scan is on the horizon, and sure enough another one is just around the corner.  Scanxiety ahead...UGH.

Can yall start praying for me now?  Pretty please?

Hope all of you are having a fantastic week!  I can't believe it's almost March 1st...and you all know what that means?  Daylight savings and spring temps are on the way.  YAY!  Have a great weekend!!

Love to all,