Such Sweet Sorrow

Since I mentioned yesterday that I will have to reduce my carbohydrate intake, as well as sugars, it occurred to me that 

I won't be able to eat the massive quantities of Sweet Potatoes in the New Year.

I don't think it's healthy to be addicted to the amount I am. 

Even though sweet potatoes are extremely healthy, having 

6-7 at one time just causes hypoglycemia. But slowly, 

I am working towards breaking this crazy habit!

But damn! These look good huh!

Time to stack the Sweet Potato Mountain again :)

Each one has a crispy outside and a tender inside... mmm

Also the Winner of my Hemp Hog Giveaway is...

Lequan @ LuvToEat

Congrats Lequan! Send me your shipping info to:

kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com

Unhappy Holidays

This isn't going to be the happiest of posts and I debated whether to publish it or not. When it comes to our personal lives we tend to scrutinize what it is we choose to share with the world or not. And even though this post is personal, its the type of thing 
I feel NEEDS more awareness, and therefore is the reason I decided to publish it.

So what is it all about? Mental health, my mental health in particular.

It's ironic that most people who meet me describe me as happy-go-lucky, 
always smiling and full of energy. Yes, I am all those things, but never long 
enough for me to believe it in myself. 

I got off all my medicine, medicine I was prescribed for Bipolar 
(Manic-Depression) and BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). 
The medicine was making my life CrAzY and I couldn't find one that worked 
well with my body since I was so sensitive to them. 

The other bit about my health refers to my Adrenal Glands. I've always suffered with Adrenal Fatigue and more pronounced, Adrenal Exhaustion. A recent test confirms that I have entered the 3rd phase, Adrenal Burnout. Adrenal Gland Disorders 
are genetic in my family. My Grandma had one removed because it was tumorous. 

On top of everything, I'm at a point in my life where I want to move out and start 
my own life. At 21, this can be challenging for anyone and it scares me because of how unstable things are for me right now. When I'm happy I feel like I could take on 
the world, superhuman, superwoman. When I'm down, it's rock bottom for me, or it extreme rage and violent black outs. Roller coaster? More like a missile!

 

Sure, telling you guys this makes me vulnerable, but it's my issues and I choose to work with them than to deny them. It's made me look at my life more sympathetically and to question everything from a health perspective. When I did the mood guest post, I was reading Potatoes not Prozac, a fabulous book talking about the effects of sugar and excess carbs negatively affecting those with mood disorders. 

Since it's the Holidays, you can be theres been a lot
 of Sugar and Carbohydrate eating going on...

And all this is fine, for the average person. For me, it's poison. Lately i've been rapidly cycling (Quickly alternating from states of highs and lows)... and the anger and rage has gotten to an extremely unhealthy point. With my adrenals burnt out, the effects are heightened, and the need to avoid sugars is so important for recovery

Chocolate and Almond Cookie Brittle

So with the help of my parents and my doctors, I will be switching over to 
a High Protein, Higher Fat, Moderate Carb and Low Sugar Diet. 
2011 is all about Regaining my Mental Health.

I promise you will continue to see yummy recipes. Hopefully I can find a 
healthier path for myself, one that allows me a smooth transition 
as I move out on my own. I will explain more in the weeks to come.

This post isn't meant to worry anyone, just to help bring awareness and 
a face to Mental Illness. There is way too much stigma and prejudice placed on 
Mood Disorders, to the point where we feel should keep quiet and ignore or deny it. 
But I'm fed up with shutting up! It's time I take a stand!

Thank you for listening and sharing your support.