Staying Sober on the Holidays and the Hard Days

This post is for my #soberwarriors #sobercurious or just plain #sober on the holidays and the hard days...

Holidays and special occasions can be hard! There is so much normalization around drinking and partying around the holidays and special occasions.  

What Will They Say About You?

Sometimes the shortest conversations can be the sweetest...

I shared with some friends tonight how I'm so thankful for the handful of people that are in my life who knew my dad. I love that we get to share stories and I get to hear how he touched people's lives. 

Feel it to Heal it

Feelings are a tricky thing. There's a lot of talk about feelings in recovery because we are learning to deal with them in new and productive ways rather than numbing them out.

Becoming a master over and a friend with our feelings is critical. Otherwise they can have mastery over you. 

Rising Woman ~ Allyson Elizabeth

Our next Rising Woman has just rocked my world with her story. There are so many reasons that I'm completely honored to share Allyson's story here. I "met" Ally through her Facebook group, Badass Sober Sisters, and asked her to share her story when I recently saw her celebrating 6 years of sobriety. The further I move on along in my own sobriety, the more I realize the importance of impacting the stigma around addiction and recovery. I'm so thankful for people like Allyson who choose to support people on this journey. Her FB group has been one of the many supporting factors in my own sobriety. Thank you, Ally, for being the first Rising Woman to share on the topic of recovery, and for the incredible courage that it took you to do so. You, my friend, are a warrior and I love you!

Who are you and what do you do for a living?
I’m Ally. I’m 27 years old and I am a full time student majoring in social work.

Tell me about your family, if applicable.
I’m the oldest of 3 girls. My parents have been and are still together since they were 16 years old. My dad will have 17 years sober in August.

What is your story?
Well, I grew up in the alcoholic household. My dad drank until I was 11 years old. I also picked up my first drink at 11. When my dad got sober he passed a comment that he got sober for my little sister, so she wouldn’t have to go through what my sister and I went through. I can honestly tell you right then and there all my insecurities were born. Why was I not good enough for him to get sober long before? If I’m not good enough for my own dad how would I ever be good enough for anyone else?

By the time I was 11 years old I knew what real pain and heartache was. I worried about things no child should even know about.

My drinking wasn’t crazy, just weekend and school breaks but when I took that first drink at 11 I knew I was different. I didn’t like the taste or the feeling but what I did like is feeling numb. From that first night, I drank to blackout and not feel.

Fast forward to senior year of high school, I was an excellent student and was accepted into every college I applied to. I feel like I was pressured into going away. See, my parents didn’t know about my weekend escapades, but I was a hard kid to raise. I was disrespectful, irresponsible and mean. I thrived in chaos and negative spaces. So my parents thought it was a good idea that I not stay home for school. I kind of feel like they just didn’t want to deal with me anymore and wanted a peaceful environment to raise my sisters. Again all those insecurities were right back in full force.

I decided to go to SUNY Purchase in Westchester, New York. I was 18 and no where near ready to be on my own. I drank myself into oblivion every night. I didn’t go to class - I joke that I majored in beer pong and boys. I met a guy who I thought I was going to be with forever. I latched on. I couldn’t do anything without him, breath, sleep, live. He joined the military and left for basic training for 20 weeks. I always craved attention from guys and I found that in his recruiter. I never cheated, but I loved the flirty-ness. I also started hanging out with my cousin who introduced me to roxys and shooting. When my boyfriend came home, we moved in together and I stopped doing drugs. It was more important to me to be the perfect military girlfriend. In December of 2009 we got engaged. I was living the life I always wanted. But I’m an addict and eventually my drinking became a problem, so I picked up pills again. We moved in with his parents and I was convinced that if I got pregnant I would be cured of drug addiction and my relationship would be fixed. But to be honest I really don’t think I would have stopped using, or if i did I think I would have been resentful that I had too. I know that sounds so selfish, but I only cared about drugs. My relationship fell apart and I moved back to Long Island.

On my 21st birthday, I went to a local bar. I was dancing with my long time friend, and this other kid came up and the next thing I know their hands are down my pants. Afterward, I just chalked it up to being too drunk and I asked for it because I danced with him. I know now that that was no where near acceptable or my fault.

I soon met another boy, in 2011, who was just getting out of treatment and moving into a male halfway house, so I moved in with him. The house was run by a gang called the Latin Kings and they were running drugs in and out. I was introduced to heroin at this time. I don’t really remember the week I was there. The boy I was seeing stole money from the guys running the house and blamed me, they broke my cheekbones, my nose, and I was raped by 7 or 8 men. I then went upstairs a hysterical bloody mess and overdosed. Someone called my mom and told her I was in danger, but wouldn’t tell her where I was. She had to track my cell phone. On the way to the hospital I ended up flatlining. They had to narcan me 4 times and use paddles. They asked me if I had a problem and I said that I was 21 and just having fun. I went a little overboard. They sent me on my way, but now I’m screwed because it is now confirmed. I am deep in addiction and using heroin. My parents sent my sisters to my grandma's, took off work and I detoxed at home cold turkey for 8 days. I went to my first AA meeting after I was done detoxing, but was high as a kite before the meeting was over.

I went on to overdose another time, narcan, paddles, the works. I finally attempted sobriety and had about 75 days clean when my neighbors stepson moved in across the street. He was everything I wanted, he did drums, dealt drugs and had a girlfriend. The chaos that became my life for literally only 2 months was insane. I made Facebook after Facebook to tell this poor girl what was going on between her boyfriend and I. I spared no detail. He and I ended in Jersey with my mom's stolen credit card. I showed up at my uncle's ex wife’s door and I hadn’t seen her in 20+ years. We spent the next 4 days in oblivion. When I got home my parents had booked me a one way flight to Arizona for treatment. I stayed in Arizona for 3 months but was convinced I wasn’t an alcoholic, I was a drug addict. I couldn’t be an alcoholic. I was 21, that’s what all normal kids my age do.

I drank for a while, but alcohol stopped giving me the high or numbness I craved. In November 2011 my good friend from high school passed away from an overdose. He was 22 years old. My world sank. I couldn’t understand why a 22 year old was taken and I didn’t understand how he was here one day and gone the next. I had just talked to him about going to meetings. I was so uncomfortable and needed out. Right back to the syringe I went. I went to his funeral flying high and looked his mother in the eye and promised I was doing good. I ended up back in treatment 3 weeks later.

This time, I stayed on Long Island. I went to Seafield in West Hampton Beach, they were the best on Long Island. I ended up getting kicked out for fraternizing 12 days later. When my mom and grandma picked me up they informed me I wasn’t allowed in my house and I would be moving in with my grandma. I rebelled against everything my grandma believed in. I was furious and refusing.

I was with my grandma for 4 months and I stayed sober. I threw myself into my program, meetings, sponsor, and the 12 steps. In February 2012 my neighbors step son passed away and I found myself right back in the same place. Questioning God, my purpose. I really tried to stay clean, like honest to God I wanted it. I reached out, I went to meetings and shared, but the that uncomfortability came right back and I needed out of self.

I stole a credit card went down to Florida and did what I did best. I was extremely high staying in a hotel room when I called my mom and she actually answered. My parents had cut me off by this time. I went on and on about how I was starving and needed food. She just quietly said “you are my beloved, take a good look and ask yourself if this is who you want to be? That pain you feel is only temporary and you can fight it,” and she hung up. I cried like I never had before and I hit my knees and begged for help. I got my MacBook, the only thing I wouldn’t pawn, and googled treatment centers. I found one in Hobe Sound 4 hours from where I was, all I had to do was get myself to detox.

The night before going to detox I was raped by 2 men. They dropped me off at the hospital the next day. They didn’t even wait until I was out of the car to drive away. Even despite that, I still wanted to get clean. I was ready and willing to do anything for sobriety.

While checking into detox, they found drugs and I was arrested for possession with the intent to sell. I was taken to Tavernes County Jail. I was there for 3 days which isn’t long, but felt like an eternity. My parents bailed me out and I went to detox for 7 days, and then treatment for 45. I knew I wasn’t ready to come home, plus I was facing 7-10 years with the intent to sell charges, so I wasn’t allowed to leave Florida. I also knew I needed to listen to people who knew more than I did, so I went to a halfway house for a year.

I went in front of a judge 8 months later and my charges were dismissed because they broke confidentiality. I flew back to New York that night and called my parents from JFK. When I told them I was home, they told me that was nice because I wasn’t allowed in their house, so I had to find somewhere to live. I went to another halfway for 9 months, then moved in with my aunt in South Carolina. I wasn’t allowed home until I was almost 2 years sober.

To say it has been a roller coaster is an understatement. There has been extremely low points in my sobriety, but I pushed forward. Today, April 1st, I celebrate 6 years of complete sobriety. I was asked why I think I’m in the 1% of those who get sober and stay sober, and my answer is simple - I remain teachable, I don’t know everything and I rely on those who know more. I took every suggestion. I threw myself into program. I also believe living a life of service is a major piece of remaining sober. I am able to be there and supportive of everyone I meet.

I hit an extremely low point in my sobriety, I lost faith in myself, God, and meetings. I was going to 1-2 meetings every 2 months, if that, and I suffered terribly. I felt alone, not connected, and miserable. My attitude and behaviors were those of someone in active addiction. I forced myself to get back to meetings. I met my sponsee and we’re currently going through the steps. Taking her through the steps and being there and present for someone has healed me in places I didn’t know needed to be healed.

I remain grateful always. I fall short, but I can admit when I’m wrong and need help. Despite the hardships I’m still standing.

What have you overcome to get where you are today?
Honestly no one, including myself, thought that I would be alive today. If someone told me today that I’d be sober, have my family in my life, have amazing women in my life, I never would have believed it. I was heading down a really dark and dangerous road and I didn’t care if I lived at the end. So I guess I had to overcome not caring what happened to me, finding the willpower to overcome addiction.

What has been your greatest struggle in life?
Acceptance and control. I like things to go my way. I’m working on trying not to control everything and accept people and things the way they are. I read and reread page 417 in the big book of alcoholic anonymous.

Did you ever feel like giving up? When you felt like giving up, what did you do?
I want to say giving up isn’t an option, but just because I have 6 years doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with the same things people in early recovery do. I just have the tools today to deal with and overcome. I won’t lie though, sometimes I just don’t want to feel, but I won’t give up. When I do feel that way I reach out to my support tribe. I pray, write, make gratitude lists, eat, and read recovery books; Living Sober, The Big Book, Daily Reflections.

What are some of the tools and resources you have used to work through and overcome those struggles? (books, counselors, workshops, programs, coaches, etc.)
I see a psychologist once a week, a psychiatrist every 6 months, I have a sponsor and an amazing group of women and I am extremely active in A.A.

What are your gifts and how did you discover them?
There’s so many gifts. I am responsible today. I suit up, shut up, and show up for people today. I care so much about literally everyone and would do anything to help people. I’m nonjudgmental, I don think I have a right to judge anyone when we all have our own paths. I was blessed with these gifts when I got sober and did the steps and when I started taking other women through the steps.

Tell us about your tribe and the importance of having one.

I have an amazing tribe. We’re all different ages and in all different points in our sobriety but the love and compassion not to mention the understanding is in full force. They are always there when I need someone. Having a tribe makes me feel not alone and understood when I feel absolutely crazy.

Who in life do you rely on when you're struggling? Who keeps you uplifted and on your path?
My dad. I had a really rocky relationship with him when he first got sober and addiction swallowed me, but I couldn’t have gotten 6 years without him especially in the beginning. He is my best friend, my go-to, my rock. He showed me how to live a life of honesty, integrity, and kindness. I call him for literally everything, probably like 15 times a day. He is the best man I have ever met.

What do you want other women to know who are feeling lost, and/or experiencing their own tragedy and/or struggles?
You are so worth it. The pain you’re in now is only temporary. Fight through. You are beautiful and strong and I love each and everyone of you even if we haven’t met.

What is some advice you would give to women who are healing or rising in some way?
You can do it! Look for the rainbow after the storm, it’s always there even if you can’t see it.

Anything else you'd like to add? 
This world can be such a scary dark place at times. That’s why it’s so important to stick together. Lift each other up and strengthen each other. We need each other.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you are a woman questioning your own troubles with addiction; if you're trying or wanting to get clean & sober; or if you're just looking for more support on your journey, we encourage and urge you to reach out. It can feel like a lonely road, but I PROMISE you're not alone.

You can find Ally and a whole group of amazingly supportive sober women on their journey of recovery on Facebook at: Badass Sober Sisters

Ally, thank you again for being part of The Rising Woman Project. Keep doing what you're doing, girl! 

xoxoxo

Back-to-Love Lifestyle Makeover

This is a 12-week program for women who are seeking to improve their health from the inside-out. This is not a quick fix or weight loss program. This is a time to get back to making yourself a priority in order to have a lasting healthy & balanced lifestyle.  

Is this program for you?

• Are you a woman who has given much of yourself and your time to your family, spouse, children, education and/or career?
• Have you put yourself on the back burner for a number of years?
• Has your lack of attention to your own needs taken a toll on your health?
• Do you feel that you need the accountability with another person to be successful?
• Do you feel you're lacking the tools on your own to reach the goals you desire?

What will you gain?

• A new relationship to healthy living
• A new wealth of knowledge, tools and resources that will empower your belief and ability to lead an empowered lifestyle
• A new sense of confidence in yourself and your ability to make healthy choices
• A new sense of vitality that will be the driving force in maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• A new relationship with, and love for, yourself in all of your unique beauty

How does it work?

• We will have sessions via Skype and/or telephone which will provide the education, accountability, resources, structures, tools and coaching to support you on your path to better health and happiness. 
• I will provide homework, activities and exercises for you to do in between our sessions together which will contribute to your goals and lifestyle transformation. 
• I will be here to support you between sessions via email.

How to get started:

• Email me to schedule an initial telephone consult to determine the structure that will work best for you.

***One-on-one and group program options

***Group discounts and payment options available

Contact me for your free initial consultation or to book your first session!

mimi@mimimarie.com

Or send me a personal message on Facebook!

The keys to commitment, growth and success!!

Over time, I've discovered the things that I can do to ensure my success and I want to share them with you because I truly believe they can be applied to any of your goals and actually empower the progress and success that you've been wanting. 

So, here you go. Here are your keys... :)

Find and declare your WHY~

Why do we get stuck? Because we've lost touch with our WHY. Your WHY is the whole reason that it's important for you to be successful - whether it's your physical, mental or spiritual health, your business or career, or the relationships around you - strongly and clearly knowing your WHY drives you to being committed and working hard for these things. When you lose touch with your WHY, you can lose touch with your drive and become stuck. 

Your WHY is your purpose and what's *really* important to you. For example, here's mine~ 

#1 is that my kids have an amazing life. That I'm able to empower what's important to them and having a future that makes them happy & fulfilled. And that I'm able to have all of the freedom to enjoy my time with them, take them on adventures, and create the memories of a lifetime. 

#2 is that I make a difference in the lives of other women. Women are beautiful, amazing and powerful, but so many have forgotten that. I want to help them remember and help them find love for themselves, because when moms are enlivened and empowered they can move mountains. When women are empowered, the men and children in their lives are happier. And when you put these pieces together, then our children can and will inadvertently grow up in a better place. 

Remove the obstacles~

Remove the things that hold you back, whether it be food, certain habits, people, places, etc. If you can't get over or around the things that slow you down or hold you back, sometimes it's best to take a break, create some distance, and re-evaulate what really has a place in your life.

Get some accountability~

Share your goals and the things you're working on with the people in your life. This could mean clearly asking for support. Maybe it means hiring a coach or mentor. Having a support system is so important in keeping you accountable. You're not proving anything by trying to do things on your own! 

Find a structure~

This could be a group, a class, a program, a book, a partner, or any kind of well rounded structure to support you on your path. These things provide tools and education to get you where you want to go in a healthy and balanced way. Not everyone needs this kind of thing, but I know for me, being surrounded by people moving in the same direction is exactly what I need. I can't do these things on my own!

Acknowledge yourself~

Lately, I've done a lot of reflecting on how far I've come over the past few years and realized how little we stop to give ourselves credit for our accomplishments. This is SO important on the journey of personal growth! We must always acknowledge how far we've come or it can literally feel like we've gone nowhere. Acknowledging our progress propels us to grow more. It's time to give yourself some credit for the hard work that you do!

Take action~

I feel like a different woman than I was a even just a year ago. Looking back I felt so timid and afraid to step into the path that so strongly called to me. But day by day and little by little, I took steps even when I was scared. Taking steps in the face of fear and uncertainty gave me confidence and grew me into a woman that believes in herself. *Action + practice = progress!

Work hard and be patient~

We live in a world where we want results NOW. We're impatient and we don't like when results take time. It has taken me several years to step into my place as a women's coach. I have a client who has lost 20 pounds in 4 months and feels like she's failing because it's taking so long. These are great accomplishments!! Be patient and acknowledge all of the little steps along the way.
Get your vision clear (whatever it is), stay focused, work hard and don't give up!! Your consistency and persistency WILL lead to success. I promise :)

We have such a tendency as humans to complicate things. We get stuck inside of our thoughts, insecurities & fears and can literally paralyze ourselves. If you can start with even one of the things above at a time, just one step, you will surely start moving in the direction of your dreams. 

If you have any questions, need support, guidance, resources, anything, please feel free to reach out! 

I love to help!

Always love,

~Mimi

Personalized Cooking Session

When people embark on a new journey to health, learning how to prepare and cook food in a new way can be one of the biggest challenges. Women express to me time and time again how helpful it is when I come to their home and show them how it's done and that it doesn't have to be complicated. 

***Special offer for the month of July ONLY...
Check this out -- I am offering this to you as a gift! Anyone who signs up for my 12-week program before July 31st, pays for the first month, and books their first appointment with me will receive their FREE personalized cooking session ($249 value)!

Personalized Cooking Session
1 evening, approx. 2 hours, in your home!
In-home cooking session customized to your dietary and lifestyle needs. We show you the importance and ease of incorporating healthy cooking into your lifestyle ~ and have fun doing it! :)

*Can also be purchased a la cart for $249! Contact me to book!

Contact me for questions or to sign up!

Breaking out of Prison...

"Just by speaking I can break out of my own self-made prison..."

Lately I have become increasingly aware of a sort of prison that I have put myself in. Since my divorce I have been dancing in & out of my perceived ability to become the woman that I believe I am on this planet to be. I've realized that in my own struggle to survive, I have created a self-protective mechanism of not sharing myself and my journey with others. In all of the fear of doing it wrong, messing things up, and being viewed as a failure, I've put myself in a box. And it is this very thing that has come to slap me in the face with not being able to reach the next level of my life. 

This supposed protection and isolation has been keeping me from my true purpose of being in this life and on this planet for others. I'm now seeing that I'm going to have to get really rigorous with myself, my life and the choices that I make in order to break free. So over the past few months I've become committed to tackling my self, my identity, my ego, etc. and figuring out how to get out of my own way. 

I've reopened myself to all of the coaching from my mentors that I can possibly get. I'm directly and indirectly inviting people to call me out on my sh*t as much as possible. I'm also letting in what people see as great about me. Sometimes that is more uncomfortable than being called out on the hard stuff! Let me have it all! The good, the bad and the ugly. Because it isn't until I'm open to ALL of it for myself that I can be about any of it for others.

I participated in the Nourish detox twice over the past 3 months. Partly because I wanted to experience what I was going to be facilitating as a nutritionist. But really it was about SO much more than physically removing the toxins from my body. It was just as much, if not more, about cleansing on a mental, emotional and spiritual level. It was time to shake myself up!

All this time, I have been afraid of what you would think of me.. That I was selfish or doing what I'm doing... for me. Inadvertently I was doing exactly what I was trying to avoid. I let myself become crippled by my fear of what others would think --and that's when it became about ME! Yuck!

I'd like you to know that I'm sharing this with you to step outside of my own fears with the intention of helping you do the same. God knows.. I know.. and if you know me then you know, that I don't do what I do for me. My path is important to me because I care about you. We all face similar battles in life, just with different contexts. I'm declaring to you now that I'm breaking out of these self-made chains and I'm setting myself free so that I can help other women do the same. 

I'm here to help you see and believe that you are enough... now...

If any of this resonates with you, please share.
If you think I can help you on your journey to health and vitality, please contact me.
Wherever you are on your path, please reach out. 
I love hearing from you!

Always love,
~Mimi~

The School of Inner Beauty

Have you ever had any of these thoughts? (I know I have...)

• I wish I could love what I see in the mirror every day, regardless of my weight or outer "flaws."
• I wish I could feel beautiful, and even sexy!
• I wish I really loved myself.
• I wish I could feel comfortable, radiant and free everywhere I go and with everyone I meet.
• I wish I could stop judging myself.
• I wish I could be healthy without beating myself up if I make a mistake.

I'm so thrilled and honored to be participating and assisting in the launch of this amazing program with my great friend, Camille from Paleo Living. We're working together to expand our entrepreneurial lives and unleashing our inner goddesses!! Rawr!! ;) 

This program is unlike anything I've ever seen! You will be supported and coached by 15 amazing leaders in the world of health and womanhood to create a life of self-love where anything is possible. Unleash your inner beauty!! There are a few select spots left and the program starts on 9/30, so if you think one of those spots might be for you, check it out and apply! 

Life Can Change in an Instant...

Geez. Life can sure turn in an instant! The last month has been a whirlwind with plenty of challenges. But the biggest by far happened last Thursday. Our little man (the one we went Paleo for a couple of months ago) began having full blown seizures and has officially been diagnosed with epilepsy. Even though this hasn't been the first of our scares with Eddie, this may be the toughest one to swallow. Thankfully, he turned a corner and is feeling a lot better now. I feel like I can breathe again. But I hate that he has to be on medication and when I think of leaving him somewhere I get a pit in my stomach. There is just so much that's unknown about the disease, the brain, or even WHY the medicine works. On one hand, I know everything is going to be okay because I know that he has the best parents/family/friends/doctors to do all of the right things for him. On the other hand, I'm terrified. This is all a realm that we've never been before and the unknown can be very scary. On the other hand (what? you didn't know I had 3 hands?) I believe that everything happens for a reason and I have to find solace knowing that this is only a stepping stone. 

We came home from the hospital on Friday and it felt like we had been thrown naked into the ocean without a life vest, raft, or anything... What now?! Among the routine doctor visits, medications, neurological testing, etc., what could we do to give our son the best possible chances for a healthy, happy, normal life - as naturally as possible. Obviously at this point we feel trapped in having to keep the seizures at bay and have him on medication, but the hope is that he will grow out of needing that and we can naturally support that process. You know where I'm going with this, don't you..? 

FOOD. Since having gone Paleo a couple of months ago, we all saw a marked improvement in Eddie's day to day life. His memory improved and the issues that were already at hand seemed to be lessening. But now it's time to take our Paleo lifestyle to the next level. Under our doctors care and lots of research, we are currently transitioning into a ketogenic diet which has shown to be effective for people with seizure disorders. This won't be a hard transition since we were already Paleo about 80% of the time (but definitely have to raise that ratio), but there's still a lot to learn. 

I know that food is the key to all avenues of health and I know that different things work for different people. I'm wondering, have you experienced your own success in the arena of your health because of a changed diet? What was your condition and what did you do? What was your transformation?

Also, do you or someone you know/love have epilepsy? How do you support that condition with a healthy lifestyle and where do you get support? 

One thing that I've really taken to heart with all of this is that I don't want to do this alone. On that note, I'd love to hear from you. Also, please send your love, light and good vibes to our precious son. 

Comment below, OR:
Email: heavenlyhealthy@yahoo.com

Pachecos Go Paleo!!

I'm SO excited to share with you all this brand new Paleo journey that I'm taking my family on for the next 2 weeks!! I will be posting blogs, videos and pictures on FB and IG through all of my social media feeds and I would love for you to follow along. Bare with me, as this first post will be the longest as I tell you a little bit of our story as well as WHY we've decided to give this path a try.

If you know me, you know that I generally don't believe in "diets" or the idea that "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to what we should be eating. Every body has its own requirements and it's our job to figure out what foods provide us with the energy and vitality that are needed to live our fullest, healthiest life possible.

You may or may not know that I've been mostly vegetarian for the past 13 years. Sometimes I'm very strict about it, sometimes I'm not. I typically just go with how I feel because I deeply believe that our bodies will unfailingly tell us what we need through our levels of energy, how we're feeling, what we're craving, etc.

Sadly though, over the past 6+ months I lost my passion for being in the kitchen. Life got super busy and cooking (something that I truly love to do) became more of a chore than something that I enjoyed. I also got tired of making the same old things that never pleased the whole family (3 adults and 3 kids). So, I began to settle for less on what I was feeding everyone. I'd make separate meals which usually meant something healthier for the adults and something mediocre for the kids. Lately, it really started to get to me. My #1 commitment in life is to give my family the best in everything that I can, so how was I going to get over this major funk in the kitchen?

And then I no longer had a choice. I wasn't sure if I was going to share this next part of our story publicly or not, but one thing I know is that by sharing the REAL stuff in life then others can benefit in their own struggles. It is my hope that in sharing this part of our family's journey that you will gain something for your own life journey.

Last week we found out that our 8 year old son, Eddie, has Complex Partial Epilepsy. You may have followed some of his story over the past 8 years. His issues have been pretty minor and very manageable. However, more recently we began noticing something a little more concerning - periods of complete absence, loss of memory and/or knowledge of his current setting. (We'll keep this part of the story short for now.) And so the tests began (physicals, EEG, MRI, etc.) and our suspicions were confirmed.

Once the devastation settled, reality set in. Something had to change. I knew deep in my being that the kid who would eat pizza at every single meal if he could, had to change his diet. And that meant this mama was going to have to have a solid plan. Whatever the plan was going to be, it needed to include the entire family.

[Parts of our family meeting will be posted on Youtube.]

After conducting much of my own homework as well as already having some intuition telling me that Eddie needed to be eating more meat, I reluctantly decided it was time to start bringing more meat into the house. After a few very DRY and not-so-yummy attempts (I've never been one to cook meat), the first person I could think to help me on this path was my amazingly talented and passion-about-food friend, Camille from Recipe RX and Paleo Living.

It couldn't have been more perfect that she was literally JUST launching her own program to help people transition into a healthier lifestyle, called Paleo Cooking at Home: Fast, Easy & Cheap. I quickly jumped on her affiliate program last week, went shopping on Sunday and began our cooking journey on Monday (yesterday). No time to waste!

>>>>>Meet Camille here!!<<<<<

And now the journey begins.

Sunday we completely overhauled the kitchen... out with the crap, in with the real food!!

OUT with the enriched breads, pastas & processed carbs~

IN with the fresh produce, healthy fats and yes, the meat!!

Our first dinner was last night (Almond Coconut Crusted Chicken - holy heavens!!) and EVERYONE (yes, I said everyone) LOVED it!! So far, we have made last night's dinner, today's breakfast (plantain crepes) and lunch (tuna salad wraps), and all of them have been a hit!!

Words cannot express how exciting it has been in just 24 hours to make meals that the whole family loves! I'm seriously ecstatic!! I'm already thrilled to be back in the kitchen and I feel like this is exactly what our entire family needed to get on track.

Be sure to follow our 2-week "Pachecos Go Paleo" journey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and now Youtube!!

Unveiling ~ Part One!

You may or may not have noticed a shift in gears around here lately. I'm sure your news feeds and inboxes are just as swamped as mine, so either way it can be hard to keep up! Definitely though, my articles has been more sporadic and my posts have broadened in topic from self-love to fitness to food. Over the past 2 years I have taken myself on a personal growth and development journey of a lifetime! A personal overhaul, if you will. I have gone through various workshops, seminars, leadership programs; and I have really stepped outside of my comfort zone to shed my past, develop a life that I love, and become a person that I love and that my family and friends can love more. 

*In Part Two of my Unveiling, I will share more of my recent journey with you all. In the meantime, feel free to get to know me by checking out my 35th Birthday post or my About Me page.*

What I'm here to unveil now is what I've been doing more recently. I have been working toward fine-tuning my goals and figuring out how to take my own journey and turn it into something that I can give back to others. I have discovered my mission and my passion in life.. And I've realized that I am here on this planet to make a difference in the lives, in the health, and in the happiness of others. So, I'd like to share with you how I will be starting to bring this all into reality and how I will begin to be available to help YOU create a life of happiness and vitality!

Here are some of the things I'm working on in 2013:

*Open NOW: 
Launched my health empowerment program for women in January (Mimi's Health Camp). Healthy living can have a different meaning for everyone. In my program, we start with the inside and then work our way into developing a lifestyle that works for YOU. This means developing self-love, healthy eating and exercise habits that are sustainable and unique to each individual. 

*Cooking classes and personal training to help women create a healthy lifestyle that works for them. This isn't about following a strict diet or workout regimen. This is about developing new habits that work for YOU.

*Sweaty Betty Ambassadorship: supporting and empowering as many women as possible in their journeys to health in this amazing community of women.

*Working to offer Mimi's Health Camp online by summer 2013 - stay tuned!

*Heavenly Healthy cookbook in the works - to be published by the end of the year!?

To stay in the loop, sign up for my Heavenly Healthy newsletter here:
NEWSLETTER

As always, thank you for reading, following and supporting my journey and please let me know how I can support YOU! 

~Mimi~

PS. One of the greatest quotes and tools that has been of amazing value to me lately: 
Collaboration, NOT competition~
When we can work together as a team, we can truly create miracles!

"Heavenly" Opportunity~

I have ONE spot remaining for a woman who does NOT reside in San Diego to participate in this program via Skype!! 

Program session dates: January 14th - March 1st on days/times that work for me and you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Are you looking to improve your health in a safe, natural and FUN way?

*Have you tried various “methods” and/or diets to find yourself back at square-one every time?

Then I’m looking for YOU!

I’m gearing up to launch my ground-breaking health empowerment program for women in April 2013, and not only do I need your help, but I would love to help you! 

Here’s what I’m looking for:

*Women who are looking to lose weight and/or get healthy in a natural approach that can last a lifetime (aka: a lifestyle change).

*Women with no serious health concerns that would prevent them from participating in planned meals/activities/workouts/etc.

*Women who aren’t afraid to share their journey with other women in a small group setting.

*Women who can commit to a 1-2 hour Skype session once per week for 3 months.

What you can expect from this three phase program:

*A transformation in your self-image / self-acceptance / self-love.

*Peace of mind around your health and well-being.

*A new relationship with food and approach to healthy eating.

*An exercise agenda that works for you.

What you must do:
*Commit to one Skype session for 1-2 hours per week.
*Be open to sharing your testimonial at the end of the program.

For further questions, or to apply, email Mimi at:

Heavenlyhealthy@yahoo.com