Hi my menu planning friends! I’m so excited because it’s June, whoot! June is one of my favorite months for so many reasons. Mainly because my birthday is in June and I LOVE birthdays!! So many people don’t love birthdays because they don’t enjoy celebrating the whole aging process. Not me, I like to celebrate another year of living even if it means gray hair and wrinkles 🙂
Also happening in June, beside the beautiful summer weather, is my 18 year old daughter’s graduation from high school that I just can’t even believe is happening! So we’ll be having company coming to visit (which I love!) and having a party or two. I have never shown pictures of my kids on my site (in all of my 9 blogging years!) but I’m hoping my daughter will let me share a picture of her in her grad dress because it’s just stunning fom the Disney prom collection :).
Paleo vs Autoimmune Protocol:
I came across a really great info graphic on Pinterest the other day explaining the difference between Paleo (what I do now) to the Autoimmune Protocol Diet (what I did for 5 months). It really simplifies explaining the difference. If you have an autoimmune disease like I do please check this out.
It’s been six months of no refined sugar, gluten, dairy, grains or processed foods for me and I feel amazing and will never go back! Eating healthy is healing me and I’m kicking my disease (Rheumatoid Arthritis) to the curb. My pain is so much better and I’m slowly weaning off my medication. I love that my blood sugars are stabilized and no longer rule my life. Cravings aren’t an issue and I no longer see food as a way to stuff my emotions but instead as a tool to take care of and nourish my body. This isn’t something radical I’ve done because eating healthy isn’t a “diet” or something to be done on a one week “cleanse”. It’s not about weight loss either, it’s about changing your life from the inside out and loving and honoring the body we’ve been given. Praising God for his faithfulness and the lessons He has taught me through these last few months.
Recipes on Pinterest:
I told you recently about how I was updating my Pinterest boards but I’m not sure I told you about my recipe boards. These might help you as you create your weekly menu plan. I’ll also be adding recipes that fit the criteria from the MPM linky below.
Follow Laura (Organizing Junkie)’s board Quick and Easy Recipes on Pinterest.
This one is for tried and true recipes that my family loves.
Follow Laura (Organizing Junkie)’s board Family Favorite Recipes on Pinterest.
This one with Slow Cooker Recipes is just new but new recipes will be added daily. Make sure to follow the boards so you can see new recipes in your Pinterest feed.
Follow Laura (Organizing Junkie)’s board Slow Cooker Recipes on Pinterest.
Have a great week everyone!
My Weekly Menu Plan:
Monday: Paleo Italian Chicken Fingers served with spinach salad
Tuesday: Pan Roasted Herbed Pork Tenderloin served with broccoli
Wednesday: Chicken Avocado Burgers
Thursday: Leftover buffet
Friday: Pizza Party Friday Night and for me Paleo Banana Protein Pancakes
Saturday: Paleo Bolognese Sauce & Zucchini Noodles
Sunday: YOYO (you’re on your own)
WHAT ARE YOU EATING THIS WEEK? SHARE RECIPES AND MENUS BELOW!
Menu Plan Guidelines, banner selections and recipe helpers are here. More family favorite recipes here. Don’t forget to join our growing Menu Plan Monday Facebook Page!! My favorite menu planning resource:
Diane Balch says
Congratulations to your daugther and your improved health.
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Diane!!
Janet says
I’m so happy that you are reaping the benefits of your dietary changes. I’ve started working on cleaning up my diet. Though not as restrictive as what you follow, I have drastically reduced the amount of sugar and starchy carbs I consume and am focusing on foods to nourish my body. In just two weeks there’s a big difference in the way I feel. I am hoping for long term health benefits from these changes.
Congratulations to your daughter on her upcoming graduation!
Laura Wittmann says
Janet, that’s awesome to hear! I don’t even miss sugar or sweets in the least and I actually find foods taste so much better now!
Chaya says
Thanks for sharing and may you only have good news and good results.
Jo-Lynne Shane says
Cant wait to check out your boards. I love YOYO. Our Sundays are like that too. 🙂
Laura Wittmann says
Hey Jo-Lynne! My kids actually look forward to it, but that’s because their choices are more on the not so healthy side of course 🙂
Shelly says
Congratulations to your daughter. My daughter graduates this year too. It’s hard to believe.
So glad to hear the diet changes are working so well for you. I pray it gives you long term relief from the disease.
Laura Wittmann says
Congrats to your daughter as well Shelly!!
Lori says
Congratulation on the upcoming graduation – such an exciting time for kids! I’m also happy to hear how your dietary changes have made a difference in your health. It’s amazing how much good (and bad!) food can do to our bodies.
Laura Wittmann says
So amazing and I’m so thankful!!
Susan says
Happy birthday month! My oldest daughter graduates Saturday; sniff, sniff! It’s a bittersweet time … thank you for hosting each week 🙂
Laura Wittmann says
Congrats to your daughter!! My daughter is the oldest as well, hope it gets easier as we go down the line 🙂
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
My mom has Rheumatoid Arthritis as well and she definitely sees a difference when she eats well, but she’s pretty set in her ways at this point, so I don’t see her doing the AIP diet to figure out what her trigger foods are. I have a friend who did it earlier this year though and she swears by it cuz it helped her with her insane allergic reactions to food.
p.s. happy birthday month and thanks for hosting!
Laura Wittmann says
I honestly don’t even miss all the processed foods, food tastes so much better now!!
Jean says
Happy Birthday Month to you! What a great idea to celebrate for an entire month 🙂 Congratulations to your daughter as well.
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Jean!
Fiona says
I’m really interested to hear about the dietary treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. I live in the UK and even the dedicated “National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society” a charity for sufferers, just talks about drugs treatment and how debilitated you may expect to feel. I am wondering if your change of diet came about through profession advice from your doctor or nurse, or if it is something you pursued independently.
Also, wonderful to have a child finishing school! My third child is just finished and will turn 18 this summer. She has a beautiful outfit for their “formal” and her only despair is that someone else who will be seated at the same table as her has bought *gasp* the same dress! :-0
Laura Wittmann says
Hi Fiona, yes following the AIP diet was something I did on my own after hours of research online. Doctors never tell you about how diet changes can lead to health. I absolutely hate taking medications so from the beginning I knew I would do whatever it took to get off them, they are horrendous. Eating healthy doesn’t seem so radical to me now because I feel so amazing all around, not just my joint pain. All the best to you.
Fiona says
That’s so encouraging and inspiring! Well done to you. I will be passing this information on!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
Double congrats! Love the updated and new pinterest boards!
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks so much Jessica!!
Angela says
Congrats to you! It’s my b-day this month as well and I LOVE to celebrate, too! I always have gluten free angel food cake and strawberries. 🙂
Laura Wittmann says
I’m not sure what I’m going to have for a “cake” this year. It might have to be a cake made up of fruit 🙂