One year.
One year ago, I decided to start a blog. I came to this decision for a few reasons. First, I was enthusiastic about my new grain-free lifestyle and wanted other people to know the power of a healing diet. Starting the GAPS Diet had quieted my colitis symptoms and freed me from a lifetime of medications. Second, I needed something constructive to do. Although my health was improving, I was still very physically weakened from my years of severe colitis. I decided that a blog would take very little physical exertion while allowing me to feel productive.
So 365 days ago, I posted the first recipe on Empowered Sustenance: Creamy Zucchini Leek Soup.
What has happened in the year since that first post?
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I’ve given Empowered Sustenance two complete makeovers. The first two versions of this blog looked a bit clunky and unprofessional… I guess it just took me a little while to hone my graphic design skills before I came up with a logo and layout that I was happy with.
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I learned about oxalates.
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I’ve had plenty of hate comments from people who prefer to violently state their opinion rather than simply leaving a blog that they disagree with. At first, I lost sleep over these comments. Now, I feel comfortable to simply delete the comments and move on.
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I’ve also gotten thank-you emails and comments from readers. And that makes me giddy.
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I wrote a grain free, nut free e-cookbook called Indulge and Heal.
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I started a program to become a nutritional therapy practitioner and I will graduate in October.
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I’ve tried my hand at controversial topics like colonoscopies, candida myths and almond flour. I’ve shared DIY beauty recipes like my honey shampoo. And I’ve posted recipes. I’ve found that I like the variety, even though I planned originally to post only recipes.
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I’ve healed significantly, but I still have a lot more healing to do.
What is on the horizon?
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I’ve almost finished my A.A. degree (I’ll be finished this August), thanks to online college courses. I had to leave “regular” college due to my colitis, but I hope to be well enough to return to a campus to complete my B.A. in the fall of 2014. I hope to attend Bastyr University, a well-known naturopathic college!
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In the nearer future – as in the next two weeks – I will be releasing my second ebook (which is all about balancing hormones to treat PMS naturally). It has a been an intense labor of time, research and self-experimentation… and I am so pleased with the result. My newsletter subscribers will have access to a pre-release sale and exclusive discount code, so sign up for my newsletter soon if you want to get this discount.
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I don’t know where Empowered Sustenance will go next year or the year after that… but I do know that it is going to be a big part of my future. I hope it will support my efforts to further my education and career in nutrition. And I hope it will be a part of your future, too!
Thank you for joining me on the journey so far! When did you start following Empowered Sustenance? Where you around to see the earlier version of the blog or did you join in recently?
Please keep it up Lauren. Your posts are very insightful. …much appreciation for what you share.
Thank you!
I am a fellow health blog and I started following you because your recipes are nut free. I went on a nut free version of the Paleo diet to heal myself after an IBS diagnosis. I think that nuts are one of the most overlooked digestive irritants. So good job in helping raise awareness.
Yes, I agree about the nuts! And I’m glad you have found healing through diet!
Hello. I haven’t been following you long enough to know you, but I can tell you are a beautiful soul.
Looking forward to learning from you.
Hugs
Thank you, what a lovely compliment!
Oh my goodness I’m so excited for your new ebook wow wow! I hate, hate taking pain meds! I’ve been following your blog for a few months now and I love the diversity of the posts. Keep it up! 🙂
I’m excited to share the book and I hope you will enjoy it!
Happy Blog Anniversary! (Coincidentally, it happens to be on the same as my own! 😉 )
I discovered your site not so long ago and I’m loving it already! I’m on Day 13 of the SCD diet and the wonderful squash-salmon cakes that you generously shared in your Holiday Ebook has become a life saving staple for me. I can’t have coconut flour yet but I’m making them with whatever squash I have on hand and often omit the salmon and they turn out great!
I treated myself to your Indulge and Heal ebook for my b-day and can hardly wait until I can include more foods and try all of the recipes!
Thanks for sharing your journey and your recipes! You are very talented and I wish you all the best in this exciting unfolding adventure. (I, too, started as a blogger – The Sunny Raw Kitchen – and ended up making a humble living out of it. Isn’t Life full of surprises, eh? ;-))
Hi Lauren,
I’ve been coming back to your website during the past 4 or 5 months since my sister-in-law sent me one of your recipes. I think you’re doing a great job and hope you’ll keep it up for those of us who like to feel we’re not alone with these darn !*@**!%$$# physical issues! By the way your website is very aesthetic – I love the vintage veggies and script. Well done on your AA degree too! You’re an inspiration.
Thank you! And yes, it is encouraging to know that there are other folks struggling with symptoms, but we’ll get through it together 🙂
Congratulations and happy anniversary! You are quite an accomplished, mature and knowledgeable 20 year old! I’m so happy I found your blog and regardless of my health issues (recent IBS), find it very informative and really dig the recipes! You’ve become part of my arsenal of resources I rely on to keep myself healthy and up to date. Moving forward is a great way to live so delete the haters, pursue your education, keep posting and dreaming!
I love your website! I stumbled across it last night looking for a solution to my dandruff situation (after going no-poo for the past 6 months and not willing to switch back to conventional shampoos). Im really excited to try your honey shampoo recipe!
Congrats on the anniversary as well, seeing someone at your age with such an awesome health oriented blog is inspiring!
I just found this site and I must say I love it. Keep up the good work.