Surrounding yourself with positive people is key! Everyday I am learning who is a positive person in my life. I am craving positivity like whoa right now. #positivity #surroundyourselfwithgoodpeople https://www.instagram.com/p/BzWs6tDAT9t/?igshid=1tczhveknt6zb

Sometimes you need a little rose, essential oil, yoga stretching, and a journal sesh to get you through the Sunday scaries! #selfcare #sunday https://www.instagram.com/p/BzEbVSZnrHW/?igshid=zkmzocr24kkf

Getting a little relaxing time in before bed after a big spin class tonight! #selfcare #healing #aipjourney https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsef2C5Ffqd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1429kj99iukcm

SAD to AIP in 6 week 1 is underway! This guy is so supportive! He is one of the many members of my support system! So glad to go through this process with a guy who really understands! ❤️ #sadtoaipinsix https://www.instagram.com/p/BsWyXSOFaXl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=arrbzdtohnq9

I’m about to embark on a journey to improve my health and to figure out more of my triggers of PLEVA. Although PLEVA isn’t a documented autoimmune disorder, it presents like one and has connections with other disorders. This is my time to try to control my symptoms. This is my experiment for 2019 and beyond. #sadtoaipinsix #pleva #autoimmuneprotocol #aip #lifestylechangeforthebetter https://www.instagram.com/p/Br-_QMYlTSt/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3ilq2sotaqop

Midweek meatballs! #mealprepcontinued #foodporn #healing #pleva #paleo https://www.instagram.com/p/BpDS96VlF8z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17vpu4tguvvss

All prepped in 4 hours! 🙌🏻😍🥩🍲🍏🍅🌽🥚#mealprepsunday #healing #pleva #motivation (at Hoboken, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo7VgyvhnR6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vzgisxo8gbe5

My homemade Carrot Top Pesto! 🥕🌱carrot top greens 🌱basil 🌱red onion 🌱pine nuts ���lemon juice 🌱lemon garlic @flavorgod seasoning 🌱garlic cloves 🌱salt/pepper 🌱extra virgin olive oil 🌱 just eyeball and taste test as you make it in the food processor 😋 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn6qA-mhNrV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=i68pbez0c3sh

Hi!

Hey all,

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. I tend to go in and out so I am sorry if it’s been awhile. 

I tend to go in and out of consistency following my plan for my lifestyle and nutrition. It is very hard in a city where there are soon many temptations. I am trying to keep accountable by being more strict during the week nutritionally. A ton of friends don’t really understand what kind of diet I should adhere to which makes it hard when others entertain or just when you want to eat out on a beautiful night. 

I have gotten better at exercising regularly due to #bachataandbarbells doing that #bandbflashfitness giving me workouts to complete and going to various places with passes. I have been doing a Bar Method membership for the month, Cyclebar classes, Work It Out classes, and Asana Soul meditation classes (around the workouts from the #bandbflashfitness series). So I have been very consistent at moving this month because of this. But I need to soon find a balance because this amount has been a bit of a shock to my body. 

My diet has not been consistent so far this spring, which is causing me to feel bloated and other symptoms. I AM SICK OF IT. The only barrier to me going AIP is the drinking factor. I love to have a drink. I love the taste and socially speaking it always helps at a party with friends. My issue is giving it up altogether for awhile. 

I guess I’ll just have to do it. I am very interested in the SAD to AIP in Six Program from the autoimmune wellness girls. I will keep you posted since I think I’ll do it in the fall if I do. 

#autoimmunewellness #pleva #motivation #reset #healing 

Cinco de Mayo!

Hey! I wanted to just check in here with a good tip for creating a great recipe for a healthy cinco de mayo lunch!

I made a taco salad with ground lamb instead of the traditional beef that we Americans use! The following recipe is an approximation- not exact measurements. Most things I do myself (non-recipe foods) are done by eye and taste just like my granny taught me!

Spinach as my base

Fixings: Bell pepper, Cucumber, Avocado, Pepper Jack Cheese (if you can tolerate cheese or non-lactose versions such as Cabot), roasted zucchini/onion mixture, and cilantro.

Ground lamb sautéed with Flavor God Chipotle, Flavor God Lemon Garlic, Chili Powder, Onion Powder, and Salt. 

Now, the dressing really makes it come together. For this I made a paleo creamy dressing out of: Paleo Mayonnaise, Flavor God Chipotle, Flavor God Everything Spicy, Flavor God Lemon Garlic, lemon juice, salt, and almond milk (for texture and thinning out the dressing). 

I had this for a dinner and lunch the next day! You can even add sautéed kale on the bottom of the spinach to make it more dense and include a range of leafy greens! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Cinco de Mayo weekend!

#healing #pleva #paleo #whole30 #autoimmunewellness #cincodemayo

Post-Vacation

Hey Everyone! I am finally able to set some time aside to post something! First of all, the trip to Ireland was amazing! So cool and beautiful! Second, it was really hard to get back into the swing of things. (Disclaimer- I tried to eat as healthy as I could to promote health for my PLEVA, but I am only human and it is another country... so there may have been a few slip ups here and there). 

Anyways, I have had a difficult time in getting back to a normal routine when coming back from the trip. I am hoping that posting here will help me get back. I am also considering to start counting my macros on top of paleo/whole 30 once again. This is to continue my weight loss from before and to promote motivation to keep things going. 

I’ll keep posting later about things, but that is all for now. HAPPY FRIDAY! :)

When I was in Ireland, pretty much every menu had a key for dietary restrictions! I wish we had that here! That would help so many people with allergies, autoimmune diseases and people with sensitivities. #pleva #canigobacknow #ireland #vacationmode

Back home from vacation! Prepped salads, eggs, sausage, potatoes, spaghetti squash, and snacks for a few days! Sorry I was gone for awhile! #paleo #whole30 #healing #backtothegrind #mealprep #pleva

Weekly Meal Prep... follow up to the pic below!

Hey everyone! Just to follow up the lovely meal prep picture I added last night.... Meal prep is an amazing tool. When you live in today’s society, everyone gets so busy it is easy to cheat on a diet or fall off the wagon from your lifestyle change. (Trust me, it still happens to me to this day- keep in mind NO ONE IS PERFECT!) 

My schedule during the week is typically very busy. I get up around 5:30, leave the house by 7, work with the kiddos all day at the school, then do some more after school... then I am finally home around 5:30/6 on one of the busier days. It’s hard to fit in cooking or working out in when I only have about 2-3 hours after work to eat dinner, prepare for the next day, and spend some time with my guy. What a hectic life it is. (not to mention, I used to until very recently work 6 day work weeks! Yikes!) 

Meal prep is not just for intense athletes. It is a great tool to use if you do have the busy lifestyle like the one mentioned above. It helps you set yourself up for success. It can be as simple as you want it to be. Such as, if you only need to prepare your snacks as not to go for the office donuts or cake? Or as big as meal planning and prepping all meals of the entire week. 

First, you have to think about your weekly plans... since sometimes you may have a dinner with a friend, a happy hour with the girls, or a date night with your hubby! Plan based around those activities and what you intend to do in your lifestyle that week. Second, you can pick recipes or ingredients and do the shopping for the week. Third, you prep the foods such as cleaning your veggies and cooking the meats. Last, putting the foods into the containers that fit for you- whether they be the designated meal containers or big containers to be divided up later on. 

Trust me, it is a de-stressor to meal prep ahead of time so you can do other things throughout your week that you enjoy! 

Hope this was helpful! 

Weekly Meal Prep! #healing #busywoman (at Hoboken, New Jersey)

Just a tool I got a few months ago! I threw in some frozen leftover ingredients from previous recipes! #instantpot

Welcome to The Wholesome Rose!

Hi everyone! I am Carolyn. I am living in among the bustling area of New York City (really in Hoboken, NJ). I am an Occupational Therapist who has a passion for health, food, and fitness. I have been suffering from PLEVA (pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta) which is a disorder that presents with skin lesions due to unknown causes. The treatment that conventional doctors use are antibiotics, UVB light therapy, and topical steroid creams. (I’ll get into more detail about PLEVA in another post). 

Basically, I am here because I want to share my journey on how I am treating my PLEVA, how I live my healthy lifestyle in this busy life, and to create a new support system for those going through issues with PLEVA or other conditions as related to possible auto-immune disorders. (There seem to be few support groups for PLEVA, especially- which is always important to have in any health condition).

I am a health enthusiast who enjoys having a balanced life- nutritionally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I want to share what I have to say on this platform and on instagram @thewholesomerose. 

Welcome and Enjoy!