Recipe: Grain-Free Vegan Carob Cookies with Date Caramel Icing

Those of you following me on Instagram may have heard about the month-long, infection-busting protocol my son and I are in the midst of completing. In addition to taking heavy doses of herbal supplements (like maitake mushrooms, olive leaf extract, and many more), we're on a very limited diet in an effort to avoid as much unnecessary inflammation as possible. Cooking becomes a bit challenging without grains (with the exception of rice), dairy, nightshades, nuts, coconut, soy, legumes, chocolate, coffee, eggs, ferments and sweeteners (including maple syrup and honey).

They do too. Really.

How many of you have felt isolated and even rejected in the midst of your dis-ease?

What happens when you’ve sung that hidden illness tune so many times that your song is no longer heard?

Maybe it started with the doctors who couldn’t see anything wrong with you in their impersonal work-ups.

The ploys of the distraction monkey

Remember those high school or college days when you were given an assignment weeks in advance and just couldn’t quite figure out how to manage your time to avoid cramming everything into an all-nighter in the final hours? Maybe you received the instructions for the paper or the upcoming exam and thought, “Whew, I have plenty of time for this. It’ll just take a little bit of effort every day and I’ll ace this thing!”

Carrie EckertAugust 30, 2017ebv, lyme, hashimoto, autoimmune disease, CIRS, environmental illness, mind body coach, wellness coach, cfs, fibromyalgia, mystery illnessComment

The problem with being busy

Modern day society values hard work. Most of us are brought up to believe that success can only arise out of blood, sweat and tears. That’s how we can become the best versions of ourselves. That’s how we can accomplish greatness. That’s how we can be happy.

Problem is, all this hard work, or being busy, actually distracts us from being happy!

What do we actually give up for our health?

Like many you I felt that I had given up so much in my life in an effort to heal.

I gave up gluten, dairy and a laundry list of other foods in an effort to heal my gut.
I made this mean that I had given up on enjoying restaurant meals and social events with friends.

I gave up my high paced career when my energy was no longer available to sustain this lifestyle.
I made this mean that I wasn't really the accomplished woman with whom I had so strongly identified for decades.

The Science of Neuroplasticity - Part 2

This is the second part of my series where I share with you some of the many books that have been instrumental in guiding me on my healing journey...

Do you hide your anger?

Many kids have trouble getting a handle on their anger. My parents will certainly tell you I did! For some, these emotionally charged outbursts continue into adulthood. It took me a very long time to figure out that my short fuse made me feel powerful and was really a disguise for a whole host of more vulnerable emotions like sadness, embarrassment and shame that I wasn't willing to face.

Carrie EckertMay 15, 2017mystery illness, neuroplasticity, cfs, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, autoimmune, hashimito, ebv, stuffed emotionsComment

What's Your Inner Leadership Style?

The topic of leadership has been bouncing around in my head ever since my son confessed his fears about being an effective leader for the new, younger boy scouts this weekend... As we talked through his dilemma I couldn’t help but think about how we all face a similar struggle every moment of every day as we choose how to be the best leader for our inner worlds, our most significant leadership role...

Carrie EckertApril 4, 2017cfs, fibromyalgia, EBV, lyme, mystery illness, mystery disease, self-love, leadership Comment

Are You Eating Your Emotions?

Since implementing a mindful eating practice I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my energy levels after meals. Slowing down to acknowledge a meal that you are about to eat and savoring the bites as they touch your lips may seem like a luxury we just don't have the time for these days (not to mention a bit odd), but there is real evidence that this practice translates into health benefits for you.

Carrie EckertMarch 7, 2017mindful eating, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, leaky gut, adrenal fatigue, CIRS, autoimmuneComment

The Science of Neuroplasticity - Part 1

I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the many books that have been instrumental in guiding me on my healing journey...

Can You Hear Your Inner Wisdom?

Picture yourself waiting for an elevator late at night, all alone in a quiet building. You push the button and search inside your bag for your keys as your mind wanders through any number of busy thoughts. Suddenly the elevator door opens and you're startled to see a strange man, who for some reason, makes you afraid...

Carrie EckertFebruary 28, 2017neuroplasticity, cfs, fibromyalgia, autoimmune, ebv, mind body syndrome, lyme, cirs, mcs, mold illnessComment

Hope For The Best, But Plan For The Worst

Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. That way I won't be disappointed. That way I hold on to a sense of control. That way I don't risk failure.

Carrie EckertFebruary 1, 2017mystery disease, mystery illness, cfs, environmental illness, fibromyalgia, mold illnessComment

Heal Your Mind, Heal Your Body

"If a brain that has missing parts can learn to work around the gaps, then surely a brain that has all its parts, but is misfiring, can learn how to function harmoniously again!"
-Norman Doidge, The Brain That Changes Itself

Carrie EckertFebruary 1, 2017Comment

Our Identities and Russian Nesting Dolls

We spend the first half of our lives learning to live in society and the second have unlearning everything we've been taught.

Resolution or Intention?

How many of you feel the push to make a big change as we enter a new year? Could it be to lose weight… or to better control your anger… or to be more charitable? As you think about this "resolution" does it come from a place of lack and a desire to undo or clean up past mistakes? Much of the time, New Year's resolutions are mixed up with a sense of failure and the self-critical push to do better or be better because otherwise you aren't good enough...

Carrie EckertJanuary 2, 2017Comment

The Experience of Joy is Yours Alone

As we embark on another holiday season, some of us may begin to feel the angst of what's to come as we sit down to dinner with family and friends.

neuroplasticity, mind/bodyCarrie EckertNovember 29, 2016CFS, autoimmune, fibromyalgia, EBV, Lyme, mystery disease, mystery illness, chronic fatigue syndromeComment

Are You Tolerating or Creating?

We tend to give away our power in many areas of our life - in our jobs, in our marriages, in our friendships. It's in these same areas (and more!) that we often find ourselves tolerating less than ideal circumstances...

mind/body, neuroplasticityCarrie EckertNovember 29, 2016energy, CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Lyme, autoimmune, mystery illness, mystery diseaseComment

Where Are You Giving Away Your Power?

Are you feeding yourself from within or seeking approval and love externally in an effort to feel nourished? Do you allow others to define who you are and who you're not? Do you waste time and energy worrying about what others think of you?

Carrie EckertNovember 29, 2016CFS, Lyme, EBV, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, mystery illness, mystery disease, mystery dis-ease, powerComment

Avocado to Zen