Running with Bob

  Edible weeds? Yes! Dandelions, just like other bitter greens, are a great source of nutrition such as iron, protein, and minerals. They also aid the digestive system while cleansing the liver and balance fluids in the body. The entire plant is edible, from the flower to the roots. The flowers, stems and greens can be eaten in a salad, juiced with other greens or blended into a green smoothie. The larger, tender leaves are best for adding to salad because they are less bitter than the smaller ones. The large, mature plants have the best roots, which can be dried or toasted and used for brewing tea and dandelion coffee. My back yard naturally grows so many dandelions throughout the spring and summer, so I am now beginning to harvest my own since I do not use any chemicals in my yard. I have always enjoyed dandelion tea by Traditional Medicinals and instant dandelion coffee by Dandy Blend, pics added below, but I am excited about trying fresh dandelion and even making my own tea!  I do

  I have had my ileostomy for five months, and I already feel healthier! In the past five years I had multiple abdominal surgeries which failed, complications and pain as I tried everything else possible before resorting to this. Ostomy stigma is real, as many people do not understand how life giving an ostomy can be. I had endured negativity from a few people about my life altering decision before surgery. Five years in pain before opting for an ileostomy because a past surgeon told me most people would rather live in pain than to have an ileostomy; misconceptions like this are devastating and I wish I had this surgery much sooner. As an ostomate with a passion to spread awareness and help reduce stigma through educating others, I am sharing my story through the Ostomy Awareness Foundation. Below are some links you can use to learn more and/ or help support this cause. https://www.givelocalccf.org/p2p/192038/stephanie-evans-a69208d9-bdbc-4d28-9532-daf6101dd08d https://www.ostomyawaren

 My first hiking trip since before getting the ileostomy! My son and I went to Morrow Mountain State Park in Albemarle, a two hour drive from where we live. We had a great time, and I was able to walk and jog the trails for two hours without worrying  about running to a bathroom. My bag was fine for the duration of the hike, supported with high waisted tummy control undies and high waisted biker shorts, but I carried extra supplies in a nice slim fanny pack just in case. Below are pics from the trail as well as the fanny pack, shorts and undies that I use and love.  Here I am so you can see what I'm wearing and you cannot even tell I have an ostomy bag, plus you can see the fanny pack is small and light.  This is my son, the only pic I was able to get of him on the trail lol This lovely fanny pack is very light and low profile, purchased off Amazon.com, it's called the Ushake Slim Running Belt Just the right size to carry an extra change of supplies These are all the items that