For once, my brain is blank, and this is a rare occurrence. I typically come up with some kind of past memory that comes back up for me, something that happened in the present, a season, holiday, food, or restaurant. But guys, I’m blank.

For almost two weeks now, I haven’t been myself. I was admitted to the hospital for a few days with some GI issues that we believe were caused by a medication I was taking. That medication stopped real quick, but days later I still wound up in the hospital for those three days. The antibiotic I am on to fight this infection is brutal stuff. Three times a day, for fourteen days, at 500mg. It just sucks the life right out of ya.

I am used to being wild and crazy, always happy. It’s not that I am not happy, but you just don’t feel the same. Tired — so tired. Nausea constantly, and just feel like the life is being sucked out of you. That’s the only way I can explain it.

I started a thirty-day challenge two days before I was admitted to the hospital, not only for myself but my clients and followers on Instagram and Facebook. The challenge is to move your body fifteen minutes daily, no matter what. Whether it’s a walk, run, spin class, resistance bands, weight training, or anything that gets your body moving. That weekend before, I made a video and posted it to my Instagram stories that link straight to Facebook stories. The feedback I got from people who wanted to join me Monday was unreal. People were ready to jump aboard the thirty-day challenge express! All aboard!! Little did I know what was about to happen two days later.

The timing of this all seems crazy. I think God knew I would need this challenge. It gives me a reason to get my booty up every day and move. In the hospital on day three, Bubba and I went for a walk. No, Bubba isn’t a friend, brother, or relative; Bubba was my IV machine. My dad named it because it never left my side. Bubba came with me wherever I went. I went to the bathroom, walked the halls all night, sleeping, fighting with the darn IV line as I tossed and turned, and even hit up the therapy room for me to ride the bike for thirty minutes that was in there. I’d walk the halls in circles over and over again for fifteen minutes a few times a day. I couldn’t lay in a hospital bed all day. My body was used to moving. In fact, my body is used to 10-15,000 steps a day, a gallon of water, 150g of protein, and lots of fiber. Now I can hardly eat or drink, and I want to sleep ALL THE TIME. Huge difference for me lately.

As soon as they pulled those IVs and I didn’t have Bubba anymore, I felt like life was just sucked out of me. I got all the nutrients I needed from not eating for so long through those IVs. Now that I am home and struggling to eat, I feel it. Food is calories, and calories are energy! This is totally unacceptable. I’m such a foodie and literally crave nothing. Not hungry, period. I only make myself eat because I am on so many medications that I have to. I miss going out to eat, but not even mad about it because right now, it would take too much energy to even go out to eat. That’s how you know this girl is down! I never say no to going out to eat. It’s one of my favorite things to do. Cheesesteaks and wings are like my all-time favorite foods, but they don’t even sound good. WHO am I!?

The past two weeks have been challenging but comforting at the same time. Do you know how amazing nurses are? What they do day in and day out for their patients? Do you know how special your family and friends are? Times like these are when you truly have open eyes to the people in your life. I always knew the people in my life were special, but what they go to in times like this warms my heart. I am grateful.

I am on day eleven of my challenge and getting up to move fifteen minutes a day. I’m not going to lie, some days, it’s a challenge, but I get up and do it because I not only made a commitment to myself but to others who follow me. (Follow me on Instagram at andreascountryhomecooknfitness) Moving my body fifteen minutes a day is important, and I am determined to not miss a day. I know feeling like this won’t last forever, and I’ll be back to my crazy self before I know it. Inserting all the *cheesy smiles here* and Andrea’s wittiness will be back. Promise!

Southwestern Chicken
Ingredients:
– 1 lb. ground chicken
– 1 bag of Birds Eye Power Blend Southwestern Style (In the frozen aisle at Wegmans with veggies, may be at other stores as well.)
– 1/2 cup Chopped Onion
– Garlic Salt
– Pepper
Directions:

Cook chicken with chopped onion, pepper and garlic salt to your liking. Cook until brown; about 8-10 minutes. Heat the power blend bag for two minutes in microwave. Mix in with cooked chicken and you are ready to eat. This is packed with protein and low calories! 3 servings of 1 and 1/4 cup is 266 calories and 30G of protein. It was a throw together of whatever was in our freezer for my lunch prep, and turned out so good!