​Right now money seems to be the big topic in my neck of the social media woods.
Every person seems to be doing everything they can to manifest more and more money.  People are wanting to increase their wealth and other people are capitalizing on it by throwing out money courses, programs, and coaching left, right and center. 

While I think it’s great that we are all trying to increase the wealth of inspirational and good-hearted people, the strong focus on money has left me sitting in the corner saying “uhhh guys….but what about health?”

You see, money is a fun thing to focus on because that is what our culture loves to sell us….the idea of the “perfect” life when you have lots of money (and lots of things).  I’ll freely admit that I’m just like any other sally-schmally…I want to have a comfortable financial life too!  However, unlike a lot of people, I totally and completely understand that without my health, no amount of money means a damn thing. 

Marketing has been around a long time at this point.  We are used to commercials, radio plugs, and magazine ads.  In recent years, the introduction of social media ads and even the introduction of social media itself has only increased the amount of marketing we are subjected to each day. 

It’s no wonder we have become obsessed with making more money (and in the easiest/quickest way possible) because all day long we are being told that we need more stuff….more success, more prestige, more power….all of that symbolized by our income, what we do, the vacations we take, the cars we drive, the house we live in, etc. etc.

What’s even worse is the sensational marketing that is now becoming the norm in order for everyday entrepreneurs to be seen and noticed online. “10K in 10 days!” “6 Figures in 6 months” and all if you purchase my secret formula for success! Cue the eye roll.

However, as awesome as it is to be more money conscious…people are missing a big point here.  Having all the money in the world means absolutely diddly squat if you are sick.  Just ask Steve Jobs….all the money in the world did not prevent him from dieing. 

​Even scarier, is the glorification of overwork with the “hustle” culture.  People are made to feel that if they are exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, etc. then they need to just suck it up and hustle because if they aren’t “hustling” then they must not want success bad enough.  UHHEMMM CAN SOMEONE SAY WRONNNNGGG!

I understand that success, power, financial abundance, etc. are important.  Heck, even I want those things!  However, there is a gross underemphasis on the importance of taking care of yourself and your body health-wise.  I see these entrepreneurs online and know for a fact some of them have massively burned out and their body finally broke down forcing them to stop. 

But why isn’t anyone talking about it?  Why aren’t these influencers discussing the downfalls of the “hustle” until you burnout culture?

Yes, you have those health coaches, dieticians, nutritionists etc. talking about health eating and exercising but most of it is just to sell you a program or their “perfect formula” for success.  (Raises hand) Hey I’ve done it when I marketed my Food Freedom Formula!  But yet no one is really talking about setting yourself up to live a long-term life.  Everything seems to be focused on the short-term…Making quick money, losing 10lbs fast, finding that soulmate like yesterday.

I could blame my generation and technology for all the focus on quick gratification but that won’t really do anything productive.  Instead I invite you to pause for a second and ask yourself “what am I currently putting above my health and longevity?”  “What am I valuing more?  What am I making more of a priority?”

Now, what would happen if you got terminal cancer tomorrow?  Would those things still matter as much?  Perhaps they matter but would you be able to show up for them as much?

You see, when your body is functioning along at a decent rate it can be hard to imagine your health declining and people tend to make their health less of a priority.  Maybe you try to lose some weight because you want to look fabulous on the outside but external validation rarely creates lasting results. 

For most people, it’s not until they hit health crisis mode that they begin to make some changes.  I know that was how it was for me!  It took my health crashing majorly 3 TIMES for it to finally sink in….there is nothing more valuable than your health.

So….if you felt a bit uncomfortable with those questions above….if you aren’t valuing your health like you know you need to….I want you to know that you aren’t alone BUT you have a choice to make.  You can choose to remain as you are and gamble as to when your body will break down OR you can choose to start prioritizing your health today. 

It’s your choice but I can tell you this….If you don’t have time for your health now, then you will have to make time for the doctor later.  Don’t make the same mistakes I did….don’t choose to learn this lesson the hard way.

Sending you so much love!

Brightest Blessings,
​Megan V.

​Hey there you  fabulous person you…Happy Monday!

See that image at the top of the page…yes the one that looks super jenky and like a 2 year old took it….

While that image doesn’t seem like much, it actually represents something huge for me.  You see, that image represents years of work.  It represents freedom.  It represents self-love.  It represents so much more than the quality of the image indicates.

Let me take you back about 8 years….way way back….back to the time of letting an eating disorder rule my life.

You see, that food right there…that last bit in the container….that food would have been causing me agony right about now.  I can see myself back then….and I can hear the thoughts that would have been stampeding through my brain…“how dare you eat that food!”  “That is not part of the daily plan!” “You are so fat! Why can’t you just get yourself under control!”  “You are going to have to walk to school because you ate that you fat cow!  I don’t care if it’s raining!”

And that is just a taster (excuse my pun) of what would have been going on in my head.  Back in those days I had foods that were A-OK to eat and everything else was on the “absolutely do not touch or you WILL BE FAT” list.  I was sick…I was obsessed with maintaining my size nothing clothes and my starvation victim look.  That last bit of food  shows just how little I would eat…because what you see is the only amount I would allow to go into my mouth at one time….and that last but of food…that tiny bite…showed my failure and how I would never succeed.

Fast forward about 4 years…

The food symbolized more once again.

At this point my eating disorder was in recovery and I was finally at a health weight again.   However, healthy weight didn’t mean that I had a healthy relationship with food.  You see, 4 years ago, this last bit of food wouldn’t be there.  I would have devoured the leftovers and eaten everything until it was gone.  I was numb to food.  If I had to eat it, well then, I would eat it so fast that I wouldn’t even notice I was eating.

Once again, I would have thoughts streaming through my head..but this time, it would be a shock to see that I had finished the entire container of food.

“There you go again!  You were supposed to pay attention Megan! Can’t you do anything right?!”  “You know you have to work this off later don’t you?”  “Let’s see if you can compensate with the next meal.”  “You are so fat and it’s only getting worse because you have no control around food!”  “You big fat slob!” “No guy is ever going to want you!”

The thoughts would go on and on…and it always ended with me numbing again and just eating or just eating because the thoughts wouldn’t stop.  Not a great combo.

​Nowadays that picture above shows a different story.  I eat the yummy food without yelling at myself, without numbing, and without guilt.  I know that this food that I eat will not effect my weight.  I trust my body and I listen to what it says to me, but more importantly, I love it enough to stop beforeI feel overly full.

This last bite of food symbolizes so much.  It shows how far I’ve come.  It shows how different things can be.  Most of all, it shows that Food Freedom is possible for me and for YOU.

Brightest Blessings,
Megan V.

P.S. Are you so ready to claim your food freedom?  Schedule a complimentary 15 minute consultation with me HERE!

Things have settled down and been pretty quiet here on the pregnancy front so I figured I would space out the updates.

I am officially 25 weeks and 1 day pregnant today!  These past weeks have flown by and things have started to pick up baby-wise.  

We have really gotten moving on the nursery and it is so fun to see it come together.  I'm definitely experiencing "nesting" and am getting more and more excited to meet our little man.  Lately, he has been super active with lots of kicks, punches, and even hiccups.  Matt has been so excited to feel these love taps from our baby and has been taking the opportunity to have a word or two with him when possible.  While I'll admit, having him talk to my tummy is a bit strange for me, I'm getting used to it and frankly, it is just absolutely adorable to watch (especially when the baby gives a kick in response)!

I had another checkup at 24 weeks and (for once) everything went super smoothly...thank goodness!  For most pregnant mamas the 24-28 week period involves taking a glucose tolerance test.  I was definitely not looking forward to drinking something so potent because knowing my body, I would have been feeling ill the rest of the day.  Luckily, my doctor took pity on me and has allowed me to use a blood glucose monitor for a few days in lieu of the test.  I'm more than willing to prick my finger for a few days to avoid that drink and I know this is what is best for the baby too.

Cravings have still been moderate...with doughnuts still ranking pretty high.  Physically I'm starting to feel more of the effects of the pregnancy with enhanced fatigue, clumsiness, lovely pregnancy acne and even some morning nausea.  Matt keeps reminding me that I don't need to figure out why a symptom is happening each time it does because "ummm hello I'm pregnant...weird stuff is par for the course"...but still, I've been testing out a few different modifications to my breakfast and overall diet to see if that helps the nausea and acne.  In addition, the heat wave we got reeealllyy took a toll on me.  I was surprised by how only 10 minutes outside in the scorching heat left me feeling light headed and dizzy.  Good thing the weather is calming down soon!

I've still gotten surprised comments from strangers when I say that I'm pregnant.  Frankly, this is shocking to me because I already feel big but I guess I'll just take that as a compliment...at least that's what my hubby keeps telling me.  

To be honest, I'm already kinda over being pregnant and I know this is going to only get more pronounced as the weeks roll on.  In the meantime, I keep telling myself to enjoy this special time and, of course, the extra kindness from everyone.  I can't wait for the upcoming baby shower and have been really resisting the urge to purchase every single cute baby outfit I see.  

Oh and I almost forgot!  The whole Babies R Us closing really threw a wrench in things and lead to some stressful days.  Luckily I've been able to mostly figure it out and have been able to find most of the things I truly wanted.  Aside from dealing with pack n play frustrations, the registry is up and I'm excited to see what people decide to gift our baby boy.  

Overall, I'm doing ok and taking this pregnancy journey one day at a time.  I know our little man will be here before we know it and I, for one, can't wait to meet him.

​Thanks for reading!