Happy birthday!

I started my blogging journey nearly four years ago. I had a small handful of blogs, and they all failed. I was busy with life and having babies. Writing was and is an outlet, and I didn't have much time for myself then. With my youngest turning two in November, I am confident that I can devote time to my new blog - The Steph Gordon Blog. 

If you've followed me, you know that I was once The Wholesome House. I loved what The Wholesome House stood for, but it wasn't quite right. The Steph Gordon Blog is more fitting. I plan to write about my passions; my family, my husband, and my girls. This is a blog that will dabble in a little bit of everything, but my main focus will be paleo food and natural living. This past year I've done a lot of cooking for a lot of people. I enjoy spending time in the kitchen, and I hope to do something big with my passion someday down the road.

I started my paleo journey in 2011. I thought I was a healthy person before I started this journey, but little did I know that I was at the most unhealthy stage in my life. I lived off of crappy carbs, skim milk, ground turkey, and peanut butter crunch cereal. I was unstable in my personal life, and my work life wasn't bringing me much joy.

I met Matt, my now husband, in 2011. He has helped me become who I am today. I learned from him, and I was transforming into my best self. My body felt amazing. I was thriving. I wasn't tired anymore.  I was hooked and wasn't turning back.

In 2011 there weren't many resources for paleo recipes. I followed a few of my favorite paleo moguls, PaleOMG, and Danielle Walker with Against All Grain. The crazy thing is, is that they were just starting their blogs, and today they are thriving. They are truly an inspiration.

So, I was inspired to learn. I learned to cook with paleo ingredients. I learned to use this for that. So on and so forth. It was fun, and I felt good. I totally immersed myself into this lifestyle, and added crossfit to the mix.

In 2012 I became pregnant with our first child. A short 10 weeks later, I had a miscarriage. Who knows what from, and it kills me to this day to not know what triggered it. I blame birth control (another story for a later date). After my miscarriage, I really focused on my health. I quit birth control and reset my body. A year later I became pregnant with Eloise in 2013. She was born May 21, 2014. Flora followed 18 months to the day on November 21, 2015. My body hasn't stopped. It's either been pregnant or nursing. Hormones galore. I can proudly say that I just finished nursing Flora the day before my 30th birthday on August 10, 2017. This is the first time I've been free of pregnancy and postpartum stuff since 2012. My body is thanking me.

This stage of life hasn't been easy for me. I've been tried in more ways than I can count. But, I still remain true to the fact that I continue to provide real food to my family. I am fortunate enough to work with Greener Grass Farms and consume their grass fed and pasture raised meats that feed my family. I am also thankful for my relationships with vegetable and fruit farms such as Adams Farm. I'm also thankful for one of my best friends, Jen, who so graciously believes in me that she took all of these beautiful photos for my blog. And, Matt. I don't know what I would do without you...

I am surrounded by some really great people. I have high hopes for this blog, and everything it stands for. I'm excited to have you here! I want to get to know you! I want to cook with you! I want to teach you so much! With that said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE STEPH GORDON BLOG! Cheers!