• Thank and link the amazing person who nominated you
• List the rules and display the award
• Share seven facts about yourself
• Nominate fifteen other amazing blogs and remember to comment on their blogs to let them know you’ve nominated them. (provide a link to your post)
• This rule is optional you can proudly display the award logo anywhere on your blog e.g. on your sidebar and also follow the blogger that nominated you.

So first,  a very big thank you to Meranda Roben O’Hara whose blog can be found here.  It is nice to be recognized by the community.  It even nicer to know that my blog is helping someone.  Meranda, I love your blog and find you just as inspirational.  Keep up the great work you are doing.

Seven Facts About Me:

1. I was afraid of dogs before I got my little Sable.  She was only 4 lbs when we got her.  She was very scared of us and wouldn’t interact much in the beginning.  When she finally warmed up to us, she got in play stance and barked at me.  I got scared cause I thought she was angry and wanted to attack me.  4 1/2 years later, she is my little baby and I have no fears of her.  She has taught me many things about enjoying life.
2. I had Crohn’s Disease for about 25 years before I really understood what I had and opened up to others.  I went through life pretty ignorant of what I had and just dealt with it.  It wasn’t until I went into my worst flare that I decided to go online and do research.
3. I am very big into Star Trek.  I wouldn’t call myself a Trekkie or Trekker, but I know quite a bit about the franchise.  I have seen every TV episode and movie, more than once.
4. I am gluten free.  2 years ago, I went gluten free to help with a flare and have never looked back.  It is now part of my life and has become another lifestyle that I preach.  You can check out recipes I am posting on my other blog, The Gluten Free Gluttonous Chef.
5. I have been very lucky to meet some famous IBDers.  Sadly, they aren’t celebrities like Mike McCreedy, but are still big within our community.  I have gotten to meet Megan of TGBM, Sara from Inflammed and Untammed, Brian from Intense Intestines Foundation, and Frank Garufi Jr of The Crohn’s Colitis Effect, just to name a few.
6. I am a trained chef.  I originally went to school to cook professionally and I have the degree to back it all up.  However, I couldn’t take the heat (literally) so I left the kitchen.  I do cook at home though and have tons of fun doing it.
7. I have worked in almost every aspect of the hospitality industry.  I have worked in airports, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, quick service coffee shops, and hotels.  I have been both front of the house (dealing with customers direct) and back of the house (behind the scenes).

My Nominations

1. My first nominations (and I think she doesn’t like these kind of awards) is Marisa from http://keepingthingsinsideisbadformyhealth.wordpress.com/.  Marisa, you are so inspiring to so many people.  Even though your advocacy is still young, you have gotten many people to not only listen to your story but open up about their own.  I know you still struggle, but that is all part of what makes you inspirational.  You speak from the heart and show us not only the good but the bad.
2. Next is Jacquie from http://gutwrenchingtruthaboutcrohns.wordpress.com/.  Her blog is about her adventures with IBD.  She talks about the side effects which at some point we all experience but sometimes don’t want to talk about.
3. Third is Amanda from http://warriorchick32.wordpress.com/.  I have gotten to know Amanda a little from our chats on Twitter.  Recently she was on a reality show on TLC called America’s Worst Tattoos.  Not only does she talk about her life with IBD, but also post’s recipes which always look so delicious.
4. Fourth is Michelle from http://digestingmythoughts.com/.  Michelle talks about what it is like for a young adult to go through this horrible disease of IBD.
5. Can’t forget my IBD brothers.  Fifth is Josh from http://jrobinjrob.wordpress.com/.  Reading an IBD blog from a guys point of view is rare.  It is always nice to hear it.  Josh is always trying to help educate others and I love that.
6. Next, and I can’t forget her, is Sharon from http://www.ibdjourneys.com.  Sharon has been dealing with the negative parts of IBD for way to long.  Her site is a place where everyone can come together to talk about their IBD journey.
7. Another wonderful person is Stacey from http://staceydearest.wordpress.com/.  She is another young adult and is from the heart of America.  She talks about her life with IBD.
8. Shari from http://ihaveulcerativecolitis.wordpress.com/ is yet another inspirational person.  Her blog is about her life with UC and her stoma Fred.
9. Another IBD brother I like is Rasheed from http://rasheedclarke.com/  Not only does he show how UC doesn’t have to stop you from doing things but he has also written a book of short stories.
10. Of course, no list would be complete without mentioning Ryan of http://www.crohnsguy.com/.  This guy swam Lake Erie to raise awareness for IBD.  Lake Erie….one of the Great Lakes.  Just shows you that IBD won’t stop some people.
11. Next, Mary Claire from http://www.resiliencyspace.com/.  Not only has she come along way in dealing with her disease, but she shows just how strong you can be with it (literally).

The last set of nominations were listed in my seven facts about me.