Yes, it's as bad as it sounds. I promise I will eventually get to my original plan of posting healthy recipes - but, at the moment, for reasons to be announced soon, I am free to eat whatever I want to keep my weight stable. I made this, this week & it is HEAVENLY. Okay, the original recipe is HERE. Per usual, I changed a couple of things. 

• 14.3 oz pack of Oreos (I used Brookshires brand) 
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted (I used salted...oops) 
• 12 oz cream cheese, room temp
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• (2) 8 oz whipped topping, refrigerated 
• (2) 3.9 oz packages instant chocolate pudding 
• 3 1/4 cup cold whole milk

1. Pull out your food processer, blender, or get to work with your fingers & crush the whole pack of Oreos - cream & all. Don't forget to taste test one or two, for safety purposes ;) 

2. Set aside 3 Tbsp of the crushed Oreos if you want the top of your lasagna to look pretty later. If not, just dump it all in a mixing bowl. 

3. Mix melted butter in with cookie crumbs. 

4. Press into the bottom of a 9"x13" or if you're lazy like me, a big cookie tupperware (cause built in lid!). Pop in the fridge while you make the next layer. 

5. Rinse out your bowl (or don't) and beat the cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar together. Again, lazy hack - chunk it in your Kitchenaid mixer & let it do the work til well blended.

6. Carefully, fold in the first 8 oz container of whipped topping. Be gentle or it will loose it's fluff :( 

7. Pour this delightful cheesecake layer into the container over the crust, and carefully spread it about. Again, gently so you don't lose fluff. Pop it back in the fridge. 

8. Rinse out your bowl (or don't), and beat together the pudding mixes and milk until the pudding thickens. Lazy hack - chunk it in you Kitchenaid mixer & let it do the work. 

9. Spread the pudding evenly over the cheesecake layer. Pop it back in the fridge. 

10. Once the pudding sets - I gave it about 20 minutes - add the final layer/container of whipped topping. Again, be gentle so it doesn't lose it's fluff. 
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11. If you saved cookie crumbles, sprinkle those on to "make it pretty". Cover & chill for at least 2 hours (if you can wait that long...) and then serve! 

Recognizing and acknowledging your trauma is a courageous first step. But it's not just about healing from past wounds; it's about using those experiences to fuel your personal growth and positive transformation. It's about finding strength in vulnerability and hope in resilience. 

My own journey through PTSD has been a rollercoaster of emotions and self-discovery. At times, it can feel like navigating through a dense forest with no clear path. Yet, with time and effort, I realized that trauma can be a powerful catalyst for personal transformation. 

Finding Purpose in Pain
Embracing Your Journey: Trauma can shake the very foundations of your identity and beliefs. For me, this process involved facing the demons of my past and acknowledging the wounds that had been buried deep within. It was a journey of profound self-discovery, understanding, and acceptance. You've been through some sh*t. Embrace it!! 

Helping Others Heal: One of the most profound revelations I had was the ability to turn my pain into purpose. By sharing my experiences and offering a helping hand to others on their healing journeys, I found a renewed sense of meaning and fulfillment. It's remarkable how the act of helping others heal can, in turn, contribute to our own healing journey. 

Advocacy & Support: If you've walked through the fires of trauma, consider advocating for those who are still finding their way out. Joining support groups, volunteering, or participating in advocacy work can be deeply empowering. These actions not only support the healing process for yourself and others, but also creates a more compassionate and understanding community. 

The Ripple Effect of Healing
Inspiring Change: The transformation that arises from healing isn't confined to your own life; it has a ripple effect on those around you. As you find strength and resilience, you become a source of inspiration for others. Your journey can inspire those who may be struggling to find their own path toward healing and growth. 

Breaking Generational Patterns: If, like me, you've experienced trauma within your family, healing can be a powerful tool for breaking generational patterns of pain and dysfunction. Your journey can create a legacy of healing for future generations, showing them that it is possible to overcome adversity and build a life filled with love, understanding, and compassion. 

Trauma is an unwelcome guest in our lives, but it doesn't have to define our future. Recognizing and harnessing trauma for personal growth is a testament to your strength and resilience. It's about rewriting the narrative and finding purpose in your pain. How did those bad things shape you to be a better person? Or perhaps what positive lessons came from those experiences? Focus on the positive aspects of your pain rather than the negative. Focusing on the negative, gives the power to those who created your trauma. Whereas focusing on the positive, gives you all of the power. Once you learn that you have the power to control your own happiness, then you will be unstoppable! 

As we navigate this path of transformation together, remember that you're not alone. Together, we can support one another, inspire change, and unlock the potential for growth & joy each new day!