Juice Fast Day 1

I started a 4 day vegetable and juice fast.  Yep I did!  I haven't ever wanted to do anything like this before in my life but maybe I jumped on the crazy train and I'm ready to ride.  Yeah I just realized that was super cheesy to say but give me a break....I've been eating vegetables and fruit for 24 hrs.  I'm a little loopy currently.  

I don't think that I'd recommend this to just anyone.  It just kinda fell into place for me.  By some miracle I've been able to change my orignal thoughts from "I'll start dieting tomorrow, having this one fast food meal won't make that much of a difference, I'll feel better if I can just eat a cheeseburger, I'll just run those calories off, I have to lose weight so that I'll look good, so that I'll be more attractive to guys I want, so that people will think I'm doing good, so that I don't feel guilty every time I put something less than healthy into my body" and started thinking "every choice I make affects how I think about myself, controlling my eating habits leads to strength, confidence, clarity, peace of mind".   For me, when I remembered that I am strong and I want to prove that to myself, rather than thinking about the extra pounds that I need to get rid of asap, I've been able to change a couple bad habits without so much will power.  


So before I planned on doing this 4 day craze - I've already been prepping.  I've been watching what I eat the past couple weeks and making choices to eat as healthy as possible with only a few slipups when I wanted to.  I've been making sure my calories are 1200-1400 per day.  Doing that, I've been feeling the pains of an empty stomach trying to adjust to that and I've become comfortable with that feeling knowing that it won't be forever and knowing that I'm strong enough to get through the cravings.   I read somewhere that someone said if you want to maintain weight you need to make good choices most of the time and if you want to lose weight good choices all of the time. That's been going through my mind.

source: here

Motivation came from watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead which is about 2 men who did 60 day juice fasts and changed their lives.  60 days! Seriously.  So my 4 days seems pretty wimpy but I feel good about it today.  (You can also watch it for free on Netflix and Hulu.)  I don't have a juicer so I've just been blending into smoothies instead.  Juicing would be better but I'm not gonna let that be an excuse to not do it. 


A look at my day of smoothie drinks:


9 AM - kale, 1/2 of a banana, orange, 1/4 cup non fat milk and water       <-------so yummy!


12 PM - carrot, tomato, 1/2 banana, 1/4 cup non fat milk and water


2:30 PM - Cuties for a snack


4 PM - apple, cara cara orange, strawberries, ground flax seed, 
            1/2 cup non fat milk and water  [so tart with a kick if you like that kinda thing!]


6:30 PM - broccoli, kale, celery, blueberries, 1/4 cup non fat milk and water   [ewww,        drink this fast!]


7:30 PM - handful of almonds and a cutie orange + daily vitamins


So I'm not a nutritionist and so I'm not gonna claim this is the meal plan for everyone, but it was just for me to try and see how I feel and aim to as many fruits and veggies as I could load in.  I figure that if I'm low on certain nutrients, I have enough extra pounds on my body to survive these 4 days.  


Initially in the day I was feeling great and proud of myself and then by about dinner time I was feeling hungry and starting to question.  I had a time where I thought I could just end this with one day and that's still awesome of me to do one day.  But back to changing my thoughts, I caught myself and realized that this isn't about what I'm eating, but proving to myself that I'm strong and can do things that I set out to do.  Gotta keep my promise of 4 days.  


Tips that helped me if you're thinking about jumping on the crazy train too:


1. Like i mentioned before I've been prepping for this already.   It may be hard to go cold turkey on this sort of thing if you're not used to it.  Try juicing for one meal a day for a week or whatever works for you.  Listen to your heart......that one song just popped into my head.  But anyways...moving on.  


2. Every time I felt hungry, I made a smoothie or a snack, whichever sounded better. I didn't set out with certain times of the day to eat or anything like that. I just tried to stay ahead of the hunger because I knew if I let myself get hungry enough I'd be sitting at the Chick Fil-A drive thru asking for an extra order of fries.  Mmm fries...


3. I had a 3 day weekend and wanted to do this at home.  I felt like I could control this better if I was focused on myself and not stressing about the work day and watching other people eat food.


4. Staying calm.  Again if I got hungry or freaked out I knew I'd be crashing so.  Towards the end of the day when doubt set in, I took a bath - read a good book - made a smoothie that I knew would be yummy.  Lots of power came in my resolve to be strong and overcoming a caving to cravings. 


So.....day 1 done. Did it.  I had a headache by the evening and started feeling dizzy.  I knew I might feel a little off since I've heard about others feeling sick as their body is detoxing so I kind of expected it.  But I realized I wasn't drinking as much water as I normally do since i was drinking my food.  Goal for tomorrow is definitely to up the water intake. And also to survive the day.   

Oh January

Its that time of year, resolution time.  Have you made yours?  This is the month where the gym is crowded to the max, but just this month. Because next month most of the resolutions start to fizzle away.  In past years I've been a New Years grinch thinking that I would be better off to not set myself up for failure knowing that my goals would be given up by February.....or if I'm really enthusiastic about it until March.  Sad huh? Dumb huh? Yeah it is.  

So before I even think about my hopes for the year I'm gonna do a little 2011 celebration.  I was did some pretty awesome things.  Since last December I acquired this little thing known as a Bachelor's degree, visited a couple new countries, walked on the Great Wall of China, climbed the same steps as the monks to the top of the highest mountain I've ever dreamed to be on, improved the sales in my Etsy shop, ran 5 miles in an hour (that's FAST for me people), tried ice skating and didn't fall once (and loved it...who knew I love ice skating?), and I'm 20 lbs less than I was a year ago.  Success. Atta girl. 

So to sum up, I've kicked out the negative goal thoughts and moved on to better, more inspiring things. Even if a goal only lasts a month, I'll still be a step closer to where I wanna be.  Hopefully next time I wanna rekindle that goal I'll make it 2 months. Then 3.  Gotta keep trucking if you wanna be awesome and do awesome things.  

P.S.....I hate to say it, but I found that quote pictured above on Pinterest - I think - but I just don't remember where so I can't give credit where credit is due. If you know where it's from lemme know asap! 

A Very Merry Christmas

We had a great Christmas (almost all of us....missed you Sarah and Jackson!) at home. All the essentials: Christmas tree, sugar cookies, Home Alone...it was perfect!  I love the last picture of the crayons on Christmas morning. That was always my fav presents growing up. Something to color, thank you Santa.  It was a good year.

Home For the Holidays

Source: Sweet Paul

Source: Kid Spot

A little late on the decoration ideas, being Christmas Eve and all.  But loving these ideas for next year....something to look forward to!  Here is a tutorial for the Letter Garland as well.  Loving the idea of words all over the walls.  Festive.  

Merry Christmas Eve.  Sleep tight! 

Happy Friday

I stumbled across this letter organizer today and I think he's pretty awesome.  I mean he is vintage and a scottie.  So fun.  I kinda like it.  

In other news, these holiday cards from my shop were on the front page of the Etsy website today.  I like it when that happens.  Makes me happy.  

Also it's the weekend.  

And 9 days til Christmas.  

Yeah! Happy Friday :) 

Sewing Cats

Figuring out my sewing machine is one of my new years resolutions this year.  I've even started an online tutorial type of class that's apparently going to help me teach myself.  I'm going to be a sewer before you know it.  Sewer? I might have made that word up. But that's what I'm going to be anyways.  Its happening.....and I've got my eye on this quilt by Merrilee of Mer Mag.  Its so fun right!?  She's put together a step by step on how to sew this quilt in her cat design. Maybe its a little ambitious for me right now but its definitely giving me goals and getting my wheels turning.  I'm going to be a sewer.  

Music Monday and Loves

There's a lot of renditions of holiday songs out there (Justin Bieber anyone?) but personally I love the classic versions.  I love John Schmidt's assortment here. 

Also I can't get enough of these ugly sweater tshirts by Vardagen.  Love em!  My budget has been arguing with me several times over whether I should purchase one or not.  If I can talk myself into adding my own name to my list of Christmas recipients then this is where I'll go first.  I've had several close calls...but just haven't taken the plunge yet.  

Another store I've been eyeing lately is Blowfish and it just so happens that there is a giveaway going on at Laura's blog.  I'm a dedicated flats kind of a girl so given the fact that they have MANY boots that I would kill to have...they're worth a looksie.  Pretty cool if you wanna check it out!  

Happy holiday time everyone :)

Awesome Today

LuciusArt found here

Last night I was feeling motivated that in the morning I would wake up just a little bit earlier and do a 20 minute workout and be awesome.  I know right.  But I guess I forgot that I actually don't do things like that.  So my alarm went off.  And then 5 minutes later again.  And then again.  So instead I rolled out of bed at the time that I normally am walking out the door for work...oops. Ah well. It was a nice try.

So I figured once I got done with work I would make up for that work out.  Long story short I ended up in bed once again. I liked cozy a little too much. Nice try again. 

But you know those friends you have that you kinda avoid cause they're serious party pooopers. The ones who have a hard day...every day. And they love to tell you about it.  I mean every day their dog died. (How many dogs do they really have?)  I am on a mission to never be one of those friends.  Yes I know I haven't washed my jeans in awhile and they are giving me saggy butt, but its still a good day.

Awesome things today

-----------------------------

1. Listening to a voicemail during work of my best sister Jamie serenading me.  My laughter made my friend at work curious enough to listen in and pretty sure it made her day awesome too. 

2. My lunch.  I love food and it was good okay. 

3. Doing something right and productive and my boss acknowledging by saying and I quote, "You are awesome."  Yes, yes I am.  

4. My coworker walking in to work with a box of cookies from the best bakery. And I choose a double fudge one.  I told you, I love food.

5. Some guy was walking around Walmart with pieces of kleenex stuck up his nose.  You know when you have a bloody nose and you're laying in bed with your head propped up nose stuffed with kleenex feeling not so sexy.  Like that. Except he was walking around Walmart. Okay maybe not so awesome but definitely noteworthy.  And courageous.  

6. Another noteworthy couple walking around Walmart sporting their British accents.  I have a definite love affair with the way they talk.  I stalked them for a little while, following just close enough to hear but stealthily enough not to be caught.  Oh how those Brits make me smile.

7. I did a little DIY project at home and it turned out pretty cool if I do say so.  I'd show ya but, I have a feeling this may turn into a Christmas project so we'll keep that under wraps until the 26th.  But lets just say I transfered a photo onto a canvas.  Pretty nifty eh?  

8. Playing soccer with Perry, my little friend that I get paid to be friends with.  He was the goalie and laughed his tiny tushie off every time I kicked it hard and nailed him with the ball. Who knew my athletic abilities against a 5 yr old were so hilarious?  

9. Hot shower before bed. Shaved legs (let's be real. Its winter and this isn't a daily thing.)  Okay confession....I was trying to type occurance on the last sentence but I can't figure out how to spell it right.  So instead I settled for the word thing.  Good replacement word.  

I hope you were awesome today too.

Feed Your Soul

Leah Duncan 

                        

Kelly Puissegur

So I came across this really amazing site called Feed Your Soul where artist's are donating some of their really cool work....for free! To me. To you. To anyone that wants it.  So those of us on a budget can still brighten our homes with some talented creativeness.  One of my favorite artists, Leah Duncan, donated a piece and I can't wait to print it out and find a place on my wall for it. So cool. That's all.  

Angela Traunig

Cutie Cutie

So a success and a failure.  Definitely didn't stick to my meal plan that I created on Sunday. It seemed so fool proof....hmmph.  But still, I followed it mostly....with the exception of a few anxious hunger panic attacks ending up in a macaroni and cheese binge and a couple bowls of ice cream. (ok maybe a few. Or maybe 4)   

Still I'm gonna chalk it up to a good week.  I stuck to good foods for 90% of my day.  And I kept pretty close to eating every 3 hours. And I still have the motivation to keep it up.  So pat on my back for a good week.  Goals: Eat more of the good stuff instead of focusing on calories right now.  No more hunger panic attacks for me.  

I spotted Cuties at the grocery store and I woud have done a cartwheel right there in the aisle, but one of my serious secrets is that I have never been able to do a cartwheel so shhh. We'll keep that between us.  Cuties are seriously good stuff.  They are snackable and yummy and healthy.  I love them in salads.  And I eat em like candy.  You should too.

The dirt on Cuties:  

Mentally - they smell citrusy and good and it makes me happy. Actually, citrusy is known to lower stress levels.  So sniff em before you chow down.  

For your heart - fat free, cholesterol free, and sodium free. Also has folate, which fights heart disease.  

Satisfying - loaded with fiber, keeping you full for longer.  Always a good thing when you're cutting back. 

Healing powers - yes, actual powers to heal your wounds and keep gums and teeth healthy.   Loaded with vitamin C.  

Snackable - only about 40 calories per Cutie so snack away.  Have a handful. Eat em like candy. They're super easy to peel and seedless.  

Tis the season for Cuties - they'll be around til May.