Daily Affirmations

It seems like motivation is the topic of the week. I've read several posts about it and I'm encouraged by the comments I've gotten. Thank you to those of you that have lent support. I'm always amazed how I get what I need, when I need it.

I just saw this on pinterest. I think this should be my new affirmation. I'm going to print it out and put it all over the house.

Along with this picture.

9 Months of Training

I went out for drinks with my Kinder Mom friends the other night and I jokingly said that I was training for the Eagle Bolt 5K race at the kids' school.

I'm serious but the joking part is that it's 9 months away.

Is there a Couch to 5K plan for people that take 9 months to train for something?

I've tried those programs before and I've never finished because I have to start week 1 over a half dozen times.  Or the weather turns crappy and I quit.

Does anyone have tips for staying motivated on these plans?  Is there a new and exciting app I need to know about?

Help me out!

My Beauty Resolutions

BlogHer has asked me to answer a question about looking my best.  They've obviously been spying on me and my brillant transformation from frumpy mommy to well dressed mother of a Kindergartener who has to interact with people every day.

What are your beauty resolutions this year?  How do you plan to shake up and streamline your routine?  What are the good habits you are committing to developing?

It's a well known fact that I'm addicted to resolutions.  I love starting a new year with a list of things that I'd like to accomplish and ways to make my life better.  Lists are a very big part of my mental health!

Once I turned 40, I really started to look at how I could work on my beauty routine.  Those pesky little lines are starting to form and I'm not getting carded at the liquor store anymore.  I've purchased a number of products that I think are working very well.

My Beauty Resolutions:

• Wash my face every night.
• Use eye cream.
• Drink 60 ounces of water a day.
• Monthly masks.
• Wear sunscreen AND make-up everyday. 
• Keep nails painted.  

What has been helping the most is getting into the habit of taking care of my skin before I go to bed at night.  Making a promise to myself that I'm important enough to spend 5-10 minutes taking care of.

This ritual is really very calming and prepares me for a good night sleep.  Speaking of sleep, another resolution for 2012 is to go to bed at the same time every night....even on the weekends.

BlogHer has a great article about ways to look your best. Come by and leave a comment.

Please visit the Life Well Lived Sweepstakes starting on January 26th and enter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire and a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

Nut Chips....YUM

In my quest to be gluten free....I'm always looking for something I can eat to replace the things I can't have anymore. 

Sometimes....I just want something crunchy.

I went to Sunflower Market on Saturday and wandered down the chip isle.  This caught my eye.

Chips made from RICE and NUTS?  You wouldn't think it would be good....but I love them!

Dr Google and Menopause

My husband is horribly ill.  He had two seperate colds over the holidays and now he has what could be the flu but I'm convinced that is mono.

That's what I get for consulting Dr. Google.

We'll find out if I'm right this afternoon when he sees the doctor again.

And as if that isn't enough on my plate.....I think TOM is trying to visit me again.  After only a 12 day break. 

This is bullshit!!!

I woke up with 3 extra pounds, a migraine and spotting. (sorry guys that might read this)

I seem to remember that this is how it started for my Mom.  CRAP!

We Interrupt This Experiment....

photo credit

In all of my research of Dandelion Root Tea....I did not read about it being a natural LAXATIVE.

In other news.....OMG!

An Experiment

I drank my tea yesterday and I figured out what it smells/tastes like.

An ashtray!!

I read up on the benefits of Dandelion Root and I liked what I learned.

Digestive issues
PMS
Detox of the liver and kidneys
Cleaning of the blood
Milk Supply

I could use help in all of these areas....expect the milk supply.  The barn is closed thankyouverymuch.

So...on to my experiment.

I decided to wear workout clothes today AND set a couple alarms on my phone encouraging me to do 15 minute spurts of working out.

Nothing serious....just squats, lunges, sit ups and lifting little hand weights.

I'm completely against wearing workout clothes to pick up my son from school but this is just a one day experiment.  We'll re-evaluate at the end of the day.

The Gates of Change

“Each of us guards a gate of change that can only be unlocked from the inside.”

—  Marilyn Ferguson

Unless it's this gate.

Photo credit ME!

I'm finding it so hard to get started! Between being sick and TOM arriving unexpectedly, I'm struggling.

I'm restarting the Bloat Blast Tea this morning.  According to a school friend of mine, the dandelion root tea is sold out all over our town so it must work, or lots of people are doing it.

Here we go...again! 

Let's Get This Party Started!

My cold is finally on it's way out so I'm going to get started! Yesterday I weighted in at 211. It seems to be a magic set point that I'd like to never see again.

Today.....I'm doing a juice fast with some fruit and veggies thrown in. And I'm starting the Bloat Blast.

I read conflicting reports about how that was supposed to be done. One said to mix the tea and juices in a 16 ounce glass. Another said to mix it with 60 ounces of water.

The 60 ounces seems like it would dilute the other ingredients so I'm going with the 16 ounce.

Dandelion Root Tea steeped in 16 ounces of water for 15 minutes.
Add.....1 tablespoon cranberry juice, 2 tablespoons for lemon juice.
DRINK!

In addition, I will then drink 60 ounces (or more) of water.