My Skin Care Routine

i have been blessed with, generally, pretty well behaved skin. i’m not going to lie sometimes it’s picky about make-up and cleansers, it doesn’t like the sun (can you tell from my ghostly whiteness?), it has a couple of dry patches, and the occasional blemish/pimple and full on breakouts at times. other than that I consider myself pretty lucky in the skin department. when i was younger i would wear make-up and promptly go to bed at the end of the day without washing it off. in the morning i’d take a shower rinse my face and then put more make-up on. i never really took care of my skin. never ‘washed’ my face like i was supposed to. (gross, i know). as i’ve gotten older and started to really fall in love with make-up all over again i’ve realized i need to take better care of my skin. so after a lot of trial and error this is the system i have found that works for me.

first is cleanse – i use The Body Shop’s Camomile Eye Makeup Remover. it’s cooling to the eye, which is great for redness and puffiness yet, it removes the eye makeup. i really enjoy it. after removing my eye makeup i breakdown and remove my face paint & wash my face with the Boscia MakeUp – Break Up Cool Cleansing Oil. it’s a fascinating item as you put it on your face before you wet it. using your hands rub it all over to wash of the grime and war paint of the day.

second, toning – i think this has helped me out greatly. i have been through so many different toners – so many and could never find one that wasn’t too drying, too stringent, too harsh, too gentle – then i found out about this magical concoction that has become my Goldilocks facial toner. i mix 1 part raw apple cider vinegar with 1 part rosewater & glycerin, which i order from amazon. after i wash my face i soak a cotton round with the magical concoction. i let it dry on my face. this has helped breakouts go away soon, balance out my skin tone, and just generally helped the overall quality of my skin.

third – eyes – i always put my eye serum/cream on before my face lotion this way i’m not contaminating my sensitive eye skin with thick face lotion. i first apply my Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye. if you have not used this, you are missing out. it does amazing things for my dark circles and extreme puffiness (we’ve all had those hard weeks or weeks of excessive crying). also helps to soften and tighten up the under eye area while you sleep. it’s worth every penny. after i give that a little while to sink in i use the Nourish Organic Avocado & Argan Eye Cream. this gives my eyes a softer and more youthful skin texture as well. plus, it just feels great on the skin. the serum i use only under the eye to top of orbital bone and up to the outer corners. the cream i put on all of my eye – lid and all. remember to tap not rub eye product in while using your ring finger for a lighter pressure.

fourth – moisture – love the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate Serum. love. serious love. it’s amazing. i put this on at night before my moisturizer and my skin feels like new fresh baby skin in the morning. so healing and nourishing to the skin. a little goes a long way. i use it on my neck up to my hairline. after i use the serum i apply my favorite moisturizer. it’s drug store. it’s the best for my skin by far. i have tried high end, highly reviewed, highly praised night creams and the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer is by far the most amazing. i’m only 31 but started to get little crows feet, deeper forehead wrinkles, etc and this has completely made them invisible. no lie. completely. it’s very hydrating and corrective.

start/finish – water spray. i know this seems silly. after i wash my face before i tone, and after i moisturize before i shut my eyes i spray my face with ‘fancy’ water. i don’t know what’s in this water or why but i do know when i don’t use it my face moisture changes drastically – i’ll get more dry patches, more oily patches, and more redness. it is so healing. i love this stuff. Eau Thermale Avene Water Spray. seriously, use it – you won’t be disappointed.

lips – lips are tricky little things. too much and they wrinkle too little and they wrinkle – they are very sensitive but require the same amount of care as the rest of your face. don’t forget about them. in the winter i’ll polish them at a maximum of 3x a week with the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish. everynight after i’m done with my skincare i’ll put the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask on the top before I go to sleep. This combination helps keep them healthy without chapping or adding more wrinkles. I really like the Fresh Polish because it isn’t as harsh and is finer than most other lip scrubs that are out there. The Bite Beauty lip mask? Have you used anything by Bite Beauty? Hands down the best lip products (in my opinion). It keeps them soft and nourishes the lips while you sleep. it’s thick but leaves my lips like new in the morning. i use the C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve in the morning to give my lips a little more protection before putting on my daily war paint.

 

when i get up i rinse my face off with the Neutrogena Make Up Removing Wipes – just to wipe off the night sleepy face. in the winter i use the Ultra Hydrating ones just for a little bit more moisture – especially where i live because it’s such a dry climate in the winter. then i apply the Tarte Maracuja Bronzing Serum – did i mention i was pale? i like to give my face some nutrients underneath before i put on my make-up and this gives a little natural bronzing to your skin – a little glow. not to mention it helps even out skin tone & texture and it feels good and looks good too!

i like using the First Aid Beauty Face Moisturizer (all i have right now are the little packets that i use for travel until i get back to sephora). so hydrating for the winter and gives a great base for makeup to lay on top of as well. 

morning eye cream – Origins GinZing . it tingles, it cools, it feels amazing. this is fantastic for dark circles and eye puffiness. i think there are magical particles in this cream. tightens & brightens.
 

about once a week or sometimes twice depending on the shifting of skin i’ll do a pretty strong exfoliation. my favorite is the Green Apple Peel by Juice Beauty. the smell is, interesting but it leaves you pores clean and skin like glass!

take care of your skin – you only get one! products and makeup will go on smoother and look better when your skin is healthy and hydrated. i’d love to hear what you use and why you love it so much! it’s good to change things up from time to time so share with me what are you using and loving?

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (Minus the Trains)

I’ve been away, around, up, and down. Back in January I was able to visit my family in Utah, and had a fun improve photo shoot in the snow. It was a blast! Here are a few shots from that fun visit.

Aren’t they the cutest children ever?! Look at those cheeks on that little guy?! S3 was so funny when it came to the snow, every time I turned around she was squatted and licking the snow - she didn’t like to touch it, so this is what she looked like doing it:

We went to the 2011 Car Show downtown and enjoyed the new car smell, I could smell new car/leather smell all the time! Maybe there is a candle out there I don’t know about ….

 

I never wanted to leave that car, one day I’ll own another SHO, I would have love to left with that one… I had one when I was younger and it was my absolute favorite car (that I owned) - my dream car will always be a 68 Corvette Stingray. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted a Corvette, I believe when I was around 4 that started? Feel free to correct me mom/dad. I wouldn’t mind any older Muscle Car either. As for modern car? It would be that above… I sat in it a long time.

I’ve gone to go visit Mr.B a couple times. I always love going to the south, I’m such a transplant on this west coast and do not belong here. My skin, hair, and mind all love it when I get that fresh dose of humidity and soft water. Then it hates me when I get back to the dry climate out here. He’s been gone too long, hopefully he’ll be home soon for awhile, but we are so blessed to have great jobs, and to be in the wonderful area we are in with the great friends we have made, sometimes I don’t think I could do it without them.

In this time away I’ve lost 26 pounds. I’ve started running, eating more whole/pure/natural/raw foods - and am feeling well, other than the fact I’ve had this awful pain in my side/back for the past couple of weeks went to the doctor and like usual they slap you with a prescription and send you on your way. I have a friend who suggested that her doctor was excellent so I’m going to go see him to get a second opinion.

I’ve also signed up with Shelf Reliance, a food storage web site that offers a monthly shipping program - somewhat like Netflix except it’s for food storage. I love that I can get fruits and vegetables, soups and desserts to help supplement the grains and baking supplies from the Church Storehouse. I’ve also added meat and dairy from them as well - so far there isn’t anything I haven’t tried that I don’t like. The only thing I wish is that they had more instructions of how to cook, etc. on the can - but I’m figuring it out via trial and error.

I’ll try to be back more often than once in a blue moon. I should be in bed, so have a happy evening/day everyone.

-Mrs. B

Vegetables & Fruit!

A few of my neighbors get a fresh organic delivery of fruits/vegetables every week some every two, and I decided to check it out at Farm Fresh to You, and can I just say I am so glad I did! It came with so much delicious produce! I unpacked it, washed it, dried it, and put it away… I am looking forward to eating it over the next two weeks and looking for my next delivery of surprises in a couple of weeks!

 

Leafy Greens

 

Fresh Basil

 

Broccoli

 

Celery which will be donated as I'm not a celery fan, at all.

 

Plouts

 

Onion

 

The best green grapes, I have EVER tasted!

 

Zucchini

 

Assorted Cherry Tomatoes

 

Roma Tomatoes… I think…

 

 

Black Plums

 

And yet another type of tomato, not sure which type though…

Not pictured: Peaches

 

I had the best salad for dinner: leafy greens, 2 types of tomatoes, basil, grapes, and vinegar/oil - so yummy!! You should seriously find your nearest co-op or local veggie delivery, it is well worth it and you will always know that it’s in season, for your area!

Shopping

This morning a good friend and I decided to go to the Farmers Market, it’s in my sweet little town EVERY Saturday, and it’s been WAY TOO LONG since I’ve been. Mr. B and I usually go every weekend, well we did until we fell out of the habit, but I think I’m going to start going back I spent about $40 and got a TON of wonderful fresh, in season, organic, beautiful produce.

 

 

Cherries, these were the most juiciest, richest, wonderful cherries I think I’ve ever eaten, and mind you I don’t like cherries, well I thought I didn’t like cherries, obviously that’s changed.

 

 

I picked up fresh picked green beans and some wonderfully sweet little bell peppers - I’m going to steam the beans and roast the little peppers, serve with Quinoa and some type of protein either chicken or pork, probably pork as it is my favorite meat.

 

 

 

BERRIES!!!! Raspberries, Logan Berries, Strawberries, and then the randomly thrown in Apricot - they were so delish as well.

 

When my family was out last summer my mom picked up some sauces from this one lady and they were so good so I picked up some Peach Pepper, what are the ingredients you ask? All that’s in this little beauty is Peaches, Red Pepper, Sugar, Gelatin, Cayenne, and that’s it, no water or things I can’t pronounce… and it’s sooo yummy!

I also picked up some wonderful hand jarred Bread & Butter pickles, I remember when my mom used to make her own pickles, I loved them - and swear I’ve never had as good of a pickle, I wish she would make them again.

 

I’m so excited to eat this produce this week! I also picked up some corn for .40 cents an ear LARGE & FRESH ears; a little butternut squash; and some yummy Gouda Cheese Curds.

If you have a Farmers Market by you I highly suggest you check it out! If you do, what’s your favorite thing to pick up each week?

My Food Revolution

About 24 hours 3 months ago, I watched Food, Inc. I cried. I was confused. I was apathetic. I still don’t know how I feel, I now have a grasp on how I feel and what I want to do to change. I’ve tried to figure it out in my head so obviously it’s not working. So I decided to figure it out here on my blog, out loud so to speak. This movie covers a lot of different aspects: Mass Food Production, Laws/Bills, Sustainable Foods, etc. There are many different emotions I had while watching the movie and so here goes my thoughts, there is so much in my head that to make it easier on myself and those 3 of you that read to understand, I’m going to take their 10 points of change from their site and discuss  them, so here goes nothing…

1. Stop Drinking Sodas and other sweetened beverages - The one main reason I believe for this is because of the over use of corn in our lives, and it’s just not good for your plain and simple. I’ve already started to do this (except lately I fell off the wagon big time when Safeway was having their Buy 2 Get 3 Free sale), but it is something I’m working towards-not only does the corn syrup hinder your process of your digestive system, it causes calories to be misplaced and your body to store extra fat. The carbonation breaks down your bones and enhances arthritis.

2. Eat At Home Instead Of Eating Out - This I agree with at least for the majority. I don’t think there is anything wrong with eating out at restaurants in your town to help support the economy and local businesses - but I do want to try to stay away from the larger non-healthy places such as McDees, BK, etc… this has been going on for awhile since I watched Biggest Loser and the propaganda filled Biggie Size Me (which I was not a fan of how it was produced/directed), but believe there are healthier options by bringing your dinner/lunch from home (not to mention cheaper) – but if you need to grab something on the go, there are better/healthier places to do so in your area, google it and look around your office for some new choices.

3. Support the Passage of Laws Requiring Chain Restaurants to Post Calorie Information on Menus and Menu Boards - I personally like this idea but I think it should be posted where it is accessible via online, drive-thru, menu there are a lot of calories in food that we don’t know are there, and sometimes I do wonder about what is actually used in my meal preparation.

4. Tell Schools to Stop Selling Sodas, Junk Food, and Sports Drinks - I don’t think this is the way to go about this, I feel it compromises choice and agency to choose what you drink I think instead healthier options should be made available and let the person control their own desires, but I think to ban them from places is wrong. This should be taught/or not taught in the home – this lies with the parents to decide how they want to raise their children, in my high school (10 years ago, wow!) we had soda, sports drinks, juices, water, chips, organic granola bars, candy bars, corn chips, gum etc. It was up to us to make that decision on what we put in our mouth and body, not the government – which is how it should be. Take your own snacks from home, etc.

5. Go Without Meat Once A Week - This I think is a good thing, being raised LDS I have always loved having the Word of Wisdom to follow and live by, however it seems we focus a lot on the cannots (NO coffee, tea, drugs, alcohol, tobacco) and not so much on the what you should dos (eat fruits/vegetables in their season, eat meat sparingly-cold/winter/famine and this fits that, also that we should be eating lots of whole grains) - I’m not becoming a vegetarian/pescatarian/vegan/etc - I think that following the Word of Wisdom and eating in season and eating meat sparingly is the way it should be - our bodies need the fat, the protein, the carbs, etc - but in moderation, and in season. I love going to our town farmers market every Saturday with all the fresh produce, it’s so colorful and rich in flavor, and if I have to spend a little extra moo-lah to support that and have the better tasting fruit/veggies and help the farmers, then so be it.

6. Buy organic/sustainable foods with little or no pesticides – Ok. Sounds good, seems right – but in my personal family, I think eating in season and washing your veggies with a good ol vinegar/baking powder mix is good enough for us at this stage in our lives.

7. Protect Family Farms – Visit Your Local Farmer’s Market – Nooooo problem! As mentioned above this is one of my favorite weekly things to-do. There is an indescribable difference between grocery store produce that has been shipped in from who knows where and fresh yummy farmers market produce that has been brought in from behind my house.

8. Make A Point To Know Where Your Food Comes From – Read Labels – This I have started doing, and you would be surprised how much crap (can’t find a better word to use) is in the foods we’re used to buying on a daily basis. I’ve been sticking to the ‘outer perimeter’ rule when in the grocery store, and when I am buying canned items, I take my time to compare and read and then purchase my best option.

9. Tell Congress That Food Safety Is Important to You – this is up to you and your feelings, this can go either way for me, what’s too much, how far is too far – in limiting/telling the people what they should/shouldn’t be doing.

10. Demand Job Protection – I haven’t dug into this or researched it any so I am going to not write a ‘thought’ for this item.

 

So there is/are my resolutions: Eat more fruits/veggies in season. Buy from my farmers market. Read/Pay Attention to where my food is coming from, and for your pleasure my needing a place to list this for me I have typed out a seasonal eating chart for Northern California but this is a really good resource to find what’s in season where you live.

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Yearly Eats - Asian Greens, Avocados, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cardoons, Carrots, Chard, Cauliflower, Collards, Dried Fruit, Endive, Fennel, Garlic, Herbs, Horseradish, Kale, Leeks, Lemons, Lettuces, Mushrooms, Onions, Oranges, Potatoes, Radish, Scallions, Spinach 

January - Bok Choy, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Gourds, Grapefruit, Guava, Kiwi, Limes, Mandarins, Parsnips, Pears, Persimmons, Pomelos, Rutabaga, Sunchokes, Tangerines, Turnips, Walnuts

 

February - Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Cress, Gourds, Grapefruit, Green Garlic, Guava, Kiwi, Kumquats, Limes, Mandarins, Parsnips, Pears, Pomelos, Rutabaga, Tangerines, Turnips, Walnuts

 

March - Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Bok Choy, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Cress, Gourds, Grapefruit, Green Garlic, Guavas, Kiwi, Kumquats, Limes, Mandarins, Parsnips, Pomelos, Rutabaga, Strawberries, Tangerines, Turnips, Walnuts

 

April - Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Bok Choy, Cauliflower, Celery, Cherries, Grapefruit, Green Garlic, Guavas, Kumquats, Limes, Mandarins, Parsnips, Peas, Pomelos, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Strawberries, Tangerines, Turnips, Walnuts

 

May - Apricots, Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Basil, Blackberries, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Boysenberries, Cauliflower, Celery, Cherries, Green Garlic, Lemons, Mustard, Nectarines, Peaches, Peas, Plums, Pluots, Radicchio, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Shallots, Squash Summer, Strawberries, Walnuts

 

June - Apricots, Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Basil, Blackberries, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Boysenberries, Cauliflower, Celery, Cherries, Corn, Cress, Cucumbers, Green Garlic, Melons, Mustard, Nectarines, Okra, Peas, Peaches, Plums, Pluots, Radicchio, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Shallots, Summer Squash, Strawberries, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Walnuts 

July - Apricots, Arugula, Asian Pears, Basil, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Corn, Cress, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Grapes, Melons, Mustard, Nectarines, Okra, Peas, Peaches, Plums, Pluots, Peppers (Bell & Chili), Radicchio, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Shallots, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Tomatillos, Tomatoes 

 

August - Almonds, Apples, Arugula, Asian Pears, Basil, Blackberries, Celery, Corn, Cress, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Figs, Grapes, Melons, Mulberries, Mustard, Nectarines, Okra, Peaches, Pears, Peas, Peppers (Bell & Chili), Plums, Pluots, Pomegranates, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Shallots, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Tomatillos, Tomatoes

 

September - Almonds, Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Asian Pears, Basil, Blackberries, Bok Choy, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn Cress, Cucumbers, Dates, Eggplant, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Kiwi, Melons, Mustard, Nectarines, Okra, Olives, Peaches, Pears, Peas, Peppers (Bell&Chili), Persimmions, Pistachios, Plums, Pluots, Radicchio, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Shallots, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sunchokes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips

 

October - Almonds, Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Asian Pears, Basil, Bok Choy, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Celery, Chestnuts, Corn, Cress, Cucumbers, Dates, Eggplant, Figs, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Kumquats, Limes, Melons, Mustard, Okra, Olives, Nectarines, Parsnips, Peaches, Pears, Peas, Peppers (Bell & Chili), Persimmons, Plums, Pomegranates, Radicchio, Rhubarb, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Shallots, Strawberries, Squash Winter, Sunchokes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips,

November - Almonds, Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Asian Pears, Bok Choy, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Celery, Chestnuts, Corn, Cress, Cucumbers, Dates, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guavas, Kiwi, Kumquats, Limes, Mandarins, Melons, Okra, Olives, Parsnips, Pears, Peas, Peppers (Bell & Chili), Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Winter Squash, Sunchokes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips

 

December - Artichokes, Bok Choy, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Celery, Chestnuts, Cress, Dates, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guavas, Kiwi, Limes, Mandarins, Parsnips, Pears, Peppers (Bell & Chili), Persimmions, Pomegranates, Pomelos, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Squash Winter, Sunchokes, Sweet Potatoes, Tangerines, Turnips, Walnuts

Thursday Thoughts

There has been so much going on with Mr. B and I lately that I have slacked on several things:

• 
  
  My Project 365 will be lacking about a week
  Thursday Thoughts seems to have disappeared
  Laundry – yes, I wore two different socks to work, because they didn’t have clean matches
  I’ve finally made it to the grocery store…
  
  But now that our lives are getting under control… Let’s get on with this weeks Thursday Thoughts!

• 
  
  The country station I listen to here on the West Coast, just hired a new Deejay – his name is Joey, and he’s Australian, honestly…. really? I’m not quite sure how I feel about that. I mean I know Keith Urban is Australian - I guess it might just be funny to me…. but I do think it’s rather strange.
  
  I’ve had a ‘Green Monster’ every day for the past 5 days, and I’m addicted. In fact I only bought enough Spinach for a couple drinks because I wasn’t sure about them, but now I need to go back to the store for more. I get done drinking one and want to make another one but I resist. Tuesday night I made one with Mango because I ran out of Banana – ummm, not the best combo but I drank it anyway… but now I started drinking them with: Spinach, Carrots, Flax, Protein, Rice Milk, and at least one serving of fruit.
  
• 
  
  I watched Food, Inc. last week sometime and have been trying to throw a post together on it, but it’s taking more time than I thought it would… but it has made quite a large impact on my life lately, this whole week I haven’t eaten anything processed really (except for the V-8 fusion in a can) I feel better, I still need more sleep and water but for the past gazillion years I’ve been saying I’m going to get healthier, this is my year, I’ll start tomorrow, yadda yadda… and now it’s just something I’ve been doing. I went to the grocery store tonight and only bought items from the produce side…. No I’m not going vegetarian/vegan/or any other strange thing, just being more thoughtful about what I eat, where it comes from, and when I eat it.
• 
  
  I really want to write about work, but can’t at the moment - or probably won’t anyway - because I don’t want to ‘bring my work home with me’ but gah… it’s stressful and crazy right now - hopefully it will get better  soon
• 
  
  As a result of us cutting cable, Mr. B and I have delved deeper into the world of the Instant Streaming Availability from Netflix (we love Netflix by the way - it is AMAZING) - and we watched the whole series so far of The IT Crowd - it’s a hilarious British comedy that I am ready to watch all over again. I do wish I had the capability of remembering things I hear so I could quote them back, several people I know can do this and apparently it is not one of the talents I was blessed with.
• 
  
  We’ve started playing a new game, Puerto Rico, with the M’s on Monday nights for FHE - LOVE it, LOVE them. It’s a great time. In my weird quirky way my favorite thing I like about this game is everyone gets their OWN GAME BOARD! Ha! I can organize and keep straight til my little heart is content!
   
  That’s pretty much all the random stuff in my head that I felt the need to get out on my thought Thursday, I suppose it’s not as enlightening as they usually are, but oh well, it’s my blog and my brain…
• 
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  

Ups and Downs

Is it really 10:30pm? I can’t believe it. Time certainly does fly – I was for certain that I would be in bed tonight by 9:30am and well rested for the ‘photo hike’ my friend and I are going on in the morning. I am so excited, and I can’t wait to post the pictures from it tomorrow, or maybe Sunday.

Today I came home from work to Mr. B putting together my new crisp white corner unit for our TV and Wii and other essential items. I was so happy I was geared up and ready to move furniture around, hang things on the wall, etc., etc…. when he pulled out the glass doors and this is what we saw…

My heart sunk and my dreams were shattered (too dramatic? Yeah I know). Not really but I was a little disappointed. I’m so excited to start putting this place together. With things I can take with me when and if we ever buy a house. After talking to overstock.com customer service support in a annoyed calm and impatient rational voice they were coerced agreed to mail us a replacement door – this may or may not have been after they told me I needed to ship in the whole unit (that was already put together by loving husband who wanted to surprise me when I came home from work) back to the store then they would send me a new one. I stood my ground (what? I never do that you say? ha!) and insisted that they allow me to send in the door and they send me back a door, much cheaper shipping costs on their part, and a little less hassle on mine. How am I supposed to fit this large thing in my little car? Exactly. So I swept up the mess, cooked dinner, and (using none of the restraint I have) pestered my loving husband to let me go ahead and set everything up, he has a lot more ‘standing your ground’ in his blood than I do, that’s for sure. So I have the doorless and backless stand sitting in my living room until overstock decides to send me another door. How fun!

So I cooked dinner and I was looking so forward to it – it was delicious and simple. Mr. B on the other hand, didn’t like it – I think he has an allergy to wholesome food. I bought a rather large Ahi Tuna steak the other day and was so excited to cook it up tonight with a little soy sauce, lemon, basil, and pepper – mmm mmm good! Added some Quinoa and Asparagus and had a delicious little dinner – 10 minutes after which Mr. B popped him some popcorn, that’s my cue that he really didn’t care for it – but it was yummy you can trust me on this one.

Today was my fourth first day back on The Spark and I think I did mighty well if I say so myself. 70g of Protein – 1233 calories – 30g fat – 150g carbohydrates – 24g fiber. It also helps that I won a copy of the new book by The Spark from Then Heather Said. She had a giveaway and the words that went through my head were – why not, I never win anyway – and what do you know?! I won! So I’m excited to get it and read it. I have decided that 2010 is my year for me (in case you missed the last post) I thought I would repeat it. I watch The Biggest Loser on Friday nights and as this was the first week of the show – 2 teams (Blue & Yellow) were sent home for 30 days to loose weight then they would come back – insert yadda yadda here- I decided that I would compete with them as well, so tomorrow is my first ‘weigh-in’ cause no one should weigh in at 11pm.

I’m off to have a good sleep and get ready to go in the morning tomorrow, night all. Also, let me know what you think about the new comment system.

“Fall Seven Times – Stand Up Eight” – Japanese Proverb

Exercise

I know we all struggle with exercise – even if we love it too much - it’s a struggle to fit in enough. Those of us who don’t love it – it’s a struggle to fit it in at all. I think I fall somewhere in the middle of all of this, I have a desire to love it, I just need to figure out where to start. Now this is what is a struggle for me; I want to start right in with 45 min of spin at a high resistance level, I want to do an hour a day of strength and I want to do this all in one day – so that would entail finding 3 hours in my day every day to exercise the way I used to. Obviously this isn’t going to happen for a couple of reasons.

 

One – I’m definitely not in the shape I was in 7 years ago (I can’t believe it was seven years ago)
-and-

Two – I don’t have 3 hours a day just hanging around begging to be filled

For Christmas this year my loving husband bought me a Wii (even though it went against every grain in his gaming mind to do so) and a Wii Fit Plus system. I LOVE it. I don’t know how well of a workout it gives you, but I love it and I’m addicted. I eventually want to become a runner and I would love to join a boxing gym.

But for right now I think the place for me to start is just doing a little bit more than what I can and that will lead me to doing a little more and a little more each day/week/year and maybe one day I’ll be back to where I started. Right?

So my current workout regimen:

Monday – 10 mins balance
20 mins boxing

Tuesday – 30 mins running on treadmill

Wednesday – 10 min hula hooping
20 mins boxing

Thursday – 30 mins running on treadmill

Friday – 10 mins balance
20 mins boxing
15 mins yoga

Saturday – 1hr walk

Anyone have any suggestions?

I also bought organic milk for the first time, we’ll see if it helps me drink more of it, maybe I’ll switch to soy… who knows.

Hubs New Habit

He probably wouldn't call it a habit but I am since it seems to be happening more often than not. As a little back story:

Mr. B came home one day a few weeks ago when he was riding his motorcycle to work he had thought that he had an itch/tickle on his chest and went up and scratched it and it ended up a bee had gotten caught in his chest hair while he was riding and when he went up to scratch the tickle it stung him. He had this funny swollen mass on his chest for a while but then it healed and it was fine. Then on Monday he was at work and felt something on his right elbow and went up to brush if off thinking it was just a fly... yup you guessed it, it was another bee and now my poor husband looks like this...
It is painful and swollen and he can barely do anything that might require the use of two hands, I know I have been teasing him about it a lot lately but I wish I could make the pain and swelling go away for him. It will be okay in a couple of days but the main big problem is he has a motorcycle riding class tomorrow and that's his clutch hand, he can't even barley move his fingers in a curled posistion - that's not that worst part, he has to also be wearing leather gloves, so I suppose we will be buying a big set and a little set. So there's the story my husband swells up like a balloon when he gets stung, and it seems to be happening a lot more than it should.I mean i was stung once in 2nd grade at recess by a yellow jacket and haven't been since.

I hate it when I have so much to write about but nothing comes out so I sit here and stare at this stupid white box for what feels like hours. There has been a lot going on and nothing going on at the same time. The weather here is beautiful it's been in the 80s this week! I love my drive to work, all along the side of the highway are these beautiful purple wildflowers they are big and bright and just puts you in a good mood. I'll have to take a picture if the traffic is bad enough. The evenings are beautiful and Minnie and I go out and read while I water the yard. A few weeks ago I had the awesome oppurtunity of going to the Giants opening game at AT&T Park, in the VIP seats right behind home plate, we could over look the ocean it was amazing! We were actually a few levels below where this picture was taken, it was great. And as we were in the VIP seats we had short lines and clean bathrooms!

Nothing new has gone on in my life just a few outings with friends, we saw 'Baby Mama' last weekend, and I highly recommend it, it was funny yet serious and quite clean comparatively. I've started reading more, and am about to complete my second book this week, you should hop over to My Book Blog and get some suggestions and leave some comments. Mr. B is still gone and it's getting harder and harder everyday, but I just have to remember that it's almost over, and we have eternity to be together. I'm excited for my family's' visit in a few weeks! Work is great and overall pretty entertaining I love the people I work with they really are like family and it's nice seeings how I don't have that around here anymore. I am learning more about myself and pushing myself to be healthier - I'm doing really well on my new 'eating plan' which consists of foods that are not processed or have preservatives in them and aren't greasy... I'm slowly weaning soda out of my diet. I eat a lot of fish, veggies, fruits and water. I would eat more chicken but I don't cook it very well. I have also realized these past couple of months who my real friends are. My whole life I've been overly concerned with friends and finding 'the perfect friend' well I have found my 'perfect friends' and they are wonderful, to you guys you know who you are and for you I am thankful - thank you for loving me through all of my quirks and flaws. I'm enjoying different music (thanks to Zune and The Hills) and movies (thanks to Netflix). Overall I'm enjoying life the most I can while the love of my life is away, all you can do is better yourself and do the best you can. I hope everyone is well, I will try to check in more often than once a month! Maybe I'll do a picture of the day type thing, we shall see!

Long time coming....

It has defiantly been awhile, but I have moved and had surgery so it's okay.

I am completely in love with our new home, it is wonderful. The town I live in is so great. I wish I would have found an apartment here last year when we were looking, it is great. It is clean, friendly, and terrific. I haven't heard a siren since living here (one, but it was a fire truck in the distance). It is just so peaceful. I have just a little bit left to do to finish organizing it and have it really be our home. Minnie loves going outside and sitting in the grass (mainly she eats the grass), I love the new kitchen and am cooking a lot more. Mr. B likes having the yard, garage, theatre room, library room... etc. Our new ward is great, everyone is so friendly. I really miss our old ward though, but will soon find my niche in this one.

My knee still hurts pretty bad when I walk. Sitting, laying down, and stairs don't have an effect which my physical therapist finds to be odd. I am hoping that is starts feeling better soon.

I really want to post at least one thing new everyday. Starting today, so this was todays, look forward to tomorrow.

Welcome To 2008

I've thought a lot about this new year these first week. There are so many things I want to do and change that I feel a bit overwhelmed at times. Those of you that read The Family Blog know that this year I am doing monthly-year resolutions. I have never been one for Resolutions, sure I would write down a couple of things that everyone in the world writes down to work on and then never look at it again, never changing who I am or helping myself get better. This year I have really began to feel like an adult, a real live adult who needs to start making changes and becoming that adult. As I was reading many different entries on various blogs at the beginning of this great year, one really struck my eye, as her blogs tend to do. She wrote a great entry on how she goes about setting and accomplishing yearly changes (I substitute the word change for Resolution as in my eye, that is truly what they are). In quoting her she said, "Then I find my self making lists (both in my head and on paper) which I then check with the Lord before applying to my life. If I don't clean house spiritually as well as temporally on a regular basis I find that I loose sight of what is really important, and I drift." How insightful is that? I have never thought to take those so-called Resolutions to the Lord in order to change my life and see what direction He would have me go in. I am in the process of doing my self-inventory and I am quickly seeing many areas I want to improve, not only improve but also things I want to accomplish or begin this year. Hence the feeling overwhelmed with things that I need to download to my life. Some of them are very personal goals and others are not. I am taking the month of January to evaluate and prioritize all that I want to accomplish and start with the first couple in February.

On to other random updates to my life, I have my MRI on my knee this afternoon, I hope it isn't anything seriously wrong with it. While we are on the topic of medical situations. On Saturday I dropped off a prescription for an anti-inflammatory. I went back to this particular drug store 2 hours later and they lost the prescription, they found it approx 30 mins later while I waited and said that it hadn't been filled because the doctor didn't put an amount of pills on the prescription, they said they would have to wait until Monday to call him because his office was closed, which I understand and that was fine, they said they would call me when it was ready to be picked up I then gave them my new phone number and left. It is now Wednesday and I hadn't heard anything back so I called them this morning and they looked up the prescription and said it had been ready since Monday... hmmm should I change Pharmacy's? I'm thinking so.

Today has already been filled with drama - one of our buildings was broken into and vandalized. So I've been on the phone with insurance companies and things all morning and trying to find someone up in that area to go take pictures and file a police report, you would think that it wouldn't be that difficult, well it is. I'm thinking I should go up and take care of it myself, hopefully not as it is about an hours drive up the bay to the city where the building is located.

I wish everyone a wonderful New Year and I promise I'll begin regular blogging at some point in my life.

Life

I can't promise that this will be my last entry for today as I have a lot on my mind lately and I'm not quite sure how to put it into words. I found a picture that I have made my goal picture in the whole scheme of becoming healthy again. I look at this and remember where I once was; resting heart rate in the low to mid 50s, 113lbs, 4.2%BMI, 5% Body Fat... etc. I won't even go to where I am now. I know I'll never be in that good of shape again because I'm not in training but nevertheless, anything would be better than now. So in reference to the title, life. Life is a fascinating thing. There are times when I really feel I have control over everything than there are others where I feel like everything is falling apart, that is how I feel right now. So many things going on that I can't even begin to write about. I was reading Julia's entry from her birthday where she was recounting parts of her life and this part really stood out to me and made me think:

"I found my self looking back at my life and thinking about where I am right now, and it wasn’t a purely pleasant experience. Many thoughts and emotions filled my head and my heart. At first I struggled, to recognize Gods hand and His plan in the events of my life; for it is nothing like I had once thought and even hoped it would be."

She goes on to say so strongly how she can see Gods Hand so clearly in her life and I want that. As I pondered on that and how much I want it the thought, "You have it and you know that you do so stop looking for what is already in front of you." It hit me so powerfully I can't even describe it. All this time I feel like I have been looking for something then the realization came that I have had it all along. The feelings, thoughts, directions. Just the little things that happen, and just as Julia stated above it doesn't happen the way we hoped it would be, but our Father in Heaven/God/Supreme Being no matter what you believe or how you came to believe it, He knows us for what and who we are and how we will recognize His hand in our lives. This is a song that really describes me:

Face lost in a crowd; Feet wondering empty streets
Voice crying outloud; Heart aching with every beat
Someone searching, searching for someone
Everywhere and endlessly
Wishing waiting; Could there be someone searching for
Someone Searching?
Soul battered and bruised; Pride wounded and left for dead
Ears deaf to good news; Eyes tear-drenched and sleepless red
Someone searching, searching for someone
Everywhere and endlessly
Wishing waiting; Could there be someone searching for
Someone Searching?
I hear the cries and I know the pain
Can it be denied, that everyone has been and will be
Someone Searching?
Love standing alone; Hands scarred by the nails of hate
Hope suffering long; Faith urging that it's not too late
Someone searching, searching for someone
Everywhere and endlessly
Wishing waiting; Could there be someone searching for
Someone Searching?
Loving and longing, always there is someone searching for
Someone Searching.

Her lyrics always get to me she is wonderful. I do write I have had a few things published and have always wanted to get into song writing I haven't had the time recently to even think, I always have too much to do (not including all the books I need to read). Maybe I'll sit down someone in the upcoming holidays to dink around a bit.

I do know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me, and I feel as though I can honestly say that. Yes I do struggle and feel alone but every morning when I drive to work and see all the beauty (yes there is beauty in SF) around me, how can I not know?

It is truly a wonderful sight. Life is rough and difficult but everyday there is a reason to live and do our best to become the person we desire to be and to be the person our God knows we can be.
"The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

"One’s purpose in life has an overriding influence on what he does with his time, energy, and resources. Without this sense of purpose, life has no compass."

Earthquake Changing Events

So I experienced my first earthquake this evening... it was a 5.6... kinda freaked me out at first made my heart leap into my chest. But it really made me think about a lot of things that I need to do and prioritize in my life. I have had a lot of thoughts on certain topics and things have really hit home to me, things I would rather keep to myself. We have moved our office today and I have found out the reason why I have been so lethargic, dizzy, un-able to pay attention, stuffy, coughy, sneezy, and other symptoms that I have. When they moved my desk the whole wall behind it was covered with MOLD! That's right MOLD! It was gross, I'm going to make a doctors appointment to see if there was any damage done to my lungs and or what not. Hopefully I'll begin to feel better after moving from that office! I'm going to begin working on our 72 hr kits, I just think it would generally be a great idea. I really want to write more but I'm not really sure about what other than I hope there are no really bad aftershock/tremors.