Try Try Again

So I didn't make it through the first day of Whole 30! Around midnight on day one, I just couldn't fight the urge to eat something sugary. My hands were shaking, I couldn't sleep and the taste of just one Samoa Girl Scout cookie was to much for me. So I dug around to find my stash of Girl Scout cookies and ate just 1 cookie. Then I ate a Cadbury egg! Yikes I know!

I know that not every diet or way of life is for everyone so Whole30 might not be for me or at least right now. This experience did teach me not to quit though. I bought all the ingredients for a good salad and to eat healthy so I need to focus on the healthy eating aspect of my food habits. Yes cutting out all cookies or candy would be for the best but right now I need to learn the art of self control and limiting the amount of junk food I eat. Last night, I ate the same "bad foods" but not the other junk food that I craved all day.

What I am learning to do is replace some of the bad cravings with decent snacks like nuts or dried cranberries. I might not be able to go cold turkey with sugar but I can limit myself and keep trying to live healthier every day. Remember you are not alone in the struggle against food. Yes eating junk is cheaper and easier but your body will feel better when you get a special treat instead of eating it all day everyday.

Change Your Thoughts: Inspirational Wednesday

When life is getting you down, changing a single thought from negative to positive can change the outlook and outcome of the situation. I truly believe in the power of positive thinking and how its power can change your life for the better. Every situation may not be ideal but if you can see the positive in it then you will feel better about yourself and your life. Try to change one thought into a positive one today and tell me how you feel?

What is Truly Important?

I love inspirational Wednesday because I find quotes that truly speak to me. For so many years, I was missing the mark with what was important to me and my life. I would put whatever was important to other people as my top priority. I would change things in my life or even myself for what was important to them. What is important to me is my happiness, living my life the way I want and being who I am everyday. I am the one who creates my own happiness and that is what is the most important reminder I have for my life.

What is important to you? 

Skinny Doesn't Equal Healthy

In our society, your looks are everything or at least all the big, name brand clothing companies want everyone to think this. For 30+ years, I have bought into this notion that being skinny means your beautiful. After the health problems I have dealt with and weight I have gained this year, I have come to realize that being skinny doesn't make you beautiful but being healthy and loving your body the way it is does make you the most beautiful person in the world!

Since I was a child, all I ever heard from coaches and dance teachers was about watching your weight. In high school, I became so obsessed with my weight that I became anorexic. I would not eat for days and exercise ten times harder just to stay skinny so that I would be "fit" for cheerleading and attract all the "hot" guys. As an adult, I maintained a size 1/2 even after being pregnant. That was until this past year when my body decided that it was tired of my diet of energy drinks and crap foods. My body might have looked healthy to someone but it no longer felt healthy. Between the gallstones and IBS, my body decided it was taking control back from my unworthy hands. 

It has been a long struggle this year within myself about how I have gained weight to the point that I need all new clothes, not wanting to look at myself in the mirror and sending myself into a depression over this. After some soul searching, I realize it is not about how I look to myself or anyone else but how I FEEL about myself. As long as I am healthy and happy that is all that matters! I hope this inspires anyone else struggling with weight issues because you are beautiful!

Today We Are All Going To Be Happy

Groucho Marx really hit it on the head with how I am feeling on this inspirational Wednesday. Being in Al-Anon and having been to AA and NA meetings with friends, the groups all live on the theme Just for Today. On my forearm, I have a tattoo that reads "No Day But Today" (ok all you musical/Broadway lovers: what musical is that from??). Despite my constant reminder that we only have today to live, I am always forgetting and thinking about tomorrow or even worse regretting yesterday, last year or even 10 years ago. 

Groucho Marx reminds us that we only have today so be sure to be happy today. Things might be a struggle in my life right now but I feel lucky to have today considering we are approaching the anniversaries of the deaths of 2 very special people in my life. So be happy and live each day to the fullest because we never know when it will be our last today!

Dr. Seuss to Brighten Your Wednesday

Today is Inspirational Wednesday and I came across this picture yesterday on Pinterest in the Do It Yourself section but the quote is what spoke to me. I am a HUGE quote person because words speak to my heart. I know that people have the sayings like "sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you" or "Actions speak louder then words" but to me words speak to your heart and soul in a way that actions will never be able to. 

I am an avid book reader and have been since I was young because the words on those pages told me things that adults couldn't show me. Even now, I become enraptured in a story because those words are showing and telling me that someone in my life has not been able to. Lily has inherited my love of books especially Dr. Seuss books so this quote by him seems very fitting at the moment. As a single mom that works for herself, there are always mountains to climb and stresses to relieve. Some days are easier then others but each day has its challenges especially on one income. Each day has its small blessings that I get to look forward to as I  am on my way to great places.  As the Dr. Seuss says, today is my day and my mountain is waiting to be climbed! Go climb your mountain today!

Everyday is a New Beginning

When I saw this quote on Pinterest yesterday, I knew that it was speaking to me because I was in a state of frustration in my life. I try to keep positivity  in my life as much as I can but I am a human and have my breaking points. As a single mom that works from home, I have my highs and lows. I absolutely love being able to get Lily off the bus everyday, attend the programs during school hours that most parents miss because they are working, taking Lily to the park when it is quiet and letting her play without fear of the older kids and so much more. At the same time, I struggle with the balance of working and family time and sometimes I don't realize that work is getting more attention then it should at that moment. The factor of business being slow doesn't help this balance. There are nights that I get so frustrated at my slow times and bills stacking up that I want to throw in the towel but there is always something that reminds me that I have a talent and gift that I get to share with others. Not everyone has the talents that I have so I am the lucky one to share them with others. 

So when the day is tough, no matter what time of day it is, just take a deep breath and remember there are many things in your life to be grateful and they outweigh the bad things. Each day is a new start and each moment is a new beginning so re-start your day with a new beginning now and smile because you are unique and amazing!

Cookies Cookies by Finnoula Louise A Gluten Free Cookie Recipe Book

This blog post is an inspirational story for the parents of gluten-free kids and everyone who bakes gluten free! Cookies Cookies was created, written and illustrated by a little girl that lives with Celiac Disease. This inspirational little girl is Finnoula Louise who is 7 years old and is so adorable, kind and inspirational! 

Finnoula Louise wrote her first book at the age of 6 when she was just a Kindergartner. The book is called Aminals Animals is about the world of animals through the eyes of a 6 year old. This book received the Mom's Choice Awards Silver Recipient Award for being a wonderful first words book.

 After her wonderful success with Aminals Animals, Finnoula created the book Cookies Cookies: A Year of Holiday Treats! The book highlights each of the major American holidays with a special gluten free cookie and a little quip from Finnoula. At the end of the book is tips for kids and parents for baking the cookies. The recipe for the gluten-free sugar cookies was cretaed by Chef Shaun Vanclief. 

The upcoming holidays featured in the book. 

I met Miss Finnoula when I was attending my last show of the holiday season. It was the first time I had attended this show which has gotten rave reviews in the past and ended up set up next to Finnoula's book table. Her mom explained to me about Finnoula's love of books and writing and how she wrote both the books on display. My golden rule when attending shows is that I must make money before I spend money or I would go home in debt. Well I made an exception this time because I believed in supporting a little girl with a dream and drive. Before I found out that I needed to eat gluten-free, a dear friend of mine was on a gluten-free diet so I bought her the Cookies Cookies book. Then I saw the kit that Finnoula was selling that included her Cookies Cookies book, cookie cutters, a mini rolling pin, measuring spoons and cups and a book/marker kit for another child to write their own book! I was sold because Lily loves books!

The kit that Lily will one day inherit!

The more I speak about gluten-free eating and bring it into our house, the more Lily is conscious about eating gluten-free. We have made these cookies twice already and have been a big hit each time. I don't have the heart to use the kit because it is so cute and I don't want to get it all messy. I may end up saving the kit until Lily is old enough to be on her own and give it to her as a housewarming gift from her youth. Yes, I am nostalgic like that! This summer we plan on writing her own book now that she is getting better at her writing skills. (I am sure that will be a another blog post in the future) Her book is proudly displayed along with a couple of other of my go-to cook books for gluten-free and vegetarian meals. 

As an adult, I have wanted to write a book for many years but never had the courage to take on such a feat. This little girl has written not one but two books and received an award already as she lives with a disease the needs to be monitored daily. She is an inspiration to each and everyone of us that we have control of our lives so do something great and Pay It Forward! 

You have buy either of Finnoula's books if you follow this link: Finnoula Louise on Amazon or clicking any picture or blue link in the blog post. Please support the drive of an amazing little girl!

Spring Cleanse your Body Water

Recently, I came across a post that a friend of mine shared on Facebook that had recipes for Spring Cleanse  Water aka Detox Water.I live with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and my diet has been not the most ideal for a girl with tummy issues. I am supposed to be on a Gluten Free diet but have you tried that over-priced cardboard they call food? It is cheaper to dig a box out of the garbage and eat that instead! Well my body has finally had it with my fried and wheat-filled diet and is putting me in a lot of pain. So it is time to change my diet... this is a very sad sad day for me because I am a foodie!

Well I have been researching recipes and diets to help ease me into the pain of not eating the foods I love for the rest of my life. When my friend posted this link of detox water recipes I thought that I should try it out. I am not a big water drinker without some flavor to it. I have come to love Mio but I am sure the sugar is not good for me. These detox recipes are no sugar added just fruits, veggies and herbs with water!

The first recipe I am trying is the Strawberry and Lime Granite Water. Here is the recipe:
Strawberry/Lime or Raspberry/Lime
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 6 strawberries / 0r Raspberries and one thinly sliced lime + 12 finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

6 large Strawberries and 3 mini limes (all the grocery store had plus I LOVE lime!)

10 cups of water

12 Mint Leaves Chopped (I am not good at chopping so I will be trying to fish them out before I try to drink )

The finished product! I will report on how it taste in another post!

I hope that this inspires others to take care of their bodies by eating and drinking the right foods. We only have one body so lets take care of it together!