Everywhere you turn in almost any city you go to there is some sort of restaurant that is devoted completely to specific dietary lifestyles...Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Organic...
WHAT about PALEO?
With all of the many Crossfit locations popping up around every corner, I am surprised that there is not a restaurant or cafe that is dedicated to Paleo. I'm sure that it is on somebodies mind and it will come to fruition soon, but for me, it's NOT soon enough!
I have a difficult time keeping on track with the Paleo lifestyle when I am stuck in an office all day and am surrounded by fast food locations. The carbs call out to me daily and it is difficult to resist them!! If I had a location that I trusted to be 100% Paleo, I would be there every day.
So...If anyone wants to start up a new restaurant in the North Orange County area of California, I'd be willing to frequent the place daily!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Drink Up!
Good morning all you beautiful people! I just gotta say, this is my time of year. The sun is shining, the days are longer, and evenings are warm ( or at least they will be soon). The thoughts of spring and summer are the only things that keep me sane throughout the winter months. Ahhhhh, ok, let's get down to business.
Over about the last year or two many of my friends have started juicing. I have yet to jump on that wagon, mainly due to the fact that I would need to invest in yet another semi-pricey kitchen gadget. I do however put my hand-me-down VitaMix to work making some pretty yummy raw smoothies. Now, I call them raw vs. green mainly because mine are almost never green and "smoothie" sometimes infers the use of yogurt or milk but the only liquid I put into mine is water or pomegranate juice. I suppose raw drink would be a better term. Ehhh, you get my drift.
My aunt is the one that gave me my VitaMix and got me started making these raw smoothies. I used her suggestions on what to put into them, and they were and are good. However, I was putting so many different things into them it was becoming a bit of a procedure. Basically, any fruit or green I had in my fridge went into my VitaMix, including nuts!
Over the last year or so I have really tried to reduce the amount of fruit I use in my smoothies, mainly because I eat a good amount of fruit daily anyhow and I drink these for the purpose of getting my greens in more so than anything. I now try to keep my ingredients to 4 or 5 and about a month ago I came up with a pretty good one. Give this one a try.
8oz water (more or less depending on the thickness you like)
1 small or 1/2 large granny smith ( or any apple)
1/2 cucumber with skin
1 or more good handfuls of spinach
1/2 cup or handful of frozen blueberries.
Zap this all up and you've got yourself a tasty and healthy treat.
Now, as always, adjust as you feel fit. Because I never measure anything, my smoothies are always different, even if I am using the same ingredients. If you are new to making raw drinks you may want to use more blueberries or apple until you get accustomed to drinking them. I almost always taste a little bit of mine and if I think it is on the sweet side, I will add more spinach. I use a lot of spinach in my smoothies. I have also used kale and collard greens. Experiment. Use of combination of the three. Whatever gets you drinking. As you can see, in the picture I have grapes in there as well. On that day I just happened to have a few grapes that were going bad and I didn't want to toss them in the trash.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Music Rocks the Soul
I don't know about you, but I love music. I listen to a vast array of genres, but some bands get me going infinitely more than others. I have my chill moments where some Jack Johnson, O.A.R., or Bright Eyes hit the spot but when it comes to working out, I need some seriously upbeat tunes to jam out to.
In our garage gym you will usually find the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack, Metallica, Rise Against or Chevelle vibrating the walls (sometimes even the neighbor's). Some may consider it "angry" music, but for me it just gets my blood pumping and pushes me through those last couple reps. A7X most definitely helps me push my limits.
When running, I just need a fast beat. Nothing in particular gets me going, as long as I can time my stride with the beat and it doesn't hold me back. Whether it's Maroon 5, any of the aforementioned rock/metal bands, 90's pop songs, 90's punk, or even some Presidents of the United States of America (yes, I most absolutely STILL listen to them) if it pushes me to keep going, I'll rock it in my headphones.
What are your favorite workout songs/bands??
In our garage gym you will usually find the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack, Metallica, Rise Against or Chevelle vibrating the walls (sometimes even the neighbor's). Some may consider it "angry" music, but for me it just gets my blood pumping and pushes me through those last couple reps. A7X most definitely helps me push my limits.
When running, I just need a fast beat. Nothing in particular gets me going, as long as I can time my stride with the beat and it doesn't hold me back. Whether it's Maroon 5, any of the aforementioned rock/metal bands, 90's pop songs, 90's punk, or even some Presidents of the United States of America (yes, I most absolutely STILL listen to them) if it pushes me to keep going, I'll rock it in my headphones.
What are your favorite workout songs/bands??
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
What Time is Your Workout?
I'm beat, I'm worn down and it's only 7.15 pm (Tuesday afternoon).
I'm avoiding my phone because 3 different people sent me messages and I
simply have no energy to respond. In fact, it's taking all my strength
to type this blog right now. Why am I so tired?
Junior-highers. I'm currently doing a long-term subbing experience and, WOW, those 7th-graders are SO WILY . Good kids, but OI! how they do require so much more attention and repeating and reminding and PATIENCE (and they only account for 2 of the 5 classes I'm subbing). Toss in my late twilight trysts with that dirty little time-whore, Insomnia, lasting anywhere from 1 to 2 hours (it seems Insomnia is needy and desperate and can't live without me), and add a dash of the hot, dry, windy town in which I'm subbing (it's much cooler in the mountains where I live, and as my acupuncturist once told me, I am allergic to wind) and... I'm just beat.
I haven't worked out since Sunday and I can't bring myself to get off this couch unless it means going to bed right now, reading (A Storm of Swords; what can I say, I'm a Game of Thrones addict) myself to my first round of sleep and forgoing my work out. I keep saying, I'll wake up extra early and do my work out then, like I used. But extra early means long before my current 5 am rooster crow and I just can't relinquish those few little extra hours of sleep when Insomnia stalks me out nightly.
I know, I know. I'm bitching to an audience that has long-since put on their big girl panties and made the decision to work out no matter how early/how late/how tired you feel. And I'll do that, too (like tomorrow!), but it made me wonder how many of you are early birds or afternooners? And did you choose that time out of convenience or because you read somewhere that then was the best time to work out?
There is actually a lot of info on what the best time to work out is and the reviews are mixed. Here are a few reasons why early morning workouts are so great according to an article on BoxingScene.com:
-Over 90% of people who exercise *consistently*, exercise in the morning. If you want to exercise
consistently, odds are in your favor if you exercise first thing in the morning.
-When you exercise early in the morning, it "jump starts" your metabolism and keeps it elevated
for hours, sometimes up to 24 hours! That means you're burning more calories all day long just because you exercised in the morning!
-Many people find that morning exercise "regulates" their appetite for the day - that they
aren't as hungry and that they make better food choices. Several people have told me that it puts
them in a "healthy mindset."
-Research has demonstrated that exercise increases mental acuity. On average it lasts four to ten hours after exercise! No sense in wasting that brain power while you're sleeping. :)
And now, the defenses for an afternoon workout from a Shine.com article:
-Everyone else is doing it: If procrastination is your middle name, it's easy to say you're going to work out, but then find a million reasons to put it off until it's 6 p.m. when you're too starved to even think about exercise. Around lunch is a popular time to sweat it out — you'll probably even notice a few of your co-workers slipping out of the office and heading out with gym bag in hand. Getting inspired by joining the pack at the same time every day is one way to make sure you don't skip out on your workout, and once you do it for a few weeks, it'll become a habit.
-Reduced risk of injury: Since your body has been awake for several hours, it's had more time to move around and get the blood flowing. Heading into a noon workout means your mind is more alert, which can prevent injuries caused by morning grogginess (like falls or forgetting to use equipment properly). A warmed-up body is also less tense and more flexible, lowering your risk of a pulled muscle. As an added bonus, when your body feels more open, you're more likely to work out harder and longer.
-Saves calories, burns calories: If you have plans to meet a friend for a noon yoga class, you know you can't down an enormous meal beforehand without feeling gassy and sluggish, so that's one way a noon workout saves calories. Plus you'll burn 300 or more calories on the hour-long workout, and since brisk exercise has been shown to suppress your appetite you'll feel inspired to eat something light and healthy for lunch afterward (instead of blowing all your hard work on a 1,400 calorie burger and fries). That midday workout can also give you energy later on in the day, avoiding the need for a high-calorie late afternoon pick-me-up.
So the jury is tied...or is it? What do you think?
Blogger Edit: I did put on my big girl panties (and sweats) and squatted and lunged til my ass was on fire this afternoon. Feels good, but I am certainly more energetic and enthused in the morning.
Junior-highers. I'm currently doing a long-term subbing experience and, WOW, those 7th-graders are SO WILY . Good kids, but OI! how they do require so much more attention and repeating and reminding and PATIENCE (and they only account for 2 of the 5 classes I'm subbing). Toss in my late twilight trysts with that dirty little time-whore, Insomnia, lasting anywhere from 1 to 2 hours (it seems Insomnia is needy and desperate and can't live without me), and add a dash of the hot, dry, windy town in which I'm subbing (it's much cooler in the mountains where I live, and as my acupuncturist once told me, I am allergic to wind) and... I'm just beat.
I haven't worked out since Sunday and I can't bring myself to get off this couch unless it means going to bed right now, reading (A Storm of Swords; what can I say, I'm a Game of Thrones addict) myself to my first round of sleep and forgoing my work out. I keep saying, I'll wake up extra early and do my work out then, like I used. But extra early means long before my current 5 am rooster crow and I just can't relinquish those few little extra hours of sleep when Insomnia stalks me out nightly.
I know, I know. I'm bitching to an audience that has long-since put on their big girl panties and made the decision to work out no matter how early/how late/how tired you feel. And I'll do that, too (like tomorrow!), but it made me wonder how many of you are early birds or afternooners? And did you choose that time out of convenience or because you read somewhere that then was the best time to work out?
There is actually a lot of info on what the best time to work out is and the reviews are mixed. Here are a few reasons why early morning workouts are so great according to an article on BoxingScene.com:
-Over 90% of people who exercise *consistently*, exercise in the morning. If you want to exercise
consistently, odds are in your favor if you exercise first thing in the morning.
-When you exercise early in the morning, it "jump starts" your metabolism and keeps it elevated
for hours, sometimes up to 24 hours! That means you're burning more calories all day long just because you exercised in the morning!
-Many people find that morning exercise "regulates" their appetite for the day - that they
aren't as hungry and that they make better food choices. Several people have told me that it puts
them in a "healthy mindset."
-Research has demonstrated that exercise increases mental acuity. On average it lasts four to ten hours after exercise! No sense in wasting that brain power while you're sleeping. :)
And now, the defenses for an afternoon workout from a Shine.com article:
-Everyone else is doing it: If procrastination is your middle name, it's easy to say you're going to work out, but then find a million reasons to put it off until it's 6 p.m. when you're too starved to even think about exercise. Around lunch is a popular time to sweat it out — you'll probably even notice a few of your co-workers slipping out of the office and heading out with gym bag in hand. Getting inspired by joining the pack at the same time every day is one way to make sure you don't skip out on your workout, and once you do it for a few weeks, it'll become a habit.
-Reduced risk of injury: Since your body has been awake for several hours, it's had more time to move around and get the blood flowing. Heading into a noon workout means your mind is more alert, which can prevent injuries caused by morning grogginess (like falls or forgetting to use equipment properly). A warmed-up body is also less tense and more flexible, lowering your risk of a pulled muscle. As an added bonus, when your body feels more open, you're more likely to work out harder and longer.
-Saves calories, burns calories: If you have plans to meet a friend for a noon yoga class, you know you can't down an enormous meal beforehand without feeling gassy and sluggish, so that's one way a noon workout saves calories. Plus you'll burn 300 or more calories on the hour-long workout, and since brisk exercise has been shown to suppress your appetite you'll feel inspired to eat something light and healthy for lunch afterward (instead of blowing all your hard work on a 1,400 calorie burger and fries). That midday workout can also give you energy later on in the day, avoiding the need for a high-calorie late afternoon pick-me-up.
So the jury is tied...or is it? What do you think?
Blogger Edit: I did put on my big girl panties (and sweats) and squatted and lunged til my ass was on fire this afternoon. Feels good, but I am certainly more energetic and enthused in the morning.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Shhhh it's a secret
Ok, so since Spring is here and it's time to start wearing dresses and shorts (yay!!), I thought I would share one of my favorite summer secrets with all of our readers. This is my favorite thing I have ever come up with. It makes my skin look AMAZING and I can even make my own BB (body bronzer) cream out of it, as well. Plus, it's so easy a two-year-old could do it. So, here is my Get-Ready-for-Summer-MUST-MAKE-Make-Beauty-Recipes :) (And if any of you make them I expect to hear a full report about how much you LOVE them...and how smart I am...ha ha)
Here is what you need to make your own Skin Perfecting Body Bronzer:
-Mix the two together; I usually do an 80% lotion, 20% leg makeup ratio. Just be sure its mixed well...I shake the heck out of mine (Bonus arm work out that's cheaper than a Shake Weight!) :) You can use less or more leg makeup depending on how dark you want it. It works and it's amazing for when you don't have a tan or if you are trying to even out tan lines.
You can even make your own BB cream for your face by adjusting how much of the leg makeup you mix with your normal facemoisturizer or sunscreen. I LOVE making a tinted sunscreen in the summer. Its so easy and your skin is always protected. I hope you love this little secret of mine. The next time you see me and think I look tan...well, I'm probably faking it.
Here is what you need to make your own Skin Perfecting Body Bronzer:
- Lotion of your choice. I LOVE the Hemp Lotions sold at Walmart...usually I use the gradual bronzing one, but I got this yummy Mojito scented one and it smells amazing.
- Joan Rivers The Right To Bear Legs leg makeup in TAN (I know Joan Rivers makes it, but trust me its good stuff when used like this!)
-Mix the two together; I usually do an 80% lotion, 20% leg makeup ratio. Just be sure its mixed well...I shake the heck out of mine (Bonus arm work out that's cheaper than a Shake Weight!) :) You can use less or more leg makeup depending on how dark you want it. It works and it's amazing for when you don't have a tan or if you are trying to even out tan lines.
You can even make your own BB cream for your face by adjusting how much of the leg makeup you mix with your normal facemoisturizer or sunscreen. I LOVE making a tinted sunscreen in the summer. Its so easy and your skin is always protected. I hope you love this little secret of mine. The next time you see me and think I look tan...well, I'm probably faking it.
 |
| Top left: Ingredients I use to make my body Bronzer Top Right: Body Bronzer Bottom Left: My left leg has the Bronzer on....I wanted to show a before and after so you can see how natural it is Bottom Right: Pretty smooth Bronze Legs :) |
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Ohmigod, shoes!
Not all shoes are created equal. I used to look for shoes with the most support and the latest and greatest gimmicky thing. That is, until the hub did a lot of research (as he does with everything) on shoes and running and found that "barefoot running" was the way to go. Now, I wouldn't actually go running barefoot, but the thought behind it makes so much sense. If you are interested in reading more about the study of barefoot running, here is an excellent read: Barefoot Running.
Ever since I decided to switch to a different style of running and a different style of shoe, my athletic life has changed completely! My first pair of "minimalist" shoes were my Nike Frees. They were so super comfortable from the first second I slipped my foot into them. It's like walking around barefoot! Well, more like walking around in socks. All you need on your feet while running is a protective barrier between you and nasty stuff on the ground (i.e. rocks, thorns, hot dirt/asphalt, etc.).
At first, my calves and the muscles in my feet/ankles were dead. They were so tight and so sore for about a week. Reason being, I wasn't used to running on my toes/midfoot. These muscles hadn't really been used in such a way. Once the hubby switched his stride up, his shin splints even went away! Heel striking while running is very hard on your joints. When you run on the balls of your feet, your muscles absorb much more of the impact than your joints do.
I loved my first pair of Nike Frees so much that I went and bought a second pair, of the exact same shoe, in all black so I could wear them to work! I choose them over all the other shoes in my closet because they are so comfortable.
Most recently I bought a pair of Merrell Run Pace Glove 2s. As much as I loved my Nikes, they just were not good on the trails. The tread is not conducive to hiking and going up and down slick rocks. My new Merrells on the other hand are A-MAZING! The tread on the toes allows me to go up and down slick rocks with minimal effort. They are my new favorite shoes. They are well worth the investment.
After wearing my new minimalist shoes I attempted to go back to my old tennis shoes. BAD idea! They hurt my feet just to wear around the house. I am forever a fan of minimalist shoes.
See you on the trails!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Controversy: Love Your Body NO MATTER What Size
I’m writing this blog today hoping that those close to me won’t roll their eyes having to read what I’ve been bitching about the last couple of weeks. Ah, well… here goes:
Recently on a Fitness blog (er, Facebook page, rather) the admin wrote that when people claim to love their body at any size, it was a cop-out that kept people from pushing hard in the gym and from achieving health. I say: Yes and No.
Yes, for some it is a cop-out phrase. In fact, most of us have used it circumstantially: indulging in one more slice (small, I swear!) of chocolate cake, hitting the snooze button instead of hitting the gym (what’s one rest day?), or swinging through Carl’s Jr. for their $6 Bacon Guacamole Burger (lots of protein in that, right? But hold the onions because they make me gassy). Those are just a few *ahem* random examples. ;-P
And again, that phrase “Love your body at any size” is entirely circumstantial. I do not know a single woman at ANY size or level of physique that has fully and adequately loved their body. With all this self-denigrating, body-loathing so pervasive in our culture, this is just the TIP of why this fitness blog admin’s post pisses me off. She went on to say she just meant “unhealthy size”. That was the exact term she used, with no index of what “unhealthy size” meant. The coupling of this term is problematic. Here’s why:
“Unhealthy” could mean incorporation of any of the following:
--Consumption of sugar, salt, processed foods
--Consumption of dairy, non-pasteurized dairy
--Consumption of meat
--Consumption of carbs; grains, wheat
--Consumption of alcohol
--Eating more than 3 times a day
--Eating less than 5-6 small meals a day
--Eating fat/Not eating any fat/Eating low-fat
You and I can sit here all day and argue for and against each of these bullet points. Fruit contains sugar—should I cut that out? The protein powders used and highly regarded on that Fitness blog (as well as many others) contain both salt and processing (sugar as well!), so should those be eliminated? Dairy causes inflammation; meat is murder (please don’t sue me for infringement, Morissey) and can spike our cholesterol. But dairy and meat both contain excellent proteins (where do you think we get whey protein from!?) Also, wine and beer have proven to be good for both the memory and the heart, carbs = energy, and fat is good for heart and joint health. As far as meals go, 5-6 small meals can wreak havoc on a stomach if there is no digestive “rest” and eating only 3 meals a day can lower energy levels and bodily processes.
So there it is. Everything healthy is really unhealthy and vice-versa, right? Well, no, that’s not the point. Because the human body is so dynamic and complex, “healthy” is an adjective. It’s a descriptor, not a noun or classification. My friend who suffers from celiac disease can’t eat gluten, but I can. My other friend who has a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease won’t eat meat, but I do (too many nut proteins cause my skin to break out). My husband drinks copious amounts of coffee and would close down a Starbucks in an hour if they ever offered all-you-can-drink-French-Roast and is in tip-top running shape like a sleek cheetah, but if I have more than two cups I’m having an anxiety attack.
As an adjective, “healthy” contains more shades of grey than that damn book I can’t bring myself to read. What works for me does not work for you, and vice versa. I can’t run hard with my bum knee; a friend of mine can’t do certain lifting or asanas because of her bum back. Luckily, there are many ways to color ourselves “healthy” beyond the "what works for that chick/dude" mentality.
This brings me to the misuse of the word “size”. We all know Marilyn Monroe was a size 12 in her day (which I think is what we call an 8 or 10 now?). But I also know that Scarlett Johansen, J-Lo and Kim Kardashian are not size 2s and they are still physically delicious (I know debatable). Even Alicia Marie or Kim Lyon (Fitness & Figure competitors) won’t fit a size 2 and their weight (not fat percentile) is actually in the mid-upper range of what constitutes a healthy BMI. Curiously enough, in looking at that Fitness blog admin’s photos, one friend commented how it did not inspire her while another found the photos wholly inspiring. The difference is not in the fault of the blog admin's body, but in each of my friends’ own ideas of what they wanted to achieve personally: leaning out and being thin and ripped, or gaining muscle mass and definition without cutting.
Again the beauty of the human body is how different we all are. Our bodies are literally different shapes (often described as endo-/ecto-/meso-morphs) and capable of pushing different boundaries. There is no one single fitness regimen/eating plan that fits every single person.
THE ONLY SHOULD THAT SHOULD EXIST IS THIS:
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD IN FACT LOVE THEIR BODY NO MATTER WHAT SIZE OR SHAPE. (And men, this can include you, as well, but as this is an unfortunate soul-sucking, self-denigrating discussion among us in the vaginally-equipped community I’m directing my discussion and gendered terms/pronouns there.)
Loving is a verb, an action word. If we are incapable of loving ourselves and that means ALL of ourselves, then we are forever unhealthy. We all love people who have characteristics or habits that piss us off, and yet we still love them, right? So why can’t we love all of ourselves in spite of our perceived flaws?
Specific to this blog: Love your body right now. Love those curves, those stretch marks, love all over those sagging parts, those scarred or atrophied places. The moment you realize that those are all wonderful pieces worthy of your attention, you will be granted the freedom to do with them what you will. Eat and train to create them into what you want, or leave them as they are in their natural occurring state. You can always love your body no matter what size, without having to love that size. That number doesn't carry any value until you assign it value. The joy and beauty lies in it being your choice—your choice to love yourself as you wish and NO ONE, not me nor Hollywood nor the IFBB nor that admin on that Fitness blog can ever tell you what that should look like, and ESPECIALLY never ever ever to tell you to not love yourself as you are.
And that, my friends, is what happens when you piss off a dirty hippy. She writes a blog post and sends you all love.
Love and light, especially to that Fitness blogger.
Recently on a Fitness blog (er, Facebook page, rather) the admin wrote that when people claim to love their body at any size, it was a cop-out that kept people from pushing hard in the gym and from achieving health. I say: Yes and No.
Yes, for some it is a cop-out phrase. In fact, most of us have used it circumstantially: indulging in one more slice (small, I swear!) of chocolate cake, hitting the snooze button instead of hitting the gym (what’s one rest day?), or swinging through Carl’s Jr. for their $6 Bacon Guacamole Burger (lots of protein in that, right? But hold the onions because they make me gassy). Those are just a few *ahem* random examples. ;-P
And again, that phrase “Love your body at any size” is entirely circumstantial. I do not know a single woman at ANY size or level of physique that has fully and adequately loved their body. With all this self-denigrating, body-loathing so pervasive in our culture, this is just the TIP of why this fitness blog admin’s post pisses me off. She went on to say she just meant “unhealthy size”. That was the exact term she used, with no index of what “unhealthy size” meant. The coupling of this term is problematic. Here’s why:
“Unhealthy” could mean incorporation of any of the following:
--Consumption of sugar, salt, processed foods
--Consumption of dairy, non-pasteurized dairy
--Consumption of meat
--Consumption of carbs; grains, wheat
--Consumption of alcohol
--Eating more than 3 times a day
--Eating less than 5-6 small meals a day
--Eating fat/Not eating any fat/Eating low-fat
You and I can sit here all day and argue for and against each of these bullet points. Fruit contains sugar—should I cut that out? The protein powders used and highly regarded on that Fitness blog (as well as many others) contain both salt and processing (sugar as well!), so should those be eliminated? Dairy causes inflammation; meat is murder (please don’t sue me for infringement, Morissey) and can spike our cholesterol. But dairy and meat both contain excellent proteins (where do you think we get whey protein from!?) Also, wine and beer have proven to be good for both the memory and the heart, carbs = energy, and fat is good for heart and joint health. As far as meals go, 5-6 small meals can wreak havoc on a stomach if there is no digestive “rest” and eating only 3 meals a day can lower energy levels and bodily processes.
So there it is. Everything healthy is really unhealthy and vice-versa, right? Well, no, that’s not the point. Because the human body is so dynamic and complex, “healthy” is an adjective. It’s a descriptor, not a noun or classification. My friend who suffers from celiac disease can’t eat gluten, but I can. My other friend who has a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease won’t eat meat, but I do (too many nut proteins cause my skin to break out). My husband drinks copious amounts of coffee and would close down a Starbucks in an hour if they ever offered all-you-can-drink-French-Roast and is in tip-top running shape like a sleek cheetah, but if I have more than two cups I’m having an anxiety attack.
As an adjective, “healthy” contains more shades of grey than that damn book I can’t bring myself to read. What works for me does not work for you, and vice versa. I can’t run hard with my bum knee; a friend of mine can’t do certain lifting or asanas because of her bum back. Luckily, there are many ways to color ourselves “healthy” beyond the "what works for that chick/dude" mentality.
This brings me to the misuse of the word “size”. We all know Marilyn Monroe was a size 12 in her day (which I think is what we call an 8 or 10 now?). But I also know that Scarlett Johansen, J-Lo and Kim Kardashian are not size 2s and they are still physically delicious (I know debatable). Even Alicia Marie or Kim Lyon (Fitness & Figure competitors) won’t fit a size 2 and their weight (not fat percentile) is actually in the mid-upper range of what constitutes a healthy BMI. Curiously enough, in looking at that Fitness blog admin’s photos, one friend commented how it did not inspire her while another found the photos wholly inspiring. The difference is not in the fault of the blog admin's body, but in each of my friends’ own ideas of what they wanted to achieve personally: leaning out and being thin and ripped, or gaining muscle mass and definition without cutting.
Again the beauty of the human body is how different we all are. Our bodies are literally different shapes (often described as endo-/ecto-/meso-morphs) and capable of pushing different boundaries. There is no one single fitness regimen/eating plan that fits every single person.
THE ONLY SHOULD THAT SHOULD EXIST IS THIS:
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD IN FACT LOVE THEIR BODY NO MATTER WHAT SIZE OR SHAPE. (And men, this can include you, as well, but as this is an unfortunate soul-sucking, self-denigrating discussion among us in the vaginally-equipped community I’m directing my discussion and gendered terms/pronouns there.)
Loving is a verb, an action word. If we are incapable of loving ourselves and that means ALL of ourselves, then we are forever unhealthy. We all love people who have characteristics or habits that piss us off, and yet we still love them, right? So why can’t we love all of ourselves in spite of our perceived flaws?
Specific to this blog: Love your body right now. Love those curves, those stretch marks, love all over those sagging parts, those scarred or atrophied places. The moment you realize that those are all wonderful pieces worthy of your attention, you will be granted the freedom to do with them what you will. Eat and train to create them into what you want, or leave them as they are in their natural occurring state. You can always love your body no matter what size, without having to love that size. That number doesn't carry any value until you assign it value. The joy and beauty lies in it being your choice—your choice to love yourself as you wish and NO ONE, not me nor Hollywood nor the IFBB nor that admin on that Fitness blog can ever tell you what that should look like, and ESPECIALLY never ever ever to tell you to not love yourself as you are.
And that, my friends, is what happens when you piss off a dirty hippy. She writes a blog post and sends you all love.
Love and light, especially to that Fitness blogger.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference
Today I have been actually procrastinating about EVERYTHING. My husband stayed home from work not feeling well and after I got the kids off to school I joined him in bed, basically for the remainder of the day (so nice.) Our lazy day of rest is now going to affect my lazy blog post, but here ya go.......
Below is one of my favorite little uplifting stories. It's a tale I reference often when I'm feeling down or discouraged in life and in others. Sometimes we feel like we never do things BIG enough to make a difference, but in actuality it's the small things that could touch just one person or living thing that can make all the difference. Sometimes we just need to remember that. I hope you enjoy this little tale and it inspires you to do an act of kindness that may make a difference, no matter how little it may seem.
The Starfish Story
By City Year
A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.
She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”
The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,
“Well, I made a difference to that one!”
The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved. - adapted from the Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley
Below is one of my favorite little uplifting stories. It's a tale I reference often when I'm feeling down or discouraged in life and in others. Sometimes we feel like we never do things BIG enough to make a difference, but in actuality it's the small things that could touch just one person or living thing that can make all the difference. Sometimes we just need to remember that. I hope you enjoy this little tale and it inspires you to do an act of kindness that may make a difference, no matter how little it may seem.
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| Photo courtesy of Mary Oliver www.panhala.net |
By City Year
A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.
She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”
The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,
“Well, I made a difference to that one!”
The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved. - adapted from the Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley
Monday, April 15, 2013
My Heart goes out to Boston...
I'm sitting here staring at my computer screen in disbelief of what just happened at the Boston Marathon. The pictures and video are graphic and horrific, but not nearly as bad to look at as it would be to experience. I cannot even imagine what all the people in Boston are going through, not being able to get a hold of their loved ones as I heard cell service was shut down due to risk of remote detention of more bombs.
I cannot fathom how someone could hurt so many innocent people. The news hasn't reported anyone taking responsibility of the bombing yet, just that they have a person of interest in a hospital bed. What is so important that you have to take the lives of the innocent? No matter what your religious or political beliefs are, are they really worth taking someone's life?
Events like this make me wonder about all the what ifs in life... What if it were me? What if it happened here? What if it were someone I knew? ALL of these what ifs make me think only one thing...I am SO thankful for those that I have in my life and it makes me want to rush home and hug and kiss the ones I LOVE.
In the aftermath of this STUPID and SENSELESS act of violence, I urge you to tell your friends and family how much you love and appreciate them.
Make EVERY day count!
I cannot fathom how someone could hurt so many innocent people. The news hasn't reported anyone taking responsibility of the bombing yet, just that they have a person of interest in a hospital bed. What is so important that you have to take the lives of the innocent? No matter what your religious or political beliefs are, are they really worth taking someone's life?
Events like this make me wonder about all the what ifs in life... What if it were me? What if it happened here? What if it were someone I knew? ALL of these what ifs make me think only one thing...I am SO thankful for those that I have in my life and it makes me want to rush home and hug and kiss the ones I LOVE.
In the aftermath of this STUPID and SENSELESS act of violence, I urge you to tell your friends and family how much you love and appreciate them.
Make EVERY day count!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Mud is Good for the Skin, RIGHT??
I sure hope it is because, come Saturday, I will be covered in it!
On the 13th the hubby and I, along with a few friends, are going to be celebrating our wedding anniversary by participating in the Warrior Dash!! Two of our other Bloggers, Stefanie and Andrea, just competed in the Dash in Lake Elsinore. And they killed it! I hope to do half as good as they did. Really, my only goal is to finish, preferably unscathed.
Being new to running, it is important for me to have goals. 5Ks are a great way for me to have that driving force. If I have something to look forward to, it keeps me going.
We ran our very first 5k a couple weeks ago. The event itself was a disaster (that's a long story for another day, but I can say this: DO NOT do the Neon Run! This is not to be confused with the Neon Splash Dash). But the actual running-of-a-5k thing went great. I surprised myself at how well I did! Even though the Warrior Dash is full of obstacles, I am still pretty confident I can conquer it.
The hub and I are a bit obsessed with races at the moment. Though we've only completed one run, here is what our upcoming schedule looks like:
- April 13 - Warrior Dash (5K w/ obstacles) - My goal is to finish and not die.
- April 20 - Pat's Run (4.2 miles, longest run of my life) - My goal is to run the entire thing without stopping and a director at work has presented a challenge to everyone: beat his time and he refunds your entry fee! Not sure that's feasible but would definitely be the icing on the cake.
- May 11th - Neon Splash Dash (5K at night covered in glowing paint) - Hoping this event isn't a bust like our first 5K and just want to have fun
Hub wants to eventually run a marathon, perhaps by next year. I'm not sure that is a goal of mine just yet, but it would be an amazing feat!
What kind of fun things do YOU do to get moving??
**The above picture is NOT of me but I hope to be that happy when caked in mud.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Live like a Dog
Today's post is more of a share, a story that I love. A reminder of how we should embrace life, enjoy the moments that matter, forget the things that don't and just LOVE not only who you are, but all those around you. I think we can learn a lot from Man's Best Friend. Here's the story and some things I think we all need to embrace while living our hectic human lives.
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try to live.
He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"
The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
Life According to Dogs
http://www.johncappello.com/articles/life-dogs.html
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| Belle my Boston Terrier just enjoying LIFE |
Life According to Dogs
A Dog's Purpose — (From a 6-year-old)Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try to live.
He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"
The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
Life According to Dogs
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
- When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
- Take naps.
- Stretch before rising.
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
- When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
- Be loyal.
- Never pretend to be something you're not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
Story courtesy ofhttp://www.johncappello.com/articles/life-dogs.html
Monday, April 8, 2013
Paleo Bang Bang Shrimp
This is a DELICIOUS, quick and easy recipe that is just plain yummy goodness! You can make it a main dish by serving it over cabbage, use it as a side dish with a big fat steak or even use it as a topping for a salad.
Ingredients
• 1 lb Shrimp (Peeled & Deveined)
• 3/4 cup of Paleo Mayo
• 3-4 Tbsp. Hot Sauce
• 1/2 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
• 2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
• Garlic Powder
• Salt & Pepper to taste
Directions
While heating the coconut oil in a skillet, sprinkle the shrimp with the garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the shrimp to the oil and cook to desired done-ness.
While the shrimp is cooking, mix the Paleo mayo, hot sauce and red pepper flakes. Taste and add additional heat if needed.
Add the cooked shrimp to the mayo and mix, coating the shrimp.
That's it! Easy peasy!
Ingredients• 1 lb Shrimp (Peeled & Deveined)
• 3/4 cup of Paleo Mayo
• 3-4 Tbsp. Hot Sauce
• 1/2 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
• 2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
• Garlic Powder
• Salt & Pepper to taste
Directions
While heating the coconut oil in a skillet, sprinkle the shrimp with the garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the shrimp to the oil and cook to desired done-ness.
While the shrimp is cooking, mix the Paleo mayo, hot sauce and red pepper flakes. Taste and add additional heat if needed.
Add the cooked shrimp to the mayo and mix, coating the shrimp.
That's it! Easy peasy!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Sweet Potato Chips
This time tomorrow I'll be getting my county on in my home away from home...Vegas!! Hopefully, I will be able to move freely tomorrow after my epic fall from trying to string my pull-ups together. CrossFit is amazing for your body but sometimes even the best things can back fire. And back fire it did.
In a vain attempt to look good (in general and while in Vegas) I have been staying pretty true to my Paleo plan. I use yams or sweet potatoes to help me stay on track and this week I discovered a new way to snack on my sweet potatoes. Fried sweet potato chips!! Eeek! Can you stand the goodness!
Can't get more simple than this!
In a vain attempt to look good (in general and while in Vegas) I have been staying pretty true to my Paleo plan. I use yams or sweet potatoes to help me stay on track and this week I discovered a new way to snack on my sweet potatoes. Fried sweet potato chips!! Eeek! Can you stand the goodness!
Can't get more simple than this!
Ingredients:
Sweet potato
Coconut oil
Sea salt
Directions:
Put 2-3 table spoons of coconut oil in a frying pan to heat.
Slice your sweet potato into thin rounds. The thinner the better, if you like crispy.
In a single layer place the sweet potatoes in the hot coconut oil. If they are thin enough it should only take a couple mins on each side to cook.
Place the chips on a paper towel to drain, sprinkle with sea salt & enjoy!
Chips, specifically tortilla chips are my downfall, but these crispy little gems have done quite well to satisfy my salty crunchy cravings.
Sweet potato
Coconut oil
Sea salt
Directions:
Put 2-3 table spoons of coconut oil in a frying pan to heat.
Slice your sweet potato into thin rounds. The thinner the better, if you like crispy.
In a single layer place the sweet potatoes in the hot coconut oil. If they are thin enough it should only take a couple mins on each side to cook.
Place the chips on a paper towel to drain, sprinkle with sea salt & enjoy!
Chips, specifically tortilla chips are my downfall, but these crispy little gems have done quite well to satisfy my salty crunchy cravings.
Peanut Butter Protein Bars
If you love peanut butter, like I do, and are looking for a yummy protein bar (and a nice sweet tooth killer), these peanut butter bars are for you! They are super simple to make and full to the brim with protein! Better yet, they are NO BAKE!
Ingredients:
1. Heat peanut butter and honey in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir to incorporate.
2. Add protein powder and mix well.
3. Add oats and stir.
4. Add chia seeds and mix until everything is nice and combined.
5. Pour into a dish and refrigerate. Cut into bars.
The size of the pan doesn't really matter, it just depends on what size bars you want to yield. I used a 9X13 pan and for me, that was perfect.
You don't want to cut these bars too big. Remember, because of all the peanut butter, this has a higher fat and calorie content, so be aware of your consumption.
If you want a thicker bar, and not as fudgy, you can add more protein powder or probably more oats, just to thicken it up.
I've only made these once, but I'm sure you could sub agave syrup for the honey. You could use any flavor of protein powder (as long as it goes with peanut butter). I used vanilla and it was amazing. I'm sure a chocolate would be pretty awesome, too! I bet another nut butter would rock in this recipe, as well. Also, chunky peanut butter might be fun!
These are like a yummy peanut-buttery fudge. Perfect to pop a little bite after a run or workout.
**The next time I make these, I will use less honey. The protein powder we use already tastes really sweet so these bars were really, REALLY sweet (albeit delicious).
***This recipe was courtesy of The Blonde Pony Tail
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups Smooth Peanut Butter
- 1 1/4 Cup Honey
- 2 Cups Protein Powder
- 1 Cup Oats
- 1/4 Cup Chia Seeds
1. Heat peanut butter and honey in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir to incorporate.
2. Add protein powder and mix well.
3. Add oats and stir.
4. Add chia seeds and mix until everything is nice and combined.
5. Pour into a dish and refrigerate. Cut into bars.
The size of the pan doesn't really matter, it just depends on what size bars you want to yield. I used a 9X13 pan and for me, that was perfect.
You don't want to cut these bars too big. Remember, because of all the peanut butter, this has a higher fat and calorie content, so be aware of your consumption.
If you want a thicker bar, and not as fudgy, you can add more protein powder or probably more oats, just to thicken it up.
I've only made these once, but I'm sure you could sub agave syrup for the honey. You could use any flavor of protein powder (as long as it goes with peanut butter). I used vanilla and it was amazing. I'm sure a chocolate would be pretty awesome, too! I bet another nut butter would rock in this recipe, as well. Also, chunky peanut butter might be fun!
These are like a yummy peanut-buttery fudge. Perfect to pop a little bite after a run or workout.
**The next time I make these, I will use less honey. The protein powder we use already tastes really sweet so these bars were really, REALLY sweet (albeit delicious).
***This recipe was courtesy of The Blonde Pony Tail
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Woohoo! They're Up!!!
My sprouts, I mean!
Last week, the man-candy and I planted 3 trays of gooseberries, tomatoes, and spinach all from seedlings. We’ve planted before but always from a little plant; this is our first year growing from seed.
Barely a week later, the spinach is popping up! Gorgeous little babies no bigger than a blade of grass. How exciting!! And they just pop up overnight. Yesterday morning, we counted 4 trays having any sign of sprouts (in the photo, you can see a small nubbin peeking its little head out!). Yesterday afternoon, there were at least seven. Yay! (We're still waiting on the tomatoes & gooseberries, but they have a longer growing season than the spinach.)
Even though it's Spring, we live in the mountains and our nights are still dipping into below freezing temperatures, our kitchen table looks like a newbie nursery of plant babies. We daily taking them out to be in the sun and while watering them, we speak to them as if they were our own little human babies (ok, I do this, the man-candy doesn’t.) They come in before the sun goes down so their little plant toes don't get to cold.
We have more seeds left to plant (we need to snag more trays) and plan to grow more lettuces, as well as other produce: zucchini, squash, cucumbers, chilis, bell peppers, etc. and even berries though everyone advises us against this (but I have faith in the man-candy’s green thumb; he’s taught me everything I know about planting.)
Last year we ended up with an overwhelming amount of tomatoes (as well as apples from our 3 trees) and are considering asking locally to do a harvest swap. Do you any of you participate in swaps or even community gardens? Or do you grow just for you/your family? And what are you growing?
Last week, the man-candy and I planted 3 trays of gooseberries, tomatoes, and spinach all from seedlings. We’ve planted before but always from a little plant; this is our first year growing from seed.
Barely a week later, the spinach is popping up! Gorgeous little babies no bigger than a blade of grass. How exciting!! And they just pop up overnight. Yesterday morning, we counted 4 trays having any sign of sprouts (in the photo, you can see a small nubbin peeking its little head out!). Yesterday afternoon, there were at least seven. Yay! (We're still waiting on the tomatoes & gooseberries, but they have a longer growing season than the spinach.)Even though it's Spring, we live in the mountains and our nights are still dipping into below freezing temperatures, our kitchen table looks like a newbie nursery of plant babies. We daily taking them out to be in the sun and while watering them, we speak to them as if they were our own little human babies (ok, I do this, the man-candy doesn’t.) They come in before the sun goes down so their little plant toes don't get to cold.
We have more seeds left to plant (we need to snag more trays) and plan to grow more lettuces, as well as other produce: zucchini, squash, cucumbers, chilis, bell peppers, etc. and even berries though everyone advises us against this (but I have faith in the man-candy’s green thumb; he’s taught me everything I know about planting.)
Last year we ended up with an overwhelming amount of tomatoes (as well as apples from our 3 trees) and are considering asking locally to do a harvest swap. Do you any of you participate in swaps or even community gardens? Or do you grow just for you/your family? And what are you growing?
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Going Commando.....Not as Taboo as you May Think
Did she say "Going Commando?"
OH MY GOD!
Yes! Yes I am going to talk about the act of not wearing underwear....Ha ha. Sorry Victoria's Secret....you are not my friend.
I hate underwear. I really do. I wear it from time to time when I HAVE TO, otherwise I skip it all together. I know I may be getting some looks now picking up the kids from school, but whatever--you know you do it too! Going Commando is FANTASTIC. No underwear lines, nothing crawling into places it shouldn't be, less LAUNDRY, and best of all undergarments are EXPENSIVE. I would rather spend 50 dollars more on a fabulous pair of jeans than spend it on what is going to make me uncomfortable all day long.
Here are some CELEBRITIES who are also Commanders of Commando and are proud of it:
Kate Hudson
Christina Aguilera
Mathew McConaughey
Kate Winslet
Paris Hilton
Britney Spears
Orlando Bloom (Hott)
Miley Cirus
Rihanna
Katy Perry
Kim Kardashian
And i am sure there are many more.
Now lets look at the benefits of not wearing any Panties:
*No underwear bill (Sorry again, VS)
*As I stated-less LAUNDRY! This is not only economical but better for the environment
*As a woman a little fresh air down there is a GOOD THING
*It is advised for women to not wear underwear to bed to prevent yeast and odor, so ladies if you have problems with things that make you itch down under, your favorite panty may be the culprit. (no joke, look it up)
*No Underwear lines and NO NASTY THONG, a man totally invented those.....yuck
*It is soooooooo COMFORTABLE
*And last but not least, it is DAMN SEXY. My husband commented a few weeks ago how good I looked in my jeans then his mind wondered and thought hey shes not wearing any underwear. Yea he thought it was sexy, and I bet most men do
I honestly don't go commando because it is sexy--for me, it just works. I am comfortable and healthy and happy without cotton up my cracks. Adam and Eve would be proud.
Still not convinced? Here is a funny excerpt I found online. It cracked me up and it has some truths as well. Geared more towards a man, but ladies I know you will giggle. Enjoy
1. Thou shalt not take a yoga class.
Read More http://www.details.com/blogs/daily-details/2012/08/the-10-commandments-of-going-commando.html#ixzz2PGwTlPYQ
OH MY GOD!
Yes! Yes I am going to talk about the act of not wearing underwear....Ha ha. Sorry Victoria's Secret....you are not my friend.
I hate underwear. I really do. I wear it from time to time when I HAVE TO, otherwise I skip it all together. I know I may be getting some looks now picking up the kids from school, but whatever--you know you do it too! Going Commando is FANTASTIC. No underwear lines, nothing crawling into places it shouldn't be, less LAUNDRY, and best of all undergarments are EXPENSIVE. I would rather spend 50 dollars more on a fabulous pair of jeans than spend it on what is going to make me uncomfortable all day long.
Here are some CELEBRITIES who are also Commanders of Commando and are proud of it:
Kate Hudson
Christina Aguilera
Mathew McConaughey
Kate Winslet
Paris Hilton
Britney Spears
Orlando Bloom (Hott)
Miley Cirus
Rihanna
Katy Perry
Kim Kardashian
And i am sure there are many more.
Now lets look at the benefits of not wearing any Panties:
*No underwear bill (Sorry again, VS)
*As I stated-less LAUNDRY! This is not only economical but better for the environment
*As a woman a little fresh air down there is a GOOD THING
*It is advised for women to not wear underwear to bed to prevent yeast and odor, so ladies if you have problems with things that make you itch down under, your favorite panty may be the culprit. (no joke, look it up)
*No Underwear lines and NO NASTY THONG, a man totally invented those.....yuck
*It is soooooooo COMFORTABLE
*And last but not least, it is DAMN SEXY. My husband commented a few weeks ago how good I looked in my jeans then his mind wondered and thought hey shes not wearing any underwear. Yea he thought it was sexy, and I bet most men do
I honestly don't go commando because it is sexy--for me, it just works. I am comfortable and healthy and happy without cotton up my cracks. Adam and Eve would be proud.
Still not convinced? Here is a funny excerpt I found online. It cracked me up and it has some truths as well. Geared more towards a man, but ladies I know you will giggle. Enjoy
| This girl should have Gone Commando (Image courtesy of http://www.fashionbyhe.com/2010/12/usa-today-ugly-underwear-can-ruin-your.html) |
The 10 Commandments of Going Commando
1. Thou shalt not take a yoga class.
Without underwear, downward dog can quickly become boastful snake—a position not suitable for any yoga setting. If you've ever had the misfortune of attending such a class, you already know that every change of pose is, in a word, unpleasant. So, remember: Namaste…now put that thing away.
2. Thou shalt not make more daily "adjustments" than necessary.
A man's tender bits are not unmovable structures like Stonehenge. Since they're a work in progress—constantly shifting, hiding, and rocking to and fro—there comes a time every so often when a manual adjustment must be made. But forgoing the cotton shackles isn't a license to be more "hands-on" with your boys than usual.
A man's tender bits are not unmovable structures like Stonehenge. Since they're a work in progress—constantly shifting, hiding, and rocking to and fro—there comes a time every so often when a manual adjustment must be made. But forgoing the cotton shackles isn't a license to be more "hands-on" with your boys than usual.
3. Thou shalt remember the wisdom of Fight Club.
The first rule of going commando is you don't talk about going commando. Boasting or even copping to the fact that you're unencumbered down below is to be avoided.
The first rule of going commando is you don't talk about going commando. Boasting or even copping to the fact that you're unencumbered down below is to be avoided.
4. Thou shalt use Gold Bond.
While leaving the Underoos at home can be liberating on one front, it may also create another small problem, in the form of a sweaty undercarriage. Fear not, for there is Gold Bond—a quick sprinkle of the white powder is as magical as a fairy's dust.
While leaving the Underoos at home can be liberating on one front, it may also create another small problem, in the form of a sweaty undercarriage. Fear not, for there is Gold Bond—a quick sprinkle of the white powder is as magical as a fairy's dust.
5. Thou shalt not try on new shorts or pants.
In a society that frowns upon twice dipping a chip, the thought of double dipping something far more personal than crudités—into a pair of jeans you don't even own yet—is about as undignified as it gets. In fact, when you go out commando, your pants should not come off unless someone else removes them for you.
In a society that frowns upon twice dipping a chip, the thought of double dipping something far more personal than crudités—into a pair of jeans you don't even own yet—is about as undignified as it gets. In fact, when you go out commando, your pants should not come off unless someone else removes them for you.
6. Thou shalt not draw added attention to one's bulge.
Trust us, your dirty little secret isn't so secret after all; there's a good chance people are going to notice. So there's no need to throw a parade, or make eye contact with complete strangers and motion downtown, just to formally announce that there's a party in your pants.
Trust us, your dirty little secret isn't so secret after all; there's a good chance people are going to notice. So there's no need to throw a parade, or make eye contact with complete strangers and motion downtown, just to formally announce that there's a party in your pants.
7. Thou shalt go commando by choice, not in disdain for doing laundry.
Forgo the grape smugglers for reasons of comfort, not laziness. Besides, if doing a load of laundry is too much work, chances are these rules will seem positively draconian.
Forgo the grape smugglers for reasons of comfort, not laziness. Besides, if doing a load of laundry is too much work, chances are these rules will seem positively draconian.
8. Thou shalt not make comments about one's "junk."
It often seems that when a man loses a piece of clothing, he thinks it's perfectly acceptable to lose his manners. While primal feelings are a natural reaction to physical freedom, bear in mind that when it comes to your family jewels, commentary is best left in the vault.
It often seems that when a man loses a piece of clothing, he thinks it's perfectly acceptable to lose his manners. While primal feelings are a natural reaction to physical freedom, bear in mind that when it comes to your family jewels, commentary is best left in the vault.
9. Thou shalt not assume the barn door is always closed.
A functioning zipper is all that separates your manhood from a wild romp through the unsuspecting streets. It's wise to assume the door is open at all times—and then thank your lucky stars when it isn't.
A functioning zipper is all that separates your manhood from a wild romp through the unsuspecting streets. It's wise to assume the door is open at all times—and then thank your lucky stars when it isn't.
10. Thou shalt strut proudly.
Whether in life or in underwear, the less baggage the better. After all, God gave us each the perfect packaging; there's no need to put a bow on a masterpiece. So, provided you follow the rules outlined above, rest assured that it is perfectly all right to lose the drawers and let your boys breathe.
Whether in life or in underwear, the less baggage the better. After all, God gave us each the perfect packaging; there's no need to put a bow on a masterpiece. So, provided you follow the rules outlined above, rest assured that it is perfectly all right to lose the drawers and let your boys breathe.
—Alec Banks (@_smart_alec) is an L.A.-based pop-culture writer and a contributor to Details.com.
Read More http://www.details.com/blogs/daily-details/2012/08/the-10-commandments-of-going-commando.html#ixzz2PGwTlPYQ
Monday, April 1, 2013
We Are Warriors
So a few of us here at Muscles, Madness and Martinis are headed to the Warrior Dash this coming weekend in Lake Elsinore. It will be a crazy day filled with mud, strenuous obstacles and many friends cheering us on.
There are nearly 20 in our group and we will be running for personal best during the day. I'm curious to see what I can do after having a whirlwind wedding, getting in a car accident, coming down with a cold and not exercising much over the last few weeks.
I'm hoping to finish. There are 17 obstacles that will all kick my ass, wear me down and discourage me as I go; but I have my husband by my side, who won't ever leave me behind, along with some of the most amazing friends who will help and pull me through.
I'm excited that I get to experience the Warrior Dash and the mental anguish that will come with it!
What competitions are you preparing for and who will be next to you when you cross the finish line??
There are nearly 20 in our group and we will be running for personal best during the day. I'm curious to see what I can do after having a whirlwind wedding, getting in a car accident, coming down with a cold and not exercising much over the last few weeks.
I'm hoping to finish. There are 17 obstacles that will all kick my ass, wear me down and discourage me as I go; but I have my husband by my side, who won't ever leave me behind, along with some of the most amazing friends who will help and pull me through.
I'm excited that I get to experience the Warrior Dash and the mental anguish that will come with it!
What competitions are you preparing for and who will be next to you when you cross the finish line??
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