Setting Goals...No, Wait..PRACTICING Goals & F*#^(ing Them Up! Intentionally!

Do any of you do the New Year's goal thing?

I don't. 

I always find that if I have a start date, especially if it's January 1st, I tend to make a lot of mistakes & flub it up for a while, then drop the goal because I couldn't get it right.

So, I figured out a way to knock that shizza off:

#1. I get to the root of WHY I want this goal.  Superficial reasons are totally ok.

#2. I'll create a start date & a goal in mind.  Then, several weeks before (or days, if I only have a few days), I practice doing the goal.  

#3. Respect & own that I will do this goal imperfectly for a while before I create small habits that can be sustained over a long period of time: habits created slowly, without criticizing, & with the intent of being imperfect--imperfectly me!

*

This realization of imperfect goal setting came about from trying to quit smoking.  I smoked for over 3 years (maybe it was longer, I'm not sure because it's not a notable piece of my history I feel compelled to keep detailed notes on).  I tried quitting so many times. I would have terrible anxiety attacks related from it, my breathing was painful, & felt so dried out (eyes, nose, mouth, skin). 

Despite the health factor, it was superficial reasons that brought me to quit. I don't want to laugh like a 90-year-old man, because I'm not a 90-year-old man. Also, the only lines I want around my eyes & mouth are laugh lines. Screw that, JOY LINES.

I quit so many times, I can't even keep track.  Hell, I didn't keep track. Failing was embarassing, but I noticed, by practicing quitting smoking (my grammar nerds are probably pissed at my use of gerunds--sorry friends!) developed a greater ability to hold a quit for longer periods of time.  One day, it simply wasn't an issue anymore.  It took quitting, failing, quitting, failing, then quitting again with no expectations of how perfect I would be to finally quit.  Plus, the inner critic jumped off a bridge because I wasn't hearing it!  My imperfect practice of practicing enabled me to continue on practicing, practicing, practicing.  Goodbye, Marlboros & American Spirits! Hello, liberated bright-eyed pink-faced lungs!

Oh, & one thing I did keep notes on: I've been ciggie-free since 2005.  Own!

**

Much much more recently, I decided to begin a vegetarian diet (look at my bio, I've been thinking about it for a long time...speaking of bios I'm going to update that soon).  There were several hundred reasons but the most genuine reasons are #1. to activate on a higher vibration (that's Zo-speak for "feel better all spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally") & #2. there is no such thing as a humane way to slaughter an innocent being.  WAIT! Don't run away! I'm not here to preach on #2 (yet, tee hee), but I am being honest about my reasons. 

So, I knew it was something I had to do to be my most authentic self.  But, I set no expectations.  I said to myself,

"Self, I am going to fuck this up so many times because I really want to do this right.  I'm scared shitless of screwing up because I have a habit of wanting to be perfect.  But I am going to do this imperfectly; & if I do it imperfectly, I will feel good about having met my goal of being an imperfect vegetarian. And one day, it'll be seamless & perfect & I won't even have to think about getting it right, because it simply will be." Yes, I really said that.  Self-speak is CRUCIAL because we all fight that self-speak-critic who tells us we're not smart/fit/pretty/funny/busty/etc. enough.

Two weeks after going green, I ate meat on 2 different occasions.  Now, it's been almost two full months of eating a plant-based meal (I refuse to count the first few weeks of the new year because that is SO cliche) & I have ZERO desire to go back to meat.  (My new heroes over at www.Veganproteins.com have delicious products to get more than enough protein & B-12 & zinc, all of which are soy-free & gluten-free! Boo & hiss to soy!) Also, can I just say, I feel AMAZING?! Plus, my skin is super dewy & glowy; I've even stopped wearing foundation. High-vibing, friends!  That's what happens when you are being & loving your most authentic self.

***

So where are you at on your goals--are you feeling frustrated?  Check in with them & with your self-speak. It may help to loosen your grip just enough & strangely set the bar a little low.  Be gracious to yourself, like you would be to a friend who's fed up with her/his imperfections.  Be beautifully imperfect right now; intentionally imperfect & imperfectly practicing. 

Remember, you'll get it imperfect every single time, until you don't. 
Namaste. 

CrossFit, Yoga and Mud Runs - Oh MY!

It's been a while. My apologies. Sometimes my life just gets in my own damn way! But, I am here today to catch you up a bit.

After a week of a nasty cold and the following week being laid up with horrible muscle spasms in my back and a doctor's note (which pretty much excused me from life for a week), I was finally able to get back to CrossFit. In that two week time, I was having the worst withdrawals. I felt horrible, sluggish and was so inactive. Meanwhile I'm watching people from my box posting on Facebook about how they smashed their PRs, finally got that HSPU (Handstand Push Up) or shaved 9 minutes off their baseline. This is wonderful news! But I was sitting at home, so jealous that my goals were taking a backseat to health issues I had zero control over. Needless to say, it felt amazing to finally be back.

The bad news: My "welcome back" WOD was 150 push-ups. You read that right, ONE HUNDRED FIFTY PUSH-UPS!!! If you took a pause from your push-ups, you had to go take a run. This was a horrible WOD! I'm so proud I was able to finish, BUT my arms felt like they were going to fall off....for an entire week following!! This made my other WODs that week almost insufferable. It was rough.

So, what do you do the day after you (somehow) bust out 150 push-ups? Well, the sensible person rests and recovers. This crazy girl decides to try Hot Yoga. That's right, I took my noodle arms and met a friend for Hot Yoga; for the first time. Ever.

I know zero about yoga. A few simple poses and to remind myself to breathe is the extent of my yoga knowledge. I have an amazing best friend who is so mindful of her own body/mind/spirit and who is currently exploring yoga more in depth. (Some of you may know her as Wednesday Blogger: Zo.) Every time I hear her speak of yoga I feel enlightened! It has encouraged me to dip my toes in the water a bit. The best way for me to learn is to do. So, a friend of mine and I bought a Groupon for ten sessions of Hot Yoga. We went for the first time, the day after push-up-hell-WOD, and it was the most intense workout experience I have EVER endured. I have never sweat so much in my entire life. I mean, wring-your-towel-out-when-you're-done kind of sweat. It was amazing. To think of all the toxins I was able to rid my body of is incredible. The state I was able to take my mind to was ineffable!  It really was an enlightening experience and I can't wait to use my other nine sessions.

All of this hard work, besides benefiting my overall health and wellbeing, is in preparation for our next mud run. Hub and I, along with two fun friends, are going to tackle the Rugged Maniac at the end of November. My first mud run (Warrior Dash back in April) was so fun but one obstacle defeated me. I refuse to allow that to happen again! So, I'm going to be busting my butt during the month of November to prep for the Rugged Maniac.

That's my recent haps. What goals are you currently working towards? What new fun activities have you tried lately? Would you do them again?

See you at the finish line!

10 (Mostly Selfish) Reasons to Do Yoga

1.  Because breathing is suddenly easier. (And ladies, if you loosen up/remove the bra it's AWESOME.)

2.  Because it feels like drugs, but costs less and lasts longer.

3.  Have you seen how your ass looks in those pants? Yum!

4.  Because not everyone *is* a good dancer, but on the mat you feel like a good dancer.

5.  Because even chanting is an ab workout. (Try it. Aim for at least 5 minutes right now.)

6.  Because every twist and inversion is one step closer to the most incredible, cleansing bowel movement ever.  (You'll thank me/your yoga teacher later. Trust me.)

(This is a real image from a real product with a really great mission.  Check them out here.)

7. Because it is the most kindest and forgiving and eye-opening experience.  Every time you engage in yoga, on or off the mat, you are humbled and enriched.

8.  Because your favorite pose is your best friend and your most hated pose is your best teacher.

9.  Because post-yoga sex is incredibly delicious. All that oxygen to the cells and blood rushing healthily to the happy points... O!

10.  Because yoga is for everyone, but not all yoga is for every body. Find a style that suits you best. And don't be surprised if and when that changes, because yoga understands the dynamic and ever-changing body; cancer, pre-natal, arthritic, sedentary, nervous disordered, fit and healthy...it really is for everyone!

CHANGING Lives!

Ok, not me. I'm talking about Crossfit! I officially drank the kool-aid. Best. Decision. EVER!

My local box offered a six week "Jump Start" program. This seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to get my feet wet. I was a little hesitant to start Crossfit because everyone I know who does it is super athletic and in terrific shape; this is not me! So, this "Jump Start" program is just that, a jump start to fitness. It's also women only, which I think was better for me, personally, as a starting point. This program offers a limited class size, as well, so there is a lot of personal attention.

This blog post is long overdue because I am actually heading in to my last week of the program! But, I am happy to announce that I am officially addicted. I will be switching over to normal Crossfit classes very soon. Our current class is much like regular Crossfit classes, with one exception; there is probably more instruction in the beginning. Other than that, we end up doing the same WODs (workout of the day) the other classes are doing.

We have an AH-mazing coach, Katie, who has been so wonderful for me. She knows we are stronger than we think and she makes us see just that. She's always smiling, always positive and is always believing in us. She relates to us: "When I first started, I had the same problem" or "mine didn't bend that way either at first". This has made such a difference in my journey thus far. I was sad to learn that she will be leaving us shortly. Her hubby's job is causing them to move. I will miss her and all she has done for me (and the other girls) but I am forever greatful!

Crossfit is the PERFECT atmosphere for me. There is so much motivation, mass amounts of comradery, and plenty of competition. They tell us it's not a competition, but I am a very competitive person so I am going to make make everything into a competition! Just for personal motivation, of course.

I've met some amazing people and have pushed myself further than I ever thought I could go. I greatly look forward to the things I will accomplish and the barriers I will obliterate.


See you at the Box!!

Weight is just a number!!!

How many of you are OBSESSED with the number that you see on the scale?  I know I have a hard time realizing that the number on the scale is just that, a number.  There are so many factors to consider when analyzing that number, such as how tall you are and how much muscle mass you have.  Below is a great picture of what the difference in height can do to that number you see staring back at you.

Now lets dissect this a little more and compare fat to muscle.  Although one pound of muscle and one pound of fat weigh exactly the same, one pound of fat takes up more space in your body.  So when you get disappointed over only losing ONE POUND, think of how significant that ONE POUND is.

As you work out, you may not be losing weight.  Don't judge your success by the number on a scale, but by how much fat you are losing compared to how much muscle mass you have gained.

If you want to know your actual percentage of fat compared to muscle and want a more accurate method than calculating your BMI, you can have a Hydrostatic Underwater Weighing done that will give you the precise number you are looking for.  There are many companies that provide this service all over the country and some even have mobile testing labs that will come to your gym if enough people sign up.  If you are interested in this service Fitness Wave provides this service for under $60 in the Orange County, CA area. 

So when you look at the scale tomorrow morning and you've only lost one pound, CELEBRATE!!!

T-Rex Arms

So typing right now isn't the easiest of things so this won't be a super long post.

On Saturday I had the WOD from hell and I'm still paying for it. 

"The 100's" - Partner WOD

100x Pull-ups

KB Rack and Hold

100x Wall Balls

KB Rack and Hold

100x Cal Row

KB Rack And Hold

100x Burpees

KB Rack and Hold

1 Mile Farmer carry

My partner and I divided everything in half and did sets of 10's.  While one person was doing their set, the other had to rack and hold 2 Kettle Bells. 

This my friends was the first WOD that I've ever thrown up on, and the one that has left me with the most pain. I'm dealing with T-Rex arms!  I can't straighten either arm completely and my left is far worse than my right.  I believe in technical terms it is called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and will go away (hopefully) with some rest and ice.

This is the frustrating part of Exercising!  I want to go more frequently, but my body is rejecting the thought!  Hopefully I will get over this quickly so I can get back to my WOD's.

Have you ever suffered from T-Rex arms??  What is the best method to get the pain down and get back to exercising?

No surgery.....YET

So after seeing the podiatrist, he has decided to try every non surgical option to my bunionettes. YAY!!!!!

I will be turning into an old lady and wearing orthotics in my shoes to try and correct the issue. If that doesn't work, we will try physical therapy and cortisone shots. And last resort is surgery. 

I will be trying every bunion alleviation I can find. I found these little bunion gel cushions that I'm hoping will help when I WOD.

So now back to WODing on a more regular basis. Hopefully I can manage the pain and irritation and push through to be a better crossfitter. 

Happy Feet?

Are your feet happy?  Mine, not so much...

First off I have to say, I love shoes!  I'm a shoe-aholic and have a closet dedicated to them.. Gorgeous heels, cowboy boots, Converse, Vans and my Nanos for my WOD's.  My closet is insanely organized and it is depressing as I hardly get to wear all of the shoes that I love.

The issue that I have (although only self diagnosed at the moment) is called a tailors bunion or a bunionette.  This is basically a bunion but on the outside of the foot by the pinky toe. Lately these little bunionettes (oh yeah I have them on both feet) have been causing me lots of pain.  Usually it's discomfort while wearing heels, but now it's pain and inflammation while WODing.

These are shots of my little piggy's. I know I need a pedi! As you can see the area on both my feet just below my pinky toe bulges out a bit.  The left foot is worse than the right. Ehhh!

I had X-rays taken last week and have an appointment with a podiatrist on Wednesday to see what the verdict is.  I'm hoping there are some non-surgical methods of reducing the pain and/or reversing the condition if it isn't too far advanced (fingers crossed!!) BUT, after doing a ton of research online and finding normal x-rays compared to my f'd up feet, I think I may be in for a long road of ...dare I say it...Surgery?!?!?

The x-rays above show my lovely feet.  In technical terms there is prominence of the 5th metatarsal head (yellow arrows) and increased angulation between the 4th and 5th metatarsals (black arrows). There is also slight lateral bowing of the shaft of the 5th metatarsal (red arrows).  
Basically the long bone (metatarsal) that is attached to my pinky toe is bowing, creating a gap between the next metatarsal, causing the pinking toe to point in towards the rest of my foot, resulting in a bulge called a bunionette.  Make sense??

This my friends is a normal foot.  As you can see, the 5th metatarsal is in perfect alignment with the rest of the bones.
No Gap.
No Bowing.
No Bunionette.

Do you deal with any foot pain or issues?  Tell me the plight of your feet!

Allergies, shmallergies

I had a very very important meeting last Friday and woke up with a violent headache, nauseousness, & nasal congestion (no, Mom, I'm not pregnant). It's allergy season, and it's showing me no mercy. I REFUSE to take things like Benadryl or Claritin (with or without the Decongestant) which leave me feeling tweaky and crack-headed.

Fast forward 15 minutes later into the meeting and I'm breathing free and clear, headache gone, and stomach settled. In fact, I'm feeling pretty darn good about myself.

What magic is this?

Let me start by sharing that I've had allergies for as long as I can remember and my symptoms have been just awful.  Since nauseousness has been one of the symptoms, I have long thought there was something scarier than allergies at the root of the issue. 

About a month ago I had complained about this on my Facebook page and a friend of minesaid she suffered from the same issues.  A few weeks later she sent me a roll-on bottle of Volcano Oil by Maui Excellent. (Thanks, Veronika!!)

I never heard of this oil, let alone this company, before and applied just a bit on my wrists and inhaled.  The aroma is subtle-but-energizing blend of: eucalyptus, camphor, peppermint, wintergreen, menthol, spearmint, tea tree, oils of apricot, sweet almond, safflower, jojoba, grapeseed, canola, macadamia nut, kukui nut, and vitamins A & E.  The oil itself is smooth, not greasy and a little goes a long way.

Before my meeting I applied on my wrists and rubbed from my wrists onto my temples and third eye spot as well as added a small dab under my nose.  The meeting, as well as the rest of the day, was smooth running.  I'm not sure how I've gone so long without knowing about this oil nor why it's not in the self-medication section of our drugstores. I'm so glad I don't have to choose between feeling ill or feeling (and looking) like a rehab candidate.

What are your go-to methods for beating allergy season?  

Another amazing discount site...

Since I am the Queen of shopping and find the best discounts, it only seems fair that I pass those discounts along to you.  The latest website that I love is called The Clymb.  It is a members only site that provides deep discounts to sporting gear such as camping equipment, workout apparel, climbing gear and even CrossFit shoes like New Balance Minimus and Inov-8's.

They have two ways of selling products: Flash Sales and 365's.  Flash sales are sales that lasts a day or two and when they are gone you are S.O.L. 365's however are a little better as they are products that can be found on the site throughout the majority of the year and even if they are sold out, they usually come back into stock.
 
I'm loving some of the cute items they have, like these Hurley boardshorts...I'm thinking they will look mighty cute on me in Cancun for my honeymoon!!!

I LOVE CABBAGE

Truth: I eat cabbage almost every day. Seriously.....I LOVE CABBAGE (and I'm not afraid to admit it.)
Here are some cabbage facts I found today and a little info on how good it is for you!  I have a couple  yummy recipes  using this amazing Super Food--one is even served at the famous and amazing Northwoods Inn restaurant!  So come on give cabbage a chance to make you feel alive from the inside out.

Health benefits of cabbage (Seriously EAT IT):

• Fiber: Cabbage is a stomach's best friend. Like its trendier cousins brussel sprouts, broccoli, and kale, cabbage is an amazing source of fiber. Raw cabbage has also been shown to help cure stomach ulcers.

• Antioxidants: Red cabbage is chock full of anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant commonly found in blue, purple, and red plants. Studies show antioxidants can reduce inflammation, provide cancer protection, and boost brain function.

• Lowers cholesterol: Look to this superfood for a natural and effective cholesterol reducer. Cabbage prevents bile from absorbing fat after a meal, which lowers the overall amount of cholesterol in the body.

• Glucosinolates: Cabbage contains sulfur-based compounds called glucosinolates that have anti-carcinogenic properties. In the body, glucosinolates become compounds called isothiocyanates, which some studies suggest inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

(info above courtesy of http://greatist.com/health/superfood-cabbage and there are more amazing recipes if you check out their site by following the link)

And of course when you consume cabbage raw the health benefits are the strongest. I do this--I EAT IT RAW most of the time. I love the angle hair shredded cabbage that you can find in the coleslaw area of your local grocery store, or you can shred it yourself (yes sometimes I'm super lazy and I buy it pre-shredded, that way I'm sure to eat it because its ready for me.)

I eat so much cabbage I have totally replaced lettuce in my diet with it. 

I use it in taco salads. I add it to chili, soups, any kind of cooked chicken! Almost anything I eat, I add cabbage to. It's super crunchy and just soooooo yummy, and it fills you up so you eat less.

HELLOOOOOO! High nutritional value and it helps you eat less?! no wonder its a SUPER FOOD.

Alright, so everyone is adding cabbage to their diets right? Ok good, you wont be sorry. Here is a recipe I totally made up inspired by my Chicken Jalapeno Poppers:

3 to 4 chicken breasts, ground up ( I use my food processor)
about 10 jalapenos, seeded and chopped up (again you can use a food processor)

One package of turkey bacon chopped

4 wedges (maybe more taste as you blend it up I believe I used four and made a ton of this stuff)  of Laughing Cow Cheese flavor of your choice I like the garlic herb one.

A few cloves of garlic chopped up

Olive oil

1 whole head of cabbage shredded or a bag or two of the Angel hair shredded cabbage

Directions:

Coat the bottom of a sauce pan with olive oil and cook the chicken with the garlic thoroughly. When cooked add the jalapenos and bacon cook them until the peppers are somewhat soft

Next add the laughing cow cheese and stir until mixed thoroughly over low heat.

When it's all mixed together turn off heat and add cabbage and stir. 

Cover pot and let cabbage soften a bit, maybe 15 mins. 

That's it! It looks a bit like a goolash but it is super tasty! I don't measure things so just add and subtract and taste as you go :) a small bowl of this stuff is super tasty and filling :)

Another recipe is for red cabbage, is tasty as well, and eaten raw. 

North woods Inn inspired Red cabbage recipe can be found here:

http://www.food.com/recipe/northwoods-inn-red-cabbage-salad-400656



As with other recipes, I substitute the sugar either with a little raw sugar, or agave...and use very little season salt and light olive oil. It's super yummy and packed with nutrients from the Red cabbage! Yummy! 

I hope you try some cabbage soon! Let me know when you do!

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.

Maple Balsamic Salad Dressing

Although it's not my day to post, I found this unique recipe from Eat Clean and Diet and had to share! I can't wait to try it.  I think it will be sweet and tangy and will add amazing flavor to any salad!

Ingredients

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 4 cloves garlic

Instructions:
-place all ingredients into a blender/magic bullet and blend well until garlic is completely crushed
-use about 2 tbsp on your salad
-store in an airtight jar Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 0

Meditation exercises Via Connie

So the Fabulous Connie, our Wednesday blogger shared this with me and I'm going to start doing them and I think you should too. They are 15 minute meditations for your health lead by Deepak Chopra. Too cool not to share, let us know what you think. the link below will take you to the sign in page and you can just sign in with facebook (easy) or create a log in.
Happy Tuesday Everyone :)
http://www.chopracentermeditation.com/Bestsellers/LoginPage.aspx?BookId=178