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Create Your Own Happiness

Food , Health • Mar 27, 2023

One thing I’ve learned in my wellness journey is that you truly have to create your own happiness. Only you can create your own happiness.

You can’t rely on others to make you happy or you’ll face nothing but disappointment. This is truly a hard lesson for anyone to learn. But, once it’s learned there won’t be any going back. I’ll be honest and say I’ve tried to get happiness through things like alcohol and medication and it’s just not the same.

How exactly do you go about creating your own happiness? Seems silly but the possibilities are endless. My suggestion is to start small. Just do little things that are going to bring you joy.

In our home we love cooking! We make most of our meals at home and generally enjoy doing it. So, I bring that into my joy by doing something small on occasion such as making my own latte. It’s simple, cheap, takes just a few minutes, and it tastes so good!

Ingredients to make your own latte.

We switched from Keurig to Nespresso a year or so ago and have NEVER looked back. If your a big coffee drinker then do your homework because your going to lose some benefits by giving up your Keurig but you’ll gain some with Nespresso. One thing in particular that you’ll gain is the ability to make a great espresso.

Keurig has hundreds if not thousands of KCUP pods available to buy. Keurig also has the ability to use your own coffee and basically make your own KCUPs. Nespresso on the other hand has maybe two dozen options (for coffee) and that includes some great options for espresso. The perk in having the ability to make a great cup of espresso is that you can make yourself a bomb ass latte! How? It’s easy.

You’ll need only a few things –

  • Espresso
  • Ice
  • Milk (I prefer the creaminess of oat milk)
  • Flavor (Optional)

You’ll also need the ability to whip up the milk. We have the frother that came with our Nespresso but we have a handheld one as well that we got HERE on Amazon. We’ve used it plenty of times to froth up some milk but it’s also great for quickly whipping up eggs or blending liquids together. I highly recommend it.

Once you have all the ingredients it’s SUPER simple to make! Just brew some espresso over ice (I always fill my cup all the with ice to make it nice and cold), whip up your milk and add in a dash of your flavor flavor, pour it into the espresso, and then finally… enjoy it! So good and you save the $5 that you would have spent at Starbucks. Nothing against Starbies by the way.

It’s the small things like this for me that allow me to create my own happiness. This small latte cost me just a few dollars, took only a few minutes to make, and brought me an afternoon of joy. What other small things bring you joy?

Acutane – My Experience

Cosmetics , Health , Personal , Reviews • Nov 16, 2014

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I have had acne for about as long as I can remember, or so i thought. I felt at times like i ‘struggled’ a lot through my teen years but looking back I don’t know that I truly did. When I think of acne I think of the worse case scenario. Those that struggle are those that have horrible acne scarring and a continuous onslaught of pimples popping up on their face. That truly wasn’t me.

I always had something popping up on my face but rarely had more than a couple pimples. My true struggle was just the hyper pigmentation that was left behind after each breakout. My pimples would be gone but the red mark left behind would stay at times for months. Even years. It was more than frustrating.

I got to a point about a year ago that I just couldn’t take it anymore. I’m sure that the majority of you know by now that I wear makeup. I’m not embarrassed by it and i’ve never been afraid to tell people about it. Those that wear foundation can attribute the fact of how frustrating it is to have breakouts when your wearing makeup. My skin was always combination/oily and I had to purchase specific products to accommodate. Half way through the day I might as well have been wearing nothing.

I went to Walgreens minute clinic to see what they could offer (they now offer solutions for acne). That was a horrible experience. I was offered the solution of buying a random face wash and mask to use on a nightly/weekly basis. Waste of money and time. I finally had enough and made an appointment with a dermatologist that a few of my other family members have seen on a regular basis for years.

This was truly the best decision that I ever made. We tried a combination of medicated washes and pills but nothing worked the way that I hoped. Progress was just to slow. Once you are on antibiotics for so long their is only so much that the dermatologist can do so they stop the pills. Antibiotics stop working after so long so it was time to move on.

That was when the dermatologist suggested Acutane. I was shocked. Acutane was for people that had severe cystic acne. That I knew I didn’t have. My problem wasn’t numerous pimples on my face it was again, the hyper pigmentation that was left behind from the pimples that I did get. Why would my dermatologist want me on something so severe?

Simply put, because it will work! Acutane isn’t just for those that suffer from severe acne, it’s also for those that suffer from more mild forms of acne that will just simply not go away. My dermatologist seemed to feel that if antibiotics don’t work then acutane will!

My treatment wasn’t horrible. My skin dried out slightly and i had quite a bit of nausea that first few weeks (the nausea went away after a short period). The only complaints I had where the severity of how dry my lips got and the annoyance of the packing it came in. I swear.. you got these big boxes that included about 2 weeks worth of medicine. Inside that box was about 4 smaller boxes. You had to then unfold the boxes, discard some security warnings, and then every day (twice a day) you had to rip through the packaging below.

Acutane Packaging

My results were worth it! I’ve been off the  medication since the very end of September and I haven’t had a breakout since stopping the treatment. The dryness that I had was never out of control and after about a month completely went away. My lips were an absolute nightmare (i couldn’t do enough to keep them moisturized) but that too cleaned up in about a month.

My concerns after the treatment were the length of time I would be clear from acne. The dermatologist said that i could be clear for anywhere from a few days, a few weeks, a few months, to the rest of my life. They can’t determine how long the medicine’s affects will remain. I’ve stock with the same basic face wash I used during treatment, used a lighter moisturizer, and then  started to occasionally use a Retin-A that my dermatologist prescribed (wrinkle benefits in that bad boy too!).

I’ve been asked a few ties if I would/would not recommend it for someone else. I can’t make that decision for anyone. I can tell you that the side effects for me were minimal and the results were fantastic. Some people don’t have that great of luck though. You can read various reviews across the internet of people who have had horrible affects from the medicine and some that have even died. Pregnancy is of course never an option on the medication so if you are planning on being pregnant or could be don’t even consider it (I believe that women have to take pregnancy tests on their monthly visits to confirm that they are indeed still not pregnant).

  • Cetaphil Face Wash  – twice daily.
  • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream – twice daily.
  • Aquaphor Healing Ointment – numerous times every day for lips.
    • Don’t waste your money on the lip version. the original Aquaphor is a better deal and the same product.
    • EOS balms, regular Vasoline, Berts Bees, Medicated Blistex and Carmex did not work for me.

Weight Watchers – Round 3!

Good Eating , Health , Personal , Weight Watchers • Aug 15, 2014

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I have been a LONG TIME fan of Weight Watchers. Long before Jessica Simpson or Jennifer Hudson became representatives for the organization. In fact, I think i was joining Weight Watchers for the first time when Jessica Simpson was at her peak filming The Dukes of Hazard. I was at my fattest when she was at her best, ironic!

Anyway, I’ve been a fan. I’ve done two successful ’rounds’ of the program and i’m excited to say i’ve basically battled through round 3! I haven’t gained any of the 150lbs back that i lost 10 years ago (thankfully). I’ve just never fully completed the program. I’ve never gotten down to my ideal goal weight. To be honest.. i don’t even know what that number is! I don’t have a desire to look down and see a six-pack (although i wouldn’t complain) i just don’t want to feel unhappy with my body.

Body image is something that i’ve struggled with my entire life. Entire. Life. I was always the fat kid in school. I had amazing friends and went to a great school that wasn’t concerned with cliques, groups, and social circles. I was never made fun of and i’m grateful for that. I just never had a confidence to not feel self-conscious in the my own skin. I’ve always felt like the fat kid when i’m truly not anymore. I’m not proud of where i started but i’m proud of the fact that i’ve come so SO far!

In a nutshell the Weight Watchers system is pretty simple. Based upon sex, age, and average daily activity you are given a set number of ‘points’ that you can eat each day. Each point value has (or in the case of fruits/vegetables do not have) a set point value. Every time you eat something you must subtract the points consume from your overall daily limit. Nobody is perfect so there is a catch for that! You are also given a weekly point limit. Personally, i save these points for Adult Beverages and Junk Food! I can’t live without either.. lets be honest!

There have been good weeks and there have of course been VERY BAD weeks. I own it. Not everyday or every week for that matter will be a success. Sometimes that Krispy Kreme donut is just calling my name. Donuts do have a tendency to seduce their victims. I’m hungry just thinking about the damn things. When i’ve had a bad week i simply pick up the pieces and keep moving. I know they say in the program that you should still weight in but… i don’t. If i have a bad week i don’t even want to look at the scale. I’m going to just move on the next week and start over again!

Jessica Simpson – Moving Forward

Personal , Random , Weight Watchers • Aug 13, 2014

07.13.2013

This week was one of those that i was genuinely excited to have my People Magazine subscription (most weeks i just wish that i hadn’t gotten it). I don’t think that Jessica Simpson could have looked anymore stunning.

I have been a fan of Jessica since her debut back in the 90’s. I genuinely feel that when compared to her peers at the time (Christina, Britney, Mandy, JLO) she was far superior. She had the looks, the personality, and her music was genuinely good. I think that she just wasn’t ‘sexy’ enough to compete and her first single was the wrong choice.

I was also a fan of Jessica with Nick Lachey. I enjoyed watching Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica. I also think that i was also genuinly sad when their divorced was announced in 2005. I know, i sound like a lunatic but it’s true. I thought they had a great relationship and the show made it look as if they truly supported what the other did. In the end, i feel as if Nick may have been a bit jealous of the success that Jessica continued to have.

Regardless, Jessica really has taken an at times dismal music career and turned it into an empire! Not the music of course but the brand. I read somewhere that Jessica is the first artist to break the ONE BILLION mark. I would assume that is encompassing all of her brands from music to bags to even perfume (also a fan). I think that she took rough moments in her life and really turned it into success.

Jessica looked absolutely beautiful on her wedding day. I think that she did everything right (from the article). Although… she had 14 bridesmaids. Really? To each their own! I look forward to what the future holds for Jessica!

Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Water

Good Eating , Health , Weight Watchers • Jun 2, 2014

06.02.14

In my last ditch effort to attempt to eliminate pop i’ve been trying to stick with fruit infused waters. I LOVE carbonated water so i don’t really have a problem ditching pop for that. It’s pricey to buy and I have a machine that carbonates water instantly. Attempting to get in more water, more fruit, etc i found these great tips!

1. It’s a great source of vitamin C.

No, not the pop singer. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for giving our body the immune boost it needs to stay in check. When vitamin C levels are low, little to no repair happens in the body. These citrus delights are also high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium helps reduce free radicals, increases red blood cell production and controls blood pressure. What does all this mean in real-talk? More energy, clearer skin, anti-aging properties, less sickness, less stress, and more focus! Um, yes please.

2. It balances pH levels.

Our pH level speaks to the balance between the alkaline and acidic properties in the body. When our body enters a more acidic state, it breeds sickness and disease. This is news to many people, because so often disease feels like an isolated event that can’t be controlled. While there are many factors to disease, controlling what you can is a great way to give your body the attention it deserves. Add more alkaline foods, and your whole body starts to wake up, repair, fight, and become a power-house of healing and rejuvenating. Lemon is one of the most alkaline foods around!

3. It aids weight loss.

Did you know that if your body is out of balance it is incredibly difficult to lose weight? Having a happy, healthy body and mind is one of the fastest ways to weight loss. A more alkaline diet makes for a happier person, and according to Eating Well Magazine, people with more alkaline diets tend to lose weight faster. Also, lemons contain pectin fiber, which helps set your body back to normal hunger levels. On board yet? If not, don’t worry there are two more genius benefits coming your way.

4. It improves digestion.

The way your gut processes food has everything to do with — yep, you guessed it — your happiness! A clogged or misfiring digestive tract usually indicates a bigger problem in the body. Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials, and encourages the production of bile in your body. This synergistic effect helps to soothe and normalize the the body’s digestive process.

5. It helps you kick the coffee habit.

I swoon over coffee. The aroma, the color, the flavor. It just gets me. In more ways than I could possibly list here. But it also gets my nervous system, digestion, and energy, and not in an endearing way. I finally kicked the habit 100% about four months ago (no more casual dating for me). Adding lemon into my diet was essential. Don’t get me wrong, kicking coffee is NOT easy, especially if you’re a regular. Having something to replace it with is essential to making the transition less shocking on the body.

The last one is completely unnecessary so i removed it, haha! Any other healthy suggestions for getting in that water minimum?