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healthy eating

Happy New Year – 2017

Holidays , Personal • Jan 1, 2017

2017

It’s always crazy to think that the holiday season is over. So much work and so much energy for a few weeks of festivities and a few dinners with family and friends. You then get that awkward week between Christmas and New Years. The last week won’t make or break your yearly work goals and your not ready to accept that 2017 is going to bring an all new slate of goals. I have to admit though.. It’s worth it!

But then your also hit with New Years Resolutions. Do I make them? Do I skip them? Do I even know what my resolutions where from this year? Regardless I always take the time to make resolutions. I do my best to set realistic expectations for myself though. I’m not going to change the world but I can change the impact I’m making on myself and others around me.

I’m starting to ramble so let me bring it back, lol. My small side business has grown tremendously from a small idea to .. Well .. THIS!. I couldn’t be happier. My numbers don’t begin to compare to others around me but I’m happy. I took an idea and made money from it! My resolutions are going to center around this site and the customer base I’ve built around it.

Starting a business isn’t easy. To be honest I don’t feel that it was initially my intention to even do. I realized right away that a small business wasn’t just making things that I enjoy but so much more. I can make the items but then I have to actually deliver them to my customers. Boxes, bags and shipping supplies came as a surprise (oddly enough). Having stock of the items that my customers wanted was crucial along with the customer service I provided if there were any bumps along the road.

I believe that customers will come if you have the right product and the proper back end support to handle the business. In 2017 I’m going to work on the back end logistics that customers will never see. I hope to be reflecting a year from now on the success I’m striving for.

I wish everyone a happy and safe new year! Are you starting resolutions?

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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!

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Farmers Market 2014

Good Eating , Personal • Aug 14, 2014

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Let me be the first to admit that I could really care less about going to local farmers markets. I LOVE the idea of the farmers market (locally grown, etc) but sometimes the prices are just way to crazy. I understand its just the type of market but why would i want to spend all of my money on an expensive bag of spinach when i could go down the street to my local grocery store and get the same things for about 1/3rd of the cost? … other than wanting to help a local community?!

I know, I know, I sound a bit bitter about it, lol. I’ve learned going to the farmers market, we have quite a few in our area, is more about the experience. My partner Brian has been a longtime fan of the market. He goes every Saturday when he’s not working and even visits a smaller version that comes closer to our house on Thursdays. They always have a large selection of quality (quality meaning expensive) products and a lot of vendors know him by name. That helps the entire experience a bit more personal. Nobody at SAMS CLUB knows my name!

The experience is great. It’s always busy, the sites to take in are amazing, and it just makes you feel good. Does that sound to cheesy? A bit? No worries. I’m still a fan (when i actually go of course). And of course, that means when my wallet will allow me to go!

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Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Water

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

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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?

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