Tuesday 27 September 2016

Sample Meal Plan

First of all...

Thank you for enduring my previous rant about Sugar and Carbs!

For all of you who are inspired to start changing things, here is a sample meal plan to help you on your way.

Click on the meal plan and it will enlarge for you.

My goal here was to make a plan that has variety and enough fats and natural sweetness to satisfy your cravings. Play with it! Have fun! Enjoy! Live long and prosper.

Sunday 25 September 2016

I'm an addict and so are you!

I have a confession to make. I'm an addict to a drug that is slowly killing many of my loved ones, and I. I don't go more than an hour into a day before I'm thinking about where I can get my first kick. Then, no more then 2 hours after that I'm wanting a much bigger kick. Then again in a couple hours I want a small high and so the day goes on... I go from looking for my first high to my last... right up to just before I go to bed.

All the women of my family have been cursed with this addiction, and we aren't totally aware of it's control. And it does control us. Our moods, our lifestyle, our happiness, and our energy. We are so controlled by this drug, that the very mention of taking it away has made each and everyone of us chuckle at the thought.

What drug am I talking about?

Sugar.

But not just Sugar, but the way our body turns all the bad starches we eat into sugar. At the end of the day you can take everything we ate and its just sugar, all day, or that's how our bodies see it.

I know how it is. I crave sugar. Love it. Relished in the sharing of it with those I love. I have great memories that centre around the sharing of carbs/sugar. It's hugely emotional.

I wake up and want sugar in my coffee/creamer. I want pancakes or sugar cereal for breakfast. I want macaroni (or some other carb) for lunch and a lemonade  (don't be naive diet pop translates into sugar to your body, its even worse). I want a snack, so I'll choke down some carrots, and then try another sweet drink. Maybe some twizzlers. Then I'm thinking about a starchy dinner followed by something sweet. Maybe I'll even buy some bread at Cobbs to treat myself during the day.

Trust me... you're body, your mind is leading you like a slave all day long. And when you try to change and you realize how many times you have to say "NO!!" to yourself, you too will see just how much and how wrong your diet is.

I stopped eating bad sugars 5 months ago. I went through incredible withdrawals. And I cannot believe the changes it made in my health, not just weight loss, but my health and my allergies. The first two-three weeks were brutal. I went through serious cravings. I came off of sugar as brutally as any drug addict. And my constant desire for sugar and breads hasn't gone away, even though it's been months. I still see sugar everywhere, calling out to me, saying I can have just one little high.

If you believe a drug addict can turn their life around, prove it! Because whether you are fully aware or not... you are addicted to sugar, and you haven't gone one day without it in a long time.

I am an addict. I want it every day. So do you. Please I beg you with all the strength you have left try to break free.

This is my challenge! Give yourself 3 months. In the first month don't allow yourself a cheat.

Here is my list of NO's for you:

- No more sugar in your coffee (use honey)
- No more wheat - cereals/breads/potatoes/frenchfries/noodles/egg rolls/potatoe salad
- No more alcohol - beers/white wines/coolers/rum etc (you can have 1 glass of a dry red wine a week)
- No more pops/lemonades/juice/especially no diet-pop
- Juice is important to change because many think juice is good but its very bad actually

Juice is very deceptive, we all think a glass of orange juice is part of a healthy diet, but it's not! You would never consume that many oranges in real time... and that's how your body treats it... a major sugar overload. So stay away! No breakfast shakes! Nothing. Eat your food! If you are craving a drink, try club soda and add a freshly squeezed lime. It's very refreshing!

I know this seems crazy! And I know that it will effect a huge part of your life, but please please try!! Please!!


Here's what you can have:

- coconut oil is magical add it to everything! Cook with it, add it to your coffee! Such a great fat to add to your diet!!
- high natural fats - butter, Homo milks, creams,
- eggs (try boiling with hot sauce)
- avocados
- for cravings have blueberries/strawberries and cream
- have cheese and apple slices
- bacon
- almonds
- steak and blue cheese
- cook everything in pure butter/olive oil - saturate it! Eat fat burn fat!

And there is so much more you can have that is good for you. I want you to eat all the natural fats and veggies you can get your hands on, but just no sugars.

I know what I'm asking is huge, and life changing... but it will only be for the best. Your best. Give me your October and say no to things that translate to Sugar in your body!


Upcycling Breakfast Table Chairs

These chairs came from an old college that was getting renovated. When I first bought them I had all sorts of colors I was going to paint them how my breakfast-nook would look... But I couldn't seem to get the nerve to pain them.

At first it was a red breakfast table and white chairs. Then a white breakfast table and red chairs. Then Yellow chairs and a grey table. Green factored in and out of these plans several times. But I couldn't decide, so I left it alone for a year. 

The breakfast area is a very important space in our house, it flows through to the rest of the house. I had to think, rethink, and re-rethink my plan. I had paint chips all over the place. And I kept coming back to green. 

When I finally decided on a turquoise-green paint, it was difficult for me to sand down these old chairs with so much history. I thought about the kids that must have sat in them, passing notes, falling asleep during lectures, sweating during an exam... lots of story's. 

Withought further adieu... here are the pictures. More to come...




Thursday 22 September 2016

Subscription Boxes

Am I the last person on earth to hear about these...??!! I was so excited when Pinterest first showed me the coolest Subscription Box! I adore the concept.

'What!? I can have random beauitful surprise products shipped to me seasonally for a fraction of its value!?... Sign me up!' :D FabFitFun

Then came the issue of finding a box that shipped to Canada, fortunately there are still lots of options that are still fairly reasonable. In the end I settled on the FabFitFun Box... It seemed to have more of what I was looking for, makeup, scarfs, mugs, candles, perfume, soaps, and more... The Fit part I'm not as interested in, however that can sometimes mean a nice Organic tea which I could enjoy.

The runner up, for me, is The Bookish Box which has all sorts of cool perks for the book nerd and old soul. It will most definitely be my next subscription. Take a look at their site, they look absolutely fabulous.

Needless to say, I can't wait for this box to arrive!! I have shipped it to my work address, because that is where I feel I most deserve surprise gifts to get me through my day! I actually think this should be included in most employee benefit packages... I think it would be the coolest benefit ever. FabFitFun

Not to mention what a perfect gift idea! The gift that literally keeps giving! :) It's inspired me with lots of gift ideas. Don't all the ladies in your life deserve a fun little box of specially chosen treats?!

Meanwhile, at work, I can look forward to getting, and posting the fabulous experience. Stay tuned...



Wednesday 21 September 2016

Chick Advisor

Just joined Chick Advisor site and I am loving it! I love getting a chance to be honest about the products out there, and free stuff!! I love free stuff!!

Here is how you can do it:

1. Register for a free account (click on the link above)
2. Review 5 products you love/don't love (they have them all!)
3. Click Enter Now and then take their Survey so they know your product preferences etc.