801010

Today is day 4 of eating raw veagn following the 80/10/10 guidelines. For the most part, I am enjoying it but I am experiencing some struggles. My biggest issue is dinner. I cant eat these huge salads most people speak of. My belly gets full before finishing half of it. Maybe Im eating too much fruit before meals? I am also struggling with calorie counting. I'm not sure how many calories I should take in. There are many rules to follow for calculating calorie requirement. I was aiming for 1500-2000 but notice that with breakfast and lunch I take in almost 1000 calories and by dinner I'm not that hungry.

So here's what I have been eating

Breakfast- persimmon smoothie I use 5 which makes 500 calories

Lunch mango smoothie- I use 3-4 which gives around 400

Snacks are usually 2 cups of red grapes about 200 calories

Dinner is where I struggle. It's not that I don't like salad, I just get full so fast. I can eat a whole bunch of kale salad, but romaine and spinach are tough. I will usually have a mango smoothie before or during dinner or some kind of fruit snack either grapes, banana or kiwi.

I am experiencing some positives with this diet. I am saving tons of time, I get so happy when food shopping and my mood has improved a lot. I am learning to love fruit, prior to 801010 I hardly ate fruit, now I am having it daily! My belly has had a serious break, I still get bloated but don't really experience the pain I had before, I notice how much faster my food digests when compared to cooked food.

I must say that I hardly ever feel hungry since I started 801010, my meals usually keep me full for about 4 hrs, this is around the time I would eat another meal. I am also eating more. Before I would always skip lunch because "I didn't have time" lol now I have lunch everyday :) so far I am happy, but I know I have struggles to work through but I am hoping I can give this at least a full month.

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80/10/10

I feel much better today than yesterday~ I wasn't as bloated this morning even after i ate. I had grapes for breakfast and coffee. I not sure how much grapes I ate, I just ate until I felt content. Then I had the coffee.

For lunch I was gonna have chinese. I ate it last night and didn't any problems. I instead decided to eat banana wraps instead. I had 2 large bananas wrapped in lettuce with cinnamon

I surprisingly felt content after eating that, so I am gonna avoid cooked food unless I get hungry. I plan on eating the chinese food :) So far 80/10/10 isn't too bad. I have been making small changes. Mainly I will eat fruit first and then if Im still hungry I will eat something else. Im not really measuring yet, but as I go further with this I will to ensure I ma getting enough.

Here are some pics of my belly. This first pic was taken a few days after eating girl scout thin mints. It took almost a week for my stomach to feel better.

Next pic is this morning, a week later exactly. It looks and feels much better, although it does probably show well in the pic.

Two things

1. I think I'm really gonna get serious about a gluten free diet, maybe even raw vegan

2.my iPhone stopped working, it won't come on. Surprisingly I am not worried or upset .

...let's elaborate

I have been really ignoring my gluten sensitivity. I'm paying for that right now, my stomach has been bloated to the point of pain for almost 3 days now. I'm considering trying a raw vegan diet or at least just fruits, veggies and whatever meat I can tolerate. I'm really sick of feeling like this, but I'm also sick of focusing so much on what to eat and what not to eat. I want to have smoothies for some meal replacements, but I love to actually chew lol. I want to give this change a real chance,but it's so hard. I know it takes weeks even months to really see the symptoms of gluten intolerance disappear,but I will never get there if I keep slipping.

 

The second thing, my phone just stopped working it will not power on. The other day I was thinking about how I kinda just stopped watching tv. Even my young n the restless I haven't watched in months. I just not desire it anymore. I was also thinking of a way to decrease my phone use. I'm constantly on Facebook, twitter, and instagram. I check my email constantly. What better way to fix this addiction than getting rid of the phone. Normally, I would be mad and going crazy wondering how I wk.l survive without a phone or worrying how soon I could get a replacement. I'm not worried at all. It's really weird. The only thing that's gonna suck is driving. I use my phone for music during my 1 hr work commute:(

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My first in person yoga class!

Finally I got the courage to go to an actual yoga class. My first class was free at Lululemon. I believe many locations hold free classes every Sunday. I bet everyone wants to know why I chose a free class. Well, it was because I met a teacher via twitter/instagram, she posted that she was teaching a free class. I was off the day of and the day after, so I decided to go for it.

My biggest fear of in person yoga, is embarrassment. With my GI issues I have tons of gas at all times lol. I was so afraid of letting lots of gas out during class. Suprisingly, I wasn't too bad. I kegeled and tightened my muscles during "vulnerable" postures and just kept it moving :)

Another reason I held off taking class was the "om factor". I couldn't imagine sitting in a room with strangers saying "om" I thought it would be weird lol. It was actually fine, not creepy or weird AT ALL. I accepted all two OMs and enjoyed them:)

The actual class was great, I think they called it sun salutes or something. We did a few sun salutations but thats not all we did. We transitionioned a lot but we also held poses for about 5 breaths at a time. I was able to recall all the poses and get into them with hardly any problems. The instructor did correct me during warrior pose. I had my knee way over my ankle and my back foot wasn't turned the right direction.

The actual instructor was a breath of fresh air. A fellow curly girl, with a soothing voice, and even a few jokes. She was refreshing, after class we chatted for a minute or so and she joked about inversions. She thought I would be bored with her class because of the lack of inversions. I assured her I was not bored at all.

I can say for sure now there's a huge difference between class and DVDs. I was able to follow and pay attention for the whole hour, my mind didnt wander, I kept up with the poses. I was able to just "BE" . My mind was able to shut down of my to do list, worries, concerns, and plans. Instead my mind was focused on breathing and flowing into the postures to suite my needs. I wasn't worried about how I looked or if I was photogenic while in downward dog. Lol

I just really enjoyed the moment :)

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Happy New Year 2013!!!

I spent the New year at work on call! I was there all night :( Im recovering from a work hangover. Still, I was able to do a little yoga this morning. Later tonight, I hope I have the energy to make the "traditional new years dinner" lol

Working on those goals :)

I may have mentioned before that my most recent life/career goals include taking a yoga instructor course and obtaining certification as a holistic nurse.

Last week I contacted a yoga studio near my house. I had search tons of programs near my home and even up to an hour away. The problem was scheduling, every program meets Friday-Sunday. Unfortunately, I have to work 2 Fridays every month so that wasn't going to work for me. When I thought all was lost, I came across Tulaa Yoga Studio. This studio is 30 minutes from my house and meets every Thursday and every 3rd weekend. It will take 8 months to complete. I spoke with the studio owner who was kind enough to offer support and advice while I prepare for class next year :) I also learned that Tulaa's training program will include some theories and teachings from the Himalayan Institue

Finally, I discovered The Birchtree Center . I even spoke to the owner/operator. This center center provides training for nursing seeking holistic education/certification and more. The next training session isn't until spring and fall 2013. I also spoke to an instructor at my old nursing school, she is a graduate of the Birchtree Center and highly recommends the program. I love how everything is falling into place. I really hope and pray that things will continue to work itself out:) I don't know yet what I will do with this new education/certification, but it's on my heart so I must pursue it. Who knows where it may lead me!

Can you say EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!

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Newtown,CT

I'm sure you have heard about the terrible tragedy.a school shooting at an elementary school, in a kindergarten class room! I believe 27 people where killed 28 including the gun who killed himself and his mother. Ava wanted to stay home yesterday because she want feeling well. I agreed, when I heard about the shootings I just looked at her and cried. I was so thankful she was ok and at home even though her school was ok. My prayers and thoughts are stuck on those families, I had a hard time falling asleep just thinkin how they must be feeling. I held my son for almost and hour with tears in my eyes while he slept. If only we could hold our babies in our arms forever. It really breaks my heart knowing that we have to send our children out in this world. How am I suppose to explain toy daughter thy she's safe at school? Thank god she doesn't know what happened and I debating whether or not I should tell her. I don't want her to hear about it elsewhere, and be confused and scared. We must pray!!! We must have faith that God is always in control and does not make mistakes. We must have faith that those 27 people don't die in vain!

A blessed day

Yesterday, I attended 2 parties one being my nephews 4th bday:). Before the parties I was able to cook, do laundry, yoga, and retwist my hair! My yoga DVD also arrived, It was a very nice day!!

The birthday boy and I

 

My daughter and nieces

 

Standing forward fold

 

 

My growing yoga/holistic health library

 

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Yoga today :)

I kept it simple. Very relaxing

Legs up wall

 

 

 

 

Bow pose

 

Cat pose

 

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Yoga and Instagram

Earlier today, a yogi blogger at yogabycandace.com referencing the "competitive nature" that is becoming of some yogi instagramers. In a nut shell, Candace blogged about the concern for yoga becoming competitive and losing its true meaning. I read her blog early this morning, and here at 1030pm its still on my mind! Im not sure if its because I feel guilty or if its my true love for yoga awakening.

I decided I would like to take a Yoga Teacher Training class. Not so much to teach, although I would like to one day. But I want to take the course to learn so much more about yoga than I ever could through youtube, twitter, and instagram. Yoga has done so much for me these past few months and I just want to learn as much about it as possible.

Gosh darn, off the topic lol. Anyways, since reading Candace's post, I have decided to shy away from these yoga challenges. My intentions aren't good, to be honest I am participating "because I can" i love the ego trip you get when you upload a cool pose and receive a ton of likes. Im embarrassed to say this, but its the truth. THis is not what yoga is about however, like Candace says. Instead I am going to continue my practice and upload at my leisure. I really want to be develop a "strict" yoga practice. I really want to know the basics. Instagram has been hindering me from getting where I need to be with yoga in a way. Tis all for now :)


For some seriously annoying reason,I can't get links to work! Please google search "yogabycandace" Sorrrrrryyyyy..........

Maybe I won't be gluten free

I did pretty well last week, but this week I was horrible. The 3 days I worked I ate pretty well and avoided gluten all but one day. The 3rd day of work, I just decided to buy lunch and ate a sandwich on regular bread with feta cheese! I felt so bad about messing up, I just figured I would continue to do damage and ate a huge chocolate brownie cookie. Fast forward to the past two days, I am still bloated and I ate pizza today despite already having issues. Im sitting here feeling pregnant because thats how tight my stomach is. Im trying not to get too discouraged, because I know I can do this. Its just a little harder than I expected. Next week, I need to make sure I buy enough fruits/vegetables, and cook at least 3 meals/week. I also have to buckle down on my food diary Heres to next week....

Why Yoga?

There are so many reasons I started practicing yoga and even more reasons why I continue. My initial reason was to help repair my diastasis recti. As I learned about the ab separation I have and why its so, I decided I needed to focus on my body as a whole. I also wanted to do some cool asanas and not just those boring core postures lol. Core postures are so important though, I just get bored easily so I needed to explore movement within yoga. Thats when I learned about Vinyasa flow and so on. By no means am I even an intermediate level yogi, but some days I pretend to be lol

Ok, we are getting off track. I explained why I began yoga, now I will get into why I continue to practice. I am so ashamed to admit, but I have issues. I have moments of depression and low self esteem! Shocking, I know if you know me personally, but yes its true. I also have the problem of comparing myself to almost everyone else, and wondering if I need to change so many things about myself and my life. Even though I am truly blessed, I still would feel sad for no reason and just question if I am truly happy. This is when I decided I needed to be able to take time away from it all and just be. Just breathe, think, reflect, and feel that I am ok! I will never forget my first few yoga sessions, I instantly felt like a heavy weight was lifted. I was on an emotional high. I felt so good, and this was only after maybe 20 minutes or so lol. So, its very easy to see why I continue yoga... but there are so many more reasons~

My self esteem issues... smh, I can't believe I am going here. Don't get me wrong, I know Im not ugly and I know theres nothing "wrong" with me. But again, I would constantly worry about how I think I should look?!?!? Jarred tells me all the time I am beautiful just the way I am, and that I don't need to change a thing. He gets so upset when I share my body issues with him, because he just doesn't see me as I see myself. He sees a beautiful person inside and out, without flaws and I truly love him for that. He doesn't care that I have locs, he doesn't care about my flabby stomach, stretch marks, or skinny legs. These are all my issues. But with yoga, I am really learning to appreciate all my "flaws" they aren't even really flaws! My biggest insecurity right now is my stomach and sometimes flabby small appearing boobs lol ( hey child birth and breastfeeding did this ) The more I practice, the more I am loving my body just the way it is. I am becoming more concerned with my overall health, more so than my physical appearance. Being half naked in yoga outfits, has made me so much more confident. I always felt really skinny , like I had no shape lol. But the more I look at myself and feel my body moving and muscles working, I see that I'm not so bad after all lol.

I still have such a long way to go, but I feel so much better than I did months ago. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I know if I continue this journey I am on, I won't be disappointed. I encourage everyone to try yoga, theres something in it for everyone, mediation alone is powerful! Just taking a moment to breath and relax your mind and body,with just the sound of your breath is uplifting. How many times a day do we just consciously breathe? Of course we are breathing all day long, but to mindfully breath in and out for even just a few breaths will do wonders~! Give it a try, you will not be disappointed! Namaste :)

Holistic Health

Since practicing yoga and searching for a healthier lifestyle, I have almost become obsessed with learning how to deepen my practice and knowledge. I dream one day of being a yoga instructor and holistic health coach. Since I am a nurse, I naturally started my search on becoming a holistic practitioner with the http://www.ahna.org/. I got a little discouraged there, because in order to obtain certification you must already be a practitioner. I know there isn't many jobs out yet sooooo.... Im not sure I will be able to go that route. But, I am a big believer in nursing entrepreneurs and alternative nursing careers so I won't give up yet. I also found this site http://inursecoach.com/ This course cost about $4500 and requires four weekends thursday- sunday of training, I believe its based in NYC. The course I am most interested in is here http://www.wholehealtheducation.com/ this one is online, and provides enough hours to sit for certification. Its designed specifically for nurses. Cost is $5000.

With my new career goals, I just don't want to abandon being a nurse. After all, nursing was exactly what I wanted to do! But since making all of these lifestyle changes, I realize it only make since to incorporate them into a career if I can.

Another goal is taking a yoga teacher training course. Not just because I would like to be an instructor one day, but because I really want to know what I am doing lol. The cost is roughly $2500-3000 depending on where you go.

Decisions, decisions, I know anything is possible. I just have to decided what I want to do and how I would like to do it. Naturally, these ideas won't go into full affect until maybe 5-10 years from now :( But i do want to take either the nursing certification or yoga certification in the next couple years.

I have also been looking for yoga and holistic nursing/health conferences. I would love to attend one, this way I can meet people, and get information.

We will see what happens :)

My first "gluten free week"

Well, I am happy to say I made it through the week. Its been pretty easy to eat gluten free, the hard part is avoiding temptation of food I know will upset my stomach. I kept a food diary and updated it almost everyday. I basically ate kale salad for 2 or 3 days for lunch/dinner and breakfast was fruit and bacon or boiled egg. I also made a zuppa toscona soup inspired by Olive Garden. I used coconut milk and fresh vegetables/herbs. This soup was hearty and lasted me about 4 days. Things got tricky when I had a couple free hours before work wednsday. I needed breakfast and gave into a bacon and egg croissant. Initially I only ate half the croissant, but it was so good I had to eat the whole thing lol. Surprisingly, it didn't make my stomach feel horrible, I had bloating but it didn't last all day. I noticed my stomach has definitely gotten smaller. I stood in the mirror smiling for almost 10 minutes this morning because I was in shock!

After all my progress, I gave in again and ate mac n cheese, apple pie, and a small piece of chocolate cake. lol it wasn't all at once, but all in one day. Today actually, so Im a little bloated right now, but not uncomfortable.

I need to get planning for the week so I can keep this up. Oh, I almost forgot! I found a delicious gluten free cereal. Honey Nut chex!, that has been my go to breakfast/snack. I also tried Vans Gluten free waffles, they taste just like regular waffles and are both diary/gluten free :)

My next endeavor will be to try an herbal tea mixture. I watched a youtube video on using coriander, fennel, ginger, and cardamon to help with bowel distention. It sounds like it would taste awful, but I'm hoping just 4 or 6 ounces could help. I don't think I could take more than that lol

Last but not least, I expanded my yoga/health library today. I ordered I can't wait for it to arrive!

Homemade thin mints

Could it be true? I love girl scouts thin mints. Lucky for me, I have a handful of coworkers with daughters that have been selling them every year for the past few years :) I came across an amazingwebsite/blog while on one of my gluten free recipe searches.


I forgot to buy peppermint extract and needed andis peppermint for another recipe, so I just improvised. I melted the chocolate and peppermint together and all was well. I also didn't have parchment paper, so I used foil coated with vegetable oil. Surprisingly, the cookies didn't stick, didn't taste like oil, and weren't too messy lol. I can't lie, the chocolate did melt in my hands a little.

 

Anyways this recipe took about 10 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cool. I'm about to go use up the rest of my ritz crackers to make another batch lol

 

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Gluten free?

I've been considering this lately. I think I mentioned before how bloated my stomach gets....this happens no matter what I eat it seems. I made a lot of dietary changes lately and I think gluten elimination needs to be another change.

I cut diary almost 2 years ago after having abdominal pain and terrible gas after eating anything diary related.

Red meat was eliminated last year, it just made me nauseated. I was never a big meat eater anyway, so this was an easy one :)

Fast food and dining out has slowed down too. Im al it's afraid to eat anything I haven't prepared because I dont know how my stomach will handle it

Anyways back to gluten... I have been doing yoga daily, specifically trying to strengthen my core. So far I think I'm doing pretty good but, my stomach still looks like I'm pregnant most of the time :) I can suck the fat in and my little muscle show, I can feel the muscles but the bloating takes over. If I am good on a particular day, my stomach is almost flat!

After some research and pure desperation , I'm considering eliminating gluten! We will see how that goes. I've been reading blogs all day and I've found some amazing recipes :)




http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/

http://www.theglutenfreevegan.com/

http://tasty-yummies.com

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What were we doing 10 years ago?

The other night I was randomly thinking how much time I spend on Facebook, instagram, etc. I am a big tech, Internet, social media junkie, but it's consuming my life. The first thing I do in the morning is check Facebook and instagram smh I know. I take my phone in the bathroom with me, I eat holding my phone in one hand lol. It's just becoming too much. All of these social media outlets kinda make you obsessive. I am also finding that I constantly compare myself to others and sometimes get jealous if I see a status about something I want. Again smh, NOT Normal! But I won't put all the blame on myself, these apps make you becomes this way. Why do we need constant updates of each others lives???? Lol

Back to the point of this post, the other night I was trying to remember how I occupied my free time 10 years ago. Now, I did have a cell phone and computer then but there weren't apps like today. 10 years ago I actually held conversations with people, read actual books, had face to face contact. I am already anti social and these times have just made it worse. I dont even want to talk on the phone because my addiction to cyber stalkIng is calling, I need to take 50 photos of myself and upload them, then I must contantly check my phone to see how many likes and comments I get lol

Craziness, I know! So we are all wondering what am I gonna do to get myself out of this mess? I can't just go cold turkey! I thought about deleting all social media apps from my phone for a week, I thought about disabling my accounts, I thought about locking my phone in my car.. I'm not sure how I'm gonna become "normal" but I am going to.

 

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Yoga,yoga, yoga!!!

I have become obsesssed!

 

Seated forward bend

 

Crow pose

 

 

 

I'm considering taking an instructor course. I really want to learn how to properly get into poses and the benefits.

Oh and if you didn't notice.... We moved!!! We were blessed to move into our dream home just last month :)

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30 day yoga challenge

Over on instagram one of my favorite yogis proposed a challenge. I'm gonna join in but with modifications, hey I know my limits lol. Basically I will be practicing yoga daily ( easy) trying a new pose daily, mediating, and blogging via instagram daily what I am grateful for. Today I tried a new pose the lotus pose. I did yoga outside on the backyard, it's a cloudy day but I loved every minute of looking at the clouds. Most of the time on cloudy days I get a little sad. I love sunny days and when it's not sunny it does affect my moon. But, since I am tying to be more grateful in all things, I was able to truly appreciate today, clouds and all:)

God knows how to get your attention!

I have been so stressed and sad lately.... Over what you may ask? I have it all, a good husband, healthy kids, stable career,good health, wonderful family And friends, a home. So why have I been acting this way? The answer is easy, I am a spoiled brat. I get obsessed when there is something that I want, I stress and stress and stress until I get what I want or I figure out that I have it let it go.

Let's rewind to may..... Remember my post on "our dream home"? You would think we have closed by now right? Lol that is not the case. If you have ever been through the home buying process you know that its not easy, nothing goes as planned, everything unexpected happens.

Here we are basically In september,and we still have not closed! No fault of our own exactly. We're basically at the PMI ( private mortgage insurance) mercy. They have the final say so, because they are insuring the loan. They basically would have to pay if we default. So I understand it's a big risk for this company especially because many other companies like this have gone out of business.

I am so upset because I just wanted to be in the house before Ava would start school. Well, that's this coming Monday sooooo......:(

Back to the point of this post, I am learning that God has to show us every so often that he is always in control and should be your focus. This has happened to me time and time again. I get a big situation and think that I should do everything in my power to have things my way, losing focus. Knowing that all I have to do is ask for gods help and believe that he will get things done, his will,his time!

I spent my whole summer stressed about this house,I can't get that time back:( its a sad reality. It's my fault though, I forgot to be thankful and to live, life is so precious and I am so blessed! I had no reason to waste my time like this.....

 

 

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