Samantha Rae

2010-05-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

I love cats.. so much.
Today I woke up to a cat on my face, yes on my face.
I don't know why Chloe insists on doing that but she does.
It's her way of waking me up.
Just laying on my face and purring as loud as she can.
....Good thing I love her.

2010-05-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

Today I'm starting my garden :) I'm going to get a raised garden kit today and plant cucumbers, squash, zucchini, beans and tomatoes. I'm really excited. My Nana loves gardening and has a green green thumb, so I can only hope I take after her. She's going to help me with it and I'm excited to have a project to do together this summer. Lets hope my veggies grow to look as luscious as these do!

2010-05-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

Yams and vegetarian baked beans = HEAVEN. This is such a delicious combination! :)

2010-05-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I got some hurtful comments on my blog and it took me a little while to want to post again. But now I need your help. Which way do you want to see my blog go? I need insight because I've received some intense criticism. I'd like to have it focus on good eats, fitness, and positivity with quotes and pictures appearing on it as well. What would you like to see?

Summertime, and the livins' easy..

2010-05-11T10:15:00.001-07:00

SUMMER is here!
I was officially done with my freshman year around 11.
It feels so strange.
I can't believe I'm actually done for a good 3 1/2 months!
I'm definitely looking forward to this summer.
One things for sure in the summer-
no worries.

2010-05-07T10:22:00.001-07:00

I adore you and everything you do.
I adore the way you make me laugh
& how just looking at you
puts a smile on my face.
I adore how much you listen
to me and the way you joke with me.
But most of all, I adore how
much you care for me <3

2010-05-04T19:58:00.000-07:00

Why is it that The Notebook can fix anything?
Break up with your boyfriend?
It gives you hope that the
right guy is still out there.
Had a bad day?
It allows you to get a good, hard cry out.
In the mood for a good love story?
Yep, it will satisfy that need too.
By far one of the best movies, ever.
Rachel McAdams & Ryan Gosling-
get back together already!

2010-05-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

I woke up to the sound of thunder today.
Something about these days just make me
want to curl up on my couch and watch
movies all day long.

2010-05-03T17:44:00.000-07:00

I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand

Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand

Life is good today. Life is good today.
***********
Oh sweet summer.
You seem so close, yet so far out of reach.
I hope these next few days fly by.
Summer 2010, here I come.
It WILL be one of the best.

2010-05-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

I unfortunately won't be able to update
my blog much, if at all, for a little while.
I really have to buckle down
& finish the rest of the semester.
So check back around May 11th.
<3

2010-04-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

How crazy is this to really think about.
We have one life.
Just one.
How insane.
I get extremely creeped out if I
think about this for too long.
I don't like to think about how short
I'll be on this planet for.
It's depressing.
So lets live it up.
Here's to life.
Here's to living every single day like it's your last.

2010-04-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

I think this is so interesting.
It holds so much truth.
Think about it.

2010-04-28T14:49:00.001-07:00

I've always thought this was so neat.
I will have something like this in my house someday :)

This is insane

2010-04-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

This is the crap we are putting into our bodies!
Educate yourselves!

2010-04-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

How many weight-loss strategies have you heard? I've heard of a TON, and I'm sure you have too. To me, weight loss is all about food, exercise and stress management. Until you get those factors in order, you are likely to have trouble losing weight. As far as food goes, there is no perfect diet that will work for everyone. Focus on eating natural whole foods like these top 7 and you’re on your way to success. Don’t forget about exercise and stress reduction!

Apples – One of my favorite fruits to snack on. Since they’re crunchy and full of fiber, I can eat an apple and feel pretty full. Cutting an apple into slices makes it more appealing to eat. Try dipping it in natural peanut butter, or almond butter. Delicious. Snacks with low calories and fiber are a great way to keep you from snacking on bad stuff in between meals.
Hot Peppers - Adding hot peppers to your meals is a rewarding weight loss technique. Studies show that hot peppers help curb your appetite and can also speed up your metabolism. They also help keep you from overeating during a meal. Try adding them to salsas, stir-fries, omelets, and salads. (This one is definitely not for me - pepper is too spicy for me at times!)
Whole Grains – Preparing whole grains with your meals can be extremely helpful for weight loss. Try whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oats, and buckwheat to make your meals super filling without any guilt. Your body is actually more satisfied after eating whole grains than it is after eating processed bread or cereal (not really whole grains). Each bite takes longer to chew and your body gets more nutrition out of the whole grains. This means less cravings and more weight loss.
Almonds – Handfuls of nuts such as almonds are another favorite snack of mine. I particularly love raw almonds for weight loss because they take longer to chew (since they are so crunchy). Almond milk is good too! Try it in smoothies, milkshakes, or with your morning tea. Try eating a small amount of healthy fat ten minutes prior to your meals (such as a handful of almonds). The healthy fat “helps activate ghrelin, a hormone that lets you know you’re full.”
Water – I included water in my list of “foods” because when you’re trying to lose weight, it’s smart to consider water a food. It nourishes your body and you can use it to avoid feelings of hunger throughout the day. Many people walk around dehydrated on a daily basis. Anytime you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water before you start eating. It will help you consume less calories.
Root Vegetables – Veggies like carrots, onions, sweet potatoes, etc. are also surprisingly helpful for losing weight. Root vegetables are naturally sweet and are therefore a big help in reducing cravings for sugar They’re high in fiber and are guaranteed to keep you satisfied. Season with fresh herbs and a tiny drizzle of olive oil for flavor.
Greens – Last but not least, greens are the most important food that most people forget to eat. First off, green vegetables such as kale, broccoli, and spinach and superfoods. Greens are alkaline foods that help balance the acidic environment inside our bodies caused by poor diet.

2010-04-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

I used to love doing this in elementary school.
Those were the days.

2010-04-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

I want to dance in the rain.
Run in the rain.
Play outside in the rain.
One of the favorite memories to date was the
day my hometown was basically flooded.
My friends and I took full
advantage of all of the rain and
went mud sliding, etc. and had such a fun day.
Nothing like laying plastic wrap down on
a hill, pouring soap down
it and then flying down. A little dangerous, yes.
But that is what being young is all about.

2010-04-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Things That Make Life Worth Living:
Falling in love.
Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
Milkshakes.
Bubble baths.
Giggling.
Long conversations late at night.
The beach.
Running through sprinklers.
Laughing at an inside joke.
Laughing at yourself.
Laughing so hard your stomach hurts.
Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
Just plain laughing.
Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
Friends.
Accidentally overhearing someone
say something nice about you.
Waking up and realizing you still
have a few hours left to sleep.
First kisses.
Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
Playing with a new puppy.
Sweet dreams.
Hot chocolate.
Road trips with friends.
Making chocolate chip cookies.
Holding hands with someone you care about.
Watching the sunrise.
Watching a sunset.
Getting out of bed in the morning after sleeping in
and looking out the window to see it’s sunny, birds
are chirping, and kids are playing.
Knowing that somebody misses you.

Vote! Tell your friends!

2010-04-23T10:57:00.001-07:00

Alright guys, it's time to support me and vote for me for Peta2's Cutest Vegetarian Alive!

Vote here!

How to reduce your carbon footprint

2010-04-22T18:36:00.000-07:00

1) When your light bulbs go kaput, install a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL). It's one of the quickest and easiest ways to save energy - and money.

2) Unplug things that glow. Your TV, cell phone charger, and printer are likely culprits. Unplug from wall sockets and plug them into power strips instead. When you leave a room, flip the strip switch to cut the flow of electricity.

3) Recycle your electronics (TV's, cellphones, radios, computers, printers, etc.)

4) Support local farmers. Buy organic produce!

5) Do a full load of laundry(preferably in cold water, and after that let it air dry if possible) and make sure the dishwasher is completely full before washing

6) Give up plastic (and paper) bags. Get reusable bags! They even have ones with cute patterns ;)

7) Stop buying bottled water

8) Replace meat and dairy products in your diet with healthful, eco-friendly foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts - even if it's just a few days a week!

9) Walk/bike when you can

10) "Buy what you need, not what you want"

11) Take short showers instead of baths (oops, I'm guilty of this!)

12) Close water taps when brushing your teeth

13) Choose natural, non-toxic cleaning products

14) Buy used items from garage sales and second-hand stores

15) RECYCLE of course!

2010-04-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

I love Earth Day, and I try to
make every day Earth Day...
So come celebrate with me!
Spread some love to your planet today!

Here is some info about Earth Day:

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.

Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.

To learn more about Earth Day and see how you can get involved, check out www.earthday.org.

I'll post later on things you can do to help make our planet just a little bit greener! :)

2010-04-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

It's so nice to look around and see
the flowers outside blooming.
A little bit of colorful adds so
much happiness to my life.
I love spring.

2010-04-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

I had posted a survey 2 weeks ago
and it's time to post the results!
Unfortunately, I only had 9 people take the survey.
But here are the results anyway!

Q: How old are you?
A: 7 were 18 and under, and 2 were between ages 19-21

Q: Do you think that images of women/girls in the media have a direct result on how women/girls feel about and take care of themselves?
A: 5 said absolutely, and 4 said somewhat

Q: Most models I see in the magazines I read are:
A: 5 said too skinny, 4 said just right

Q: How often do you compare your body to a celebrity's body?
A: 6 said always, 3 said sometimes

Q: I am currently satisfied with my physical image:
A: 1 said not at all, 7 said somewhat satisfied, and 1 said satisfied

Q: How often do you compare your body to a celebrity's body?
A: 5 said all the time, 4 said sometimes

Q: Do you like the image on the left or on the right more?

A: 1 said left, 8 said right
Q: Do you like the image on the left or on the right more?
A: 4 said left, 5 said right

- So what I got from this survey was that girls/women are certainly affected by the models or celebrities they see in magazines. And I wasn't surprised more readers liked the airbrushed photos more than the actual ones because that is what appeals to the eye. However, I did want to make a point with those photos. The photos you see in magazines are more often than not, NOT how they actually look. So the comparing we all do to celebrities is pretty much pointless. That's not actually how they look. Love who you are at all times, and just work on being the best YOU that you can. Because really, that is all you can do - just be the best you :) Remember that everyone has small flaws, and that is what makes this world beautiful & unique.

I'm never going to like my cellulite, but I've got it and there's nothing I can do about it(thanks genes) . Instead of saying "OMG I hate my legs, I hate my cellulite" all the time, which won't do me any good.. I try to stay positive and just accept it. Pretty much every woman has it, and if they don't then wow they got lucky.

Quick fun fact: I love when STAR magazine or other magazines have issues about the best & worst beach bodies, and stars with cellulite. Is it wrong that I like to see their flaws, to just know that they've got some!? I think not :)

Well, enjoy this beautiful day :) Go out and spend some time in the sunshine. Sunshine makes everything better <3

Happy Birthday!

2010-04-20T07:15:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to the most
beautiful woman I know, my Nana.
I love her so much! <3

Dr. McDougall's Soups!

2010-04-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

Well these are just to die for! DELICIOUS I tell you! I've tried the White Bean & Pasta soup, as well as the Light Sodium Chicken Noodle Soup. YUMMY!

A good pre-packaged vegan soup is hard to come by these days, and thanks to the recommendation from a friend I decided to try these out. I'm so glad I did, and I can't wait to try the other kinds!

Dr. McDougall's Right Foods soups (and other products) are natural, low in fat without any animal products or cholesterol. They use non- genetically modified ingredients and create something nutritious, and all-natural. I recommend these to all! :)