Blooming on Bainbridge

How to Know You're a JUNK FOOD Addict!

2013-05-20T11:11:00.003-07:00

Wanna know how to wean yourself from eating junk food?
That's easy.
Eat junk food for 3 months!
Take it from someone who's been in the viscous, addictive cycle of eating JUNK since purchasing a new home and putting an existing home on the market.
JUNK FOOD HAPPENS!
I am telling you.
It does!
When you least expect it; an addiction to junk food creeps up on you.
Believe me.
It can happen to the best of us.
Even if you're someone like me who prides themselves in living fit and eating healthy foods.
THIS CAN HAPPEN TO YOU.
If you don't know the signs and symptoms of consuming too much junk; here are just a few:
*You rarely buy groceries.
When you do make it to the market; sweet people that work there may ask where you've been.
Standing in line to check out you ponder the question and begin wondering the same thing yourself.
"WHERE HAVE I BEEN?"
*You notice cycles that repeat themselves over and over again.
Lots of cycles. Cycles of all sorts. Phone calls that occur at the same time, every night. "What's for dinner?" Mexican, Thai, Chinese, pizza, popcorn, frozen yogurt with sprinkles. That's the cycle. That's the rotation. The choices are always the same. Over and over again. It's embarrassing. But you don't care. You know it won't last. You know it's just to pacify the stressful phase of life you're in. That's part of the viscous cycle of it all. You don't care. You just pick up the phone and call for take out.
*Peolple at the "take out places" begin to notice the cycle of events.
SERIOUSLY?
This is a BIGGIE!
This is BAD!
This is beyond what you EVER imagined your life would be.
WHAT? The sweet man at the Thai place giggles when you call and says "You ordered the same thing Sunday night."
WHAT! Who am I? Find me a rock. I'm crawling under it. Right after I eat the Thai food!
*Exercise routines fall to the wayside.
Your mind is consumed with all that's going on. You spend far too much time on the computer, pinning home decor/remodeling ideas for the new house. SUNSHINE calls, but you ignore the fact that it's a beautiful day and continue searching for the perfect lighting and how the kitchen should be designed. You dare not go to hot YOGA, which is exactly where you should be. You vow. You promise.
"Next week I'll feel like decking out for yoga and sweating with my yogi friends. Next week I won't be consuming all of the JUNK and I'll feel better."
YOGA + JUNK FOOD do not mix. The End.
*Your face looks puffy and your skin doesn't GLOW!
Every morning you wake up to the mirror. Every morning you look to see if by chance you are glowing despite the consumption of toxic food. Every morning you sigh. There's no glow. There's no spark. Where are YOU?
*The wear & tear on your body finally takes it's toll.
You may be out hiking or piddling around the house and begin to feel a jiggle in your thighs. You may or may not begin to feel the humongous POOCH in your abdominal section every time you bend over. You may even FOOLISHLY find yourself surprised at the way your body has responded to three months of JUNK! That's when you stop dead in your tracks. That's when reality hits. That's when the ah-ha moment arrives. That's when you strip off the yoga pants and rush to your jeans. At least they still button. At least the damage is not so bad that your favorite pair of jeans won't pull up. There's a glimmer of hope within the viscous cycle. Gratitude surfaces and a consciousness of being kind to your body makes it's way to the inner most depths of who you are.
JUNK FOOD HAPPENS.
Beware. Friday I made my way to the market for fresh veggies.
Saturday morning I got up and began chopping. Let me tell ya!
When I started chopping veggies to make an egg scramble it was like my soul was revived! I could just feel an awakening. I know that sounds dramatic but it happened! A light inside of me began to flicker. There was an instant spring in my step. The smell of those fresh veggies lightened the kitchen and brought things to life! It happened.
For real and forever it happened.
If you're in the mood for a big dose of veggies, scramble them up with a few eggs, canadian bacon and feta cheese. You could totally make the scramble with just egg whites and eliminate the canadian bacon and feta cheese. When I served this up in a bowl to Greg he said,
"Now this is the Teresa I know! She's back!"
Honestly.
That was sweet music to my ears.
At least my husband doesn't associate the REAL me with bounds of JUNK food. At least he never loses sight of who I truly am. Even when we detour into JUNK FOOD LAND he still can see the health conscious, healthy eating soul that strives to LIVE FIT. Have you experienced a phase in your life when you were addicted to junk food?
Don't you just love it when that little glimmer of hope and gratitude surfaces out from under the crazy, stressful rat-race of life?
Wishing you a week full of SUNSHINE and peace!
Love & hugs & JOY to you!
Follow #1925bungalowremodel on BloomBainbridge Instagram if you like.
I'll be sharing lots about the new house soon!
xo
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Orla Kiely Wallpaper Art

2013-05-06T01:03:00.002-07:00

I've always loved wallpaper.
My Mother also loves wallpaper. She always wallpapered walls in the homes that we grew up in.
Lots of the walls in our house on The Farm are wallpapered.
The first time we looked at the bungalow, I kept saying to Greg, "That wall is just waiting to be wallpapered."
Fortunately Greg flows right along with my funky, far-out decorating ideas. Unless I'm wanting to paint his favorite BROWN piece of furniture that is.
After we purchased the bungalow, I spent hours looking at wallpaper. Searching for wallpaper is one of my favorite things to do. I especially fell in love with this Orla Kiely wallpaper! Oh my goodness! Talk about cute and funky and happy and totally ME! I've decided to use this Multi Stem Orla Kiely wallpaer in the Bloom studio. There are several Orla Kiely wallpapers I would love to use in our new home. Just like with fabirc, when you're shopping for wallpaper, you can order samples. Jennifer Garvey at the Seattle Design Center mailed me all the wallpaper samples I needed to pick and choose designs for the house. Mary Terry, at Furnish Bainbridge, will be assisting with measuring and ordering the wallpaper. Talk about adorable! Mary Terry is a dream designer to work with. I'll be posting more about Mary, and Terri, and the design services offered at Furnish Bainbridge.
So as you know, I've been staging our home now to sell.
I needed a pop of color in the laundry room.
That's when I decided to whip up some Wallpaper Art!
It's so easy!
This project seriously takes less than 10 minutes and ta-dah!
You are done!
Obviously you need wallpaper.
And a large frame. Clean the glass in the frame with Windex. Take the mat out of the frame. Lay the mat on the back of the wallpaper sample.
Mark & trim off excess wallpaper on both ends. Lay the wallpaper face down on the glass of frame. Lay mat on top of wallpaper. Tape mat to the wallpaper to secure the wallpaper from sliding. Secure the frame on the back. And there you have it!
How easy is that!
How cute is that!
Adorable!
That's what I say!
The perfect little modern splash of WOW!
Makes me happy every time I open the laundry room door!
How bout' you?
Do you like wallpaper?
I've got the feeling you either LOVE it or you don't.
Wallpaper has a bad-rep if you ask me. I think it's because so many people have found themselves having to scrape and peel wallpaper off of walls before painting.
Most of the time I just paint right over a wallpapered wall. But that's just me.
I just can't resist the punch of design wallpaper adds to a room.
Can't wait to share the designs I've selected for the new house.
Happy Week my Friends!
ENJOY every minute.
Life is short.
Too short.
Have FUN & LOVE & PLAY & SMILE!
Don't let anyone or anything bring you down!
SHINE on!
xo
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Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

2013-05-03T00:15:00.000-07:00

Can I just say.
Let the BEFORE & AFTER's begin!
Thanks so much for the love, enthusiasm, congrats & sweet wishes!
We're so excited to share our beachy bungalow with you!
Before life begins in our new home we must first sell the home we're in now.
A big part of selling a home is staging it for potential buyers.
You may not know this but there's been a BIG BROWN piece of furniture in our master bedroom over the past few years. It's been the topic of many heated discussions.
It's like a big BROWN deal in our marriage.
It looks like this.

When we began staging to sell our home, I was determined to lighten up the room by painting this piece of furniture.
Greg likes it BROWN.
I wanted it white.
This one piece of furniture has been a major source of TENSION between us. Like we can be happy and hiking on a trail. If I just happen to bring up the BROWN piece of furniture, the tone of conversation between us totally changes.
It's almost like it's Greg last hope of having something in the home that represents his style. I've told him over and over and over again that BROWN fancy furniture is just not cool.
It's not hip.
It's not what's in style. It doesn't lend itself to the casual, coastal, shabby way that we live.
I've also tried to explain to Greg that I've only ever seen BROWN furniture in "Before" pictures.
I mean am I right?
Or are you one of those rare peeps out there that prefers the original, fancy finish on old brown furniture?
It's okay if you are.
I still love you.
I still love Greg.
I just want WHITE shabby furniture in our home. That's not too much to ask.
A month or so ago I finally purchased my first can of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Annie Sloan Wax. My sister and several friends have been raving about it! Like it's the best thing that's ever happened! I kid you not. Everyone I know that uses Annie Sloan paint is wild about it! My sister paints all kinds of things with Annie Sloan paint. I was thrilled when I found a stockist not too far from Bainbridge Island. If you live near Bainbridge Island, you can find the Annie Sloan paint at Ole & Inga. Molly is the owner of the precious vintage shop and she will help you get started.
The beauty of Annie Sloan paint for me, is that it suits my personality. You don't have to prime whatever you're painting. You just dive in and start painting! I like that!
Also you can be messy! Take a peek at Annie Sloan slapping the paint on in all kinds of directions. I love how she just picks up whatever brush is available and starts painting every which way. There's nothing formal about using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I like that.
There are lots of techniques you can use.
I'll be featuring "Before & After's" of pieces that I'm painting for the new house. I'll also be featuring a step-by-step tutorial of some of the painting & waxing techniques and tips I've learned.
Let me just say this.
One thing I really really really love about Annie Sloan paint is that I'm GOOD AT IT!
That's one reason I fell instantly in love with it.
I could honestly transform a piece of furniture into a WOW piece! Like something out of a magazine. That made me feel good.
I always thought my sister was the only one in the family that could transform a piece of furniture. With Annie Sloan paint I discovered that I too could do a pretty good job!
It also caught Greg's eye. That's a biggie!
Like he was seeing me in a whole, new light.
I kid you not.
It wasn't until I began painting pieces of furniture with Annie Sloan that he finalllllllllllllllllly gave in and let me transform the BROWN piece of furniture to a WHITE shabby, beachy more casual look!
Ta-Dah!
How do you like it?
I used Annie Sloan Pure White on this piece but I have plans to paint over the white with Annie Sloan Napoleonic when I move this piece to the guest bedroom in the bungalow.
Have you tried Annie Sloan Chalk Paint?
What have you painted?

Do you have any pieces of furniture your man refuses to let you paint?
Happy Weekend my FRIENDS!
If you live in the Northwest....ENJOY the SUNSHINE! Yeah for sunny days!
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A House Blessing from my Mother

2013-04-30T19:44:00.000-07:00

I know it's been awhile.
I can only imagine how bored you are with the PINK Salad that's been posted for over a month.
Thank you for loving Blooming on Bainbridge through transitional phases. Sometimes things happen when you least expect them. Sometimes God takes you off guard and surprises you. Sometimes your heart is so full. So grateful. You gravitate inward. You must intimately dwell within the beauty and wonderment of the moment. It is only then you may find yourself ready. Ready to share with others the unexpected direction your life has taken. I sincerely hope you realize what sharing my world with you means from day to day.
I pray you never, ever feel taken for granted. I want you to know that as crazy as it sounds, YOU are always with me. Everything sweet and sentimental, sad and happy, that happens in my world, I always find JOY and comfort in sharing with you.
YOU are a gift.
Honestly.
One of the greatest pleasures in my life.
Thank you for this. For as long as I can remember; I have dreamed of finding the perfect little cottage, nestled in a magical spot, where I could create the lifestyle I love to live.
A home that opens up to the natural beauty of God's world.
A home where fur-balls run free in the green grass and crickets and frogs chirp you to sleep at night.
A place where family and friends gather to enjoy good food and relax to the crackle of the fire while roasting marshmallows and gazing at stars.
A home that's been loved, weathered, and lived in over the years.
A place where traditions are continued and new ones are created.
A home that's so much more than a "house."
That's what I've always dreamed of finding.
As I write; I'm not exactly sure how to word what I'd like to share. That's because the sparkle of this dream has been ignited for so long. Snuggled within the deepest, depths of my soul.
Always yearning. Always waiting. Always faithful.
Sometimes when dreams are so big, and long-lived within your heart, it's challenging to convey the meaning and beauty of it all to others.
I've lived in many lovely places over the years.
As much as I've loved them all, I've only ever referred to one place as "home" and that's The Farm in Alabama. That's because The Farm "in the country" is not just a "house."
The Farm is a life-style. That's why we love it.
That's why we all call it "home." That's why we congregate there. We stay for long lengths of time. We hibernate with just each other. We call it a "world away from the world." We walk for hours on the dirt road. We sit on the porch with the dogs and eat watermelon. We sit silently and stare at the sky. We cry there. We heal. We laugh and love and play and do the same things over and over and over again.
The kind of things you can only do on 90 acres in the middle of nowhere. Four years ago, right before moving to Bainbridge Island, I gave my Mother the book "A House Blessing." In the book I noted all my favorite things about The Farm.

I wanted my parents to know just how much I love all that they've created for us to enjoy "in the country."
Yesterday I received "A House Blessing" from my Mother. Inscribed were these words.

After four years of dreaming, drooling and driving the South end of Bainbridge Island, on the look-out for the perfect little cottage, Greg and I finally found that special place God intended us to be. Needless to say we flew into gear and made "the dream" a reality. The past two months have been spent purchasing a 1920's beach style bungalow, getting our home ready to place on the market, packing up, renting a storage unit, meeting with our contractor about remodeling the bungalow, eating way too much fast food, and trying to keep Doogan and Isabelle contained and off the white slip covers so our home is always sparkly and ready to show. I hope you're ready to see our cottage!
I hope you're ready for lots of "before & after" remodeling post. I hope you know how excited I am to share this adventure with you!
Doogan and Isabelle can't wait for you to see their new home and the lovely fence that's being designed and built for them to enjoy!Thank you for the JOY it brings our way to share this dream with you!
Thank you for emailing and letting us know you've missed us on the blog.
Thank you for who you are in our hearts!
For the JOY & SMILES you bring.
Some of you have even emailed that YOU ARE MOVING TO BAINBRIDGE ISLAND!
What!!!!
How exciting is that!I can hardly wait to bake for you in the new kitchen.
I can hardly believe I'll be sleeping in and waking up to one of the original cottages built here on Bainbridge Island. Don't you just love it when dreams come true.
I can't tell you how much this book meant to me from my Mother.
She's an angel. There's no doubt about that.
If anyone knows how long I've dreamed of dwelling within the loveliness of a little, old cottage it's my Mother. We've spent countless hours sharing our love for cottages and the sweet, cozy lifestyle cottages create.
This is the sweet poem she wrote in the back of the book about The Farm.I pray God's blessing on this sweet little cottage we have fallen in love with.
I can't wait to share it with you. Welleran Poltarnees is the author of A House Blessing and "the blessing books." He's one of my mother's all time favorites. She's collected most of his books and gives them for gifts on sweet occasions. I love you Mother. Thank you for dreaming with me.
Thanks to my Greg for making this dream happen. I love you with all my heart.
Thanks to my sweet furballs Doogan & Isabelle. Thanks for your patience as we transition from one home to another. I can't wait to spend our days & nights together in our sweet little bungalow.
Thanks to my sister Melly for flying out to share in the JOY and help with remodeling plans and design.
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Pink Salad

2013-03-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

Pink Salad.
Perfect for Easter.
Perfect for anytime you need a splash of PINK!
Believe it or not, my mother always serves Pink Salad on Christmas day.
It's festive!
It's fun!
It's Southern!
And it's good!
Let's get right to it shall we. Pink Salad
1- 13 oz. can Pineapple Tidbits
1- 14 oz. can Eagled Brand Condensed Milk
1- 13 oz. Cool Whip
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 cup toasted pecans
*toasted coconut on top {optional}
9 x 13 inch pan for freezing or big glass bowl for serving chilled
Begin by adding pineapple to large mixing bowl.
Add Eagle Brand milk, cherries and Cool Whip. Gently stir. Stir until well combined, and PINK! Add the marshmallows. Roughly chop toasted pecans. Add pecans. Stir gently combining marshmallows and pecans. Spoon salad into large bowl & cover. Chill overnight or at least 4-5 hours. Chilling allows the yummy flavors to combine. Serve in a big glass bowl. Garnish the top with toasted pecans & coconut if desired. Mother's recipe recommends spooning the salad into 9 x 13 pan to freeze. If you freeze the salad you will cut it into squares once it's frozen for serving.
Either way it's over the PINK moon and back good! Pink Salad!
You'll like it.
Happy Happy Easter Weekend Sweet Sweet Friends!
It's SUNNY here in the Northwest!
Wishing you SUNNY skies!
Heart you all!
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Easter Candy Cookies

2013-03-26T09:58:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist.
I just had to chop up more Easter candy.
That Easter Bunny Bark sent me to the moon and back!
I've been sky-high on Easter candy!
Here's the thing about Easter Candy.
It's not the same as Halloween, Christmas and Valentines.
Easter candy tugs at the heart strings.
We're sentimentally attached to chocolate bunnies, malted eggs, speckled jelly beans, Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs and PEEPS! Most of us grew up celebrating Easter and hunting Easter eggs. My mother always hid the Easter candy in the living room. She delivered Easter baskets to our beds. Then we'd go to the living room and look for candy. Mother would say if we were "hot" or "cold" or "luke-warm." It was the biggest deal to find the candy. We always took Easter candy in our new Easter purses to church.
Honestly.
It seems like just yesterday my sister and I were painting our lips blue with malted eggs. Maybe that's because we still do! Maybe that's because we always call each other, every, single, year when we spot the first bag of Brach's Malted Easter Eggs!
I'm so excited about these cookies!
That's because they're not just adorable and FUN and perfect for parties!
These cookies are seriously scrumptious!
I know you believe me.

Here's what you need.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Follow the recipe for M&M Cookies.
Substitute M&Ms with 2 cups {or more} of Easter Candy.
Begin by making the cookie dough. Roughly chop the Easter candy. Add all but 1/2 cup of the candy to the cookie dough.
Save about 1/2 cup of candy to press in cookies right before baking.
Keep on adding candy! If that's not HAPPY I don't know what is! Gently stir the dough. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease Fat Daddio's Muffin Pan.
Scoop cookie dough in balls onto baking sheet. Gently pat cookies down a bit. Add more Easter candy chunks to cookie. Make sure chunks are pressed into dough but still sticking up. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Don't over bake the cookies. Let the cookies cool for several minutes while in/on the pan. Stare and smile at the cookies.
Let them know how in love you are with every, little, adorable, sweet, thing about them.
Transfer cookies to cooling rack. These cookies require lots of attention.
Continue to gaze upon them ooooooooohing and awwwwwwing over the loveliness. Take a bite. Fall in love.
The End.
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Easter Bunny Bark

2013-03-18T23:05:00.000-07:00

Peek-a-Boo!
It's me.
Are you still there?
I hope you are, but I wouldn't blame you one bit if you've drifted off into places much more exciting than this blog has been for the past several weeks.
It really is so unlike me just to disappear into Neverland.
I do apologize. Really I do.
But something really exciting happened in our lives about 3 weeks ago. Before I knew it, life got all topsy-turvy in the brightest & most dreamy way possible! Everything has happened so fast, which is why I haven't had time to blog, much less open Bags by Bloom.
I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to keep the exciting news to myself for now.
When the time is right, I'll be beaming to let you in on all that has happened.
For now.
Just believe.
Just know.
DREAMS really do come true!
Speaking of dreams.
I honestly can't think of many things much more dreamy than Easter candy.
Malted eggs!
{Have you ever colored your lips with a BLUE malted egg? Just wondering.}
Crispy Easter bunnies!
Chocolate covered marshmallows!
And pastel jordan almonds.

To make Easter Bunny Bark you'll need:
Chocolate Easter Bunnies
20 ounces of good white chocolate {I used Ghirardelli squares}
Of course you'll need lots of Easter candy!
Begin by roughly chopping the candy. If you've never chopped up Easter candy you need to!
Chopping Easter candy is seriously one of the most over-the-moon FUN things I've ever done! I almost felt guilty when I plopped the bunnies on the chopping block. But then I just started chopping. And kept on chopping til all those little bunnies were in nice, big chunks. Line an 9 x 11 {or close to it} pan with parchment paper. Spray a medium size microwave safe bowl with a bit of oil. This helps the chocolate to pour smoothly. Add all but one bar of chocolate to the bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Continue to microwave chocolate for 30 seconds and then stir until chocolate is melted. Add the remaining chocolate and stir. Keep stirring until additional chocolate melts. If needed, pop the chocolate back in the microwave for 15 seconds, stirring until all the white chocolate is melted. Pour melted chocolate onto parchment paper and spread. Now comes the FUN part. Begin placing Easter candy in the white chocolate. Keep on ploppin' the candy down in the chocolate. You've got to experience the high this will put you on just once in your life. Let the Bunny Bark sit for several hours until it hardens. If you're in a hurry, pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes or so. Make sure it's totally hard before cutting. Transfer bark to a cutting board. Cut the bark into pieces. Can you stand how ADORABLE this is?
I honestly was dancing in the kitchen as I was cutting this up. That's because I've always wanted to make bark.
Making it with chocolate bunnies was just about more than I can handle. If you've never painted your lips with a BLUE malted Easter egg; promise me you will.
And give someone you love a big BLUE kiss!
Thanks for your patience during these topsy-turvy days!
Happy Spring!
Happy Everything!
xo
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Basking in the Sun with Furballs

2013-02-18T00:03:00.001-08:00

Well Hello There!
Don't mind us.
We've been taking it easy, basking in the SUN!
No really.
That's why we haven't posted on the blog in two weeks! ;)
I know.
You know.
That's not all we've been up to.
But when the SUN decides to SHINE here on Bainbridge Island I can promise you we're out basking, enjoying every glorious moment!
I really didn't mean to take such a lonnnnnng break from the blog, but in no time at all, two whole weeks had past. I've been knee deep in fabric, sewing for Bags by Bloom, prepping to open in March. Can you believe what a beautiful little lady Miss Isabelle is growing to be?
She's such a precious angel. She and Doogan are growing closer every day. She's the perfect little sister for Doogan. There have been times I've wondered if Doogan would ever grow to relax and enjoy this little Sweet-Pea. I know it's hard to believe that Isabelle could present a challenge for Doogan. We realized early on that Doogan was desperate to see that Isabelle would not distract from the love, attention and constant care we've given him before her arrival. We could clearly see the concern in Doogan's eyes. There were times he would lay in my lap, watching her play, breathing deep and heavy. I could feel the tension building in Doogan as he watched her. This is when I realized Greg and I would need to devote an ample amount of time securing insecurities in Doogan that Isabelle was bringing about.
I've also had to let go and take a back seat to the lessons Doogan needed to teach Isabelle. At times it seemed as if Doogan was being too hard on Isabelle. It hurt me to see Isabelle being scolded by Doogan, but I had faith and trusted that Doogan knew the importance of the lessons he was teaching. Fortunately Isabelle has adored Doogan since the beginning. She's been very patient and forgiving as Doogan has sorted through the many emotions her presence has brought about. Early this morning I woke up to find them both snuggled between Greg and I in bed. It made my heart smile to see these precious furballs finding comfort in being near to one another. Such a sweet journey that grows sweeter everyday.
What about you?
Have you been basking in the SUNSHINE?
Hugs and LOVE from us to you!
Have a lovely week.
Thanks to Miss Judith for always being there to guide us.
Thanks to Miss Julie for keeping us so fluffy!
We love you both!
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KraZy Kiwi Juice & JUICING!

2013-02-03T23:07:00.001-08:00

Well hello there!
I know what you're thinking.
I just bet you're ~~concerned~~ thinking this blog is going to turn into an ALL JUICE blog!
Surely you know me better than that.
But I'll have to say; there's a whole-lotta juicin' goin' on around here!

Holiday Detox Juice

Not Your Mama's GREEN Juice

PINK Juice

We're discovering first hand all the benefits of JUICING!
Greg jumped on the GREEN JUICE band wagon awhile back and he's like a new man!
I'm totally not kidding! He feels fabulous! And he looks fabulous!
The other day I seriously asked him if he'd gotten a spray tan! Not that he ever has, but he has so much color in his skin. It's like he's been off on a vacay basking in the sunshine!
His eyes are bright and his skin is glowing!
Not to mention how happy it makes me feel to see my man going off to work every morning with loads of energy and a big jug of green juice!
He's even been stocking up on BluePrint Juice from Whole Foods. The other day he called from work and was sipping BluePrint's beet-carrot-apple-lemon-ginger juice.
Who is this man?
I love it!
I love him!
This weekend we juiced up some kiwi!
Greg says the KraZy Kiwi Juice is the best yet!
I think we're just falling in love with fresh juice.
Or maybe I'm just turning into a master-ful JUICER! ;)
Wanna whip up some KraZy Kiwi Juice?
Here ya go!
KraZy Kiwi Juice
Makes about 32 ounces of juice
1 pear
5-6 kiwi (peeled)
1 large English cucumber (sliced in chunks)
6 celery stalks
1 head of romaine lettuce
6 cups spinach
1 teaspoon Stevia
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Here's the thing about juicing.
It takes time.
It's messy.
The kitchen goes from nice and tidy to wet cutting boards, lots of veggies, fruit and a colander.
The juicer itself takes up mega room on the counter, and it's loud. Like really loud!
There's chopping involved.
Messy kitchen + loud noise + chopping = Things I don't like first thing in the morning.
I'm sure there's an easier way, but I haven't found it yet.
So what's the reward?
Why juice?
Why would anyone want to tackle a messy, loud veggie filled kitchen first thing every day?
The only way you will ever understand "why" is to experience it yourself.
At first you'll feel awkward.
I really wish I had a video of my face the first time I cranked up THE JUICER.
I'm almost positive I sent Bridget a text.
It honestly felt so foreign and strange and waaaaaaaaay too much trouble.
Turns out the more I juiced, the less weird it felt.
The more I juiced, the more natural it became.
Here's the bottom line.
When I drink a glass of GREEN juice I feel healthy.
Immediately.
It's like a rush of good health.
I feel nourished.
I feel like I'm being GOOD to ME!
I can hear my body saying "thank you."
When I can look at my husband and see a spark that hasn't been there in awhile.
When I see skin that is glowing and eyes that are twinkling.
When I feel the energy!!!
When the energy plays out as I practice yoga, walk the fur-balls, sew for Bloom, and greet my hubby at night.
That's when I don't mind the messy kitchen and the loud roar of the juicer.
That's when I know I'll be juicing from now until forever.
That's when I totalllllllllly get why those that JUICE, do it with PASSION!
That's why I want to share my love of juicing with YOU!

Thanks for your patience.
I know I sound like a broken-juicing record lately.
Thanks to those of you who have emailed and instagramed and facebooked and tweeted that you are enjoying 40 Days of Healthy Whole Eating & Living.
I've got some yummy recipes to share this week.
I have a feeling 40 days is going to turn into 40 more days and then 40 more.
Everyday we grow.
Cheers to a healthy journey.
Find the BIG FAT fun straws here! I just love big fat straws!
***Juice in BluePrint bottles is the Kiwi Juice.
We recycle the bottles and fill them with juice for on the go!***

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PINK Juice

2013-01-29T22:33:00.000-08:00

Quick!
If you don't like pink, click off this post!
If you do like pink, stay tuned to see how this gorgeous PINK juice came to be.
Best juice I've ever juiced!
Seriously! It is! And it's not just because I'm obsessed with pink.
I've had beets on the grocery list for weeks now.
Funny thing is, whenever I go to the market to get the beets, I always pass them by.
Several times I've picked them up, and held em' and loved em' but I put them back.
That's because beets are a bit intimidating!

Look at those beets!
They honestly look like they've just been pulled from the garden. And basically they have. But this time I decided to rise to the occasion and go for it!
To heck with "beet phobia!"
Once I got going it was like we were always meant to be. I was peeling and loving and smiling and peeling and chopping!
Is it weird that I could hardly wait to juice these beautiful beets?
And by the way~ I like PINK hands! Here's what I juiced to create the BEST PINK JUICE ever! Pretty sure you know how I felt when that lovely shade of pink started coming through the juicer. It was true love at first sight! For real!Here's what else I added to sweeten things up a bit. This pink juice is rich and smooth and velvet like. All gone!

Happy Girl!
So Healthy!
So in love with PINK juice!
Happy juicing!
Cheers to Healthy Whole Eating & Living!
xo

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Lemon Water with Cayenne

2013-01-28T00:05:00.000-08:00

Guess what I've been doing every morning?
Kicking the day off with a big glass of warm lemon water with cayenne pepper!
Stephanie highly recommends beginning every day with this routine. Lemon water with cayenne revs up the system and gets the circulation flowing.
It's kinda like saying "GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!"
Lemon juice is an antioxidant and aids the kidneys and liver by flushing out toxins.
Cayenne pepper helps to boost the metabolism and gets the blood flowing! Here's what I use to make Lemon Water with Cayenne:
30 ounces of H20
juice from one whole lemon
slices of lemons
3 packs of Stevia
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Shake it up and pour in a glass.
Pop it in the microwave until warm. After I sip the first warm cup I chill the rest of the lemon water and sip it cold.
Lemon Water with Cayenne!
It's a big part of living whole & healthy every day!
Happy Monday Sweet Friends!

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Chicken Velvet Soup

2013-01-24T23:02:00.001-08:00

This is one of those times I wish I was a true foodie.
Like I wish I'd been to Foodie College.
Foodies do go to college to learn all about food, right? Or maybe they just eat at fancy places and sip wine with cool, hip friends and talk about food. Whatever they do, I feel certain they've mastered the art of describing food in ways that make others want to indulge in the goodness of whatever it is they're eating.
I say all that to say, I really wish I knew how to convey the divine lusciousness of this soup.
I felt like a certified foodie when I was whipping it up. It's not everyday I slice, peel and chop a kabocha squash. Kabocha is a winter squash that's sweet in flavor. The texture is much like pumpkin.When I sliced it open I was like "whoa!"
Seriously.
That's what I said, "WHOA! This is fancy!"Nice thing about Kabocha squash is that it's healthy!
It's rich in fiber and beta carotene.
Wanna know what I did for the very first time? I glanced over the original recipe and noted what substitutions could be made to make the soup healthy. Yeah!
Modifying a recipe with the intention of creating a healthy alternative is something Stephanie encouraged me to try. She knows I love to cook and bake but I'm also striving to live fit and eat healthy. I think the suggestion from Stephanie is brilliant! It's empowering to transform recipes into healthy, whole food creations that you can feel good about eating.
So let's get started on making the soup.
It's not the easiest soup to throw together, but it's rich and creamy and healthy!
Totally worth the prep time!
Chicken Velvet Soup
Inspired/adapted from Susanna Foo Fresh Inspiration~
3 boneless chicken breast {cooked & cut into bite size pieces}
1 extra large egg white
1 tablespoon vodka
2 tablespoons ice water
1 tablespoon arrowroot powder{or cornstarch}
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup white wine
2 shallots {minced}
6 green onions {chopped}
1 tablespoon grated, fresh ginger
1/2 kabocha squash (1 pound) peeled, seeded and cut into small chunks
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 teaspoon arrowroot powder {or cornstarch} mixed with 1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup Fage yogurt
coarse sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
chopped fresh chives
Begin by making homemade chicken/veggie stock or use pre-made stock of choice.
Bake or boil 3 boneless chicken breast.
Chop up the chicken. Place the chicken in a medium size bowl.
Mix the egg white, vodka {you heard me}, 2 tablespoons of ice water, and the arrowroot in a small bowl. Pour the vodka mix over the chicken and stir until combined.
Cover and pop in the fridge. Heat the oil and wine in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the shallots and chopped green onions. Stir about 5 minutes until lightly browned. Add the grated ginger and squash. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes. Pour in the stock. Stir in one teaspoon arrowroot mixed with water.
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
In a small bowl mix the yogurt with 1/2 cup of broth from soup.
Add yogurt mix to soup.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Let cool slightly.
Puree soup with a stick blender. Bring the soup to a boil.
Turn the heat to very low.
Slowly add the chicken mixture.
Stir until all the chicken pieces are separated.
Chop up a bunch of chives. Pour up a bowl and garnish with fresh chives. I'm going to make a big statement.
Listen up~okay.
This soup is honestly one of the top five things I've ever tasted.
Believe me.
It is.
Greg absolutely luuuuuuuuuuved it!
And.
It's healthy and packed with nutrients!
Enjoy!
Happy Weekend!

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Not Your Mama's GREEN Juice

2013-01-20T21:54:00.001-08:00

Hey There!
How was your weekend?
Ours was low-key. We were still in our jammies on Saturday at noon. The sun came out on Sunday and Sweet-Pea got to take a short walk for the first time since the surgery. She was so happy to be out & about.
You may have noticed that I didn't add a number of day to this post.
That's because I can't keep up with posting every, single day like I promised I would during the 40 Days of Healthy Whole Eating & Living. Would you mind if I broke the promise? ;) I should have known myself better than to promise 40 straight days of blog post.
It's all part of the journey for me. I'm slowly giving up time on the computer so that I can unclog my mind and focus on genuine things that matter the most in my life. Posting every night is just too time consuming. I feel like my mind is always in a state of "planning what to post."
That's all on that for now.
Let's chat about this yummy juice. I'm calling it Not Your Mama's GREEN Juice because I'm certain MY MAMA would never, ever, ever make it. Would yours?
We've been juicing every morning.
There's just something so COOL and healthy about cranking up THE JUICER!
Today I whipped up the best green juice yet. Seriously.
I was quite pleased with myself.
It's so much fun to try different concoctions and see how they turn out! This juice is very sweet with a twist of vanilla!
That's right!
Vanilla is the secret ingredient!
Oh! And cinnamon! You've just got to try vanilla and cinnamon in green juice!
I know it sounds weird but really it's not.
Here's the recipe:
Makes just enough for 2~
1 lemon
1 orange
1 green apple
5-6 stalks of celery
1 cucumber
1 head of romaine lettuce
5 cups/big handfuls of baby spinach
pinch of fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons powdered Stevia
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
orange slices for garnish
crushed ice {optional} Add the Stevia. Add the cinnamon. And the vanilla. Give it a stir and pour it up. Add crushed ice and garnish with a slice of orange.
It's as easy & healthy as that!
I've got a heavenly soup to share with you this week.
Honestly the best soup I've ever made, and healthy!
And. Made with VODKA!
VODKA's healthy~right!
Here's to a week of HEALTHY-WHOLE LIVING!

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Day 10: The Daily Dozen

2013-01-18T12:10:00.002-08:00

Oh My Goodness!
The days get away! Especially when you've got a Sweet-Pea that is recovering from surgery.
Thank you for the care and concern you have shown this little angel.
Isabelle is recovering well but does not like the cone on her head. The first night home she began whimpering, which turned into a cry. Turns out every time I loved on her and took the cone off she stopped crying. She honestly freezes when she's wearing it. When she's not frozen she's going in circles trying to figure out which way to go. It doesn't help that her brother stares at her like she's an alien & turns his back on her AND leaves the room. Sad. I know.
I've spent much of my time over the past few days laying with her and sweet talking her through this traumatic ordeal. Every day is better.
So let's talk about The Daily Dozen and how 12 things that I do every single day play into whole living.
Here's the thing.
This list has basically been the same for the past 20 years, give or take a few things like juicing and hot yoga , which by the way, I knew nothing about before meeting Stephanie & Jen.
Here's what worries me.
There are days that get away and I haven't even accomplished the basics in life.
The basics being these 12 things.
Daily routines I consider essential to keeping my life and myself balanced and glowing.
That's why I'm making a concentrated effort to do these basic things every day.
The daily dozen list is at the core of whole living for me.
It encompasses all the things that mean the most to me and create THE BEST within me.
Number 1 on the list.
Going GREEN!
JUICING DAILY!
Beginning every day with a big glass of HEALTHY GREEN JUICE has become vital in the daily scheme of things! That's because it's the most nutritious way to start a day! It is. There's no way around it!
Number 2.I love to get up early and sit in the dark with my coffee. It's peaceful. Almost like meditating. I just sit, and stare and rest my mind. That's all. Just sit and stare and feel the warmth of the fire.
Number 3.
Journaling and touching base with my day/life planner. There's nothing that makes me feel better than journaling.
I like feeling in touch with my thoughts and my plans.
It centers me. And I like that.
Number 4. It's just crazy to think that a day could go by without stopping to pray. This is when I know my mind is cluttered & clogged. Not one thing should come before the time I spend with God every day.
Number 5.
I don't even know who I am if I go a day without washing and hydrating my face.
Who does that? Seriously.
I'm not even going there!
Number 6.
Speaking of hydration, lately I've had to make a concentrated effort to fill my water bottle with ice and water so that it's ready to sip all day! Why am I having to concentrate to get this done!
Who am I!
Is life so crazy that I have trouble stopping to fill a bottle of water?
It takes all day to drink 100 ounces of water!
Maybe I need to get the water bottle ready the night before. Let's move on.
Number 7.
Walking and hiking with furry children. This is a must.
They count on this outing.
It's good for the soul.
It can't be skipped.
It's life & I'm grateful.
Number 8.
Even if it's just for 30 minutes a day, reading self-nourishing material keeps me learning and growing and living with intention. By the way, have you ever popped into the sun-shiney world of Kris Carr? I'm in LOVE!
Number 9. I don't know about you but I wanna live the extra 6 years that flossing adds to your life! Don't you?
Number 10.
Practicing yoga every, single, day. Before I discovered yoga, I didn't even know it was a practice. I sure didn't know that yoga was something you carried off of the mat and used throughout the day. Who knew how important the practice of yoga is on a daily basis. Not me. But I do now. That's why I've committed to 40 Days of YOGA. That's why I'm striving to break the cycles of neglect that I go through when I toss my practice aside. It's a journey, and I'm always traveling.
Number 11.
My poor little feet suffer lots of wear & tear. I go for monthly pedicures put my feet need attention every day. Buffing and slathering my feet with shea butter every night keeps them pampered and looking smooth and pretty. I like smooth feet. Don't you?
Number 12.
Last, but by no means least on the daily dozen list. Hugging Greg may sound crazy to have on a list but I am telling you, there are days that go by and I don't take the time to wrap my arms around the man that I love and tell him how much I love and appreciate him.
THAT IS CRAZY!
What if I lost him?
What if tomorrow he wasn't here for me to hug?
Shhhhhhh. Don't tell my Daddy, but years ago my Mother committed to hugging him every single morning. And that's what happens. Every single morning when my Mother greets my Daddy she gives him a big bear hug and whispers "I love you."
Seriously. She does it every morning. Can't take the sweetness.
This is what I'm vowing to do. Life is too short.
HUG YOUR HUBBY!
Hug him today! Tonight! All day long!
HUG HIM!
And there you have it.
Twelve things that I do every day when I'm living whole and true to what makes me happy in life.
What about you?
Do you have a list of daily things? It's all part of what I call whole-healthy living.
Happy Weekend my friends!
See you on Monday!
ENJOY & live GRATEFUL.

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Day 9: Healthy Baking! Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

2013-01-15T23:21:00.003-08:00

Who knew baking healthy was so much FUN!
These cookies are vegan, wheat-free and sugar-free {as in no refined sugar}.
What?
Who am I? Baking healthy today was making my heart sing!
Remember I mentioned that Stephanie and I discovered ways in which I battle myself as I strive to embrace eating & living healthy and whole? Well one of the ways I battle myself is by baking sweet treats that sabotage my efforts to eliminate sugar from my diet. Stephanie and I have spoken at length about this obstacle. There will always be a time and a place for baking with sugar and sprinkles, but why not bake treats that are healthier to nibble on and less sabotaging? This is a big part of the journey for me.
Finding JOY in baking healthy!
Honestly. It's the best of both worlds as far as I'm concerned.
I hope you'll make these cookies. I've always loved a cookie baked with jam. These cookies are sprinkled with sea salt and toasted pumpkin seeds.
Here's what you need to bake these scrumptious cookies. Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Recipe modified from Eat, Drink & Be Vegan~
3/4 cup barley flour
2/3 cup oat flour
1/2 cup crushed, toasted walnuts
1 teaspoon Stevia sweetener
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 Tablespoons brown rice syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond
1/4 cup organic canola oil
1/2 cup sugar-free raspberry preserves or preserves of choice
Maldon sea salt flakes & toasted pumpkin seeds for sprinkling
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lightly pulse toasted walnuts in food processor. Add flours to a large bowl. Add the walnuts, Stevia, baking powder cinnamon, and salt. Stir until well combined. Stir together maple syrup & brown rice syrup. Add the oil and extracts. Add the wet mixture to dry. Gently stir to combine. Spoon batter onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Using the handle of a kitchen utensil, make a little hole in the middle of each cookie. If the preserves are not sweet enough sweeten them with Stevia. Fill each cookie with raspberry preserves. Sprinkle each cookie with toasted pumpkin seeds and Maldon Sea Salt Flakes. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes until golden brown around the edges. Let cool on cookie sheet for 1-2 mins. Transfer to cooling rack. I'll have to say, I ate too many of these cookies.
You're going to love this recipe!
I'm in love with baking healthy!
Here's to healthy, whole eating & living!

Hope you're having a lovely week!
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Day 8: Choices

2013-01-15T08:35:00.001-08:00

So here's the way I see it.
Eating whole & living healthy is not that complicated.
It's all about choices.
Choices we make everyday, all day long.
Choices that seem little & insignificant in the big scheme of things but add up to be exactly the way we live life, which adds up to be how we feel, and look, and give ourselves to the world every, single, day.
Wowzee!
Those little-bitty, everyday choices are a big deal. That's why Saturday morning I decided to spread an avocado, rich in omega-fatty acids, on a Dave's Good Seed Halos Bagel, jammed packed with 14 grams of protein & 11 grams of fiber, instead of indulging in what we usually have.
Here's what you need to make this healthy, whole breakfast for two:
1 ripe avocado {sliced & mashed}
coarse sea salt
black pepper
1 tomato {sliced}
1 grainy bagel {sliced & toasted} Every single choice matters. And that doesn't have to be scary.
We are the choices we make. Every. Single. Day.
Choices either strengthen or weaken.
It's as simple as that.
I'm working on choices. One choice at a time.
I'm striving to make choices that encompass healthy-whole eating & living.
What about you?
What choices are you making?

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Day 7: Pearled Barley Veggie Soup

2013-01-13T22:34:00.003-08:00

Do you mind if we skip over day 5 & 6?
Honestly.
There was so much going on I didn't have time to post.
Lots of hikes, yoga in my heated workout studio, welcoming Greg home from an out of town trip, and getting Sweet-Pea ready for surgery early Monday morning. She's being spayed and I just can't stop snuggling my little girl.
Here we are on Day 7 and I've got the most scrumptious, hearty, healthy soup to share. Greg and I just love this soup. It's jammed packed with nutrients and perfect for a cold, winter night. Here's what is needed to make Pearled Barley Veggie Soup: Pearled Barley Veggie Soup~
Adapted from Winter Vegetable Soup
Makes a huge pot!
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup white wine
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 leeks, white & tender green parts, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 carrots, sliced
1 1/2 cups celery, chopped
1 heaping cup pearled barley
1 cup frozen or fresh corn
8-10 cups vegetable or chicken stock
4 cups water
6 thyme sprigs or 1-2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 bay leaf 1 1/2 pounds celery root, peeled & cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 pound {or a little more} parsnips, peeled & cut into 1/2 inch half moons
coarse kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 pound baby spinach, kale or swiss chard
pinch of fresh nutmeg Spinach is a star ingredient in this soup!

Heat the olive oil & white wine in a large pot.
Add the onion to the hot oil & white wine. Add the leeks, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook veggies until tender, about 5 minutes.
Add the vegetable or chicken stock. Add the pearled barley. Add water and thyme.
Add the corn and bay leaf. Bring the water to a boil. Add the celery root and parsnips.
Season with salt and pepper.
Simmer over medium heat until the barley and veggies are tender, about 30-40 minutes. Add a pinch of nutmeg. Add the spinach. Gently stir the spinach into the soup. So healthy!
Simmer just until greens are wilted, about 5-10 minutes.
Slice up some seedy, whole grain Dave's Peace Bomb Mini-Baguette.
Pearled Barley Veggie Soup!
Make it!
Today!
This is what I call WHOLE-HEALTHY Eating! Enjoy!
Happy HEALTHY Week to you!

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Day 4: Stock the Fridge with Healthy Food

2013-01-11T00:31:00.001-08:00

There's honestly no-way to transition into healthy, whole eating without cleaning the fridge and stocking it with HEALTHY food! Nothing feels better than a clean fridge filled with good food to choose from.Here's a glimpse of what all went into the fridge. Lots of greens! Can't even begin to describe how yummy these Washington State Foster's Pickled Beans are!
Oh My Goodness! I had a pickled bean sandwich on Dave's Killer Light Bread today!
So goooooooood! Lots & lots of produce! Kalamata olives are so flavorful in salads and bowls with veggies and brown rice. I store onions, garlic, squash etc... in a basket together. Don't you worry.
I've got some fabulous healthy recipes to share now that the kitchen is stocked. Lately I've been keeping a big basket of fruit on the dining room table.
And yes. We still have Christmas up in our house. I like for avocados and tomatoes to be easy to grab. And a huge jar of KIND Bars to grab on the go!
Funny thing about KIND bars. Doogan always finds them in my purse and eats them. Fur-balls like KIND bars too!
And there you have it. A kitchen stocked with healthy, whole food!
Just in time for the weekend.
Tomorrow I'm making a Winter Veggie Soup and serving it with Dave's Peace Bomb Mini-Baguette toasted. So good with a creamy soup.Tomorrow I'm tackling the pantry!
I've got lots of plans for the pantry!
And!
I've got lots of recipes to share!
So get ready!
Happy Weekend my FRIENDS!
Have you stocked your fridge with HEALTHY food?
Oh!
Guess what I did today, HOT Yoga in my workout studio. I shut the room off and heated it before practicing. It was heavenly. I also did yoga on the back deck, under the stars, and in the cold, and yoga while I was talking to Greg when he was on the ferry. I'm trying to flow "naturally" with yoga. Not make it such a big deal.
JUST BE! JUST DO IT! JUST GO WITH IT!
xo

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Day 3: Healthy Color-Coded Grocery List

2013-01-10T00:06:00.000-08:00

This morning I created a healthy grocery list.
I chose several healthy recipes and jotted down what I needed, plus lots of healthy basics.
It helps me to color-code & categorize my grocery list.
If I don't have a good list in the grocery store I just wander around very confused. There are several girls that tease me at the market about my grocery list. Every time I see them they say "Have you got your list?"
First I listed the following categories:
Produce:
Grains:
Proteins:
Seeds:
Snacks:
Misc:
Then I listed what was needed under each category.
After that I color-coded each item.
Tomorrow I'll be organizing the fridge and pantry with lots of healthy WHOLE foods. It's all part of the process of eating healthy.
Oh! I've decided to add just a little dairy to the diet. There's so much you can do with yogurt when preparing healthy dishes. It's a great substitute for butter & oil in baked goods. It also helps to add creaminess to dressings and sauces. That's why you see 2 large containers of Nancy's non-fat plain yogurt in the cart. Doogan and Isabelle have a heaping teaspoon of Nancy's yogurt on their kibble everyday.
I'll have to say~
I'm tired tonight and need to get to bed. Rest is a big part of living whole & healthy.
I had a good 4 mile workout with intervals of rowing today, plus a long walk with the fur-babies. Began the day with a Green Berry Smoothie that was delish and loaded with protein. Green Berry Smoothie~
1/2 cup ice
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
1 scoop sugar-free protein powder
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup H20
5 packs of Stevia
3 big handfuls of baby spinach leaves
Makes a big blender of smoothie. Hope your week is flowing well.
Thanks for all the emails and encouragement you are sending my way.
I'm glad you're enjoying 40 Days of Healthy Whole Eating & Living.
I've got so much to share with you.

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Day 2: Walking in the Rain

2013-01-08T21:52:00.000-08:00

I've always loved walking in the rain.
There have been many times my mother and I have walked the dirt road, on the farm, in not just a drizzle, but pouring rain. As long as there's no thunder and lightening, we keep on walking.
You may wonder why walking in the rain is of significance as I strive to live healthy and whole. That's because activities like walking in the rain encompass the essence of what "living whole & true" mean to me. The next 40 days are not just about diet and exercise. This 40 day journey is about making time for all the things that bring about the brightest smile within my soul.
Walking in the rain is one of those things. Wanna know what I love about walking in the rain?
More often than not you have the trail to yourself.
The birds, the bunnies, the ducks, the geese, they all come out to play. It's like they get all frisky; nibbling on goodies in the grass and splashing about in the puddles.
These are things you can only see while walking the trails in the rain. Doogan and Isabelle were frisky too!
I felt very centered and grounded while walking in the rain today. Lately I've had trouble staying focused as I pray. That's really embarrassing to admit, but it's one of the reasons I've dedicated myself to whole & healthy living over the next 40 days. My mind has felt cluttered. Like it's constantly racing and can't settle down.
Do you ever feel like that? I can remember phases in my life when I could pray in gratitude for hours while out walking. Praying was effortless. My mind was free and uncluttered and connected. That's where I wanna be. I'm so thankful to love a God who stays in touch with the most tender parts of my heart. He never leaves me. Even when I struggle to focus as I pray {which is very embarassing} He is there and waiting. Today in the rain I had a good talk with God.
This was a gift I would have never received had the fur-balls and I not set out in the rain on a walk. Whole living encompasses all the things that are truest to yourself. You know you're living "whole" when what you're doing everyday makes your heart beam and your soul feel satisfied and nurtured.It's easy to get off track. It's far too easy to wander in directions that take us away from living true to who we are, way deep down inside.
Especially in the world today. Think of all the distractions. Think of all that our minds juggle everyday. Think of all the energy we use on a daily basis just keeping up with what everyone else is doing via Facebook, and Instagram, Twitter and blogs.
It's no wonder I've had trouble grounding my thoughts and achieving my goals. Needless to say I was grateful for the rain today.
And thankful for Doogan and Isabelle to share my day with.
I'm also grateful for you.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me.
Happy Healthy-Whole Living my Friends!
Love & hugs!

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Day 1: Eliminate & Embrace

2013-01-07T21:58:00.001-08:00

Whenever I start a new program it always begins with a brand new journal.
New journals = new beginnings. The first thing I do in a new journal is jot down the basic guidelines of the program.
That's what I did this morning.
I jotted down foods to eliminate over the next 40 days. Then I jotted down foods to embrace over the next 40 days.
It's as simple as that.
If I eliminate sugar, processed foods, artificial sweeteners, dairy and all things white, my body perks up and changes within days. It's amazing how quickly my body responds. It's like I can hear it thanking me for cutting out toxic foods that make it work so hard to stay healthy and strong.
I love the word embrace. Stephanie made mention of the word EMBRACE during the first group phone call kicking off the 28 Day Juice and Raw Food Cleanse.
I doodle the word all the time. I doodle the word EMBRACE because it reminds me not to focus on what I'm being deprived of when I eat healthy.
Instead I should embrace the opportunity to fuel my body with foods that ENERGIZE and STRENGTHEN!
Why do we fight the opportunity to give our bodies a rest?
Why don't we make choices that make us GLOW and GROW strong?
These are questions I am constantly asking myself.
Eliminate & EMBRACE.
It's as easy as that.
What are you eliminating & embracing today?
I'd love to know!

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40 Days of Healthy Whole Eating & Living

2013-01-06T19:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 40 Days of Healthy Whole Eating & Living.
I've never done a series on this blog before.
I've always admired bloggers who create a series and stay focused and committed as the days move forward. I'm always popping over and reading Ruthanne's 31 Days to a Healthier Life. I can't tell you how much I've learned from reading Edie's 31 Days to a Heart of Hospitality.
I've always admired anyone who stays focused, dedicated and committed to something they're passionate about. I admire them because they're succeeding at something I've never been capable of. Whether you've noticed it or not I have a terrible habit. I set goals and intentions for daily living and never see them through. I don't care if it's goals for the day or goals for the month or year.
Sometimes my mind just goes here and there and everywhere. Like it's scattered.
Sometimes I have trouble settling my thoughts, grounding my intentions.
I'm famous for listing goals and intentions but never living consistent and true in order to achieve all that I dream of achieving.I'm going to let you in on something.
I am totally tired of living the way that I live.
I'm so tired of straddling the fence between almost living healthy and living the healthiest life I possibly can.
I'm tired of waking up wondering if today will be the day I LIVE LIFE to the fullest!
I'm tired of envisioning living a certain way and never making it happen.
Over and over again I visualize myself living true to how I would be living if I were living my perfect life.
By perfect I mean perfectly suited to the purest desires of my heart.
Does that make sense?
I know. It's complicated.
It's like I'll get close to living the way that makes me feel my absolute best and then I sabotage myself for no reason at all. I allow myself to wander off into directions that don't nurture and embrace the true way in which I desire to live.
Oh my goodness. That's so heavy.
I'm just tired of thinking about it.
I'm tired of bashing myself for not achieving all that I aspire to be in this one life that I live! Please don't interpret this as my being too harsh with myself.
Believe me.
I love and nurture and appreciate who I am on a daily basis.
I live everyday grateful for who God created me to be.
As I journeyed through Stephanie's 90 Day Transformation program it became clear that I battle myself daily in certain areas of life.
That doesn't mean I live unhappy or untrue. It just means that for some reason I have difficulty letting go and EMBRACING new habits that would help me to live whole & healthy on a consistent basis.
It's been said that something becomes a habit when it's practiced for 40 days.
That's why I signed up for 40 Days of Yoga.
That's why I've decided to take the next 40 days to EMBRACE eating healthy.
That's why I decided to share this journey with you, on this blog, like it's a daily journal of sorts.
That's why I've decided that for the next 40 days I'm going to intentionally live TRUE to the way I envision myself living MY very best life.
I hope you don't mind, but this series is geared more towards teaching myself how to embrace what I consider to be WHOLE living for ME.
I'm not wise enough to share what YOU might need to be doing to live whole and healthy for who you are. I will be sharing healthy recipes and tips for living healthy. I'll be sharing what I consider WHOLE living to be and why I believe it's important to LIVE TRUE to the purest part of who you are.
I'll be sharing Every. Single. Day.
I hope you won't mind.
It's the direction I've chosen to take my life for the next 40 days.
If it's not something that interest you I totallllllllllly get it. If you gain a few tips and good healthy recipes along the way I'll be delighted.
Thanks for the love & inspiration you send my way every day.
What are your intentions for the New Year?
Are you striving to live healthy and whole?
What does WHOLE living mean to you?
As the series moves forward I'll be adding 40 Days of Healthy Whole Living to this post.
Happy Happy 2013!
Here's to Living Whole & Healthy!
Thanks to Jen & Stephanie for always inspiring me.
You glow & grow in my heart each day!
40 Days of Healthy Whole Eating & Living:
Day 1: Eliminate & Embrace
Day 2: Walking in the Rain
Day 3: Healthy Color-Coded Grocery List
Day 4: Stock the Fridge with Healthy Food
Day 7: Pearled Barley Veggie Soup
Day 8: Choices
Day 9: Baking Healthy! Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
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How to Make Perfect Fudge

2012-12-30T23:40:00.001-08:00

Let's get down to business here.
The business of making fudge.
Quick! Let's hurry and make it before giving up all things chocolate and sweet for 2013!!!
I grew up watching my mother make this fudge. This is a no-fail fudge recipe.
If I can make fudge, you can too! Follow along and you'll see how easy it is.
Here's what you need to make Chocolate Pecan Fudge:
2 1/4 cup sugar
1 stick butter {melted}
1 cup marshmallow cream
almost 1/2 cup mini-marshmallows {mother's recipe calls for a handful of mini-marshmallows}
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
2/3 cup evaporated milk {1 small can}
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 - 2 cups toasted pecans
coarse sea salt for sprinkling {optional}
9 " butter jelly roll pan
Melt the butter in a sauce pan.
Measure 1 cup Marshmallow Fluff/cream.Mix sugar with melted butter. Add salt and marshmallow cream to melted butter & sugar. Add evaporated milk. Start out on medium heat. The key to good fudge is stirring and keeping the liquid at just the right heat. Cook until bubbly all over the top. Stirring is KEY! Keep it STIRRED. See those bubbles. That's what you want. Keep stirring and keep it slightly bubbling for 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Stir in 8 ounces of chocolate chips. Keep stirring until chocolate is melted. Throw in a handful {almost 1/2 cup} mini-marshmallows. Keep stirring until marshmallows are melted. Stir in toasted pecans. The fudge will be very thick. Spread in buttered 9" jelly roll pan. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt if desired. Cool until hard. Cut in squares. See!
How easy was that!
No-fail fudge!
I promise!
This fudge will be perfect! In no time at all you'll have the most luscious, velvety fudge!
Perfect for a gift or to ring in the New Year!
Happy Happy New Year to you!
I heart you!
You know that! Right!
Wishing us all the best year ever!
xo
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Holiday Detox Juice & Updates on Healthy Living

2012-12-27T23:35:00.000-08:00

This morning I tried on my jeans just to make sure they were button-able.
Thank goodness they buttoned but I could feel the holiday muffin top settling in after basically eating fancy-free over the past month or so. Fancy-free eating entails sipping coffee with foamy milk and sprinkles. Nibbling on Christmas cookies, gingerbread cookies, PINK salad and Ben & Jerry's Greek Frozen Yogurt. Oh! And snacking on M&M's while waiting on late-night ferries.
You know. Fancy-free eating.
The kind of eating that leads to jeans not buttoning.
After trying on jeans I changed and headed to go walking. After I got back from a long walk I cranked up the juicer.
Nothing makes me feel healthier than juicing!
Honestly. As soon as I begin chopping fruits and veggies and juicing it's like "coming home" to a place that makes me feel whole and healthy. Kinda like when I go back to Bainbridge Yoga House after being gone for awhile.
I feel centered again. Sipping green juice is rejuvenating!
It sets a healthy tone for the day.
Here's what you need to make what I call Holiday Detox Juice:
Makes a gigantic mason jar full!
3 heads of romaine lettuce
5 handfull of baby spinach
5 celery stalks
3 large carrots
large grapefruit {cut into sections and peeled}
large Granny Smith apple
small cut of fresh ginger {peeled}
5 packs of Stevia
sprinkle of nutmeg {freshly grated} Several months back I participated in Stephanie Dalton's 90 Day Total Transformation Program. Honestly. It was life changing on so many levels. Stephanie is such a gift. She's a fabulous Health & Wellness Coach.
I feel blessed to know Stephanie and have grown in so many ways under her care and guidance. Stephanie and I discovered obstacles that challenge my intentions of living whole & healthy on a consistent basis. I'll be sharing more about what we discovered and ways that I plan to over-come the obstacles/barriers that hinder me from living true to my health and fitness goals.I'm planning on 2013 being a great year for living HEALTHY!
I'm not getting any younger! Now is the time to LIVE It! And live it BIG!
That's why I cranked up the juicer this morning.
What about you?
Do you have a juicer?

Here's to juicing in 2013!
Cheers!
Sign up to receive Stephanie's Embrace Health & Wellness Newsletter!
You will love what Stephanie has to share!
Follow Embrace Health & Wellness on Facebook!
Happy HEALTHY Friday Friends!
xo
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Share the LOVE & JOY of Christmas

2012-12-24T11:16:00.001-08:00

Last Thursday I woke up to the perfect day.
It was raining and dark. There was no where to be but in my kitchen baking all day. I turned on the fire and white twinkling lights. Being that it was a special day, I topped my coffee off with a squirt of whipped cream and sprinkles. It was one of the most special days of the year. The day I would bake Christmas cookies for my mother. I tied on an old apron and scattered the cookie baking supplies across the island in the kitchen. To bring Mother close, I put an old black & white movie in the dvd player. At this point I called my mother and told her how excited I was to be baking for her. This was the first Christmas in several years we would be staying on Bainbridge Island for the holiday. I've only spent two Christmas' in my entire life away from my parents. The cookies would be shipped across the country to the farm. Mother was busy, scurrying about getting ready for everyone to arrive on the farm for the holidays. We took a few minutes to chat then got off the phone to go about the day. Before I began baking, I had this over-whelming rush come over me. It was like a tidal-wave of LOVE from my mother.
For a brief moment I was in the sweetest, puffiest, cloud of gratitude, love and JOY!
The only way I know how to describe it, is that the presence of my Mother settled in, right over me in the kitchen. It took me off guard.
I stopped what I was doing and let myself be.
Just BE STILL within the glorious gift of my mother. I hesitated to call Mother back.
She was busy.
I knew I couldn't express what happened without crying.
I knew as soon as I heard her voice and began to speak the tears would begin to fall. I didn't have time to cry. She didn't have time to listen. If I called I'd risk us both falling into a sentimental frame of mind. We both needed to stay busy going about what needed to be done. Trying to suppress the urge to call, I sent Bridget a text asking her if she had ever had a moment in her kitchen where she felt the presence of her mother right there with her.
Of course she said yes! We're always going back and forth about our mothers. The way they taught us to never leave the house without lipstick. The recipes we love to bake. The handwritten recipe cards and holiday menus from our moms. Not too long after that I sat down and called my mother.
As soon as I heard her sweet voice the tears begin to fall.
I shared with her what had happened.
I needed her to know that she and all the dogs that I have ever loved, were the PUREST, SWEETEST part of who I am. That the times that we have shared have brought about the purest JOY I have ever known. She expressed the same to me. She didn't hesitate to stop all that she was doing and join me for a sentimental moment of love and gratitude. Awhile back mother shared a favorite song with me that she found and loved in a hymnal at church. She loved the words to the song. She wanted me to find the lyrics on the computer and maybe listen to the song. When I found the song I decided to put a little slideshow together for her and send it. It was put together in a hurry.
I almost didn't even do it, but decided to take the time.
Honestly.
I'm so thankful I did.
When we were on the phone tearfully sharing the love and joy we have brought about in one another's lives she brought up that slideshow. Once again she thanked me. She said it was one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for her. Every time she reminds me of how much it meant to her I'm always so grateful I took the time to send it across the miles. She mentioned how much she would love to share it with her Sunday school class. She said she'd love to share it with lots of people but she knew it wouldn't mean as much to them as it did to her.
I'm going to share it with you today.
I'm sharing it because I'd like you to see how simple it is.
Such a simple gift that meant the absolute world to my mother.
A gift I almost didn't take the time to give.

Share the LOVE & JOY of Christmas!

Don't hold back!

Spread the JOY!

Everyday.

Every way!

Stop. Just be.

Let yourself feel and give and share.

Share and SHINE!

SHINE bright in this world!

Spread the joy of Christmas.

WINNER for the copy of Decorating Cookies is Koralee #12!
WINNER of The Pampered Chef Baking Bundle is TONI #30!
CONGRATS to WINNERS!
Please email your address!
xo