Whole 30 - The Diet of Don'ts

Recently, I was peer pressured into starting the Whole 30 program. Since moving to California, Adam and I have dived head first into the foodie culture in all its glory. In addition to that, I stopped crossfitting when I left Virginia and couldn't afford to start back up on the West Coast. Why is everything so EXPENSIVE out here?

Of course, it's not always the best for your health (or your wallet) to indulge in rich, delicious food on a regular basis so I figured I needed to hit the reset button. It helps that there are 3-4 other girl friends of mine across the country who are doing this with me, which provides an awesome outlet for support, accountability, and recipe sharing! So here it is; day one, and I feel completely over-my-head-terrified and excited all at the same time.

What is Whole30?
In a nutshell, you only eat what grows naturally or what you can kill and cook. For 30 days. No exceptions. As with most diets, there seems to be a never-ending list of DON'TS...

No:
- added sugars (honey is included! Whaaa?!)
- alcohol or tobacco
- grains (corn, rice, quinoa, bread, etc)
- legumes (hummus, soy and peanut products, too)
- dairy
- carageenan/msg/sulfates (these are in more food than I realized)
- weighing or measuring yourself

You CAN use fruit juice as sweeteners. The Diet also allows salt, green beans/sugar snap peas/snow peas, vinegar, and clarified butter or ghee.

Most people know this as Paleo but to me it sounded like hell. So why do it?

Like I said, I needed to punch the reset button. Turning 30 and not being in great shape with just okay health wasn't how I wanted to kick off 2017. For me, I needed to commit and just DO it instead of thinking about it for weeks and scaring myself out of it.

I've only eaten breakfast, so far. It consisted of approved bacon and 2 hard boiled eggs.because I didn't want to eat the stuff I had for breakfast for 30 days straight, I went and bought the Whole 30 cookbook and I'll be grocery shopping later this afternoon! I'll share meals once I have them planned out.

Wish me luck.

Here we go again...

So let's forget all the unaccomplished goals of 2014 (including keeping up my blog). It IS a new year after all! Happy 2015, everyone!!

So since Blacklight Bounce House party (a HUUUGE success, btw) I've helped host a 4th of July party in Florida, been a bridesmaid in TWO weddings, and attended the Florida v. Georgia game. Adam and I have thrown a 80's HairMetal party, hosted Thanksgiving, gone to Florida for Christmas (first time in five years) and thrown together a last minute NYE celebration. I got a new, white VW Touraeg that I'm completely in love with. My dogs and husband are still lovely and I've quit my most recent job. In a nutshell, I think it's fair to say you're officially up to date.

But we're talking about THIS year! A year with SO MUCH planned my head is already spinning. This year we will...
- Sell (or possibly rent) our first home
- Move to Rhode Island
- Go to Spain (this one is all Adam, the lucky duck)
- Start Department Head school (also Adam)
- Celebrate our 5 year anniversary being married (9 years together)
- Read at least 15 books (this one is mine, of course)

Hope to write more this year! See you guys soon!

Planning a party

Adam's ship is currently preparing for a HUGE inspection and to help them blow off some steam, we're planning a BLACK LIGHT PARTY! I've been spending my time researching things that glow under black light...(did you know that Tide laundry detergent glows quite nicely?) Adam wants to try and get a bounce house for the party too...so we'll see how that goes. We've already started shopping for black lights so now we just have to play around with the right amount of lighting...and of course get more florescent decor. Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated.

If you're planning a blacklight party, check out victoriaonvacation.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-throw-blacklight-party.html for some amazing ideas

It was insanely helpful! Thanks, Victoria!

Bachelorette Cruise!!!

Now that we're adults (I guess there's no escaping it) summers can get busy rather quickly. There's so much to do and living in Virginia makes it a little harder to see all the people I wish I could. I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when I was able to go on a bachelorette cruise to celebrate my friend Kelly's marriage to my favorite-non-related family.

Before the cruise we had a Kentucky Derby-themed Bridal Shower. I even made my own hat!

It was such a blast and the MOH did a great job putting it all together!

Sunday, we left for our cruise and words cannot even begin to describe how happy I was. I have a mild obsession with being on the water and now I was going to be in the MIDDLE of it for days. I could tell you about all our incredible moments like how I made close to 30 boat friends or the fact that I'm in love with the water in the Bahamas or how I gained about 10 pounds just due to the delicious cruise food...BUT, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

New Beginnings

Happy Sunday...

AND Game of Thrones season premier day!!

Adam and I canceled cable (we don't watch tv often unless it's movies on Hulu or Netflix) but didn't even THINK about GoT when we made this decision. I am so excited and relieved that my sweet friend saved the day and invited us over to her house this evening. THANKS LIZ!!!

Today was my last shift as a Bridal Consultant and it couldn't have been a better day. I helped out with The Reception Line (link below) and was even able to enjoy a glass of champagne (or two) while dressing models. I will miss my job a ton. I loved what I did and I adored meeting the brides and hearing their stories. As much as I will miss being a bridal consultant, I'm excited for my new journey as a receptionist for Veil Studios (more links below). Veil Studios is a Virginia Beach based salon and a great place to come in and relax while they help you feel/look incredible. Behind the Veil (their bridal side) focuses more on hair and makeup for weddings and events. I'm stoked to be a part of such a wonderful, talented team of people with a phenomenal reputation! (I mean, feel free to watch the video on their page. How would you NOT want to work with them?!) Veil Studios

Adam is outside doing yard work and I'm enjoying my Sunday snuggling with my pups...since I got off EARLY!

"Joy delights in joy." -William Shakespeare

Links, fun, and knowledge
The Reception Line

Behind The Veil

Two weeks notice

Three months into 2014 (well, I guess 4 now) and still no post. Until today. Binge blogging is kind of my thing, if you haven't noticed.

I am happy to announce I am starting a new life journey. This meant resigning from my current job but I believe it's exactly what I need to be doing at the moment. Hopefully I'll be able to share details soon but until then know that I am beyond thrilled!

In other news, my life has been surrounded with countless beautiful things lately. I was able to meet two gorgeous little baby girls, Layla and Cece. I've been supported by friends from near and far who constantly remind me how blessed I am. I've spent a lot of free time baking and made a delicious King Cake for Mardis Gras...from scratch, of course. I got a brand new car...2014 VW Toureg!!!! I've shot bbguns in my back yard, learned how to hit a golf ball from a friend/golf pro, accomplished some (minor) Pinterest crafts, eaten more girl scout cookies than I care to admit, applied and received a passport, booked a bachelorette cruise, and tried to focus more on being thankful.

I can't help but sit back and sigh and just thank God for everything He's done in my life. He really does have control of everything and I need to stop and let Him do His thing.

Happy to be breathing the days in one at a time!

Technology books

After just reading my very first ebook, I will never complain about carrying books again.

As convenient as it is to have any book I could want at the touch of a button, something inside of me longs for those things a screen can't give me.

The smell. There's just something about that mildly inky, paper smell of a new book or the earthy must of an old one. It's captivating. Why has no one made this an air freshener scent, yet?

Being able to pick it up and see how far along I've come and how far I have left to go. You know, having the weight of someone's thoughts in my hand and all that metaphorical hullabaloo.

The bookmarks. Maybe this is simply nostalgia? I mean, who doesn't want a Lisa Frank kitten jumping over rainbow to mark the spot of your latest murder-mystery?

Seeing bookshelves full of my adventures and lessons and knowing that I can revisit them whenever I want.

I could never find it inside of me to purchase an E reader. I understand it's not my thing...and I'm okay with that.