What A Difference A Year Makes

Unless you live under a rock, you know that tonight is New Years Eve.  Tonight we imbibe in alcohol and all the excesses we love.  Good food, good friends, good spirits, everything good.

Unless you're a hermit, like me.  :)

I did in fact purchase myself some fabulous champagne, some delicious popcorn, my favorite chocolate bar, and a few spa-night items.

My plan for this evening is a little more subdued than the rest of the free world.  I intend to slow down, unplug, and reflect.  Coupled with some delicious snacks -- this sounds like an ideal evening for me.

Scrolling back through my social media accounts, I am not altogether unimpressed with my year.   Did I accomplish all I set out to?  Probably not.  I set unrealistic goals.  I also have made a few big changes with my life.  Big to me, anyway.

I'm pretty pleased with where this year has taken me.  I'm excited for next year, too.  I don't necessarily believe in 'New Years Resolutions'... but I do think it's important to have goals.

So -- tonight I'll also work on creating a goal board.  Or journal.  I  haven't quite decided which will work best for me.

As you enjoy the celebrations tonight and tomorrow I pray that you reflect and feel blessed by all the happenings this year.  I also pray that you're filled with hope for the future.

See you next year!  See you in 2015!

S&S,

Shannon

Grey Skies

Ever have just "One of those days"?


Today is that day for me. I've been disgusted by 75% of what I've seen posted on Facebook. Between the jumping to conclusions, the bad-mouthing, the spreading of misinformation... I am about over it.


I've been contemplating shutting my Facebook off for a few weeks now... but let's be real here... I can't. Mostly because I'm addicted. But also because that other 25% is just sooo good. I love the happy stories. I love when people share something that makes me reconsider how I view the world around me. I love when I click into the comment section and see someone standing up for a person who is getting beat down by the trolls. It makes me feel like maybe there ARE still decent people left in this world, ya know?


Today that 25% is just being overshadowed and it makes me sad.


I'm the type of person who always looks for the good. People who know me well are constantly telling me they 'hate' when they come to me to complain about a problem (or a person) and I comeback with a "welll......" sort of statement.


It's been happening a lot here at work. Two of my close coworkers very distinctly do not like each other... but both are friends with me. They both come and complain to me about the other and I'm constantly defending and trying to smooth things over. I feel like a broken record saying things like "Well, I know she's been having a hard time" or "the reason why she gets so mad about that is..."

I don't understand why other people don't sit and think about others' views. I feel like we're all so quick to assume that things are done to us with malice. I've come to find that's not always the case. It's hard. I know it is. But there has to be a little bit of a disconnect in emotion-filled problems... because there's two sides to every story. Right?

I may also be sad because I've been considering a situation for a good long while... I think that I've finally come to a conclusion today... and It's not going to be easy to implement. In fact, some friends may hate me for it.... but ultimately... the only person I have to please is myself.... and I've been faking it for a loooong time.


The grey sky is never grey for long... the sunshine will always fight to be seen... I'm just hangin' out dancing in the rain waiting for that first burst of sunlight on my face.

S&S,
Shannon

New Adventures

I love my life.  I really do.

There are just times where I wish things were a little more exciting.   Where I wish I had more things to fill my time.   Now is one of those moments.

I was recently given the idea to start up my own Etsy shop.  I loved the idea as I've been toying with an Etsy shop for awhile now.   This was all brought about by the sheer amount of homemade goodness I crafted for Christmas.   That stuff was really FUN to make.   Like -- super fun.

I think this could be a good thing!

My shop is ready to go... but I need a name and I'm drawing a blank.

Help me come up with a shop name.  Pretty please.  

The person who comes up with a name I like the best will earn themselves a free bath bomb -- I'm desperate!  ;)

S&S
-Shannon

Eating Clean(ER)

Good Morning my fellow party people :)

If you're a Central Ohio dweller, can we just talk about today's sunrise?  Holy cow.  It was BREATHTAKING!  I wanted to snap a picture but sadly I was driving the opposite direction and my feeble attempts at taking a picture through my filthy rear windshield weren't working out too well.

Last week I decided to try my hand at the New Body Makeover by Blogilates.  This also happened to coincide with the Love Your Body Challenge by Tone It Up.  These two challenges happen to match up with two of my goals for this year.  (1) to eat healthier and (2) to move my body more.  I struggle with the diet aspect mainly.  I decided to take last week and this week to focus on getting my nutrition up to par.  I failed miserably last week.  I have noticed that if I fail to plan, I plan to fail.  If I don't meal prep or have a sound game plan for my day/week then I fly off course.  In all honesty, even with my straying far from my intended meal plan, I didn't do too bad.   I really the breakfasts I've had on this plan.  I decided to stick with something simple -- oatmeal.  I cooked steel cut oats, plain in water.  I like the oatmeal to be thicker (you'll see why here in a minute).  I take half a banana and mash it in the bottom of a plasticware container.  I add a serving of the oatmeal on top and mix it together with a dash (or three) of cinnamon.  (I really like cinnamon) Last week I added dried cherries -- this week I added blueberries I picked this past summer and froze.  Then I put that thick porridge in the fridge  to hang out until I'm ready for it.   In the morning I grab out the container, microwave it for 1-2 minutes (depending on how hot I want my cereal that day) and then I drizzle some milk on top.  (that's why I like it to start thick...the milk thins it out and gives me a calcium boost)   I seriously don't even miss the sugar because the cinnamon and the banana make it DELICIOUS!

My coffee is another matter entirely.  I am cutting back on the amount of sugar but black coffee and I just aren't pals.  I'm trying to not use the chemical sugar free sweeteners/syrups because I have read that real sugar is actually better than the chemicals from a 'clean eating' standpoint.   This makes sense.  However, I know in my heart of hearts that I am a sugar and carb junkie.  My morning coffee is only perpetuating my sugar use. 

Lunch has been a delicious rice and lentil salad.  I added some veggies (carrots, onion, scallions) and I slice and egg on top.  It doesn't sound like much but the dressing I whipped up with it is quite delicious and vinegar-y.  I like.   

Dinner has been primarily the area where I falter.  The plan was for tilapia, sweet potato and broccoli or wilted spinach.  However, I find myself eating other things.  Nothing necessarily horrid, but not what's on my plan.  This week I opted to grab a few soups to supplement my meals.  They are by no means 'clean' but I think once I get the hang of the whole eating what I plan that I can then venture back into making my own soups.  (I love making soups!)

Snacks have primarily been veggies with some hummus or fruits with nuts.  (apples/oranges with almonds or nut butter)

I find myself looking for more and more recipes that I can incorporate into my new lifestyle.  This one came up on my Facebook feed today.  It's a recipe for overnight oats/summer porridge that sounds simply divine.  It's still a little cold here in the Midwest, but I see this being a staple during the warmer months.  I have seriously rather enjoyed having my meals all prepped up and ready to grab in the morning.  It makes sticking to the 'plan' a lot easier from the start of the day.  :)  

I intend to add some salads into the plan for lunches that incorporate more greens, but I am also really loving the whole lentil salad.  I am envisioning a southwestern black bean salad with quinoa and corn (and a healthy dose of cilantro!)   

I am finding that a lot of the 'clean' recipes I've come across seem to rely heavily on meat.  Chicken to be precise.  While I don't mind eating fish (as a pescatarian) I draw the line on land dwelling fleshy animals.  I am a little wary of relying so heavily on any one protein source as there bound to be vitamins and minerals that it lacks.  So, I have been focusing on fish, eggs, and beans.   This weekend I broke down and also bought a few pots of yogurt.  I realized when I got home that I had failed to even look at the nutrition info and ingredient list as it's far from 'clean' but I am not one to waste food. 

What are some of your favorite healthy/clean meals?

This week I am once again focusing on my food choices but I am also working on incorporating some movement into my daily routine.  I believe the dogs will be getting some actual walks instead of a quick trip out to do their business.  (Chihuahuas don't tend to require walks like larger dogs.  They get a lot of exercise just playing indoors)  I will also be hooking up the Wii again and trying my hand again at some Wii fit games.  I know they're not a substitute for physical fitness but as it's the winter and I'm also working on my budget, I needed to cut some corners.   I have workout DVDs as well that I will be blowing the dust off and revisiting.  My current favorite is the Beach Babe DVD by Tone It Up.  I am also thinking of purchasing the POP Pilates DVD by Blogilates as well.  However, again, I'm trying to cut back on my spending.

Do you have an app/website you frequent for fitness inspiration/diet advice/workouts?  Blogilates and Tone It Up are both apps and websites that I frequent and love.  What are some of your favorites?  Let me know so I can check them out -- a girl can never be too informed.

S&S-
Shannon

It's a Pet Menagerie!

So for those of you who don't follow my every obsessive post on Facebook....

I found a new cat.  Her name is Elsa.  (Yes, from the new Disney movie - Frozen)  I named her this because I found her on December 20th.  It was cold and icy outside.  Her paws had (and still have) frostbite and yet she didn't care.  ("The cold never bothered me anyway")  :)

She was skin and bones and covered -- and I do mean COVERED in fleas  Yet somehow she was still trusting enough to let me pick her up and carry up to my apartment.  <3

Home girl was lookin' ROUGH!

Here she is a mere 10 days later.

She had horrible diarrhea (I assume from not eating for so long) but it was nothing a sensitive stomach blend of food and plain yogurt couldn't fix.  She (along with the rest of the pets) got Capstar to immediately kill those blasted fleas she was covered in.  That stuff is NO JOKE.  She hasn't had a flea since and luckily my apartment seems to be flea free. :)

Because she's an unaltered 'queen' Myrrh cat caught the express train to Neuterville.  He was neutered last monday - the 30th and given all his vaccines.   I am holding off on spaying Elsa until she's got a little more meat on her bones and can handle the anesthesia.


 Here they are meeting for the first time :)

Because she's still unaltered and Myrrh is evidently not considered sterile for another couple months... They're still being kept apart unless I'm there to supervise.... like the mean old teacher at the school dance. :)  "Arm's length apart!"


I had a hard time with her name.  I was pondering something more Christmas-y.  But I am very strange with pet names.

I had a cat - Mouschi.  That's the name of Peter's cat in the Diary of Anne Frank.  I named her that because she has the 'M' marking on her forehead.

Myrrh also has the M.

I had Chinchillas -- Cherruve (Dragonfly in a South American dialect -- if I remember correctly) and Diamond

Sugar Gliders -- 2 girls, Mocha and Latte which I named.  and 2 boys Bubba and .... I can't remember the other's name.... probably because the boys weren't technically mine and I didn't name them. Ha!

I've had lots of Rats.  Audrey, Wilbur, Basil and Watson, Templeton.

And then there's the dogs::

Bella's name was Tinkerbell when I rescued her. (The rescue chose the name)  It was a little too Paris Hilton-esque so I went with Bell(a). :)

Nygel's previous family called him Nitro.  I wanted something that sounded similar...and America's Next Top Model happened to be on that day -- so his name is Nygel Barker.  It's a pretty good dog name if you ask me :)

I put WAY too much though into pet names.... but it always brings me a lot of joy when someone says "Oh! that's a unique name"   -- obviously I *never* hear that about Bella.   *sigh*

S&S-

Shannon

Christmas Time Is Here....Where Is The Good Cheer?

Last night I had a conversation with a Facebook friend and fellow small business owner about Christmas, the origins of Christmas, Christianity, and why everyone else is going to hell.  (For the record, I disagree with that last statement)

I woke up today and got all heated again about the conversation.  I pondered it for a minute then I realized.... you can't get to everyone.  I mean, shoot, there are people out there who think the Holocaust didn't actually happen despite overwhelming evidence.  Some people are quick to condemn others for their beliefs but then when fact comes to fiction, they are quick to pull the victim card.   I know for a fact that most religions are taught with the goal of bettering the individual as well as the community.  The majority of the teachings are the same only in different gift wrap.  What I can't stand is people who believe that THEIR religion (or God) is the ONLY correct choice.  I disagree.   I also don't like the "you either agree with me or you're going to hell' mentality.   Again, I respectfully disagree.  I know that what I choose to believe is what is common ground in almost EVERY god-fearing religion out there.  Be a good person and help out your fellow man.   I guess there's always bad apples in every religion, from the suicide bombers wishing to get to their virgins in heaven -- to the christian who believes that anyone with a differing view is slated for hell.  

I choose to believe that God will judge the individual on their actions, life choices, and general life choices.  Is that vague?  Yes.  Do I think I need to be dunked in a muddy lake to secure that 'spot'?  Nope... because that's also pagan symbolism brought into Christianity.  I read an article last night about how Christmas itself is celebrating false idols as Jesus is the son of God, not God himself and we should not be celebrating his birth.  (Hello Puritans!)  I find that thought interesting as part of the conversation was also about how presents and Santa were celebrating false gods.   Listen.... I get that Santa isn't in the Bible.  But, he was a man who according to legend helped families in need.  I can (and do!) support that.  THAT is being a good person.  

Furthermore, the Bible wasn't written BY God.  It was written by MEN... with divine intervention. (If that's what you choose to believe)

I know that my comments and this post will not even make a dent in the bad blood between the warring religions of the world.   But I think that if we all just agree to be better people, focus on ourselves as individuals and bettering ourselves, help out within our communities and assist those in need.... the world would be a better place.   We don't need to bash people who have different views.  

The one thing I took away from the conversation last night is that this girl isn't secure in her faith.  There were a lot of contradicting statements thrown out by this one individual last night.  I only pray, for her sake, that she's right.  Because honestly, I wouldn't want to explain to MY God why I was condemning people to hell and telling them they believed in a satanic religion.    I think that people get so caught up in the 'reason for the season' that they forget what their REASON was trying to do with his life and teachings -- promote good cheer, being a good person, helping out those less fortunate, and being happy.  Why can't we all just get along and agree that this time of year is special to many of us for VARIOUS reasons and that it's a warm, fuzzy time to celebrate your beliefs.   Just remember, in your celebrating, that people may have differing views... that doesn't make them WRONG... just different.  Listen, learn, educate yourself, and you too might realize there's more to it than what you originally thought.

Here's a video that explains what I mean in more detail. (Don't worry - It's short)  (And, It's ME!  YAY!)

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, and God Bless.

S&S.
Shannon

Fat Shaming Myself

My sister, god love her.  She's been on a weight loss journey for a few months (maybe years... I lose track of time).  She is doing amazing.  She was my size when she started.  Maybe a little smaller.  She is skinny now.  Like... crazy skinny.  Like single digit skinny.  (pant size... obviously)

My other sister (I have a total of 4 sisters) is now trying to lose weight.  They are taking Adipex. (It's a prescription weight loss pill that's carefully watched because of its addictive nature)  I took it.  Once upon a time.  I didn't like how I felt on it.  I felt like I needed it to survive.  I felt like I needed it to make it through the day.   I didn't eat.   I rarely slept.  And my brain was telling me "you may be getting skinny, but you sure as hell aren't healthy".

I see people applauding my sisters for their weight loss talking about how they're sure they feel better.  Isn't it nice to see your body start to look good.  Isn't it nice to know you're taking care of yourself.  blah blah blah.
I see these posts.  I read them.  I subconsciously have filed them away.  I'm pretty secure with myself and my body.  I'm a big girl.   I always have been -- and probably always will be.  Have I lost weight before?  Yes.  Did I do it in a healthy manner?  Yes.  Did I get the applause?  Nope.  Why?  Because it was slooooow.  It took me almost a year to loose 50 lbs.  Then I got discouraged and threw in the towel.  Now, after reading about how my sisters *have* to feel better and how they look so much better..... I have started to body shame myself.

The epiphany on what I was doing hit last night.  After I got out of the shower and was standing in front of the full length mirror in my bathroom.  My inner dialogue went something like this:::  my thighs.  dear god.  they're ginormo.  and those calves?  yeah... no tall boots for me this year.  Jay-sus.  Look at my flabby upper arms!  I think I could probably fly -- if not glide.  and the stomach!  Dear sweet baby jesus.  I have a spare tire for my car AND a baker's dozen of rolls.  Cripes!

I stopped.  I stared at myself.  I realized what I was doing.  And I mentally slapped myself for being so disrespectful.  Those legs?   Yeah.  They carry me from point a to point b.  They may need a little more of the 'carrying' but they do their job.  Those arms?  they make my living.  They hug my nieces and they lift them and hold them.  my calves?  well... they look fine in jeans... and besides, i don't even LIKE tall boots... so that's a non-issue.   and lastly.  My stomach.  My stomach that my kitten likes to sit on and snuggle and paw at.  My stomach that I treat decently with good for you foods... but I admit I over-do the sugar.  It's a problem.

But you know what else?   The overall picture isn't one of absolute desolation.  I'm not a trainwreck.  I am a human being with flaws.  With parts of my body I'm not super thrilled about but as a whole... I think I look pretty decent.  Sometimes I see pictures of myself and think "who IS that?"  I guess the image I have of myself in my head is marginally different than what I see in pictures.  I know I'm a big girl.  My mental image IS a big girl.  But I think I'm pretty cute.  Like not cat calls as I walk down the street.  But I have my good features.

so.... I am thinking about starting a new journey -- a journey that's been started multiple times.  A journey to a healthier me.  I am going to start eating healthier and 'moving my body' more.  I'm not going to 'exercise'.... i'm going to 'move'.  Walking, dancing, etc.  If I lose weight and tone up, great.  If I dont... ok.  At least I know I'm taking care of myself and that I'm healthy.  To me, that's more important than being skinny and getting compliments on how 'great' I look... while I become addicted to diet pills.  

And quite frankly... I don't want to be skinny.  I like being on the larger side.  I like having a little extra chub to keep me warm in the winter. I'm being totally real right now.

This is not to say that I'm not proud of my sisters.  They are fabulous ladies.... but we each have our own choices to make an our own paths to lead.  I think I was born in the wrong era.  I'm more traditional... but I'm also a lot-bit of a hippie freak.  I don't like taking medication -- even tylenol.  I don't like chemicals and additives.  I want my food to be as pure as possible...'clean' if you will.  So that's my game plan.  To start living my life as I WANT.  Instead of trying to help everyone else and make everyone else comfortable and happy.

This is the Season of ME!   (only...not in an entirely selfish way....)  :)

S&S
Shannon