Coconut oil

I keep hearing all this stuff about how coconut oil is so good for you. I use it in recipes that call for it but have never really spent the time to try it for its health benefits. My roommate even eats a spoonful a day (not sure why) but she swears that its good for you. My face has been acting up lately and I look like a teenager with all the zits on my face (why am I admitting this to the online world?! How embarrassing!) so after reading many positive posts I started washing my face with coconut oil. Seems weird to wash your face with oil and while it has only been a few days, I LOVE it!!! My face is smoother and my skin tone is more even. The most surprising thing is my face use to get oily and shiny by mid day and I would have to reapply powder just to get rid of the shine, well, there is no shine! I couldnt be happier. We will have to see if it lasts and if the zits really go away, but as of now I am sold!

Almost there

I really need to get back into this blogging thing...
I am happy to say that since I last posted about getting back in shape I have lost 10 lbs (15 since last January) and a total of 10.5 inches. I even had to go buy new pants because some of mine were getting too loose. I still have 9 lbs to go to be at my all-time dream weight but thats not a huge concern for me.  For now my new goal is to be toned and ready for bathing suit season next summer. (Yes, it is a long ways off but that way I am sure to achieve it!)

John Figgat

I have been meaning to blog about this for a while but am just now figuring out how to be logged in to 2 gmail accounts at one time so I can blog.
Just a few weeks ago after a fall and a trip to the hospital, they discovered that my Sister-in-laws Father, John has 3 brain tumors. They started a blog to keep everyone up to date on what his doctors are saying, you can find it here.
The Figgats have been so amazing to have in my family. This is a hard time for them but words from friends and family are helping them through this. If you could pray for them and send them your well wishes, I know they would appreciate it.

                                           Papa John, Grandma Tanya and little Frankie

Gettin my fitness on

I have set a few mid-year goals for myself (one being to blog more and yes, I realize i have made this goal before, but here is to actually accomplishing it!) and the main goal I have been pushing toward is getting back in shape. I figure if I make it known to my 2+ readers that I might be held accountable. I am off to a good start, having worked out everyday in the last week. I am doing everything from walking, running, hiking, punching, wii-ing, to throwing in an occasional insanity DVD. Anyone have any other ideas? I get so bored that I need a wide variety to keep me motivated.
While I have an idea of my ideal weight I am trying to stay off the scale and go by the fit of my clothing. I have a dream to get back into my "skinny" clothes (yes I have an entire box of clothing that no longer fits me but I am not willing to give it away in hopes I can squeeze my bum back in them some day!)

Along with exercise I have been pushing hard to eat healthy. I will have a great day of clean eating and will not once be hungry, but the part I struggle with is after dinner and before bed, that is when I get a sweet tooth, or even if I eat healthy I just want to eat everything. I know it is all mental, I guess I am just mentally weak. My next goal should be to get mentally strong and say no to snacks!

Since my parents are so far away I had to get a shot of Frankie showing off her new talent. I dont know what it is about this kid that makes me laugh, but I sure do love the nugget.

My Style

I seem to be spending a lot of time dreaming about how I would decorate my home if I had nothing but time and money. I haven't been able to figure out what my exact style is. I really love mixing styles and after taking a quiz today from HomeGoods, this is what it had to say:

Kari, you are an Elegant Classic

You have a refined sensibility with an appreciation for history and tradition in your furniture and your rooms. You value beauty, things that are well crafted, and family heirlooms. You are visually sensitive and understand how symmetry and a formal layout give order to a room, and hence your home is refined and calming. You are not taken in by the trends of the moment. You go for things with a timeless appeal, and appreciate old-fashioned virtues like manners and handwritten notes and making a home that is welcoming for others.

You value comfort. Your home is a warm and open friendly place, and you feel happiest when everyone is cared for and relaxed in your space. Elements like pillows, throws, overstuffed furniture, and good lighting set the mood. You may also enjoy layering different fabrics or mixing patterns to create a cozy effect.

Love this description. Thanks HomeGoods for helping me define what my style is